Chapter 2 - The Strange Man

Later that night, I found myself sneaking out of the house. I'd done this before, I'd sneak to the park less than a block away. I found the park peaceful and had never seen anyone there this late at night before. I quietly made my way through the trees, staying off the path and out of the light of the lamps. There is a particular area of the park that I like: it's an area that is mostly wildflowers with a copse of trees to one side of it. At night, sitting by the trees, you could clearly see the moon and stars without being seen by others. 

I pulled the hood of my cloak more securely over my head, ensuring all my reddish hair was covered. I found my favorite tree, a large oak right against the edge of the wildflowers. Its roots made an excellent place to sit and conceal myself. I sat there in silence contemplating what my future held for me. It wasn't long before tears were streaming down my face; my breathing turned ragged, then into full blown sobs.

I don't want this. I don't want to marry a man who is more than twice my age. Why must I be the one who has to sacrifice their future for the betterment of their family? My sobs grew louder, and I covered my face trying to muffle them. Be quiet. You can't get caught here. 

"My Lady, please take my handkerchief," said a strange, deep voice.

Startled, I looked up and saw the silhouette of a man standing in front of me, holding out a handkerchief.

"I--I... Thank you." I responded, before taking the handkerchief from him.

I started delicately wiping my face with it, trying to get rid of the evidence of my tears.

"Why were you crying?" he asked.

I looked back up him, still unable to clearly see his face, before quietly saying, "I received some bad news today."

"Do you want to talk about it?"

"Yes, but I don't have anyone who I can talk to about it."

"You could talk to me about it."

"I wouldn't want to burden a stranger with my problems."

"Who better than a stranger. I can listen without judgement, and no one will ever know what you said to me, after all, we don't even know each other's names."

I smiled gently at his words.

"Maybe..."

"I can sit on the other side of the tree, so you don't have to see me."

"Okay."

Who is this man? I thought to myself. I wish I could see his face. I know he could see my face. It's possible he knows who I am, but I feel like he would have said something if he did.

I watched the strange man walk to the other side of the tree where I couldn't see him. From the light that hit him as he walked, I could tell that he was still young, probably only a few years older than me. He was in dark clothing and had dark colored hair, though I couldn't tell if it was black or brown from the way the light hit it.

"I'm settled, and ready to listen whenever you are ready."

I hesitated, but he didn't push me. 

"I found out earlier that that I am to be married. Married to a man over twice my age," I started. "I don't want to do it, but I don't have much of a choice. He'll provide my family with much needed money, and that would ensure my brothers lead good lives. I just don't understand why I am the one who has to sacrifice myself for the rest of my family. Maybe that makes me selfish, but it all feels so unfair. I have no one to talk to about this. My parents would scold me for complaining, I could never say this to my brothers, and if told others rumors would spread about my family selling me off. I feel so alone, and so lost. I don't want a to marry a man so much older than me, even if he is said to be decent. Some day he will die, and I will spend most of my life alone. I want to marry someone closer to my age that I can grow old with... I guess that future isn't in store for me..." I trailed off into silence.

After a moment, he said, "I'm sorry that you're experiencing this."

"Thank you."

"Out of curiosity, why did you come to the park?"

"Oh, I've always enjoyed this spot. You get a perfect view of the sky at night, and this tree is good hiding spot, normally."

"Sorry I intruded on your hiding spot."

"It's not a problem. Actually, I'm sort of glad you found me. I needed to get all that out. I feel somewhat better."

"I'm glad I could help."

We sat there in silence on opposite sides of the tree, watching the sky above us. 

After some time, I broke the silence, saying, "I should head home. I don't want to risk anyone noticing that I snuck out."

"Of course, I understand. Do you need an escort out of the park?"

"Oh, uh, no. I should be fine, but thank you," I quickly said while standing up. "Well, good night."

As I started walking away, I felt a hand grab me by the wrist, "Wait. Before you go I--"

I turned back to him.

"Oh, sorry, I forgot to give you your handkerchief back," I exclaimed, as I extended my hand with the handkerchief out to him.

"That's not--I mean, uh," he started, sounding flustered. "It's just... I wanted to know your name."

"Ah, but I thought we were going to remain strangers?" I asked, confused about this situation. He hadn't released my wrist, nor had he taken the handkerchief I still held out to him.

"Yes, you're right, but what if we run into each other in a situation similar to this one? How should I address you?"

I stared up at him for a moment, thinking, What should I tell him? 

"You can call me Beth."

"Beth..." he quietly responded. 

"Since you have a name for me, what should I call you?"

"Mikha. You can call me Mikha," he responded without hesitation.

"Well, Mikha, thank you for listening to me. Please take your handkerchief, and I really should be going."

Mikha took the handkerchief, while releasing my his hold on my wrist.

"Good night, Mikha," I said, before turning away, heading out of the park and back home.

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"Good night, Beth," I whispered back, watching her walk away from me.

"Follow her. Make sure she gets home safely, and find out who she is," I said towards the shadow that had been watching us from the branches of a tree, a few paces from where my conversation with Beth had taken place. I watched as the shadow jumped down from the tree, and followed after her. I stood there stretching the hand that had held her delicate wrist.

What a pity that such a lovely woman is to be wed to a man so much older than she is. I feel a desperation, a pull to help her, but what can I do? What if--No, I can't do that. I don't even know who she is. I must be patient. When Lincoln returns I shall see if I can think of some way to help her. 

At that, I walked away in the opposite direction of Beth. 

Beth...