Touching Rune

Chapter 2-1

Chapter Two

Rune turned the corner and held her breath as she pressed her back against the cold brick and mortar building. Walter Randolph and his men were looking for her. She cursed under her breath. Ruby had warned her as she gathered the last of her flowers that had not sold for the day. Ruby, who sold scented soap beside her, had told her that she would take care of everything and have her brother drop it off at the orphanage later that evening.

Rune had barely had time to whisper her thanks before one of Randolph’s men spotted her. Hiking her long skirt up, she had run as fast as she could. She heard Randolph yell out behind her but she wasn’t about to wait.

He’s probably mad about the black eye I gave him yesterday, Rune thought as she dodged between two horse-drawn wagons filled with barrels of fresh fish from the docks. I’ll give him another one today if he tries to touch me again.

She groaned when another one of Randolph’s men spotted her. She was two blocks from the orphanage. She knew the horrid man wouldn’t try anything there. She was fed up with him and his demands. She had to vary her times and the spots where she sold her flowers three times in the last two weeks because of him.

Rune pushed off the wall as the man started down the alley toward her. She turned the corner and ran headfirst into a tall, lanky form. Hard hands grabbed her arms to keep her from falling. With a silent moan, she looked up into the twinkling eyes of Officer Olson Myers.

“Why, Miss August,” he said in his cheerful, deep voice. “Where is the fire?”

Rune pushed her long hair back behind her ear and smiled nervously up at the officer who often came by to see the children. Sister Mary and Sister Helen liked to hint that he really came by to see Rune, but Rune refused to rise to their baiting. She knew better than to encourage the young officer to believe there could ever be more than friendship between them.

“I was just on my way back to the orphanage,” Rune replied, glancing behind her. She turned back with a smile and touched Officer Myers arm. “Would you be so kind as to escort me? I know the children would love to see you.”

Olson grinned down at Rune, his thin mustache curving upwards. “I would be honored, Miss August. How are you doing on this fine evening? Did you sell all of your lovely flowers today?”

Rune mumbled an answer. She knew that they were being followed as they walked slowly back to the orphanage. She fought the urge to just turn and yell at the man to tell Randolph to leave her and the Sisters alone. She didn’t, though. Walter Randolph might be a slimy weasel, but he was a very wealthy and powerful one.

It took almost an hour before Rune was able to peel herself away from the friendly officer once they reached the orphanage. Sister Helen had to offer him a cup of tea. Sister Mary had to give him a piece of cake. Mother Magdalene asked him how his day was and if he was courting anyone.

Rune had rolled her eyes at that obvious attempt to feel out his intentions. She had finally taken pity on the poor, blushing man and exclaimed that it was time to get the children ready for their nightly bedtime ritual. She grimaced as the Sisters all stood up and looked expectantly at her.

“Let me get your hat for you,” Rune grunted out.

Rune led Olson out of the sitting room and into the small foyer. The soft giggles coming from the stairwell had her raising her eyes in warning to the line of children looking down at them. She winked at two of the youngest ones, pulling more muffled giggles from her audience.

“Yes, well, it was very nice of you to have me for tea and refreshments,” Olson said, nervously rotating his hat in his hands. “I was wondering if perhaps, after church this Sunday…”

“I don’t attend church, Mr. Myers,” Rune said shortly.

“You don’t… but you live…,” Olson said, confused as he looked around at the home filled with religious artifacts.

“No, I don’t, and yes, I do,” Rune said firmly as she opened the door. “I hope you have a very pleasant evening. Please be careful of the last step. It has a slight dip in the center and can be slippery.”

Rune stood in the door as Olson gave his stammered goodbyes. She knew she had taken him by surprise with her comment, but she didn’t care. She didn’t answer to anyone… not anymore. She had made her decision long ago and she accepted the consequences. She didn’t feel like she had to explain or answer to anyone why she felt the way she did. They would never understand anyway.

How did you explain that you had lived and died a hundred times to someone who believed that you went to heaven or hell after you died? she thought as she watched him hurry down the road.

Her eyes narrowed on a dark shadow across the street. The figure stepped out into the dim light of the lamp post. The scarred face of the man who had followed her earlier stared back at her.

Rune lifted her chin and gave the man a cold smile. She had met men like him many times before. She had fought with a man just like him the first time she had died. She had sworn as she lay dying on the cold, muddy ground centuries before that she would never bow to a tyrant.

She closed the door and leaned back against it. Her eyes went to the single pair of eyes staring down in silence at her. Eyes so much like… Rune forced her mind to close on the distant memory that haunted her still. She smiled and walked over to the stairs leading to the children’s dorm. She didn’t say a word as she held out her hand to the small boy who stood up as she approached. Together, they walked in silence down the long corridor.