I will write tomorrow if nobody else does.

Finally getting around to this!

Ashlen ~

Wind whipped my grey, woolen skirt around my ankles, my hair flying around my shoulders. Thunder rumbled nearby, and storm clouds blocked out the sun, turning everything into dull shades of grey. 

How apropos, I thought with a bitter smile.

Rain began to fall. Gently at first, then harder with each passing minute. I remained where I was, carefully watching the road. Finally, after several minutes, a black figure swaggered up the road, seemingly in no hurry.

"Heya there Ashlen," Anslee said, a sarcastic grin on her face.  Her hair was plastered to her face, her clothes were soaked and muddy, yet she looked like she hadn't a care in the world. But I knew that was far from the truth.

I said nothing, just turning and walking into the house. Anslee scoffed behind me. At times I questioned why I was always so concerned as to whether or not she came home. At times I considered not bothering to stand out there in the rain, and let Anslee just fend for herself. I was willing to be she could, but I always found myself placing the shawl around my shoulders and standing out in the yard to watch. I always found myself cooking enough for the both of us, cleaning and darning her clothes. I knew, even acknowledged, that underneath the stress, I cared deeply about her. She was my sister, my twin. It couldn't be helped.

"He coming tonight!" Anslee cackled.

I felt myself tense. I'd been dreading tonight my whole life. I knew, the whole village knew, that the Schoolmaster would take Anslee. I heard them talk, saying it would be a relief to me, that I could have a normal life despite the loss of mother and father, once Asnlee was gone. But they were wrong. It would be the hardest thing I've ever faced. 

***

I lay in bed, yet I wasn't least bit tired. I knew Anslee wasn't asleep either. Our room was small, yet the darkness seemed infinite. I wished I could pierce it, vanquish it, with the dagger clenched in my fist. I doubted I could defeat the Schoolmaster with just a dagger. A whole town now stood outside the village, fires burning, pitchforks and kitchen knives in hand in an attempt to keep their children safe. They'd been trying different tactics for years, yet once the Schoolmaster had chosen, there was no stopping him. 

Suddenly a gust of wind blew the window shutters open, and the humid night air blew in.

"He's here!" Anslee gasped in excitement, like a child in a candy store.

"Shush! He isn't coming, he won't take you," I hissed, climbing out of bed and moving to the window, dagger still in hand.

Anslee just snorted.

I looked out into the night. There was no sign of anything. Still, I remained where I was, guarding the window.

The minutes crept by, only the distant sounds of villagers to be heard. My muscles relaxed, though my mind remained alert.