In Paris 1723

[3.19]

𝐌𝐨𝐯𝐢𝐞: 𝐄𝐜𝐥𝐢𝐩𝐬𝐞
𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭: 𝐓𝐡𝐫𝐞𝐞
𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐍𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐞𝐧: 𝐂𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐝𝐚

______________________

*Genevieve*

I had stayed in Vancouver for a whole day, calling Alice to try and get a better idea of where to look for Fred, but her knowledge was limited. Apparently, he kept changing his mind on whether to stay in Canada or to move on, so Alice couldn't pinpoint where he was going to where he was.

"He keeps on moving around and changing his mind," she huffed out, her voice cracking slightly through the phone.

"Fine, just call me if you find out anything else," I say, hanging up afterward. Letting out a groan, I threw the phone to the side and looked down at one of the maps that I had picked up at a gas station. This one had all the local parks, popular retreats, and classic tourist attractions listed with a short description attached to them.

Scanning through the list, my eyes stop on the list of parks. Riley Park, in particular, a small smile appeared on my face as I read and reread the name. Glancing out the window, I smiled as I saw the sun beginning to set. I quickly threw the map to the side and grabbed my phone, calling up Alice and telling her what I had found. She fell silent for a few minutes before humming in confirmation.

"He'll be there..." she confirmed, wishing me luck before promptly hanging up.

I blink down at the phone, not understanding why she would be so short with all of her answers. Pushing away my confusion, I grab the map and slip the phone into my pocket, grabbing my keys and heading towards the parking lot. Making one final call as I drove towards Riley Park, hoping that he was willing to listen to me, not that I would give him the option not to.

______________________

After parking the car, I hopped out and began to walk into the park. Looking around at the desert playground, a few forgotten toys littered around the sandpit. The swing set rusting and creaked as it swayed in the wind.

At first glance I didn't see anyone hanging around the park, causing me to have to investigate further. I stuffed my hands into my pockets as I walked along the paved pathway, my eyes glancing around every so often to see if I could catch a glimpse of the mysterious Fred that Alice said would be here.

Walking along the designated path, I scraped the heels of my shoes against the concrete as I looked around.

Eventually, I strolled to the entrance of the playground. Pushing open the creaky gate, I walked towards the playscape, where it was clear that it was a well-used, and well-loved structure in the park. 

Sitting down on one of the swings, I sigh and look around, the park was still just as empty as it was, to begin with.

"Really, Alice," I mutter, shaking my head as I lean back and look up at the clear sky. "Sending me on a wild goose chase..."

I let out a little scoff and stood back up, making my way back onto the concrete pathway and beginning to walk the remaining loop around the park as I waited.

To my knowledge, the only other living thing in this park that I had seen, this far, with my own eyes was a possum that had scurried across the sidewalk.

"You're here to tell me that they're dead, right?"

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extra little update in celebration of a pretty good Friday! how has your week been?
don't forget to comment and vote!
-T