The Girl and Her Machine

Chapter 3 Findings

Authors note: I will be posting the entire chapter in this one. Please leave a comment to know if you like longer or shorter chapters and I'll adapt to that :) thank you have a wonderful day and thank you for reading!

   Dani pondered as she traveled through the streets once more about the conversation Zacharias just had with her. Naturally intrigued by what he called “ The dumping grounds” of this vague but very intrusive tower, she had to figure it out. Charlie stayed beside her, chirping to her comprehensively as the two of them glided through the crowds this time of day, it being now about one hour past noon. Plenty of time to still roam about. She relaxed into a steady pace, watching as damsels in hoop skirts and corsets wandered with a fellow top hat, cane, and suit. Usually arm in arm sometimes in groups. So interesting to her was how they would find each other. She couldn’t help but imagine peacocks strutting around shaking their tail feathers when the more poignant dressers and their startling bright colors passed by. 
   
“ It could be dangerous,” Charlie said from sitting on her shoulder. His sweet voice close to her ear. “ I understand that and I’m well prepared. I left home armed.” She muttered. “ Plus you’re not as helpless either. I installed some tricks into your deck should we ever need them.” She grinned to no one in particular, catching a few cautious glances from the passers by.  

Charlie hooted in agreement, “ I have noticed that this was the first time you added weapons to my capabilities Dani, I had assumed things were getting serious.” 

   Dani, snickered as she skipped her step and swerved around a toppling trio that had stumbled over each other, uttering threats for a valued scarf that was desired to give to their suitors. 
   
   Dani shook her head, she could never understand the shenanigans of ladies in love and she hoped that she’d never have to. If love was in the cards, she wanted simple, sweet, and quick. None of the games, none of the false flags. Save the heartbreak for a story drama. 
   
She slunk down an alleyway between two vendor stalls, the fresh fruit and baked goods perfuming the air. Truthfully she would’ve paused to give a glance but she was on a mission. 
   
   Skirting a small cliff side towards the edge of the town that followed a calming ravine she imagined that was where the dumping grounds were. Steep rocks down a dirt path far away from social duties and desires made it a perfect secret sweet spot. Close to not warrant any curiosity outside of the town but far enough for no one within would pay any heed. 
   
She took her time climbing down the steep hillside, bouldering as she clamored down, Charlie hovering over her shoulder scanning ahead to ensure the rocks were stable enough for her to use weight-bearingly.
   
   With gallant effort, she made it down. Seeing another path that guided to a wrought iron gate perched on a rock, with pointed spikes that raised several feet over the top it. Dani rushed, hopping from rock to rock till she made it. Her hands gripped tightly to the iron, which in return bit her. Bright blue beams of light sparked from the wrought iron as Dani backed away with a smile, a curious yet excited glint in her eyes. She looked down to her hands, marks the same size of the bar had imprinted onto her palms, in stinging bright red lines. 

    “Camouflage or some invisible force to deter unsuspecting creatures. Incredible heat from otherwise cool looking rods. Charlie, remember that.” She ordered, flexing her hand from the new wound. The little robot took the mental note. 
    
     Dani reached into her leather satchel that was strapped to her side. Pulling out and putting on cowhide gloves that had been treated to work with higher temperatures. She looked down to see the lock hanging loosely at the edge of the door, picking it up carefully, felt the intense heat through the glove but not burning. She needed to work quickly. Reaching in her satchel once more grasping onto a thin yet long piece of metal. She quickly worked it in, moving her wrist expertly, and with one last twist the lock popped open. It was good timing her gloves started to sizzle and blacken from where contact was being made.