"It seems like the more money they have, the easier the job," observed Val as they stepped back onto the Cain's Point streets.
Mand looked back at the large, multistory home that they just exited. Val was right, the family inside had hired them to perform minor repairs on various bits of jewelry, and to reattach a leg to a child's toy. It was a far cry from rebuilding large pieces of farm equipment, or patching up a family's century old fishing vessel that should have been retired ages ago.
"They have money for continual upkeep," said Mand. "Most of the people we usually work for tend to approach us as a last ditch effort."
The two began walking, soon leaving behind the quiet and posh residential area as they headed downhill towards the merchant district. Cain's Point had built up around a natural bay with hills on three sides. As such, the community took on a somewhat "bowl" shape with the docks and fishing industries right on the water, the merchant districts a little further back and a little more uphill, and the big houses of the well-to-do right on top of the rim of the bowl. The working and middle class filled in the spaces in-between.
Despite the approaching summer, most of those walking the streets still wore heavier clothing to ward away the cold winds that blew in from the ocean. Every once in a while, the winds would whip up and force the sisters to hold their cloaks tighter. As they continued further, they passed shops which sold everything from fishing supplies to exotic pets.
Many of the downtown businesses specialized in pre-war antiques, taking advantage of the seaport that Cain's Point had grown into. Merchants and Sailors visiting the town from all over the coast ensured a constant supply of relics, many of which were now a curiosity to those who were generations removed from the conflict.
Mand suddenly stopped by the window of one of these antique shops and looked in. Val raised her eyebrow, her sister was not usually one for such spontaneous actions.
"We should buy something for Claire and Carl," Mand said. "As a thank you for putting us up."
"That's a fantastic idea!" Val said.
Mand nodded and suddenly took her sister by the hand and led her inside. Again Val was surprised. A small bell over the door rang as the two entered the shop.
"Welcome ladies," an older woman addressed them as they entered. "Is there anything I can help you with today."
"I think we're being followed," said Mand. "Would you happen to have a back door we could use?"
The woman's smile drew into a frown as she looked at the two girls for a moment. "Are you two OK?" She asked in a concerned tone. "Do you want me to send for the guard?"
"No that's fine," said Mand. "Probably just some creep that wants to ask us on a date."
"I don't have a back entrance, but I can give you a place to hide," the woman said. She motioned for the girls to join her behind the counter.
Mand began to move, still pulling Val along by the hand.
"Wait Mand!" Val said bewildered. "Somebodies following us? What's going on?"
"Hide first, talk later," Mand said.
The woman pulled up the edge of a long, narrow rug that ran behind the counter, revealing a trap door. "There's a room below that we use for storage," the woman said as she opened it.
"Thank you," said Mand.
The woman handed Val a lamp and some matches. The two then clambered down a small, narrow set of stairs to the dirt floor below.
"I'll keep an eye out and will signal you with a few boot stomps when the coast is clear."
With that the woman closed the trap door and the two were plunged into darkness. Above they could hear the storeowner returning the rug to its original position.
"Light the lamp," Mand whispered.
Val sat on the dirt floor, setting the lamp down gently in front of her. She removed the glass from the top and struck a match, guiding the fire to the wide wick in the center. Once the wick was lit, she returned the glass part.
"What's this all about?" Val whispered. "Did you see something? Why didn't you tell me?"
Mand put a finger to her lips and sat down across from Val on the opposite side of the lamp. She then cocked her head, listening to the floor above.
Moments later, the bell at the entrance of the shop rang.
The sound of heavy boots entered the shop. The girls followed the sound as the footsteps ponderously made their way across the shop floor to the counter.
"Hello," the shopkeeper said. "Are you folks looking for something in particular?"
"Folks," Mand thought. "That meant that there was more than one."
"We are looking for my brother's daughters," spoke a man in a heavily accented voice. "Our ship is sailing very soon and we must return at once."
"We thought we saw them enter the shop," said a woman's voice in the same accent. Despite all the travelling they did, neither Mand or Val could place the region where it was from.
"You must be mistaken," the shopkeeper said. "You're the first customers I've seen since this morning."
"Yes..." the man paused. "Perhaps."
"Listen," said the shopkeeper. "I actually had planned to close up early today. It's a beautiful afternoon and it would be a waste not to get a load of laundry on the line."
"Oh, how unfortunate," said the woman. "I thought perhaps since we were already here, we could have a look around."
"I thought you were in a hurry?" questioned the shopkeeper.
"Oh, I'm sure we could spare a few moments to... patronize a business such as yours."
The heavy footfalls started again. This time they sounded like they were moving behind the counter.
"What are you doing?" asked the shopkeeper, terror creeping into her voice. "Stay back!"
Suddenly a loud mechanical whirring could be heard almost directly above them. Moments later, a bloodcurdling scream echoed throughout the building.