Fog of Shadows

Part 16

Like the sand on the shores of Candle Cove, the rest of the island was damp, gray, foggy, and above all gravely quiet. The fog was just as thick here as it was back in the boat; this made all the buildings of this harbor set town look like murky silhouettes in a pond. Even once, they have gotten into the small town; their sight did not get any better. The group could only clearly see any building that they were either right in front of or right next to; anything further than the length of one of the small buildings was already hidden in the fog. "It is almost like we are in a different world." Commented Shill, he tried to see if he could view anything at the end of the block they were on, but horribly failing.

"It does not help that we are seemingly the only people out on the road." Added Alisea, she was right, since their arrival they have not come across another human being or anything living at all for that matter. There was not even the sound of birds; perhaps there were not any on the island. "Is it always this quiet, Willow?" Flinn asked the young women closely following Alisea. "Has been for as long as I can remember. I recommend finding a place to stay right about now. You won't be able to make it back to the ship on time and this island is very dangerous at night." Her eyes shifted from one side to another, obviously keeping watch.

Taking out a small pocket watch out of her jacket, Myri send a questioning look towards Will. "But it is only 3:30 in the afternoon. We should still have plenty of time."

"I have lived here for several years, I know when the sun sets here, and it is much earlier than where you are from."

"Let's do what she says, besides, we might meet some locals who could help us find Janet, since she too is a local." suggested Flinn, hopping Willow would stop giving him those evil glairs if he would agree to something she is saying.

With no success.

"But it does not make sense; the sun rises and falls normal everywhere on the planet. Wouldn't it be more useful if we look around as much as possible now and make use of the small time we have?" insisted Myri which only earned her another glare from Willow. "Please, Myri, we are strangers here. Also, just because the laws of nature exist does not mean that all places follow them. After all, we were on an upside down island once." Alisea placed a hand on her friend's shoulder. Myri gave up trying to push the group on and let their guide lead them to an inn that was just a little further down the street.

Completely swallowed by the fog.

On the weathered sign outside the old building said, in an almost illegible writing, Gray's Inn. The inside was not much better than the outside. Though there was a raging fire burning in the parlor's fireplace, the inn felt cold and dark. In a way it was. The years of sitting in the fog had dampened the entire structure to the point where it would not have surprised anyone that, if someone were to punch a hole in the wall, a small stream would emerge. The lighting was poor as well, despite several light candles and the large fire, the entryway was no brighter than the outside.

At the front desk sat an ancient looking woman. Though she might have once been beautiful, now she is less than s shadow of her former self. With her sunken in eyes, deep wrinkles, pale skin, hawk beak nose, bony neck, and tiny mouth, she looked more like a mummy then a living being. "What do you want?" shouted the old women from her position at the front desk.

"We need a place to stay." Said Flinn as he took a step closer to the desk where the women perched herself like an old buzzard. From her position, the old women shouted someone's name. "Lillian, come in here we have guests!" almost instantly, a young women appeared in the doorway that lead to the room with the fireplace. The young woman, other than the old one, was a picture of beauty. Her skin was pale, her eyes were a very light blue color, her form was petite, her hair was long a light blonde-haired person, and her face was like that of an angel. "Yes moma." Said Lillian as she carefully walked over to the front desk and took the ring of keys handed to her. It became apparent by the way she walked that she had difficulty seeing. She walked with one hand out and as a slow pace.

"The women please follow Lillian; the men follow me." The old women declared as she slowly got up from her position at the desk like a bolder that has not been moved in ages.

"Wait, you are separating us?" Alisea was, of course, a little unnerved. She had hoped to be near her friends and boyfriend in this strange place and the thought of being in a place separated from them made her feel vulnerable. A feeling she absolutely despised. "Unless you are married to one of these men," she motioned to Flinn and Shill, "which I think is unlikely; you women will be sleeping in separate quarters from the men." And with that the two groups went their separate ways. The men went to the west wing, while the women went to the east wing.

Something the groups quickly realized was that there was no escape from the dampness outside. The beds, walls, and air all felt damp and smelled old. The walls had water spots and Myri thought that, if someone were to drill a hole in the wall that a small spring would erupt. More to Alisea's dismay, everyone got his or her separate room and in her dark and damp room, all by herself, she felt like a prisoner.

A feeling everyone on the island shared with her.

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