Visiting Tabetha Street a fictional story by astrid ========================================= {diclaimer: this story is a work of fiction. any resemblance to a real person or character is purely coincidental} (disclaimer: this is not my opinion on women) ========================================= Addam nodded his head seriously as Flynn explained everything that had happened. "And then she accused me of stealing it! Me! Of all people, why me?" Addam put his hand on Flynn's shoulder and said gruffly, "Women are strange, fickle beings. We all know who really did it, Flynn, and that's what matters." Flynn looked up cautiously. "Who?" Addam looked to both sides suspiciously before continuing, "Pillagers." The dripping noises of rain from branches made Addam's voice sound horrific. Flynn nodded in sudden understanding. "I-I need to go explain to Eva. I've gotta go!" He dashed out of the workshop and out onto the walkway. The rain made the cobblestone floor slick as Flynn's leather shoes pounded the sidewalk. People stared as he came dashing by, splashing through the mud that used to be the main dirt road. He grinned as the small shape of Eva's wooden house appeared on the horizon. Flynn knocked on the door, hard, three times. The door opened a sliver and a slim, pale hand came snaking out. It fumbled for a small chain on the outside, then the door came flinging open, revealing Eva in a white blouse and rosy-pink skirt. "Well, well, well. It's Flynn, back for another family heirloom, I assume?" Flynn narrowed his eyes. "I'm here to apologize, and tell you I know who did it." Eva widened her eyes in mock surprise. "Oh, really? I know who did it too." She grabbed Flynn by the collar and held his face close to hers. "And I don't take apologies from thieving rats." Flynn gasped, surprised that a woman could be so strong. "It...was the pillagers", he choked, finding it hard to breathe with his collar tight around his neck. Eva let go in shock. "Who are the pillagers?", she asked, suddenly curious. Flynn rubbed his hand on his burning neck and turned to face Eva. "C'mon, I'll show you." He grabbed Eva's hand and began running towards a steep canyon wall. "Where are you taking me? This better not be a kidnapping!", Eva warned. The desert began fading to savanna, then a deep pine forest. The smell of smoke drifted on the breeze, and a strange crackling sound echoed through the trees. Eva crept forwards cautiously. Flynn put a finger to his lips and tiptoed towards the noise. A parting in the trees revealed a whole village set ablaze. Items were scattered on the dusty roads, but the town was silent, aside from the snapping sound of the fire against the rain that had begun to drizzle out. Thick smoke billowed from the village, and Eva began to cough. Flynn looked towards her with sudden fright, then realized the situation and held her wrist a little more tightly. "Let's go", he advised, and Eva stumbled after him weakly. Flynn led Eva towards the canyon, but instead of going towards Tabetha Street, he turned and headed towards a small beach. It was a cosy place, lined with coastal shrub and a lapping tide. Eva swayed on her feet and sat down next to Flynn on the coarse sand. "But the pillagers didn't set my house on fire." she said curiously. "They like to start small. Inciting skirmishes around the villages, cause suspicion. And just when they have everyone at each other's throats...", Flynn rubbed the red mark on his neck," they strike. Nobody's ever left alive after the pillagers finish with them." Eva looked horrified. "Y-You don't mean...?" Flynn nodded grimly. "You'll really be a ghost then." he thought to himself. ========================================= thank you for reading, and hope you enjoyed! q&a {cricket cricket} um ask me questions and i'll answer them
