Grace sets out in the direction of the pub; observing the strange coloring of the sky, and odd grey crimson dilution, something rather foreboding about it. A mist begins and she curses the fact she couldn't find her cloak; I will be soaked before this night is done.
Making her way through the dirty streets and passing by children with dirt streaked faces, she recalls the pleasant path ways of her home village; the dust of their dirt roads was clean, fresh, and when wet, the earthy smell would hang in the air. Green pastures and forests surrounded the yard around her family home. It was a simple life, but unlike the time they were now in, her people had had a technology revolution. Part of the reason she and Stella were in this particular situation. It had all sounded so exciting and she had longed for adventure. She had met Jack and her life was changing in ways she had only imagined. Stella had found someone too, but Norman had secret plans and his motives were not honorable. Everything went terribly wrong when Stella murdered their incestuous brother and their parents forced them to leave. Maybe it was fear that caused everyone to become irrational... This fear was still following them, haunting Grace like a evil ghost.
Reaching the Britannia, she shakes off old ghosts and her skirts of water and enters. The landlord was an odd man and must have struck a strange bargain with Norman, for he always leered at Grace and said suggestive things whenever she went there. Making sure never to be alone with him, in case he acted upon his lewd remarks, she went to the side of the bar and spoke to the keep. Good day sir, I am expecting a message from my friend, do you have a note for me today, my name is Grace. Aye, I have a message for ye. You need to see thar landlord miss. He be wait'n for ye in his office; he jerks his thumb in direction of room she must go to. Can't you get it for me, I can pay you. Grace pulls out 6 shillings, but the barkeep shakes his head. He could with the money, but he would loose his job. Nope, you best git it your self miss. He walks away and tends the customers.
Grace wasn't prepared for a confrontation, but if she waited any longer, Norman may inflict more 'damage' than the landlord could muster. Reluctantly, she passes through the doorway the barkeep pointed to and continues down the dark, narrow hallway. She passes restrooms and a storeroom, before she gets to the door with a small hand-written sign that said "office." Hesitating, she wraps on the hard wood door and after hearing a clicking sound, the door flies open and she finds herself face to face with the landlord. His puckered face, worn with scares, and dark beady eyes set too close together, made her skin crawl. It was made even worse by his smile; stained and gaps in his teeth made his open mouth look like a rotting picket fence, with an odor to match. He was not as tall as Grace, but his body made up for that; he was stout,tattooed arms boasted his boxing days, and he could still move quickly, when he was inclined to do so, not advantageous for her if she needed to act. She could easily kill him, but that would only complicate an already tenuous situation. Cautiously, she enters the room, hearing the door click shut makes the hair on the back of her neck stand on end. What a pleasant surprise, my deliciously lovely girl! Rubbing his hands together in glee and anticipation, he giggles slightly. How nice of you to visit your Uncle Teddy; I've missed you my sweet...
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