`Holden Atencio

Crossing Paths

The Shopgirl Before the sun inhaled its first morning yawn, her spring coiled heart lay at the ready. Moonlight tied off its final stitching. A sharp crackle from the fireplace sent its encouragement. Just then, and only seen with narrowed eyes looking off into the distance, a flickering glow from a carriage carving its path down the hillside appeared. It would wait for her at the place agreed upon. In some ways, she would miss this hollowed out little room. It gave plenty of fieldwork for her pacing to and fro. Although her unequivocal decision had been made after her first week here, it was all the planning that tediously stole the incessant pacing. But tonight, she sat alongside stillness. Coiled. Ready to be set free. It would be the last time their lace laden laughter would scrape at her dignity. No more garish glances, sent like couriers across a room, delivered in a perfect pompous package. In fact, she was sure their garish faces would be in shock once they learned that she was capable of stepping forth on her own. From the edge of the bed, a slow and steady breath inwards brought her to her feet. Her stillness was so calm that it made the room seem like it was fussing about, making everything ready for her departure. The letter that told the truth of matters lay on the side table. A packed bag of modest belongings rested at her feet. The coins in her pouch were tied closely to her body. Quietness. She could have turned it all into swirling dust with an exhale at this point. Those sleeping heads on soft pillows would not know where they faded off to. Instead, with a step and turn of her heel, she quietly slipped into the night. Chapter 3 Being on foot was wearisome in this terrain. Endurance only mocked what little--