Pandora's Box

Chapter 14

The city drew up ahead, shrouded in a grey morning sky and a light mist at the top of the buildings. Still away from the city, Warren pulled gravel open parking stop, a handful of cars parked around a fence next to a large open, grassy field. "Central Park." Warren sighs, shaking his head slightly. "Not a place I would expect to look for underground black markets."

"It's a nice place. It's pretty." It was open with trees and lush grass all over and few people amongst the open park. "Do you know where the bridge is?"

"Yeah, it'll be further down. Will be a decent walk but it's got a nice view. Unfortunately." Warren grumbled, slamming the car door as I followed him out. He strolled to the back of the car boot, opening it up and inside was a couple packs inside which he pushed aside and grabbed the latch for the boot floor. Deeper inside the boot were a couple items that had my stomach twist sickly.

It's a black market filled with dangerous creatures and other horrors. A place that allows you to sell people and probably more...Of course it's gonna be dangerous.

Warren didn't bother hiding what he was doing since no one was around to see. Pulling out a couple knives which he slipped into sections of his clothes much too smoothly. Like he had done this too many times already, and threw on his black jacket before closing his boot and locking his car. He noticed my look and gave me a wry expression before he started waling towards the meter and placed in an all day ticket. I stared at him stunned and without looking at me, all he said was "We're gonna be here a while, Pan." I kept my mouth shut as I waited for him to return as he dropped off his parking ticket and then we crossed the parking lot in towards the park.

"Do you go to underground markets much though?" I couldn't help asking and he smiled faintly.

"I've been to a couple. Even a couple black markets. There's one or more in every city. Everyone needs a place to sell their stuff and I assure you," He slowly turned to me, his eyes dark and cool. "They earn their reputation the worst ways possible. They aren't places you want to cross." He walked ahead of me while I stared after him, stunned until a shudder ran down my spine and I hurried after him, leaves and twigs crunching under my sneakers. It didn't feel like it took long until Warren pointed ahead.

"There it is." Ahead was a lengthy iron and stone bridge that arched slightly over the lake and the city buildings stood in the distance on the other side. Despite what we were here for and what it represented, it was a beautiful area. The water was so still and clear, a reflection of the bridge showing in perfect form, making it look circular all around. Far off to the left of us, near one end was a large stone block with a couple signs around it and I glanced at Warren who looked down at me, his eyes searching mine as he glanced back and forth.

"You ready?"

"Yes." I barely hesitated. I couldn't. I had to help some people, they needed it. Being scared right now would not do me or anyone else any favors. "Yes, are you?" His lips twitched as he eyed the toilets.

"Yeah, I am princess." I groaned, rolling my eyes as I followed after Warren. "Whatever happens Pan, stay close. Don't draw attention to yourself and for the love of God, don't run off or whatever or say your name aloud."

"Got it."

"See if you can find anything in the women's and I'll check in the men's." Warren glanced around warily before stepping into the men's toilets while I went to the women's toilets to look for anything that could probably be an entrance to an underground market. Grimacing in distaste, I looked around the stalls and toilets for anything, a sign, a symbol or something that looked like it could be a hidden door. Thankful I was alone to kneel down to look closer at the walls and doors of each stall but still, I could see nothing at all.