Josh took his hat, cane, and a bag full of coins before leaving the apartment. To any observer, it would seem as if he was merely going out and he would soon return, but Josh knew that he was leaving, for good. But first, he had to go find the darn key.
Arriving at the alley, everything seemed normal in a way that Josh could not detect anything out of the ordinary. [How do I find the key? Oh, the gifts, but which one is suitable for this scenario...that old man forgot to tell me how to use the gifts, shit.] Josh thought, shaking his head slightly.
He moved to where the old man had slumped when he found him. Staring at the spot for a while, Josh murmured, "Vision of the past." Waiting patiently for a response, but minutes went by and nothing happened, having the urge to curse the old man Josh pressed his head on the wall his eyes closed in frustration, sighing chuckled at his own thoughts "would you tell me your secrets? Huh, I guess not."
A soft echoing voice responded shocking Josh where he stood his eyes widened like saucers at the voice taking a few hurried steps away from the wall Josh stare at the wall in disbelief, but the wall also stared at him back with a look of confusion. "Oh sure I can, a few nights ago an old man was attacked right here but after the attacker fled he took out a small key from his pocket and he hid it inside me by removing one of my bricks."
The wall continued, "Oh I almost forgot, there were two men who came here just now and stared at the spot where the old man was at before leaving in the direction you came from. Oh and..." The wall trailed off talking about other stuff, but Josh had just received another shock he suddenly remembered the two men he met on the stairs when he was leaving his apartment, he still remembered what they looked like and what they wore.
Bending down to look for the brick that had been previously removed, Josh didn't notice that the wall had returned to being inanimate. Josh knocked on the bricks until he found the one he was looking for quickly taking out the brick his hand moved to search for the key where the brick was , but all Josh got was a sealed envelope with a stamp on it, the envelope's design was different from the ones sent by the royal family and it also did not bear the royal crest, deciding not to open it Josh placed the brick back and left the alley in a hurry.
A few minutes after Josh had left two men wearing identical set of clothing returned to the alley one had a mustache and a set of malicious green eyes while the other had an eyepatch and a beautiful blue eye with very handsome face. Stopping right where Josh had been one of the men sniffed the air twice and looked at his partner "It's the man we came across from that building, his scent still lingers here and it's the same scent we found in that apartment where Nigel's scent disappeared from."
The man with a mustache spoke, his partner nodded "I see, I believe Nigel is dead and he must have entrusted that man with everything let us return to the apartment and gather information about him I have a feeling it won't be the last we cross paths with him." The man with an eyepatch spoke and just when he was about to leave he noticed a loose brick in the wall, and smiled knowing that the man they were after must have taken whatever was hidden behind the brick, after they left the alley was empty once more.
Josh quickly made his way to the market his eyes were focused and alert, he was also careful enough not too attract the eyes of the law officials stationed In almost every corner, arriving at fish market Josh went to Simon, was busy as usual but this time Josh had no intention of waiting so he tapped his shoulders twice, Simon looked down happy that a potential customer had arrived but after noticing it was Josh his smile turned into a frown and after seeing Josh's expression the frown only deepened, quickly closing his stall and signaling for Josh to follow him they made their way out of the market and went to the river.
"What trouble did you get yourself into?" Simon asked his arms crossed staring directly at Josh, Josh shook his head and a sad smile appeared on his lips "You wouldn't believe me even if I told you my friend." Josh answered truthfully but Simon was not having it he insisted that Josh tells him the truth so Josh explained the whole story while leaving some parts out and after he was done he glanced at Simon waiting for his reaction.
Simon's expression didn't change throughout, his dark blue eyes now seemed like icy pools but they also seemed to draw him in, Josh found himself staring at Simon's eyes for way too long until Simon broke the silence "So let us leave now, I'm pretty sure whoever is after you is already gathering information about you and soon enough Moonridge will be a dangerous place for you."
Simon's words were calm and collected, but Josh could sense the urgency behind them. He nodded in agreement, knowing that they had to act quickly. Simon threw his carriage into the river but before he left he stared at his reflection for a short while, dark blue eyes coupled with a handsome face stared at him back, his short damp blonde hair was stuck to his forehead.
A fisherman and a disgraced official stood at the river watching the water flow, their eyes filled with different sets of emotions.
...
Late, in the evening Judith made her way happily up the stairs humming a tune but then she suddenly stopped when she bumped into a handsome gentleman with an eyepatch and dressed in an aristocrat manner.
His one good eye stared at her apologetically "I'm so sorry I hit you my head is not here, are you hurt?" The man's voice was calm and soothing, his tone apologetic, Judith shook her head unable to find words to reply. The man smiled in a charming manner making Judith tremble slightly her thoughts were a disarray, his eyes were on the man and the man alone.
"That's good, My lady do you live in these premises? I'm looking for my cousin maybe you might be of great help." The man asked his tone now sad, her heart ached at his tone [why do you sound sad Mr? Don't be, don't be!] These were her thoughts, "Yes I do, oh is that so? Who is your cousin I might know him....or her?" She asked after answering, her words were slow as if she was not sure about her words.
The man nodded and gave a detailed explanation of Josh and his features, Judith smiled and nodded realizing who it was he was searching for but before she answered a question popped up in her mind [IF he is that guy's cousin why doesn't he know his name or address?] That simple question seemed to bring her thoughts back and she took a step back and shook her head "The man you described I do know him but not personally infact I have never even spoke to him and I don't know which apartment is his here, we always meet on the staircase plus that man is not talkative. So I wouldn't have the guts to try to engage in a conversation with him." Judith lied about some parts and the man nodded but then he stopped nodding and he glanced at Judith as if she had said something wrong.
The man's smile suddenly became eerie and a chill struck her, her back was now sweaty but the man had not yet moved instead his hand moved to his eyepatch before pausing. "Thank you, I thought you would be completely honest with me from the start that is why I didn't resort to drastic measures but now you leave me no choice." The man opened his eyepatch and Judith froze on the spot.