The Felon

Chapter 7 - The Trek North

11:25 read James' pocket watch when he awoke. Annie sat by the creek, a pile of minnows at her side. "Morning!" James greeted Annie. "Morning. Would you please go and collect some sticks and wood." Replied Annie. James hopped up at once and looked for some wood. Meanwhile , Annie stretched all of her minnows out onto twigs to be cooked. She clambered down to creeks edge, and pulled out some watercress . She searched the waters edge for several minutes, discovering precisely 13 clumps of watercress. James returned with wood, and set it out , ready to be lit. The still alight lanterns came in handy as Annie lit the fire to cook the minnows. She gently roasted the minnows, and handed James a few. She snacked on a few herself, before putting to rest away for later with the watercress. The two teenagers then set off North, prepared for the day ahead. They walked for miles, exhausted by the time darkness fell. No longer hidden deep in the forest, Annelyn kept watch as James slept, and then swapped with him at 2:00 in the morning. She slept soundly, until James awoke her at 12 noon. She clambered up from the ground , and the pair began their journey North again.

Annie handed James a minnow from her bag, and he ate it quickly. "Thanks." He said, and Annie gave him a smile. The two teenagers hauled themselves through the forest, until they came to the gravel road that their homes sat on . Annie gave a sigh of relief, and the two teens ran down the road until they came to the Smith's Manor. "Mother !Father!" Cried Annelyn as she ran to the manor's door. A tall man answered the door with a hello and a questioning look. "Where are my parents?" Asked Annie. " Oh, you're safe. Annelyn Smith and James Hughes are here! " said the man, beckoning Annie and James into the kitchen.

Annie sat down with James at her side to a man staring inquisitively at her. " The name is William Jones. I suppose you must be Annelyn Smith and James Hughes. I'm afraid that I have some bad news, but first, what happened to you lot?" He asked. "Oh, well... You see...uh... A..." Stumbled Annie. "Look,"began James,"We were on our way home from a trip to the library. Our carriage drove into a ditch, and we were stuck. A hooded figure leapt out at us, and we ran into the forest. We eventually lost the figure... Annie threw a rock at it... And then we slept rough for a few nights .But we've seen the figure before... We think it has something to do with..." " Stop there! You've seen the figure before! Explain all." Requested William. " I first saw it exit that house ", said James gesturing to the house where Lucius Ruft went missing," Then again a few times in the vegetable patch . When Annie moved in, I saw it underneath her window. Then, one night, we saw it beneath her window again, and then saw it run into the woods. It's armed with an axe, a bow and arrow... It's dangerous." . William nodded, and then asked James to continue his story." See, we think it has something to do with the kidnapping of Lucius Duft. You know ... The gent who went missing in June. I've already told you what happened that night, with the hooded figure." explained James. William nodded, writing something down on his parchment. " Yes... Mm ... You mentioned that. So... I have some bad news. It's about your parents, Mr and Mrs Smith are both missing . James... Mr and and Mrs Hughes are , I'm afraid... Not with us anymore.". James sat motionless, all expression from his face gone. " How... No!" Cried Annie. She buried her face in her hands, and tears poured out. James stood up, and let out a shriek before throwing himself to the floor. " I understand that you are ... Sad. James , we need you to please just wait outside for a minute. " spoke Mr Jones. James walked out , silent. "Yes, what is it Mr ... Jones?" Wondered Annelyn. " Right. We heard from some folk back in London that you had connections with a certain man by the name of Bluestonne. Last week, we received a letter from him. He said you helped solve a fair amount of crimes up in London. Now, we have been hesitant about hiring a... Woman. After much consideration, we have decided to offer you the job of private investigator . " said Mr Jones. Annie laughed, shaking her head in disbelief. "Of course! I mean... Yes! I... I'll take it ! I'll do it!" She answered with excitement. Mr Jones gave her a smile. "Now let's catch the Felon."