Dusk

- 3 -

Marinette's P.O.V.

I'm awakened by the streams of sunlight flowing through the large window to my balcony.

Hadn't I shut the curtain??

Perhaps a draft in the room had opened them at some point during the night. I shrug off the possibility that the cat man had been back as I was sleeping. Throwing the sheets off my bare legs, I stand and peek out the window to see the time. The streets, unlike when I had arrived home last night, were busy with hundreds of feet, all moving different ways and for different reasons. In the middle of town near the stone fountain, I see Alya and Nino sitting together with big smiles on their faces. Alya had on a dress I made, a beautiful deep purple one of rare fabrics my father had gotten in a trade for fresh bread. I knew Alya's favorite color was that exact shade, so I made it for her as a Christmas present. Seeing her wear it made me smile. Nino had a basket with various vegetables and fruits inside, I figure that the new shipment came in earlier than usual.

I step away from the window and pull the curtains shut. Light still showed through, so it was enough to get dressed without falling over myself. Papa would appreciate the new fruits and veggies I could place down stairs, maybe even some new flour and oil. I turn to my handmade dresser and open the middle drawer. Picking out a blush pink dress with long sleeves that only slightly flare at the end, I lay it on my bed and find my black pair of flats from under my bed.

I walk to my bucket of water and pluck a new rag from my basket, dipping it into the cool liquid and splashing my face to wake myself up a bit more. I glance in the mirror and see small dark circles under my eyes.

I definitely need to get some more sleep tonight.

Not wanting to waste any time, I put on the garment and slip on my shoes. Turning back to the mirror, I decided I didn't want to do much to my hair today. Plus, the soft waves that fell down my back went well with the style of the dress. I grab a couple of small clips and pin back two front pieces of hair, leaving small strands to frame my face. Dabbing on some moisturizing oil on my lips, I gather my design journal, pens, and my basket. Taking one last look at the painting of my mother and I, I smile and leave my room.

As I exit through the front of the bakery, I bid a temporary farewell to my father who was not only covered in flour, but on his third batch of homemade loaves this very morning.

It'll be a good day, just forget what happened last night. Forget the man.

Forget his eyes.

I shake my head and step out into the street, squinting slightly at the bright sun above. No sign of orange hues from the previous night, no electric green eyes in sight.

I decide to first head over to the small breakfast cart run by Alya's mother. She always gave me a free sandwich each morning as a way to thank me for being such a good friend to Alya. Honestly, at first I refused, but she's such a sweet woman I couldn't bear to make her frown. This Christmas, I planned to make her a dress. All I have to do is ask Alya her preferred colors and ask for a dress that fits her well so I'll have the correct measurements.

Arriving at the cart, I smile at the sweet woman and I catch her sight.

"My beautiful Marinette! I was thinking you'd forgotten about me! Oh my girl, you look tired!"

I giggle a bit and smile.

"Hello Mrs. Cesaire! No no I haven't forgotten, just merely slept in a bit!"

Let's just say I had a rough night.

"I would've had Alya deliver you a meal if you decided not to come... but I would've missed seeing you! Such a beautiful dress Marinette, Sabine would be so proud of you." She says ending with a slightly sad smile, putting together my sandwich as she talked.

I sadly smile back and nod my head, she seems to understand and places the top loaf on my meal.

"Here you go Marinette, tell you father thank you again for the endless supply of freshly made bread! I will see you tomorrow." Handing me the sandwich she nods, and then turns to another customer and begins to talk.

Placing the sandwich in my empty basket, I turn and make my way to the fountain to enjoy my meal. Seeing Alya and Nino were gone, I frowned a bit but shrugged it off.

Oh to be in love.

Instead of settling down, my gaze fixed on a small child sitting in the dust at the foot of the fountain. Holding a small cup, the boy's eyes follow different townspeople as they walk by, not giving the child even one look. His face looks a bit sunken in, and his clothes tattered a bit and torn. His light hair darken with dirt and face smudged with filth.

I cock my head and walk towards the boy. Reaching him, I slowly squat down and smile at him.

"Hello, what is your name?"

The boy realizes someone has finally noticed him. I glance into his cup and see two measly copper coins almost black from dirty hands.

"Hello miss, my name is Cole. I'm 9, and I think you're very pretty." He smiles, revealing a missing right front tooth. His cheeks become rosy and I smile.

"Hello Cole, I'm Marinette. You're very charming as well. Are you hungry?"

The child's eyes widen and he clutches his cup with his small hands.

"I- I'm okay Miss Marinette."

I can see the fondness in his eyes. He frowns a bit and I sigh.

"Well that's just a shame, I got this sandwich totally forgetting I had breakfast at home! I wouldn't want it to go to waste...." I temporarily glance into the distance and then look back at the boy.

"I wouldn't want you to waste it...." He quietly says.

I giggle and reach into my basket, retrieving the sandwich and handing it to the boy. His lips pull into a big smile as he gently grabs the sandwich, as he takes his first bit, I reach into the pocket of my dress and drop a few silver coins into his cup. Widening his eyes, he chews his bit and looks at me in disbelief.

"If things ever get too rough, I'm a block away." I point towards the bakery and show the little boy where I live. He looks to where I'm pointing and nods his head, cheeks becoming rosy again.

"Thank you, Marinette." He says in a small voice before biting into the sandwich again. I smile, and stand up straight. Giving a nod to the boy, I begin walking to the street filled with different food for sale.

Smiling to myself, I remember how lucky I am. How lucky I was to have both of my parents who made an honest living, both at least until my mother passed. I would keep an eye out for Cole from this point on, wishing I could do more. Hopefully one day I could do more.

I sigh to myself and begin to look over at the selection of fresh food, paying for this and that and filling my basket with goods. Buying a couple bags of flour and a bottle of oil, I smile and pick up plenty of veggies to cook for Papa later.

After walking up and down the street and finding everything I needed, I finally stopped at the last shope. Glancing at the new fabric for sale, I see a bright green silk next to black of the same fabric. My thoughts immediately fly to the man in the black cloak with the strange metal stick and cat ears.

When inspiration strikes, it strikes I suppose.

I pay for the fabric and wish the store owner a nice day, then exit the building and start my trek back home. My stomach grumbles and never has a fresh loaf of bread smeared with butter ever sounded so good.

The walk back to the bakery was short and simple, but when arriving I didn't smell fresh bread nor sweets. Walking in, I see a group of people including Alya and Nino's parents talking to my father. They turn to me as the door shuts behind me.

"Marinette, have you heard?"

I scrunch my eyebrows and shake my head, gripping my basket with both hands.

"Another body was found at the edge of the forest"

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Third chapter done! Kind of another filler, but things are heating up! I'm not rushing anything here. Who do you think the body is? Who is killing these people? See you soon in the next chapter!!

- chatattack <3