Eve & the Whispered World

Chapter 4: Eve

An unusually dressed woman in a frock coat and top hat inconspicuously made her way through the English countryside. 

It was not an easy thing to do by any means, as if anyone were to notice anyone in the countryside, it would be a young woman with short, shaggy red hair adorning fancy yet dishevelled clothes. She stood out, but she knew this.

Not long after alighting from her train that had brought her to London, she soon found herself navigating down long dis-used river routs and overgrown rural treks which bypassed the various little villages that peppered the countryside. 

She neither stopped nor spoke with anyone, as she made her way toward the home of Dr. Lockwood. 

After a day of avoiding postmen and dog walkers, evening arrived. 

The watery sun began to set and as she ambled her way along a wide dirt trail between some woods and rolling fields, she could finally see Lockwood Manor. Hm. Looks too neglected, she thought, noticing the overabundance of weeds climbing it's walls.

She took a moment to absorb her surroundings. It's bloody bliss though, this place.  

The lingering sunlight of mid-day rippled through the trees and illuminated her path. 

The sweet smells of wildflowers tickled her nostrils and the gentle trickle of a nearby river poured over her eardrums. Spring had arrived in full bloom.

As the young woman had so diligently spent her entire day tirelessly avoiding detection, she concluded that she had sufficiently earned a moment such as this, one of simply lowering her guard and appreciating the beautiful English countryside. Especially, she thought, now that she could see Lockwood Manor on the horizon.

''What do you mean 'where is it?' '' Eve chuckled, seemingly addressing her hat. ''Come out and look for yourself, ya idle lump''

The sight of the lonely manor lay on a hill residing by a forest as far as the eye could see. She decided it looked eerily quiet now that it grew closer. As dusk fell through the countryside, she noticed too that there were no lights on. Not good.

"Ah, you're always starvin" she said, yet again rolling her cat-like eyes up as if to address her top hat. "C'mon now. Quicker we get there, sooner we fleece the kitchen" 

Just as she had thought her journey was without notice from anyone, a police officer riding a pushbike suddenly emerged from the darkening woodland.

"Ahoy there! Stop where you are! I've some questions for you"

Curses. "Ah ahoy there! Sure I - I might even have some answers" She awkwardly quipped. 

"Three Questions" announced the overly formal officer as he tried and failed to appear graceful while descending his bicycle.