[250]

With a cold and somewhat hurt tone, the boy mumbled something behind you. Your elven kin ear caught it clearly "Don't think you can get away that easy." Spat to the floor, the boy left unwillingly.

He is stalking you, you realized, and especially now he knows where you go. You have to find a way to protect yourself. You thought about telling pa or maybe Tom, then you cursed yourself lightly "Do you want to live like this forever? Com'on! Think! There gota be a way out!"

Luckily, Rusty didn't follow you. The thought of him made you unease, almost want to cry. A tinge of tears wandered at the edge of your eyelid, swallowing hard, you forced them back. This world is a dark place, you have to learn how to survive on your own, eventually.

Hastily, you reached Uncle Briggs' shop. The mid aged fat merchant looked at you above the grey edge of his glasses, his little brown eyes measured you up and down. "Well, a lovely day to see you here, my dear." His sheepish smile made you uncomfortable, as usual, especially the way he is looking at you.

Ignoring him, you scanned over the shelf, and where there used to place a pair of red skinned boots now sat empty. The whole thing became so clear to you all of a sudden, it was either stolen or bought by Rusty, and mostly likely the former. But you need to confirm your suspicion first, and you mustn't let this secret be broken if you want to use it to your advantage.

Yes, secret, you thought of the hidden passage way back in the little temple. You smiled inwardly, my advantages.

"My dear?" the fat mancalled you again "what can I do for you?"

Mistral's reply:

quote:

---

Svetlana slowly retreats towards the entrance of the shop, all the while fixing
her
half-frightened eyes on Uncle Briggs and that strange smile on his plump face.
The
way he licks his lips is, well, almost repulsive, and the air seems to be
screaming
with danger. Yet he makes no significant motion towards her.

Now standing at the doorway, the rhythm of her heartbeat becomes more regular as
she
feigns an air of innocence ~ "I remember those lovely red boots you had
displayed
over there." ~ Points at the empty shelf with a slender finger ~ "I recall that
it
cost a bomb, and how sad I was that I would never be able to get Pa a pair...
~ Her right hand subconsciously rises to tuck her raven black hair behind a
pointed
ear ~ "Would you be so kind as to let me know who bought it?" ~ Trying hard to
sound
gay, her hands fold behind her back, her feet poised to leave the room at the
slightest sign of danger.

---