The Astounding Adventures of Eva White: Disappearing Souls

Part 2

The sky was a fierce grey. The moon hung low and desperate, almost grazing the rim of the horizon. Eva's reddened cheeks stood stark against her ivory skin as she glared intently ahead, her dark eyes blazing. Eugene had been running at full speed for at least two hours and his strong equine body was clearing tiring. Pulling slightly on her horse's reins, Eva surveyed the landscape. She stood in the middle of a hill covered grassland, a single trodden-down path winding between the grassy mounds of Earth. Eva usually could rest under an inviting tree but the frosty, December weather would hardly permit that tonight. With half of her trek ahead of her, Eva furrowed her brow at a loss for solutions. She urged Eugene on, if sleep wouldn't be readily available yet, covering more distance seemed to be the only productive course of action.

"Come on boy, just a bit farther." She cooed at Eugene, as his narrow hooves staggered on despite his evident exhaustion. Perhaps if she could edge her resilient steed to the peak of one of the grassy hills she could look over the area, Eva thought. Feeling guilty but desperate Eva pulled her half-asleep companion up a sloping hill to her right. Eugene trotted with laboured breaths, crushing wildflowers under foot as he went.

"There we go! A few more steps" Eva encouraged her horse. "A few more, a few-" The view from the peak was lovely. Mounds of emerald dusted earth stretched on for another half mile. Eva's heart sang with a momentary bliss. Just beyond the stoppage of the hills, lay a quaint farm. A wooden farm house sat in the centre, orange lights flickering through dusty windows. A grin sliced across her faced, her freckled cheeks dimpling.

With a new found energy Eva led Eugene down the other side of the hill. She wound the through the remaining hills, though her vigour was not quite matched by Eugene. He trotted gently, resilient where other horses would have already given up. The grey hue of the sky was darkening quickly, though being mid-December, Eva estimated it to be late evening, perhaps seven o' clock. When she was close enough to make out that the farm contained several pigs, Eugene abruptly came to a halt. He whined and dipped his neck.

"Oh, Eugene" Eva whispered, sliding off of the leather saddle. She wrapped one arm around his neck and gently stroked his tangled mane. Eva gripped the horse's reins and timidly walked forward.

Eva knocked firmly on the door of the house. Up close, she could see that what she thought was a modest farm house was actually a converted barn. It's lilac paint weather-beaten and chipped. She whispered encouragingly to Eugene, feeling extremely guilty for extending her horse's limitations. The tall door swung open.

A towering man stared down at her from the other side of the doorway. His cropped hair was generously dusted with grey and his tanned skin was sunburned and slightly leathery, the dutifully earned marks of a farmer. A puzzled expression was plastered across his face as he gazed down at Eva and for that she could not blame him. Eva's slight frame was adorned by...untraditional garments. She wore a white, blouson shirt held to her midriff by an under bust cinching corset and black leather pants that hugged her legs; certainly unconventional but it was Eva's nature to scandalise. After a moment he cleared his throat.

"Er-How can I help you, miss?" asked the farmer.

"I am Eva White, sir. I am travelling to Victorport Village in Derbyshire to assist a family in finding their child. However, I received their call for aid when I was lodging in Chester, which as you know is a great distance away. If I am to save this girl in time, my horse needs to rest. May I please lodge here for the night?" Eva said, attempting to appeal to the farmer's better nature.

"I- Er- I suppose that would be fine." The farmer replied with a smile. "My name is Richard Burdock, miss. I don't mind taking your horse round to the paddock for you, if you'd like?"

"Oh yes please Mr Burdock, if you would be so kind." She handed Burdock the reins as he gestured her inside.

"Anne!" He called down the hallway "We have a guest!"