Unknown Alleys

They returned in complete silence. Charlotte kept shooting her sidelong glances now and then. Her mouth opened a couple of times, but she never found the courage to say something.

Alysia just walked with her head down. She was carrying Bastion in her hand instead of on her back.

After a while of travelling in those labyrinthine places, they arrived where they had been with the others, although Charlotte realized that the only one there was Gerald.

“Gerald? What are you doing here alone?”

“I’m waiting for Miss Zoe and Miss Sybil.”

“Where did they go?”

Gerald lay down on the ground, playing with some rocks in his hands.

“Miss Sybil was hungry, so they went to a nearby café.”

“I see. What about the others?”

“They went to check the places Leif found.”

Gerald gave them a once-over.

“So did you find something useful?”

Charlotte hesitated. She sat down on the ground next to him.

“Not really,” she said, forcing a laugh.

Gerald stared at her for a few seconds.

“I see.”

“Why didn’t you go with them?”

“I wanted to, but the prince asked me to stay with those two.”

“You really respect the prince.”

He sighed. “As it should.”

Their conversation was interrupted when Zoe and Sybil finally arrived.

“You really took your time. I was about to go inside.”

“S-sorry.” Sybil quickly apologized.

“How long ago did you leave?”

“They left almost at the same time as you.”

“I have to apologize,” Zoe said, making a forgiveness sign with her hands. “I lost sight of Sybil for a moment, so I had to search for her.”

“What? What happened?”

“I needed to use the restroom, so I quickly went, but when I came back, she was gone, so I ran outside and looked everywhere.”

“And then?”

“Turns out she never left the café. She just wanted to buy food for everyone in secret.”

“Really? I never thought something like that would happen to you.” Charlotte scoffed.

“Don’t laugh, Charlotte. I was really worried.”

Sybil approached Charlotte and Gerald. She timidly held a white box of cookies.

“I-I’m s-sorry.”

“Don’t you worry. Thank you, actually.”

Charlotte patted her head, and she blushed.

The sunset bathed the whole town in orange hues. Charlotte and Gerald happily ate the cookies. A gentle breeze blew against them. Out of the corner of her eye, Charlotte saw Alysia, staying far away from them.

She was about to go to her, but Sybil fell asleep in her lap.

They stayed there for a long time. The sun had disappeared, leaving them in the darkness of the night. Charlotte took deep breaths of fresh air, watching the stars and the moon. She even took the liberty of lying down completely on the floor.

She closed her eyes. Zoe’s voice and even Gerald’s were music to her ears.

They waited and waited.

The town commotion that could be heard in the distance died down.

Little by little.

Silence reigned.

“Something ain’t right,” Gerald said as he stood up.

“What?”

“It’s taking them too long.”

Charlotte also stood up, waking up Sybil in the process.

“What did they tell you?”

“Nothing. They were just going to check those hidden spots.”

“You think something happened?”

Gerald remained silent.

“Don’t worry, Miss Suri was with them.”

Gerald ignored Charlotte and walked directly through the alleys.

“Wait for us.”

“What happened, Charlotte?” Zoe questioned.

“I don’t know.”

Charlotte looked over at Alysia. She had to make a great effort due to the lack of light. She found her sitting against a nearby wall. With a simple gesture, she let her know it was time to move.

Gerald was way ahead of them. Alysia, Zoe, and lastly Charlotte followed him. Charlotte moved more slowly because she was holding hands with Sybil, who was still a bit sleepy.

After going through a few more alleys, they finally reached the main road. The vivid town was now almost empty. The last merchants gathered and stored their last products.

“Is it that late? What time is it?”

“Almost midnight,” Zoe answered him.

“What? Impossible, we couldn’t wait that much.”

“Time flies when you are calm.” Charlotte tried to justify.

“Not me! How could I waste time with something so dumb?”

“It wasn’t dumb…” Charlotte murmured.

Gerald hesitated.

“I-I’m sorry, but I have to protect the prince.”

For a second, Charlotte saw Gerald sink into his own thoughts. His eyebrows rose, drawing almost together. His lips trembled.

Charlotte slapped her own cheeks with both hands.

“You’re right, Mister Gerald, we have to find them now.”
Gerald snapped out of his daze and simply nodded.

“I love the enthusiasm, Charlotte, but how are we going to find them?”

“Oh…”

Charlotte sighed and let all the energy she had gathered just a few seconds ago escape.

“I was with them. I remember at least one.”

Charlotte smiled. “Then guide us, Mister Gerald.”

“Fine.”

They were running in a hurry. Gerald was in front of them. They were heading east through more alleys. That part of town had taller houses, at least two stories high. Each one was decorated with different showy flowers, carved details, and gleaming wood.

Gerald stopped in front of a gable roof and a dormer. Just like the others, it had flowers all around.

“We’re here.”

“Wow! It looks extremely elegant.”

“The house belonged to a member of the hero's party.”

“What!?”

They climbed a small flight of stairs with four steps. Gerald broke the lock and opened the door with no effort.

Before entering, Charlotte noticed a small table next to the door. It was full of roses and what looked like scrolls. Unable to resist, she took one.

She unrolled it.


“Congratulations! We are proud of you! It must be an honor to be part of the hero's group and accomplish so many feats. We can't wait to hear all about it when you get back, Celli!”

She returned to where it belonged.

The house was full of furniture that, aside from the dust, was in perfect shape. The light from the crescent moon streamed in through the window.

Gerald broke the wooden floor to reveal a hidden trapdoor.

“Here we are.”

“So you found more places like these?” Zoe said, scanning the place.

“Yes, about 5 more, or so.”

“Or so?”

“Yes, Leif says there may be many more.”

“All round the town?”

“Yes.”

Gerald dropped down the trapdoor. After a while, he spoke.

“All clear.”

“Wait, but what about Miss Sybil?” Zoe pointed at her.

Alysia ignored her completely. She hadn’t said a word and still held Bastion in her arms. Without even looking at her, Alysia dropped down.

“Charlotte?”

“Maybe we could…”

She squeezed her eyes shut, trying to think of something.

Suddenly, a soft hand took her by surprise. It was Sybil holding her hand tightly. She was trembling and looking down.

“I-I… w-want to help…”

“But it can be dangerous.”

“I-I w-want to be like you.”

“Like me?”

Sybil nodded. “A-afraid of nothing.”

“Very well.”

With nothing more to add, the three of them finally dropped down.

The hidden room was the same as the others. Four wooden walls. Candles everywhere. Four secret hidden ways. Everything covered with Lure Magica.

“What now?”

“Leif said everything was connected.”

“So none of them is a trap?”

“I hope not.”

Gerald inspected the four walls and tried to listen for information, but it was in vain. After some time, he made a decision.

“We will go south and travel the whole town.”

“Are you sure about this, Mister Gerald?” Zoe was worried.

He didn’t answer.

“Let’s stay together.” Charlotte finally said, and they entered without knowing what was on the other side.