The narrow alley seemed to stretch endlessly, shrouded in shadows that the dim light from the fading sun could not reach. Lucius stood before the weathered door the locals had directed him to. Its wood was cracked, and faint carvings of symbols he could not recognize were etched into its surface. He hesitated, gripping the edge of the carriage where Harriet lay unconscious. For a moment, he debated turning back.
"I can't waste time," he murmured, steeling himself. Raising his hand, he knocked firmly. The sound echoed unnervingly in the silence.
The door creaked open just enough for a pair of piercing eyes to peer through. A voice, low and rasping, followed.
"Who seeks entry?"
Lucius shifted uncomfortably. "I need help. My... companion is injured and unconscious. I was told you could treat her."
The door opened wider to reveal a figure clad in tattered robes, their face obscured by a hood. The healer, an elderly woman with long, twisted fingers and a sharp gaze, stepped aside, gesturing for Lucius to enter.
Inside, the air was thick with the scent of herbs and burning incense. Shelves lined the walls, filled with jars of strange powders, dried plants, and what Lucius could only assume were animal bones. Harriet was carefully placed on a makeshift bed in the corner, her face pale and unmoving.
"This will not come cheap," the healer said, her voice carrying a strange cadence.
Lucius reached into his pocket and produced a handful of golden rocks, his hand trembling slightly. "Will this be enough?"
The healer stared at the stones before nodding slowly. "It will suffice. But…" She paused, her lips curving into a faint smile. "You will owe me a favor. When the time comes, you will know."
He frowned, his instincts screaming against agreeing to such ambiguous terms, but Harriet's shallow breathing reminded him of the stakes. "Fine. Just help her."
The healer set to work, her hands moving with practiced precision as she prepared a mixture of herbs and liquids. Lucius sat nearby, his eyes scanning the room. On one of the shelves, he noticed a small jar labeled Ointment for Burns. Nai's wounded arm came to mind, and he approached the shelf cautiously.
"That jar," he said, pointing to it. "How much for it?"
The healer glanced at him, her expression unreadable. "A simple trade. Leave behind something of value."
Lucius hesitated, then pulled a small knife from his belt, one he had carried since childhood. It was rusted but had served him well in the past. Placing it on the counter, he took the jar.
---
Meanwhile, Nai and Yu Xuan roamed the bustling market streets of the town, their stomachs still grumbling despite the food in their hands. The aroma of freshly baked bread and roasted meat filled the air, taunting them as vendors called out to passersby.
Nai bit into her food, sighing contentedly. "At least there's one good thing about this place."
Yu Xuan, however, remained tense, his eyes darting around as though searching for threats hidden among the crowd. His gaze eventually fell on Lucius's fading figure from earlier.
"That's weird," Nai said between bites. "Why wouldn't he eat first? Any normal person would prioritize food after days of starving."
Yu Xuan frowned. "…Normal," he muttered, his suspicions about Lucius deepening.
Before he could dwell on it further, they overheard a pair of locals whispering nearby.
"Another one disappeared last night," one said, his tone hushed.
"Third this week. It's those alleys, I tell you. People wander in and never come back."
Yu Xuan tensed, his unease growing. Nai nudged him. "You think Lucius might end up in trouble?"
"He's probably already in trouble," Yu Xuan muttered, leading her toward the direction Lucius had gone.
---
Back at the healer's dwelling, Harriet stirred slightly, her lips parting as though to speak. The healer finished her work, her hands finally stilling as she looked at Lucius.
"She will recover, but it will take time. You should let her rest."
Lucius exhaled a breath he hadn't realized he was holding. "Thank you," he said quietly.
As he prepared to leave, the healer leaned closer, her voice dropping to a near-whisper. "You carry an aura of burden, boy. Shadows trail you. Beware the path you tread."
Her words sent a chill down his spine, but he said nothing, taking Harriet's carriage and the jar of ointment before stepping back into the alley.
---
Yu Xuan and Nai were just reaching the alley when a figure stepped out of the shadows. He was tall, well-dressed, and exuded an unsettling charisma. His sharp eyes settled on the two of them, his lips curling into a faint smile.
"You two look lost," he said, his voice smooth.
Nai immediately stepped back, wary. "Who are you?"
The man ignored her, his gaze fixed on Yu Xuan. "You should be careful about the company you keep. That boy you travel with… he hides more than you realize."
Yu Xuan's jaw tightened. "What do you mean?"
The man chuckled, stepping closer. "You'll see in time." With that, he disappeared into the crowd as swiftly as he had appeared.
---
Lucius emerged from the alley just as Nai and Yu Xuan approached. Yu Xuan's eyes narrowed, but before he could speak, a distant scream pierced the air.
All three of them froze, their heads snapping toward the source. A faint trail of blood led deeper into the alley, and the sound of footsteps echoed ominously.
"Not again," Nai whispered, clutching her injured arm.
Lucius glanced at Harriet, then at his companions. "We need to get out of here."
The tension in the air was palpable as they hurried away, the sense of unease growing with every step. Behind them, the healer's dwelling was silent once more, though the shadows seemed to stir as though alive.
---
As they reached the edge of the town, Lucius couldn't shake the feeling that they were being watched. His eyes darted around, but nothing seemed out of place.
Yu Xuan's words echoed in his mind. "Normal…"
But Lucius knew he wasn't normal, and sooner or later, the truth would come to light.
For now, though, survival was all that mattered.
To be continued.