Laricot

Chapter 3

 Mylene stepped off the docking platform and onto the ground. The port was full of ships coming and going. She took a deep breath in, not being able to believe she had finally done it. For years Mylene dreamt of leaving BlewBurrow and it had finally happened. She slung her bag over her shoulder and set off once more.

Mylene had been walking for a few hours admiring the architecture of each and every building, the energy of the people, the variety of clothing. Everything was so new and foreign to her.

'Sorry ma'am are you interested in exotic Hipsquish flasks?'

Mylene kindly rejected. All the trade going on, she had never seen anything quite like it. 

Mylene hadn't thought about how she was going to survive in the city. Where was she going to sleep? How was she going to eat? She only had 12 silver coins left, what was she going to do with that?

It was getting dark now and the streets were clearing up. All the shops were closing and the gas light starting lighting up. Mylene had a stale feeling at the back of her neck, like she was being watched. She stopped and turned around. The only thing moving was a weathervane precariously balanced on a rooftop. An icey breeze was picking up and Mylene could feel the wind clasping against her skin. She stood there for a few more minutes and then carried on.

'Pssst... you!'

Mylene turned around frantically. She looked around, there was nothing.

'Who's there?' Mylene Shouted.

Everything was silent.

'Hello? Is anyone there?'

Again, everything was silent.

Mylene once again turned around and continued walking. She walked on, looking at the burning gas lamps. Suddenly as she walked passed one it went out. She continued walking but then again, the next one went out as soon as she passed. She picked up her walking pace and every lamp she passed continued going out. As she ran, the lamps ahead of her started going out one by one. Then suddenly, she was left in utter darkness.

'Pssst... follow my voice.'

Mylene was hesitant but started following the voice.

'I apologise for the lights, I think it's Miss Hopkins. She's always plotting and scheming away in that house of hers. And at night there's a foul stench that comes from her chimney, my lord it stinks! I could swear she is letting chemicals into the air that mess with the gas lighting. Oh wait let me just get a candle for you!'

Mylene saw a tiny orange glow fade in, she felt better having a light source to follow.

'That's right dear, come here. I'm not going to harm you.'

Mylene got closer and closer.

'Oh that's right I nearly forgot.' The voice said as the candle went out.

Mylene suddenly felt hands pushing her and heard the sound of a metallic door opening. She fell to the ground and felt the hands let go of her.

'Sorry about that, let me get the lights.'

A warm orange light faded in and Mylene could see again. She was in some sort of room.

'I must admit that wasn't the most efficient way of doing that but you're here now!'

Mylene turned around towards the voice. Behind her was an old man in a dark purple cloak. He had a dark grey beard and tinted red goggles over his eyes. He also wore a black pointy starred hat and had very long grey hair. The man reached up and took his goggles off.

'Hello there!'

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