I didn’t want Mr. Wyzart to see me leave, or anyone else for that matter. I tucked the dagger and the note in my bag and slung it over my shoulder. Today I wore the other outfit my mother had commissioned for me.

At the time, it felt ridiculous, but now it seemed more sensible than the white dress. The black pants stretched and fit down to my ankles and the matching top with a golden embroidered crescent moon flowed, hanging over and grazing the middle of my thighs. Woven canvas shoes covered my feet. If he knew I was coming, I’d better be ready.

Sparrow walked out ahead of me and Rose parked herself on my ear, tickling it slightly with her wings as she landed.

I pulled the door shut quietly, in sharp contrast to how I’d entered it the night before. The three of us left our room at the Enchanted Inn.

Before leaving the shadows cast by the building marked by the crescent moon, I looked around and behind me. Someone’s eyes were on us as we moved along the stone path towards the fence that opened to the walking street. I turned once more only to see curtains on the side of the lobby area draw sharply closed. We hadn’t left early enough to go unseen.

My steps were light and quick as we covered the four blocks back to the produce store. I hoped Mr. Pickens worked like they had back home - up early, making sure everything was set up for the day.

We neared the brightly colored building and I slowed my pace. Rose suggested going around back rather than charging in through the front door as I’d planned. I motioned to Sparrow to stay where she was on the main street as Rose and I went towards the side. I approached the end of the building and glanced back to see Sparrow ten feet behind me. She was as stubborn as she was protective.

There were voices talking in low hushed tones. Two men. I strained to poke my head around to see, but the large green metal box at the corner blocked my view. I could hear them talking, whispering, excited.

“Now that you have found her, what will you do, brother?” the first voice whispered in a familiar raspy voice.

“She deserves to know the truth. I’ve waited sixteen years for this moment and I…” The voice stopped speaking at the sound of the rolling can behind me.

I looked back to see Sparrow, one foot still in the air and a guilty look on her face. I turned my attention back to the voices, but there was no more speaking. The faint glow of light that had spilled around the dumpster was also gone.

“We have to get back there and find out where they went, Rose,” I whispered.

I heard the thud of a door closing and snuck the rest of the way around the offending green obstruction. Perhaps there was a clue left for us.

As I rounded the corner to the rear door it swung open nearly knocking me down.

“What the heck are you doing out here?” Lincoln whispered to me as he closed the door.

“Looking for something.”

“This time of morning?” he asked in a tone of disbelief.

“Yes. Who was Mr. Pickens talking to just now? We came around the corner, you know, looking for something and heard him talking to someone.”

“No one else is up and out here this time of day, except us. I couldn’t really tell you who he might have been talking to. Are you sure he wasn’t just mumbling to himself? He does that sometimes,” Lincoln gave that unnerving smile. I had to glance away. I needed to stay focused and something about him made it harder for me to do that.

“No. It was a conversation and he was whispering. Never mind. I’ll keep looking.” I folded my arms over my chest.

“Um. Well I have to take this to the garbage over there.” Lincoln held up a big black bag and pointed to the big green object I’d hidden behind.

I moved out of his way, contemplating the strange exchange. Mr. Pickens had been talking to someone back here. But whoever it had been was now gone. In that alley there were only back doors to the storefronts and aside from the produce store, there wasn’t any other activity.

“Well, I hope this wasn’t your plan for seeing me again, Goldie - you know in the back alley by the dumpster. Why don’t you come by after work? I get off at one today.”

“I’ll have to see. Don’t wait for me though. I’m not here on vacation.” I maintained the most serious expression I could muster.

I couldn’t let him do it again - distract me with that smile and those dreamy eyes. I’d come across as silly and foolish the day before, all caught up in the excitement of being out of the forest. I had also been embarrassingly caught up in his attention. I couldn’t afford the lack of focus today.

“Oooo. Kaaaayy.” He stretched each vowel as long as he possibly could.

I pursed my lips and waited for him to go back inside the store before I started searching for what I knew must be there.

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