Page 89 of Beneath the Starlight and Storms

Once you stepped into it, it seemed endless. A large, abandoned area now a maze of dark clothed stalls, muddy ground and a foul, pungent smell that I had nothing to compare it against. Its stench permeates the stale air and cloaks my clothes and hair as I move through a large throng of people.

A few steps in and I’m already lost among the crowd, blending in so easily with the dark clothes Hook gave me.

Even though our aim was to be seen by the Hunters, Hook thought they would spot the rouse if it didn’t seem like I was hiding or blending in, and bring attention we didn’t want.

Though the longer I look around, the more I see how easy it would be to become lost here. There are so many faces that are drawn, hollow and empty of any joy or light. The air is full of despair and hopelessness.

It makes me realize why Hook was so worried about bringing me here.

I thumb my bracelet and try to look out for one of them but it’s like trying to spot a dark spot on a dirty ground.

Hook, Ryland, and Cash are all somewhere close by, even if I can’t see them. They were masters at this game and knew what they were doing. I just had to trust them.

I push my fears to the back of my mind and move forward, quickly passing the eyes that follow me. The energy coming off most of the people here was nothing good. If I didn’t keep my wits about me, the Hunters would be my last problem.

Keep moving forward.

The further I walk in, the thicker the crowd grows, doubling within minutes and surrounding me, forcing me to push my way through.

I come to a tight space where multiple stalls spill out into the small pathway. Body parts of creatures line the sides with furs and hides of more around me.

I hold my breath as I move past them, taking a left into another part of the market when I feel something touch my shoulder.

I whip around to find a small man with short black peppered hair and warm green eyes that quickly narrow on me.

“You shouldn’t be here,” he chides.

Are his words a threat or a warning? I try to get a feel for his energy, but it doesn’t feel malicious or dark like the others.

He glances around quickly. “Leave before they find you.”

They? Does he know about the Hunters? “The Hunters? Do you know where they are?”

He hushes me, glancing around again, this time with fear in his eyes. “You must leave at once. Do not come back here, child.”

But that’s not an option for me and the sooner I find them, the sooner I can leave.

“Can you tell me where I would find them?” I push, hoping he’ll hear the urgency in my voice.

He glances at me, narrowing his eyes before shaking his head. “No. And if you were smart you would not ask such a foolish question.”

I open my mouth when he quickly turns and disappears among the crowd, leaving no trace of him behind and no way to follow. I slightly deflate but at least I know we are in the right place. The Hunters had already made their presence known here and would surely come back once again.

I move forward through the next part of the market when my eyes fall on a stall full of unique jewelry. I walk toward it and pick up a random item pretending to inspect it as I glance around to get a feel for the new area I’m in.

Apart from the odd stare here and there, everyone keeps to themselves. I try to spot anyone that may seem suspicious or too eager. But that seems to describe everyone here.

Time moves on with nothing exceptional or exciting happening. More people come and go. More stalls open and close as I move from one stall to the next. And before I know it, the already gloomy sky darkens and night falls.

I sigh as I look around at the people. I’ve been here far longer than I expected with no sign of the Hunters.

Maybe they already spotted Hook and decided to leave or maybe they’ve already moved on from this place.

Either way it was looking like this plan wasn’t going to turn out how we expected.

I place the random item I picked up on another stall and shake my head at the seller when she tries to entice me to buy it at a better price. I turn to leave when I feel a tap on my shoulder. Ryland appears standing right beside me, inspecting a black piece of rock.

“Hook thinks it’s a bust. So, we’ll—” Screams and shouts sound out somewhere close by. Ryland drops the rock and heads straight for it. But a large crowd quickly develops blocking my view.

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