I had a good life. I had all that I wanted, an amazing house, lots of fancy frilly dresses for every occasion. I had servants and butlers to do things for me, get me dinner, wash my clothes, make my bed, anything I wanted. I had a friend. Her name was Esme. She didn't have a home, she lived in the woods directly opposite our house. She used to come and wait outside my gate every afternoon while my parents were up in the games room socialising with friends or in the dining room having most likely a meeting. They were not aware that I was doing this, that was until they caught me. When I think about this, the memories just come flooding back. I was only 13 at the time.
I was waiting, as usual for Esme to come darting out of the forest and silently walk across the road and then we would just chat for a couple of hours. It sounds boring but she was a lot more interesting than me and I enjoyed listening to her talking. So I was waiting. I was so careless that I hadn't yet realised that I was completely in full view to those at the end of the games room looking out the window. I realised this when I saw a servant pacing up and down in front of the window when they stopped and looked at me. I tried but hopelessly failed to hide in the bushes when he rushed downstairs and yelled at me to come out. I was dragged back inside, and long story short I got kicked out of my house at age 13.
I'll admit. I panicked. Okay, I more than panicked when I was shoved out the door and forced to find my own home. I had a complete mind blank and was going over my options of what to do when I thought of Esme. I quickly raced across the road, and into the forest. Esme had told me that she slept every night in a small burrow like grass mound which was located when you first entered the forest and just kept walking for about two minutes. So thats what I did. I eventually found what looked like the place Esme had described, and called her name few times. Nothing. I looked around. Nothing. She was gone. There was absolutely no sign of her or anyone for that matter. I lived in the woods until I was 15. Then one day I was doing what I did every morning when I heard a noise. A small crackle of a twig breaking. I brushed it off, thinking it was a stray animal of some sort. I had encountered hedgehogs, cats, rabbits and possums so I generally wasn't worried. Until I saw a figure darting about. "Hello?" I called out. "Martha?" the figure replied. "Esme? Is that you?"
"Yes! Martha I'm so glad I finally found you! I was coming back to see you at your house and I decided to go the old way where I used to live! What on earth are you doing here?"
"Long story, I got kicked out of my house waiting for you. Where have you been the last two years?"
"You know how I told you I got abandoned when I was born? My father found me. He was out rabbit hunting in these woods and almost shot me. He then realised who I was and took me home. I was meaning to tell you but my father wouldn't let me go out right then. I have missed you!"
"Oh Esme, I'm so happy for you! I-"
"Look, I've got to go back home. But this time I'm taking you with me."