Forbidden Darkness

Chapter 2

"The world is so unpredictable. Things happen suddenly, unexpectedly. We want to feel we're in control of our own existence. In some ways we are, in some ways we're not. We are ruled by the forces of chance and coincidence."
- Paul Auster

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After the meeting, Augustine slipped out of the inn unnoticed and made her way to the town square. She felt the heat of the sun cling to her dark clothing as she roamed, and her raven hair was blown behind her head by the light breeze.

As Augustine neared the marketplace, she was nearly blinded by the bright colors that were sported by the people around her. That seemed to be the style these days, which drew attention to the hunters in their simple black training outfits. Just because the hunters had a reason for their clothing didn't change the looks that they received from others. They looked more like a strange cult than a chosen group of people with a dangerous task.

The heavy aroma of freshly-baked goods swirled through the air, coating the marketplace in a blanket of sweetness. Augustine loved the smell, and she always strolled through the area when she had the time. As she slipped past a stand with a series of unfamiliar fruits, she caught a glimpse of a slick black flyer pinned to the cloth table. She quickly tore it off and scanned over the contents.

Town Masquerade Ball, the flyer said, and Augustine's lips pulled into a genuine smile at the thought of a dance. She could use a night of fun, and because it seemed to be a party for the entire town, she assumed that plenty of people from Emberville would join in. Perhaps Bridger would follow the crowd and she could complete her assignment at the ball. It would make her job much easier, but first she needed to find a dress for herself.

Augustine recalled passing an adorable boutique with beautiful gowns in the window. She didn't need anything super extravagant, but she needed something nice enough that she would be accepted into the ball.

Augustine swiftly slipped through the crowd of people with a quickness that took years to perfect. She travelled with a small grin across her lips, her mood lifting as she neared the small store. Conwell was such a tiny town that it only took minutes for Augustine to cross it. The boutique was contained within the bottom floor of a small building, and the glass door stood ajar beside the narrow sidewalk.

Augustine quickly turned into the store and brushed her hair behind her ear. She took a glance around and was greeted by her closest friend Rosaline. The blonde girl already stood in a dark blue gown that adorned her small frame. The same flyer that Augustine saw earlier was pasted on the walls between racks of dresses.

"It seems that I was the only one who hadn't been told about the ball," Augustine commented and cocked an eyebrow towards her friend.

"Oh Augustine, stop feeling bad for yourself and try on a dress," Rosaline replied jokingly and offered a wide grin in Augustine's direction. "What do you think?" She questioned a moment later and elegantly twirled in a circle.

"The gown is beautiful," Augustine replied with a genuine smile. The blue fabric fit snugly around Rosaline's thin body and a thick pair of straps over her shoulders held it up. The upper part of the dress was adorned with silver stones that slowly dispersed further down.

Rosaline dramatically batted her eyelashes in response to Augustine's compliment.

"I needed to find something that matched my eyes," She replied enthusiastically and Augustine couldn't help but release a light chuckle. The gown looked lovely with Rosaline's eyes, but they by no means matched. Her irises were a soft cobalt whereas the gown was a rich royal blue.

"Alright, it's time to find myself something. Go ahead and work your magic," Augustine announced excitedly, motioning to the racks throughout the store that carried hundreds of different dresses.

"I've already picked one out," Rosaline responded proudly. Augustine tilted her head to the side as her friend slipped to the back of the store, returning a second later with a deep red gown. Augustine's eyes widened and she snatched the piece from her friend. She nimbly turned on her heel and made her way towards the dressing room. An instant later, Augustine emerged from behind the curtain. The gown fell elegantly around her tall, athletic frame, and her hair fell over her shoulders in a gleaming waterfall of black. The red seemed to compliment her gray eyes, and she knew in that moment that if she found Bridger at the ball, he wouldn't be able to resist her.