sleuth's love

chapter 3

-reader's pov-

my fake job had now ended and the factory was closing up as women flooded from the building. but unlike them, I wasn't returning back to the dump I called home, no.

I was on the tail of that girl.

my eyes searched amongst the crowd for her, but there was so many people. it was practically impossible, until I miraculously saw that whoosh of brunette hair in the distance. I focused my eyes on the figure, and there I found her, walking beside that younger girl again.

I pursed my lips and clenched my fists as I fought my way through the crowd, edging in on the brunette. people gave me dirty looks and scowls as I barged through, though I just ignored them all.

after elbowing at least 25 people, I was finally stalking behind the girl. but I couldn't make my move now, there was way too many people. so I continued to wait, continued to keep on walking, following quietly with sealed lips.

———————

the darkness of the night had returned and I still found myself creeping after the girl, there'd been no place whatsoever where I could make my move. london was just too busy.

hiding in the shadows, I carefully stepped after my target. she had somehow still not noticed my presence, despite that I'd been following her for hours on end.

she suddenly then swerved to the right, hiding behind a gathering of barrels. what was she hiding from? was she following someone too?..

as she made this move, I slowed my pace. I didn't want to end up in front of her. she then got back up and quickened her walking pace slightly, causing me to speed up too.

until she took yet another turn, swinging around and instantly interlocking arms with me. my eyes widened as big as saucers as she clung onto me.

"hello, ma'am," she faked, it was now obvious she was after someone too, "what a pleasant evening."

"erm.." I croaked out, this was not supposed to happen, "what- what are you doing?"

she didn't reply, just unconnected her arm from mine and raced after some other girl, I guessed the one that she was after.

she was fast, I'd give her that. so I broke out into a sprint, my footsteps pattering down the damp street. I then took the same turn as she, ducking behind a wooden crate, I watched as she entered a.. theatre??

an interesting twist that I chose to shrug off as I entered the tightly-packed building.

I was met with the loud sound of laughter and joyous chatting, a piano playing added to that mix. I shuffled my way through the sea of people, many of them spitting misogynistic insults at me.

I took slow and steady steps as I treaded down the small stairs, onto the base that was absolutely crammed with partying people.

"and her she comes!" a booming voice suddenly announced, I looked up to find a girl swinging upside down on a swing. she stole a man's hat as she swung to the stage before landing in a certain pose. the crowd burst into applause as a jaunty tune began to play from the band.

the thick, velvet curtains opened to reveal a collection of suited-girls prancing about on a stage. they sang out some song, people thumped their feet and clapped their hands along to the beat.

the performance continued, but I didn't watch, I was too busy looking out for that damn girl. I began to shove my way through the rowdy crowd, gaining even more people to scoff at me.

the music then came to a stop, signalling the end of the performance. there was still no luck of finding the girl until I noticed someone jogging up to a door on the edge of the room.

so I quickly decided to follow them. walking fast, I slipped between people and chairs until I had reached the open door. I trailed my way inside, gazing around at the sight of the backstage where people prepared for the show. I noticed a large stag's antlers mounted upon the wall, where the theatre got its name from.

suddenly, the sound of a shocked gasp pulled my attention elsewhere. I swung my head to find the enola girl with a knife pressed up against her neck. not wanting to be seen, I snuck behind a makeup table and watched from my crouching position there.

she shared a short conversation with the girl that held the knife before she quickly made an action. the attacker had become the victim, enola spat some words out at the other girl as the knife edged dangerously close to the flesh on her neck.

until someone clearing their throat interrupted the moment, "whatever this is, mae is on in thirty ticks." the man said, "and she's still dressed as a gent. so let go off her, now."

enola pulled back, removing the weapon from her neck. mae took the knife back and proved it was a fake, a show-knife.

enola looked annoyed at this, she angrily glared as mae pondered off. before she turned to the man and began to question him, but I was unfortunately out of earshot.

the pair took a corner and I was quick to follow, sneaking behind curtains and counters. they were immersed in some conversation that involved enola handing him coins. until she reached a makeup box in which a letter was placed in, she took the letter and inspected it closely. she handed the man more coins but scoffed with whatever his answer was before turning around, her shins softly brushing against my shoulder. unfortunately, she felt this and turned to look but I had managed to act in the nick of time, I twisted around the cabinet before she could get a good look.

but I knew her suspicions were piqued.