Tabs-PRIVATE

[Clara Madison]

*The book has "TABS" written across the front. Underneath TABS PRIVATE is written in large red letters.*

*The first several pages are filled with names and tallies of drinks and totals. Assorted notes about who paid and who hasn't and who not to serve unless they pay up front.*

[Clara Madison]

Here I am still at this tavern. Here I will be forever. My parents are forever working towards buying this place off the owner but he will never sell. He enjoys his monthly rent far too much. I guess it works out well for most people involve as he just spends it all here anyway; I just wish it wasn't on me.

[Clara Madison]

How is it they line up to see the show and trip over each other some weeks to go upstairs, but none think to ask me out or even my name? They spend all evening buying drinks from me, but never any for me. None hesistate to ask me upstairs, but I just want one to ask me outside.

[Clara Madison]

Night after night patrons stream in. The only thing that differentiates one night from the next is my show on Fridays. One patron though has stood out lately though. William Jenkins. *shudders* He comes in a few times a week. Even when I'm not working he expects me to go with him. Most of the men are nice to me. It is a business transaction, sure, but they're still sweet and treat me good. Not William. The others are worried about the bruises but none have said anything to him. They just look at me with pity. A few have asked things like "I thought you didn't have a boyfriend" or "Didn't think yer father was the hittin' type". When I tell them it was a customer they just shake their head and say "Well you know I ain't gonna treat you like that why don't we go upstairs".

I have to get out of here. William is getting worse. The other night he threw me into the room. I bounced off the bed and hit the dresser. I hit my head hard and it began to bleed. When I tried to leave he shoved me hard into a wall saying he had already paid. After he finished I limped to the door and peered out. I called for my mother and she came upstairs. She gasped when she entered and sent for a healer friend. Jacob came in and looked at me. He cleaned my head wiping away the blood. Jacob asked what happened and why I did not send for him sooner. I told him there a slight accident while serving a customer. I assured my mother I would fine and told her she should get back downstairs to the tavern patrons. I told her she could trust Jacob to care for me. She paused a minute frowning before leaving the room. Jacob looked at me doubtfully. He knew there was more to the story. After my mother left I told Jacob the truth. I asked him to look at why it hurt so much to breath. He told me I probably broke a rib when I hit the wall.
"Jacob, I need to leave. William is getting worse and I can't stop him. None of the patrons will help. Will you watch over this place and my family?"
He nodded solemnly.
"I'm leaving a few hours after we close tomorrow. That'll give me tonight to rest. I should have a few hours left of darkness for cover. William doesn't normally come in on Sundays so I shouldn't have to worry about him."
Jacob rose to leave.
"Jacob, stick around til the place empties out and have my parents come up. I want to tell them and I want you to help."
I wrapped my arms around my childhood friend hugging him tight wondering how our paths so diverged. Him, a doctor now and me, well...that's changing soon.

[Clara Madison]

Telling my parents I was leaving broke their heart but they understood. Jacob is a good man though and he will care for them.

I spent the next day gathering some items to take with me; some clothes, some food, a touch of gold, some blankets, and a few other odds and ends. I found my thick traveling cloak. I loved that cloak. My mother made it from some red leather Jacob gathered and we lined it with rabbit fur.

I bundled my supplies in a pack and folded my cape on top. I hid the pack under my parents bed in case there were...patrons tonight.

I went about the nightly activities as normal; wiping down tables and serving the town drunkards. The place was packed. The fishermen had a great catch and were here celebrating. The fishermen come in every time they are ashore and it's a good thing too, the fish scales they track about take days to scrape off from every surface. Even the till needs cleaned after. I smirk a bit knowing I won't have to deal with the aftermath this time though who knows where I would be or what I would be doing instead. I was going to be able to bring more gold with me on my trip which should help, I did not want to have to take my parents spare change. The men were nice enough tonight but I would stink of their catch for weeks.

By the time the last band of fishermen left the first rays of sun were breaking. I couldn't leave in the day for fear of being seen, I'd have to wait another day. That was not good. Not only would I have to clean up, but William normally came around the next night...Would I be able to survive one more night with him?

[Clara Madison]

I spent the day anxiously scrubbing the bar. My parents kept telling me to go lie down and I would need my rest for the trip but I couldn't stop moving. I was so scared for what would happen that night.

The bar opened for the night and so far things were quiet. Just some old men grumbling at their booze. The usuals began to trickle in as the shop keeps closed up and brought their profit for the day in. The butcher had a new apprentice he wanted to welcome to the town so upstairs I went. The apprentice was young and cute but very shy. I liked the shy ones. I like the way they blush and stammer especially when they're the one paying. We got to my room and he emptied his pockets pleading and crying. Come to find out he was smitten with the baker's son. I chuckled shoving his money back. We stayed and talked for awhile, at least long enough for his eyes to get less puffy from the crying. I had him go downstairs first and stood just inside the door as he was greeted with the customary cheers from the men who thought they knew what had just happened.
As I turned the corner at the bottom of the stairs I caught a glimpse of William at the bar. I turned and tried running back upstairs but his friend pointed me out. I run up the stairs slamming my door and locking it. I tried to push my dresser against the door knowing the lock would not hold but as I got it to budge I saw William's boot come crashing through my door sending wood flying. He grabbed my arm shoving me onto the bed. As he fumbles with his belt I grab the vase from dresser and hit him over the head. He staggers back and I hit him again shattering the vase this time.
I sprint from the room grabbing my pack of supplies and taking the stairs two at a time. As I dash past the bar I catch my mother's eye. "He'll be coming after me any second. I love you and pa. I'll send pigeons if I can!" I grasp her hand for a brief second wishing we could say a proper farewell. I rush out into the cold night air pushing my way through through the crowd as the confusion grows. I pull my cloak on as I run towards the edge of town and the trees. I am not sure where I am headed as I enter the woods. I run until I am out of breath and I slow to look about. I pause holding my breath and hear hoof beats growing closer. I find a small dense patch of trees and duck behind them. I pull my cloak all the way over me hoping the darkness will hide me. I sit there barely breathing hearing the hoof beats get louder.
Suddenly there is a hand over my mouth and a strong arm about my waist. There is a low growl in my ear like nothing I have heard before. I hear William's shouting about how he will find me and that I will not make it back to town. "You picked a nice secluded place. Bet i could just tie ya up and leave ya out here comin' back as i please. don't even hafta pay ya now". The hoof falls are almost here.
"You know who is coming?" my captor growls.
I nod shaking a bit. "looking for you?"
Again I nod. "As long as you let me live long enough to watch him die I will not fight you at all."
The grip on me loosens and I turn to view my captor. In the dim light I can only see he is tall, taller than the men in Minoc...and has glowing blue eyes.
Suddenly the area around us lights up and William arrives bellowing from his horse about no one stealing me from him. He draws his sword and my captor shoves me aside dodging the swing.
I crawl away from the men searching for something to use as a weapon. I find a thick branch on the ground and break off the spindly twigs that were still attached to it. I turn and watch the men fight. My captor retreats slightly and I let out a small shriek as he crouches leaping forward onto William as a large wolf. My scream distracts him slightly and as William stumbles backwards from shock his sword catches the wolf across the left eye. He lets out a howl of pain and falls to the ground. I run towards William with the branch and swing as hard as I can towards his stomach as the wolf takes the opportunity of William's distraction and bites deep into the flesh on the back of his upper right leg. William falls onto his knees dropping his sword. I scrambled to pick it up pulling it out of his reach.
William tries to stand and as he does blood spurts from his leg. He kneels on the ground holding the bite. The wolf turns and bites him on the left side of his torso. He screams and swings toward the wolf who is already out of his reach. I rush forward with the sword shoving it deep into his stomach. William falls forward face down on the forest floor and I watch as he goes limp. I stand for a moment just looking at him before walking over and kicking him to ensure he is dead.
"He's dead". I spin hearing the same voice as before though less growly.
In the light of William's torch I see my captor again. He stands at least a foot taller than me and has a hood pulled low over his face though his eyes still glow slightly. "We need to go" he says as he pulls me away.