Robin's Blood

Page 19, Ch. IV

Robin and Faye stood by the sidewalk's edge, glancing back and forth down the road. Horses clip-clopped past, drawing two-seater carriages behind them. Alongside the carriages were cars that looked like they were from the early 1900s; model Ts' and model Ss.' They noticed a carriage coming toward them and began waving their arms frantically. The carriages slowed to a halt in front of the girls. The coachman, a troll, kicked metal folding stairs down for them to enter the carriage. The troll grunted as the girls sat in the red upholstery seats, "Where are ya ladies headin' to?" He asked gruffly with a city accent. Faye flung the poster in front of the troll's face and pointed to the address on the bottom, "Here!" She directed. The troll tipped his hat down slightly and cleared his throat "Alrighty," he huffed hesitantly. He whipped the harness while clicking his tongue, which was stumpy and covered in noticeable bumps, like the rest of the troll's body. As they were along the road, Robin and Faye examined the poster, "It's almost suspicious how easily we found this," Robin whispered to Faye, who glanced at her with an offended look. "Maybe we just have phenomenal luck!" she said directly. Robin sighed and looked back down at the poster. "Maybe..."

The carriage suddenly stopped in the middle of a suspiciously empty road. Robin looked down at the address and then at the street sign nearby. "Uh, this isn't it," she said, unsettled. "Can't go any further than here, ma'am. You'll need to continue by foot," the troll huffed, his voice slightly wavering like he was nervous. "Okay!" Faye said cheerily, "Thanks so much!" she grabbed Robin's arm and pulled her as she hopped off the carriage. Robin was reluctant but forced from the carriage by Faye's grasp. The coachman tipped his hat at them, quickly turning the carriage around and road away. A looming silence fell over Robin and Faye as they watched the carriage ride into the distance until they were utterly alone.

"I dont like this...." Robin stammered as she looked around; the buildings looked like the ones they had seen earlier, but these were more disgruntled and damaged. Charcoal stains on the brick buildings had darkened from soot, and many windows were either boarded or smashed. Snow fell around them, and a swift breeze came from behind them, almost as if trying to push them further down the dark road. Faye shivered. "You know, neither do I," she stated. "But we will get you home! Even if that means walking down a creepy empty road to complete unknown..." her voice dropped to silence. A mouse suddenly squeaked behind them, and both girls screamed and turned around. Faye quickly whipped her bow and arrows and flung one at the mouse. "Wait!" Robin yelled out as the arrow flew toward it; Robin's cry startled the mouse, causing it to scurry away, and Faye's arrow missed significantly. "It was just a mouse!" Robin announced, "Jeez!" Faye huffed. "We need to relax," Robin said as she grabbed Faye's shoulders.