Ida had never been one to rebel against those in authority, especially when those people had weapons or used their words as swords-as her husband did. Her mother had taught her to respect everyone and to always find the good in people, no matter their race, gender, or status; for as her mother would say, you 'can't judge a book by it's cover'.  Indeed, she lived this way...or, at least, she tried to...for she was the perfect recipient for this motto. For as long as she could remember, she had always had two different eye colors and patches of scales on her body, and when she would ask her mother why she was different, her mother would look at her kindly and say, "You are beautiful, just the way you are, my dear. You are unique and brilliant, just as your eyes and scales are unique to only you..."<br/><br/>A sigh escaped her lips as she recalled her mothers last words to her before she passed away later that night. It had been a cold night, just as it was on this evening....Ida blinked and wrapped her worn, thin shawl over her shoulders as the wind blew through the winding streets of the small town, causing her to walk faster, as if someone was following her.  As she exhaled again, her heart began to beat rapidly as she recalled what had happened just a few hours before. She was in her husbands' bedroom...in their...his...Inn...but she was with another man. Not out of choice, mind you...her husband-who was once kind and thoughtful-had not given her the choice...she was to sleep with anyone who wanted to see an 'exotic' beauty...for a hefty price that is. But tonight had been the last night of her husbands' abuse. She had packed her things in a bag and had gone downstairs to mix her husband a drink...only to find him passed out. So, she took the opportunity and fled.<br/>It had only been 10 minutes since her escape, but all she could feel was the exhilerating promise of freedom and the chance at a new life.<br/>The wind blew on her shoulders again and she shuddered....but the sound of her name on the wind caused her to shiver violently.<br/>Her husband was calling her.<br/>She didn't turn around...for if she did, she was sure to find him closer than she thought, so instead, she decided to run.<br/>Her eyes scoured the town for a place for her to hide, to find refuge...but she knew even if she found refuge, he would find her and...kill her.<br/>She swallowed and turned into an alleyway, hoping to loose him amongst the ma-<br/>It was a dead end.<br/>Fear began to seize her heart and she turned around to find her husbands footsteps approaching.<br/>She was going to die.<br/>Just then she saw something that she hadn't noticed....an large ornate wooden door. It seemed to be calling her name.<br/>With a breath, she ran to the door and knocked on it and to her surprise...it opened, just in time for her to slip in and shut the door in her husbands angry face.<br/>As she leaned against the door, catching her breath, she began to cry.<br/>She was finally free.