The dark one

Chapter 15 - Witness Protection program

"Will someone tell me where the fudge we are going?!"

Annie repeats for about the hundredth time. I can't help but giggle a bit because apart from the fact that the blindfolds we are wearing are insanely itchy her no swearing rule just makes me laugh.

"I have already told you that your not allowed to know your location in case you leak it by accident"

Officer Wilkins partner Mason replies again.

"So we can't contact anyone?"

Annie asks sounding annoyed and slightly worried.

Who would we want to contact? I think to myself. But.....my mother.

Annie already told the story. She told my mum everything that had happened and without a word she stood up and left. We haven't heard from her since. I can't help but feel a bit worried no matter how much I hate her.

I feel a small vibration under my seat and open my mouth about to ask if we have stopped when mason intercepts me.

"Yeah. We have arrived."

Everyone goes silent. Maybe hoping to hear something. Anything. About this new life we are about to live.

I feel Masons hand push me firmly down the steps of what I assume is a plane as I listen to the muted footsteps of my friends acting like a steady metronome to my life. The only thing that seems familiar at this moment.

After what seems like an hour of walking I hear what sounds like Mason heaving a heavy door open.

After that we walk up some stairs and eventually, we stop.

"Take off your blind folds"

Mason says as he pushes a key into the door.

"This....."

He motions to the room.

"Is your new home."

I remove my blindfold fully and take in everything around me.

We seem to be in a possibly three or four story high apartment building.

The room is a smallish box flat with a window view of the bustling streets of.......

"Where exactly are we?"

Kyle asks, reading my mind.

"Like I said I can't tell you."

Mason replies Robotically.

I look down into the crowded area. It looks like a market is going on. As far as I can see my best guess would be that this is possibly Pakistan or some East Indian country.

"So I have some work to do but you kids can either stay here or explore the city just......"

He pauses and looks at us. Genuine worry and compassion in his eyes.

"Just be careful. Keep your heads down, talk to no-one and make sure you get back by ten. These streets can be bad at night. He trails off with a nostalgic look on his face.

"Ok bye"

Kyle replies briskly motioning us towards the door.

After we have gotten out of the building we start wandering towards the market.

Everywhere I look people shoving fish and other items under people's noses.

"See? What I tell you! Fresh fresh! you buy now! $200. Only $200"

All the people bargaining for a better price.

There are also a lot of homeless people sitting just outside or even amongst the bustling market. Begging for food.

After a while I turn to Annie to notice she's not there. "Annie?"

I shout but there is no reply.

"Oh well probably Lost in the crowd".

Kyle replies as he looks around, a childlike grin on his face.

"Wow....."

Kyle mutters, nudging me with his elbow.

"What?"

"Look at that lady...."

He says pointing to a witch like woman standing at one of the stores.

There are people flowing through every single stall but this one has no one exept the woman.

After a brief glance at each other we walk up to her.

"Hello?"

Kyle asks her

"Hello my boy......and girl."

She says smiling at the last word.

"So uh what exactly is it you sell?"

Kyle asks awkwardly.

"Anything you wish."

And like a trigger the before empty store suddenly becomes full of beautiful goods of many shapes and sizes from colourful rugs to crystal balls.

Suddenly my eye catches on a peice of cardboard. Possibly a box. underneath a leather coat.

I walk up to it and remove it.

"This......"

I mutter slowly.

"We used to have one of those at my old house! It never worked though. Just came up blank. We could get it for fun though."

Kyle replies looking at the ouija board.

He takes it from my hands carefully and puts it on the counter.

"How much?"

He asks

"For you The happy couple, no charge."

She says handing it over.

Kyle and I exchange a quick awkward glance before replying at the same time.

"We aren't together"

"Too bad."

She replies smiling and after looking at Kyle once more I turn back to her but she's disappeared.

"We should get back I'm tired"

I tell Kyle.

"Ok"

He replies and after sending Annie a quick text to meet us there we head back home.