A MAZE OF GREED

She ran as fast as she could. Her feet landing heavily on the green luscious grass on which the moonlight fell. Her hands clutched the cloth of her dress that she held a little above her ankles to not trip and fall because of it.

Beads of sweat formed on her forehead and one of them rolled down from her forehead to her neck. Her heart thumped vigorously against her chest while her hazel eyes focused on the only escape which was not far from her.

Her toffee brown hair flapping along the direction of the wind that passed past her. She was close, very close to her escape. A few more yards and she would be free.

But suddenly to her utter surprise, someone grabbed her from behind. The person was a stranger yet was a little familiar. Her heart leapt into her chest at the thought of getting caught.

She couldn't land herself into trouble. If she got caught, God only knew what would have happened to her. With every ounce of courage left in her body, she pushed herself forward. Adrenaline was at the aid too.

Then something happened, unexpected and shocking. She heard the sound of cloth getting torn and it didn't take long for her to realise that it was nothing else but her dress. Her steps halted in shock and her head turned to look back at the offender.

Cerulean blue.

A pair of cerulean blue eyes stared right back at her. She didn't wait to study the emotions they held if there were any. Their beauty was enough to hitch her breath and soon she realised that she had no time to waste.

A gasp left Ruth's mouth as she sat upright as if she had been struck by a bolt of light. Her eyes flew open wide, her body drenched in sweat. Her heart was beating frantically. She had to use her mouth to gulp more oxygen to slow down her erratic breathing.

Her shivering hand reached for her shoulder on instinct where Edwin O'Dell had torn her dress that night. Her hand clenched her shoulder while she closed her eyes tightly. She gulped to wet her dry throat.

"It was just a dream." She whispered to console herself.

After giving her mind some time to calm down, Ruth got out of her bed. She stood in front of the mirror to look at her reflection in it. Her dishevelled form and puffy eyes showed how much that dream affected her.

It was not the first time that she thought about the incident that happened weeks ago. But this was the first time that she was this scared after revisiting that unholy memory.

'Maybe it was because I talked about Edwin O'Dell with Rees while having Sunday breakfast', thought Ruth.

She opened the only window in her room to see the outside world that was waking up slowly from the good night's sleep.

Knowing that the sleep had run far away from her, Ruth spent some time watching the Sun rose from behind the mountains, disseminating its bright rays on the calm blue water of the ocean. She heard the voices of people rushing towards the port to get a good catch of marine treasure and then sell it into the market.

After some more time, she then went to get ready for the day.

After getting ready to leave for Mr Cooper's tailoring shop, Ruth stepped outside her room and was locking the door when her neighbours greeted her.

"Good morning, Ruth!"

"Hello, Mrs Payne, Mr Payne. Good morning!" Ruth turned with a bright smile on her face after making sure that she had locked the door perfectly.

"Are you going to your job?" The old man asked.

"Yes." Ruth replied while keeping the key of the lock into her purse.

"We are happy that you got a decent job. I am sure that you will never face the trouble with your landlord again." Mrs Payne said contently.

"I will make sure of that." Ruth meant every word.

Scratching his neck awkwardly Mr Payne asked. "Ruth, can I ask for a favor from you?"

"Mr Payne, what are you saying? Just tell me how can I help you and I will do it. You don't have to name it as a favor."

They were her neighbours for years now. When Ruth landed herself in the unknown land of Vincardine, she was confused and had no one to guide her.

She distinctly remembered her first day when she rented this room. She had no groceries or any other essentials with her. It was Ms Payne, who had invited her to join them for the dinner. She also took Ruth to various parts of Vincardine such as markets, shops, clinics, etc.

Mr and Mrs Payne helped her to settle well in the town and were always there to listen to her or talk with her.

Mr and Mrs Payne were the ones who always supported and wished good for Ruth. They were the ones who tried to talk with her landlord when he was adamant about kicking Ruth out of the room because she didn't have money for the rent. They were kind and cared for her. Ruth knew that if she needed anything then she could rely on them.

The couple's only child died years ago because of a serious illness and hence they had no one to take care of them.

Since her first day here, Ruth decided to help them with everything they asked and even if they didn't ask. Helping people was her nature but she also held great respect and affection towards the old couple.

Mr Payne looked hesitant but after an encouraging look from his wife, he said, "Our relatives who live in another province has sent some items for us with a caravan of a merchant. They are taking a stoppage at the outskirts of the town. I was going to collect it but my leg got an injury while cutting the wood."

He showed his leg that was covered with a white bandage, patches of red blood visible on it. The wound looked pretty bad.

Ruth just now noticed that Mr Payne had difficulty in standing on his injured foot and Mrs Payne was actually supporting her husband by sharing his weight on her old shoulders.

Ruth's eyes went wide in realisation. "Oh my God! When and how this happened? Why didn't you tell me? Is the cut deep? We shall go see the physician!" Ruth panicked at the sight of the man's wound.

"Easy, child! Easy! He was not careful while cutting a log of the wood that I told him to get to burn the oven. It happened last evening. I have mended it, don't worry!" Mrs Payne assured Ruth.

"But-"

"I am totally fine, Ruth. Don't stress yourself with it. I will be ready to dance with my love in a week." Mr Payne gave a romantic glance to his wife that made her blush.

Ruth was not convinced at all. But she decided to trust his words. "Oh, okay, if you say so. Then what do you want me to do?"

"Can you fetch that parcel for us, dear?" Mrs Payne asked hopefully.

Ruth didn't find a problem here and agreed instantly. "Of course, I will. When I am supposed to go there?"

"They will be near the northern boundary of Vincardine this evening. You can go there before the Sunset."

"Okay! I will be there on time. I will ask Mr Cooper to permit me to leave a little earlier than usual. Is there anything else I can do for you?"

The couple shared a look. "That's more than enough. But Ruth, be careful as the route to the place passes through the woods. You know what is happening there over the past three months. We don't want to put you at any risk." Mr Payne concerned, worry itched on his wrinkled face.

Ruth recalled how the guard read the announcement by the O'Dell family about the deaths in the woods. The people of vincardine were shaken by the tragic deaths.

The woodcutters were also ordered to not stay in the woods for long. The people even avoided taking the short routes to the neighbouring towns that passed through the woods.

Ruth smiled, "Don't worry. I will ask Thea to accompany me and will return as early as possible."

"If it was not important then we would have never asked you to go there in such critical times." Mrs Payne said with an apologetic look on her face.

"Oh, come on, Mrs Payne. I am just like your granddaughter. Don't look sad, the look doesn't suit your pretty face. Now I have to get going. See you in the night! Bye!" Ruth rushed towards the stairs with a smile on her face and her hands waving at the old couple who mirrored her expressions.

"And yes, Mr Payne please take rest and don't spend your time in loving your dear wife!" Ruth teased.

"Oh, hush.. Ruth!" She laughed with listening to Mrs Payne's fading voice.