I let my gaze wander over the people on the other side of the street . My eyes settled on William , the grandson of the healer and one of my few friends . He motioned for me to join him , and after confirming that Daleen and Miss had their attention elsewhere , I dashed across the mucky lane to join him .
Clasping his hands in greeting , I spoke first . “ Why are you here ? You ’ ll get me into trouble .” “ Are you scared of Miss ?” William challenged . I bristled and opened my mouth to provide a smart retort when green-eyed Azalea loudly announced my presence — or rather , the lack of it — to Miss . Gritting my teeth , I murmured an oath no child should utter . Miss ’ black glare was enough to send a shiver up my spine . “ Come on ,” William nervously said , tugging on my arm . No doubt he also wanted to escape a confrontation with my forceful guardian . “ Let ’ s go to Gran ’ s shop until she calms down a bit .”
We darted through the crowd and into an alley , giddy with disobedience . Our feet kicked up clods of filth as dirty rainwater soaked into my white socks and the hem of my sky blue dress , leaving them sodden and dirty . The alley opened up to Kalve , Jarn ’ s main road and only cobbled street . I kept a close eye on William , afraid that I would lose him among the thick crowd .
As a lock of my raven hair came loose and bounced against my forehead , a sprig of blue flowers fell out of my mane . I stooped to pick the blossoms up , calling out to William so he would halt . But when I looked up , he was nowhere to be seen .