Shadow Author

Having finished our conversation and fully explored the shop, Noznuil and I decided to head back to the meeting room.

Neither of us was aware if Miss Smith and Koggorlig had finished but we had nothing better to do.

Plus now that our relationship was closer I believed it wouldn't be as awkward to stand there.

When we made it, back Noznuil went in first and I followed behind while crouching.

After I had entered, I closed the curtain behind me and turned around to look for Miss Smith.

Thankfully she was still there and I didn't have to wait or search for her.

Their meeting seemed to be over because Miss Smith looked up at me and asked:

"Did you see everything you wanted to?"

I nodded and showed a slight smile.

"I did, what Noznuil had back there was truly remarkable!"

She nodded before standing up from her tiny chair.

Turning her attention back to Koggorlig she bowed.

"Thank you for agreeing to meet with me. I am glad that we came to a decision. I hope the next time we see each other the world will be a much different place."

Koggorlig appreciated the respectful response and gave his farewell.

"It is always a joy to chat with you, enjoy the rest of your time in this desolate city."

Although it seemed like Koggorlig had good intentions it was clear that he had some mixed feelings about the city.

Also, the fact that he called it a desolate place didn't escape my mind.

If I thought the place to be an impressive metropolitan city, I couldn't help but wonder about the kinds of things the dwarf had seen over the years.

Koggorlig turned to Noznuil and asked:

"Could you escort our dear guests out? I need to make preparations to leave."

Noznuil grumbled but followed the order given to him by his senior.

Standing behind us, Noznuil allowed Miss Smith and I to go first.

Although we were stated to be guests, it was clear that Koggorlig didn't fully trust us and the reason probably had to do with the stuff in the boxes.

Accepting this notion Miss Smith led the way and I walked a step behind her while Noznuil walked at his own pace a few feet away.

Leaving the room and passing through the storage area we were just about to come to a stop outside the door that employees only but Miss Smith suddenly stopped.

Confused, I paused and looked over at her but she flashed away before reappearing in the same place less than a second later.

Had I not been directly looking at her I wouldn't have noticed she moved.

I wanted to ask what was up, but she started moving again and opened the door motioning for me to leave.

Following her instruction, I turned back around and gave a wave to the little dwarf that had only managed to cross half the distance of the room.

He responded with the same gesture, and I left the area walking back into the storefront.

Miss Smith was a second behind me and immediately started walking toward her car.

I was still a little confused but I kept up with her as we passed all the types of mattresses before eventually leaving the building.

Once we were outside, I asked what happened but Miss Smith ignored me and got in her car.

I sighed before entering the passenger side.

Closing the door behind me, I looked over at her expectantly.

Then without saying anything, Miss Smith opened her hand.

Trying my absolute hardest to not show any emotion I stared down at a tiny piece of foam.

'Fuck.'

I tried opening my mouth to speak.

"I-"

However, Miss Smith squeezed her hand shut on the foam before opening it up again.

On her palm was a pile of ash and before I could react she moved her head close to it before blowing the dust all over me.

Unable to keep up with what was happening, my mouth hung open.

Miss Smith didn't seem to care for my mix of emotions and started up the car before speeding away.

Looking down at the bit of ash that was stuck to my uniform I sighed and shrunk away into the seat wishing I could turn invisible.

After about five minutes or so Miss Smith finally spoke up:

"Where are we going?"

Still messed up with the previous incident I didn't fully register what she was asking and retorted back:

"How am I supposed to know? You are the one driving!"

Miss Smith still had her eyes on the road and stayed silent until it became awkward.

I was about to apologize for my outburst when Miss Smith clarified.

"Where am I supposed to go to find my sister?"

Now understanding what she met I felt worse for how I acted but the past was in the past and I gave her the coordinates.

I watched as she plugged them into her car's GPS and when a map came up showing the path to get there she frowned.

"In the mountains?"

"Yeah, what did you think, she would just be chilling at a coffee shop all nonchalantly?"

She didn't respond and for the rest of the drive, thus neither of us spoke.

It didn't help that the drive was more than three hours and we could only get so close before we would have to go on foot.

The place where her sister rested was not a place inhabited by humans and therefore there weren't any roads leading up to it.

When we eventually came to a stop at the mountain base Miss Smith and I simultaneously exited the car.

A fresh wave of cool air brushed against my face.

Looking up at the large mountain where I couldn't even see the top I became depressed at the realization that it would be a long adventure.

Miss Smith didn't say anything and took the first step forward.

I sighed and braced myself for the long climb – maybe after the experience I might come to like stairs.