Part 6 – End

Dimitru tried to comfort her, but his heart pounded so hard in his chest that she felt it on her back. And his hands trembled almost as much as her own. Unable to just stand there any longer and do nothing, he swore and released her. He snatched his gun from the floor and went …

Part 5

For a moment, Maria doubted this course of action. She thought about the boy her parents wanted her to marry. She hated him. She’d do anything not to marry that lout. Anything. If she lost her virginity tonight, with Dimitru, it would greatly diminish her in the eyes of her fiancé’s family. Better, if she …

Part 4

As the interior of the small cabin was revealed in the warm firelight, Maria gazed around. During the day, on her previous visit, it had appeared cramped and half-empty, and kind of dirty. But in the firelight, it appeared almost cozy. The steel animal traps and weapons Dimitru’s uncle used were locked up safely in …

Part 3

The cabin was a bit of a hike up into the hills and wild forests. She’d been there only once before, in daytime. Dimitru’s uncle used it as a staging point for trapping and hunting, storing the tools of his trade there, sometimes even living out there when he was working or when he wanted …

Part 2

Her grandmother frowned, causing the already heavy wrinkles of her face to deepen even further. “Show some respect!” she snapped back. “Your mother and father have sacrificed everything for you these past years. Everything! You should be grateful. You should be on your knees with thanks!” Guilt made Maria choke on her rebelliousness. Ten years …

Part 1

Maria Countryside near Dej, Transylvania October 31, 1896 Love united Maria’s family. Their little house on the edge of the sleepy village may not have overflowed with love, but when she looked for it, it was there.  There was the way that her often overbearing mother, undisputed head of the family, would take the time …