“See you tomorrow, Chatty!” The heavyset baker says cheerfully.

I nod my head towards the woman in thanks, grabbing the bread offered to me happily.

With a quick wave to her, I slip out of her shop, bread in hand. As soon as I’m back on the cobbled street, I make a mad dash for my hiding spot. I run down several sidestreets, hop over a few walls, and eventually come to a dead end. Checking to make sure no one is around, I move the large crate sitting against the wooden wall, revealing a hole just large enough for someone small to fit. I slink through the opening, and awkwardly move the crate back into place once I’m inside.

I finally let myself relax, finally safe. Relatively. Reaching into the rough bag I made out of a worn sack and several ruined shirts, I pull out a small crystal. I tap it twice with my finger, and it slowly starts to glow. After about a minute, the small stone is bright enough for me to see in my dark surroundings.

Musty carpets cover the floors of an abandoned mansion, the thick, moth-eaten curtains blocking out what little left of the evening sun there is. I slowly make my way to the staircase, carefully walking up the groaning steps. After I make it to the landing, I open the door to the bedroom I’d claimed as my own.

This room is much cleaner than the others, something I’ve gone out of my way to make happen. The bed is neat, covered in the least damaged bed coverings I could find. Glowing stones, like the one I’m carrying, hang from strings haphazardly, giving me plenty of light to work with, but not enough to be visible outside. I checked.

I walk over to the dresser I keep my food in, and take out an old stick of butter. Using the silverware I found in the kitchen, I slather the slightly sour, but still tasty, paste on my bread. Taking a hungry bite, I smile.

Stale, of course, but otherwise delicious. The kind baker that gives me food most days is quite talented.

I sit down on my bed, pulling a book out of the stack on my night table. My eyes run over the unfamiliar runes, trying to make some sense of them. I’ve been trying for the last three weeks, since I woke up here, with a small amount of success. I’m pretty sure I figured out some really basic symbols, man, woman, human, food, inn, but not much more than that.

Honestly, I’m shocked I managed that much.

Looking up from my book, gazing at the once opulent room, I smile. I think I’ve done pretty well, all things considering. Sure I’m literally squatting in an abandoned mansion, eating stale bread that woulda been thrown out. But for someone who woke up in the woods, not a memory to her name, being able to get this far in just three weeks…

I’d say that’s not too bad.

As I look around, the mirror in the corner catches my eye. I hop off the bed and walk over to the full length, ornate mirror.

A girl, who looks to be between the ages of sixteen and twenty, looks back at me.

I frown. I’d like to be able to say I don’t look that young… but it is pretty hard to tell my age. I have one of those baby faces. The rags I’m wearing definitely don’t help. I quickly pull my shirt up and over my head, and look in the mirror again.

My face brightens a little. I still look younger than I am, but the breasts and curves I’m sporting raise the lower end of the range quite a bit. I let out a quiet huff, laying back down on my bed. You’d think that a huge mansion like this would have better clothes, but what I found was apparently the focus of moths, damaged beyond repair. Thankfully they did have enough usable material to make myself a rough facsimile of pants.

Running through the town, pantsless, is not something I’d like to repeat.

Exhaustion starting to weigh down my body, I pick up my book and try to relax.

Not going to wear a shirt? Pervert.

I bolt upright, my eyes darting around the room. After several seconds pass, I see no one. The only sound the rapid beating of my heart in my ears.

I’m not there, silly.

What… What the hell? I put my back to the wall in a panic, pulling the small dagger I carry on me out of my belt.

Hahahahaha… Are you gonna stab your own head or something?

…What?

What do you mean, what? That’s the only way you could stab me.

My eyes go wide as I understand what the voice means.

Yep yep, in your head… Finally got through all the muck I was in. The voice says, pleased with itself.

I frown. What are you?

Me? Well… I guess I’m me, and you… I think.

What?

I’m you, and you’re me. It’s not that hard to get. The voice chides.

If you’re me, how are we talking?

Well… We’re separate.

…So you’re not me then.

You’re not understanding. The voice says, frustrated. You are me, and I’m you. Separate but not.

I frown at their little motto, not really liking the idea of having this thing in my head.

How rude. I’m very kind and likable, when you get to know me.

My frown somehow deepens. And who exactly are you? I thought you were me.

The voice chuckles in my mind, the sound somewhat like windchimes. I need a name… A name, a name… Let’s go with… Lotus! Yes I like that one.

I sigh quietly in exasperation. Hello, I guess. My name is Chatty, at least that’s what everyone calls me.

Again Lotus laughs. Of course I know your name, silly. I’ve been watching you after all.

My brows come together in a scowl. Watching me? For how long?

The whole time, ever since we woke up in the woods!

It’s… It’s been watching me?

Heeeey! I’m a she, not an it.

The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

I sigh again. She’s been watching me. Great.

I’m glad we agree. A sense of mirth prickling my mind.

Was… that her feelings?

Ooooh! Can you feel my feelings? She asks excitedly. Sure enough, a small amount of her excitement touches my own emotions.

Well that’s annoying. Against my will, I smirk. Annoying? I should be freaking the hell out! There’s an entity in my mind, claiming it’s me, and that it's been watching me. And yet…

I’m not as worried as I probably should be.

Maybe the thing is messing with my mind, maybe not. I have no way of knowing, really.

I am not messing with your head. Lotus says with a pout.

How I can tell she’s pouting, I don’t know. Is pouting an emotion?

So… You’re okay with me? Lotus’ voice is heavily laden with hope.

I shrug. Not much I can do about it, so I guess I am.

Yaaaay! Pure joy rushes through my mind. I promise I’ll make it worth it.

Not like I would be able to kick you out if you didn’t. I mechanically put my book and knife away, pulling the covers over me. I’m suddenly exhausted, I wonder why.

Just as I fall asleep, I hear a small voice.

Goodnight, Chatty.

**********************************

As soon as I hear the loud crowing of a bird, I jump out of bed, instantly awake.

I quickly throw on my only clothes, and grab my bag and knife. After carefully exiting the mansion, and pushing the crate back in place, I make my way to my second secret spot.

A small courtyard that sits between four buildings. While the buildings seem to have people living in them, the only way to the courtyard is through a thin, overgrown path. So the place is totally deserted, the cobble weathered and raised by roots.

I whip out my knife, and start my morning routine. Two hundred thrusts, followed by two hundred slashes, finished by a hundred pushups and situps. I’ve been doing this nearly every day since arriving, the repetition good for clearing my mind.

Chatty… I’m so boooored.

I jump, and immediately blush. I… forgot about my new roommate.

How could you Chatty… Lotus asks, legitimate sadness emanating from her.

‘I just did, okay! I’m sorry.’

The emotions passing into my mind almost instantly perk back up. I forgive you!

A quiet sigh slips between my lips. She’s so… temperamental.

I turn my mind back to what I was doing, and after a few hours, finish.

My morning routine done, I rush to a nearby building. It’s squat, with a tiled roof and a large chimney, the blacksmith’s forge.

“Yo, Chatty!” The human beard calls to me, hammer in hand. “Here to work?” He booms.

I nod enthusiastically, happy that someone is willing to employ me.

“Hmm…” As the muscular man thinks, I look him over again.

He’s short, for a grown man, and has lighter skin than most of the people I’ve met, not that much is actually visible. He’s really hairy… everywhere. His legs, arms, head, every part of him is covered by scraggly black hair. Not to mention his massive beard, which almost completely covers his apron. I force myself not to smirk when I notice the burnt patches.

Why is that handsome wolf talking? Lotus asks innocently.

I cover my face, faking a cough to hide my grin. The man, Jeffrey, does have fierce looking eyes, so I understand Lotus’ confusion… kinda.

“Ya okay Lass?” He asks, worried.

I nod, my face placid. ‘He’s not a wolf, Lotus.’

Oh… Are you sure?

I ignore the mental stowaway, and turn my attention back to my boss.

“Well, once yer ready, there’s wood out back.” He thumbs behind him, indicating around the large brick forge. “Ya can chop it, just how I showed ya. Once ya finish, I’ll give ya three silvers.”

My head bobs rapidly in a nod. Three silvers is real generous for just chopping wood. Without missing a beat, I rush to where the blacksmith keeps his lumber. I hear the man’s chuckling as I go.

As soon as I reach the wood, I realize there’s a problem.

The guy’s axe is almost as big as my torso. I scowl at the lump of metal.

You can do it, Sis!

I scowl harder. ‘I’m not your sister.’

Lotus doesn’t respond, but a few flecks of sadness do make their way to me.

I shake my head, ignoring her for now. I have work to do!

I grab one of the logs off the pile and drag it to the large stump that makes up the chopping block. I place it standing up, and turn to face my enemy.

The axe.

My hands wrap around the leather bound handle, and I make sure to get a good grip on it. Then, I try to lift the massive thing.

And I do, shockingly easily.

Not to say it’s not heavy as all hell… But it’s still doable. I look at my arms, and notice the muscles there for the first time.

Guess I’m stronger than I realized.

A bit prideful of my shocking success, I get to work.

────────────

Several hours, and what feels like thirty gallons of sweat, later I chop my last log.

I stack the final piece of wood onto the fuel pile, and put the axe back before heading towards the front of the forge.

Jeffery is hammering away, totally engrossed in the… helmet? What looks like the beginning of a helmet he’s working on to notice me. Calling out to him not really an option, I stand and wait.

Thankfully it only takes a few minutes to notice me this time.

“Chatty! Ya take care of the wood?” He asks with a smile that parts his beard.

I nod tiredly.

The man stands up, putting his work to the side. He brushes off his heavy gloves before throwing them to the ground.

“Hold just one minute, I’ll get yer money.”

I watch the man move into the small, but nice looking, hut that sits next to the forge. It doesn’t take long before he returns, a leather pouch in hand.

He reaches into the pouch, the sound of metal on metal coming from within. “Here yer are.” The man says with a chuckle.

Four silvers drop into my outstretched hands.

I look up at the man in shock. I hold up four fingers, making sure he meant to give me that much.

The small, but larger than me, man starts laughing. “Yeah, I meant to give ya four.” He plops down on the stool next to his forge. “Ya were able to use that big ole axe back there, right?”

I nod, confused where he’s going with this.

He reaches near his feet, out of my sight, and pulls out a much smaller axe than the one I used.

“I was testing to see how strong ya were.” He taps his arm with the butt of the axe handle. “I noticed the muscles you got, and was curious, is all.” The blacksmith says with a grin.

…Was. Was he checking me out? Is he some kind of pervert?

Who cares, he pays good. Lotus mumbles.

I nod slowly, both to Lotus and Jeffery. He does pay well.

The man laughs again, clearly amused by my confusion. “I see yer confused. Don’t worry, it was just curiosity.” He places the axe back where it came from. “The extra silver was for humoring me.”

I nod again, still unsure of the man’s pervert status.

He picks his gloves back up, putting them on. “That’s all I got for ya today, so scram.” Jeffery says, his tone light.

I give the man a polite wave before running to my next stop.

Food!