Blind

The child slowly made her way through the crowded, bustling market, her filmy eyes staring ever onward into the darkness which she had been born into. Her matted, greasy, un-brushed hair fell to her dirt caked knees. It spilled over the tattered, ragged dress that was mush too small for her.1

They kicked and spat at the little orphan girl, though many feared her a demon. The muttered quick prayers as she passed, unaware that she could hear them. But she ignored them, not affected by their hatred for her. She never understood it, and didn't understand it now, but it didn't matter.2

She knew a great deal that they did not. Suck as the fact that the thunder of hoof-beats grew closer every minute. That the crackling roar of fire could be heard at it's heels. That the baying of hounds guided the way, vicious and blood thirsty.3

They would not have listened to her if she had warned them, and she did not care to warn the anyway. But she went through quickly, not wanting to linger. It held no special meaning to her, this place. She was not, and had never been, wanted here. She would not miss these people, the people who had mistreated her all her life. Who's children had trampled her garden and thrown stones at her.4

She walked away from the village along the rough, stony dirt path she knew so well. Then onto the soft grass of spring. She could hear the wind whistling cheerily through the trees, and the birds chirping happily. The entirety of nature seemed to mock the misfortune about to fall upon the people of the village.5

The birds fell silent as she crested the hill, adorned with the small cave she called home. The vicious shouts and agonized screams began. She kept walking, head down. She dropped to her knees and crawled into the cave. her small hand slid over the cool stone, worn smooth by the passage of time. She would hide now, and when they left she could keep on living as if nothing had ever happened.6

There would be no more scorn or curses thrown towards her, no more shouts or spit. No more foolish people who misunderstood her so. She could almost smile at that, almost. But her conscious was weighed by the sounds from below. She covered her ears. Perhaps, she thought, I'm not so blind after all.