The Heart Collector (Under Editing)

Chapter Seven: Marigold

Fare was on top of the building across the street. She saw no obvious signs that the Truthfalls were there yet, but it was only a matter of time. She thought about walking through the main entrance, but there was a chance that there was Truthfalls posted there. If they were, then they knew that she was not home. Her only hope of entry was through the fire escape. Her apartment was locked up tight, so she prayed that Mrs. P was home. She scaled down the fire escape and dashed across the street. When she reached the section below her side of the building, Fare jumped up and pulled herself onto the fire escape. As soon as she set foot on the second level with marigolds in various colored pots, a voice called out to her.

"Fare? Is that you dear?"

Fare froze, but relaxed when she recognized the voice, "Yes Mrs. P."

"Why are you out there? It's not time to help me water the plants. I everything okay?"

"Yes Mrs. P. I just seem to have misplaced my building key and I was hoping you were home to let me in."

Fare lied and hoped that her blind neighbor could not detect it in her voice. For being a ninety-year-old blind lady, she could still tell when something was not quite what it seemed. Fare knew that she was contemplating what she just told her, but if she suspected anything, she did not say anything.

"Of course. Come on in. Would you like anything?"

"No thank you. I'm in a bit of a rush. I have an appointment and I left the things I need in my apartment."

"I see."

Fare reached for the door, but Mrs. P spoke again, "Oh Fare. One more thing, I would be careful with future conversations here. The walls aren't as thick as you may think."

Fare turned to her with wide eyes. While it was vague, there was no other way to interpret that. She heard their conversation the day before. How much? She could only speculate. While Fare had gotten to know Mrs. P over the course of the month, she was unsure how take that piece of information. Fare was Fae and Mrs. P had a traumatic past with the Fae. On the other hand, if she realized that Agatha was human than maybe she would not do anything with what she knows. Either way, Mrs. P was a wild card and Fare was not sure how to handle that. So, Fare gave her a curt nod and went out the door. Once she heard the soft click of the door, she leaned against the wall with her hand over her heart. She took several deep breathes in attempt to calm the raging storm of adrenaline.

Fare's heart calmed down, but her hands shook. She needed to get herself together and fast. The clock was ticking, and she could not stand there and dwell on what had just transpired. Fare swallowed hard and peeled herself away. She walked down the hall and quickened her pace the closer she got to her door. When she reached out to turn the key, she took a quick look around and saw no signs of someone lying in wait. Once inside her apartment, she ran for the bedroom. Agatha's blue floral suitcase was neatly placed in the far corner. Fare looked inside and realized that Agatha had unpacked a little. She went into the bathroom and quickly threw the toiletries in. The clothes that Agatha hung up received the same treatment. Fare was surprised on how much she managed to unpack already. When she was sure the bedroom and bathroom was cleared, Fare moved through the rest of her place. It appeared that Agatha's things were confined to just the bedroom and bathroom. She roughly zipped up the suitcase and placed it on its wheels. Fare rolled it over to the window that led to the fire escape and popped the window open. Just as the wheels touched the metal landing, Fare spotted a single Truthfall vehicle park in the street.

A tuff of blonde hair exited the car and Fare recognized Novus Snow. If she continued now, she would either be spotted by Novus or someone else. Whether it was intentional or not, where the Truthfall vehicle was parked, a crowd would soon start to stare.