Page 11 of Destiny Redeemed
“You’re being dramatic again,” Laurel said but passed me the bundle of fabric anyway, and I began to change in the cramped space of the tunnel. As I struggled with the buttons, I heard Laurel mutter under her breath, “This might be the worst idea I have ever heard.”
“What was that?” I whisper-yelled, my fingers fumbling with the last button.
“Nothing!” Laurel whisper-yelled back, a touch too quickly.
I smirked, putting a black cloak over the pristine white gown. “That’s what I thought. Now, let’s go cause some chaos, shall we?”
We emerged from the tunnel into a narrow alley near the marketplace. The cobblestones were slick with the evening’s earlier rain.
I stepped out of the tunnel, the cool night air raising goosebumps on my skin. The white gown peeked underneath the cloak, eerily luminous in the moonlight. Laurel followed close behind, her eyes darting nervously.
“Are you ready for some chaos, Laurel?” I grinned, my heart racing with anticipation.
This is going to be so much fun. I always wanted to scare people.
She fidgeted with her sleeve. “I’m still not certain this is wise.”
I rolled my eyes. “Oh, come now, where’s your sense of adventure? Besides, a little haunting never hurt anyone. Just go hide somewhere.”
We crept through the shadowy streets, the cobblestones slick beneath our feet. As we neared our shop, I spotted a lone figure hurrying along. Perfect.
I glided forward, arms outstretched, with my hair all wild, and let out a low, ghostly moan. The man didn’t even glance my way, his footsteps never faltering.
Frowning, I tried again with the next passerby, this time adding a dramatic hair flip for good measure. Nothing. Not so much as a startled yelp.
Laurel’s muffled laugh reached my ears. At least someone was having fun… at my expense. “Having trouble, my lady?”
I shot her a withering glare. “I’d like to see you do better.”
Her eyes sparkled with mirth. “Perhaps your ghostly wails need some work? Or maybe a bit more flailing?”
“Oh hush,” I grumbled, though I couldn’t quite keep the smile from my lips. “We simply need our first victim to get the ball rolling. People are like sheep - once one starts bleating, the rest will follow.”
As I gazed at Laurel, inspiration struck. “Actually, my dear, I believe you’ve just volunteered for a crucial role.”
Her laughter died instantly. “Oh no, my lady, surely you don’t mean-”
“Oh, but I do,” I grinned wickedly, rubbing my hands like those proper villains in those troupes. “Now, let’s see those acting skills of yours.”
With much grumbling and eye-rolling, Laurel took her place on the street. I hid in a nearby alley, waiting for my cue.
As a group of revelers stumbled by, Laurel let out a blood-curdling shriek. “Ghost! It’s a ghost!”
She pointed wildly in my direction as I glided out, doing my best impression of a vengeful spirit. To my delight, several of the men paled visibly.
“By the gods, do you see that?”
“It can’t be real… can it?”
“The rumors were true then?”
“Run!”
As they scattered, I couldn’t contain my laughter any longer. Laurel joined me, her eyes dancing with mischief.
“Well done, my lady,” she giggled. “Though I think your ghostly moan still needs work. It sounded like a dying duck.”
I swatted her arm playfully. “Critic. Let’s see you do better next time. Weren’t you against this idea just a few minutes ago?”
