Phantom's Spark (Book Two of the Phantom series)

The Way Back

Skylor's POV-
Kota, being the sour being he was, did not agree to take me into the city. Instead, he had given me a satchel of coins and told me to be back by 19:00.
"Be careful, Sky." He said, placing the velvet bag into my hands. "It's a tough world."
The bag was heavy, weighted with the currency it held.
"Thank you." I whispered back.
I turned around, and waited for the clatter of a horse-drawn carriage on cobblestone street. The sound eventually came, loud and rattling.
I heard a driver jump down, the sound of his boots made a splash on the wet ground.
"You're the blind girl wanting to get to the city?" He chuckled. The driver's voice was rough and humorous. He had a slight twang to his voice, a rough sound.
"Yes." I said, my hands gripping around the staff I now carried. The staff was a gift from Kota, he had given it to me when I repeatedly walked into the walls.
"My name's Amos. Ya wanna get in the back?" The driver asked.
When I answered yes, Amos took my hand. His hands were larger than mine, and wrapped around my fingers gently. Together, we walked slowly to the carriage. The sound of creaky hinges and locks greeted my ears as Amos opened the carriage door.
"Ya ready?" Amos said, then, when I nodded, picked me up and placed me inside the carriage. I navigated my way through the small space and sat down on a plush seat. Amos mumbled in approval, then shut the carriage door with another clattering lock.
Even though I was inside, I could still here the sounds of outside- Amos climbing to the drivers' seat, the neighs and whinnies of the horses, the clatter of hooves and wheels over cobblestone street as we started off.
The carriage rattled slightly as we moved, shaking and jostling as we drove on. The sound of the horses' hooves was rhythmic as they walked down the street. We continued for about an hour, making a few turns along the way. As we neared the end of our journey, I heard the sound of other carriages. Shouts rang out in a million languages. Horses, dogs, and humans, all equally mangy I presumed, filled the air with aroma of decay and smoke.
The carriage rumbled to a stop. I could hear the clatter of Amos jumping down from his perch. With another clatter, one that was so easily lost in this world of noise, the cabin door swung open, and the sound, smell, and temperature of the world outside greeted me.
The carriage shifted as Amos stepped onto the step. "C'mon." He said, placing his hand on mine. Our fingers entwined, and he helped me down and onto the sidewalk. The air was misty here, and there was a slight rain. The atm
"You've arranged for transportation to the inn?" Amos asked.
I nodded. I had contacted a woman, by the name of Sophia LaBelle, who had agreed to be my personal guide during my stay. Now, all I had to do was wait.
As I waited, my feet seemed to glue to the stone walkway beneath me. The rain soaked into my hair and skin. When my body started to feel heavy, I leaned on my staff,swinging back and fourth.
Eventually, I heard the clatter of footsteps on the rain puddles and stone coming closer to me.
"You must be Skylor." Said a woman, the person who had walked up to me. She took my hand, presumably to tell me she was there. "I am Sophia LaBelle." Said the woman.
Sophia sighed. "I am truly sorry about being late. I was in a slight predicament on Fifth Street... well, you're soaking. Let's get you inside, and dried up."
Sophia led me across the city and we eventually reached an inn. I was ushered inside by a plethora of hands, washed, dressed, and fed, and before I knew it I was sitting in front of a fire with Sophia LaBelle, drinking rose tea.
"Skylor." Sophia said, her teacup clinking on the saucer. "Why did you come to the city?"
I placed my tea on the table in front of me.
The fire cracked as Sophia awaited my answer.
I sighed. "I came looking for a way to get back home."
I heard Sophia put her tea on the table. "You couldn't possibly-"
"I do. I want to get back to the living world."
Sophia sighed. "It's a dangerous and elusive goal, but I may harbor some information of use to you."
"Go on." I said.
"There is a legend that tells of a way to escape. They say... you must travel to the north, and on the seventh moonrise, cast a stone into the waters. Once you have done that, a portal will be opened. Walk through the water and you will become alive again."
I reached for my tea again. "How-"
"Don't go." Sophia interrupted me. "It's dangerous, Skylor. Stay here, with me. Stay safe."
I nodded, but the both us knew I was lying.

A/N: AAAA SKYLOR! So the realm of the dead is now a mid-1800s American city. Yup. ALSO the relationship between Skylor and Amos will be kept purely platonic. Skylor is blind, so she needed a bit more help. Ok I have like 5 more words til 900 so BYE!