5 Rule 1

The painting of the woman with a weird face. What exactly did it mean? What was she—

Ma lari, earlier said something about going to the castle and she made me stay because I was supposed to watch over some kid.

It's surprising that I was able to sleep peacefully in this strange environment. It kind of felt like nothing could possibly go wrong. Soon I heard knocks at the door and I went to open it. From out of the bushes, a young boy tumbled to the door step. Before I could even react, he was up on his feet and glared at me. His hands went into his pockets, his eyes were telling me he also didn't expect us to meet.

Soon he grinned and i started to feel like he might be a fun kid to know. My little brother was about his age and I could handle him pretty well. Actually, behind that relaxed face of his, I could tell his hazel iris were calculating. I wanted to know what he wanted to say to me, that's if he had something to say.

"I'm Leonard!" His face was suddenly pure looking as he held his little hand, and I in return interlocked my hand with his then tried my best not to make an awkward smile. "I'm Amal Ryan"

"Pleasant to meet you. Mama lari said you'd watch over me" I nodded and stepped aside for him. "Do you know what will happen if something happens to me or she doesn't see me at home this afternoon?"

I shook my head "Do you want to know?" I made the same gesture and the boy gave me a sly grin and in seconds, he turned on his heels and sprinted down the mud path. It seemed like he wasn't going to stop by the boundary of the woods, he'd surpass and go into town.

I panicked, ran back in and put on a coat that I could use to cover my face. I wasn't supposed to go out to the town, Ma lari cautioned me, in any case, I needed to get that kid, it wasn't safe outside.

I followed the footprints his rubber boots made and it led me out of the silent woods and to the streets of the village.

I passed by a few rustic cabins dotted on a grassy hill. I walked at a fast pace because I didn't want to draw too much attention to myself. I needed directions but I couldn't ask. Writing a report about the movements of a foreign girl to the King would be easy, then he'd find out I disobeyed my number one rule to stay away from the commoners that knew so little about my kind.

The new path I walked on was lined up with stalls and it looked like I was in a market. I had to keep moving no matter how many times I bumped into hurrying people.

The sun mercilessly shone down on the food market, sweat glistened on the foreheads of the people that walked by. The place was drowning in a sea full of people.

I wondered if it was a discount day. Shopkeepers hollered out special deals at the top of their lungs to attract customers and customers were definitely trying to bargain for the best prices.

I didn't come to shop, I came to look for a stubborn child that was playing a terrible game of hide and seek. I took the next turn I could find thinking it was an exit from the market. I kept strolling but stopped as soon as I met a gang of men on the floor playing a board game. I unobtrusively made a turn but on the opposite side, two others obstructed my way.

They slowly made me move backwards until my back met with someone's body, and a knife was held at my neck.

They could examine my body properly after they'd ripped off my cloak. They awed in amusement and whispered a thing or two to each other. I tried to keep a calm face but on the inside, my heart raced to an exent it could burst.

Money...money is what they need. My hand was shaky as I attempted to pull out my satchel from my waist bag, but the man held my hand up and pressed them against a wall.

He was appalling, the scent from his body was a thick mix of fresh meat, blood and liquor. I was already getting nauseous and the lusty look on their face irritated me. "Please don't touch me. I have money I could give you"

"Ssshhh" the man holding my hands tight hushed me as he gently nibbled on the skin of my neck "let me go please" he bit it and I screamed.

He forced me to the ground but I struggled to free myself. Each of them pinned my body down whilst the man undressed himself. "Please don't..."

"She said don't!"

"Leonard, Runaway!!!" There was no way he could take on those guys. If anything happens to him, I was pretty sure Ma Lari would have a panic attack. The gang laughed at Leonard who possibly thought of himself as a hero.

The man on me got up, playfully tossing his knife around as he slowly approached Leonard and the boy stood there bold with that sly smile on his face.

The man soon dashed, ready to slice the young boy with his knife but he collapsed on the floor before he could get there.

"Sleep well Amal" he winked and I suddenly felt sleepy. It didn't take long before I succumbed to the wishes of my eyes. To close.

"Wake-wake"

"Huh?" Amal sat up. Leonard pat her head then gave her the usual smile "Thank you for chasing me"

"Where are we?"

"The same alley" no one but them were there. What happened to those men? How come nothing happened to him? Amal's head was full of questions, should she ask or shouldn't she ask?

"Don't worry too much. You're safe now. I'm hungry for bread and eggs. Come buy me some and let's go home right away. Ma lari will soon be back." Amal was scared to go out in the open without her cape. It as torn and people would be able to spot her out easily. Then they'd report it to the King.

The young boy sighed, put his hand in his pocket and pulled out a necklace "wear this. Ma lari's work. Her least useful item. If you put it on, no one will be able to see you"

Work? Then her suspicions were right. Ma lari was a witch!

"Put it on and let's go" Amal quickly did but was still reluctant to go out. Leonard was tired of waiting. He held her hand and pulled her as he ran.

The boy was too strong for his age. She couldn't even free herself from his grip. She was sure she was glued to the ground before he pulled her out and made her follow him back to the Market. Just like he said, it was like she was invincible. Everyone carried out their normal activities.

"I told you nothing would happen" This time around, Amal was the one to smile. Whatever he did saved her from those men.

"Bread and Eggs!!! Leonard kept hitting the table demanding for food. Amal tried her best to be fast so he'd stop making a ruckus.

His behaviour was just to clear up any suspicion Amal would have on him. He was Ma lari's familiar, he was older than what he looked like. He was currently three hundred years old, disguised himself as an eight year old boy.

What actually happened to that gang? It was pretty obvious that he ate them. He planned everything that would happen. Getting Amal out there was just an opportunity to eat. Luckily, his plan turned out well and he ate to his satisfaction. Amal knew she was a pawn, but she just had to play along. Lord knows what will happen if he figured out she knew the truth.