Elgin's Enigma ✔

Part 9

EXT. FOREST–DAY (FOGGY)

ERLE walks through the forest with a lantern in hand and the flame extinguishes. He pauses and places the lantern on the ground. He takes out a box of matches from his pocket before pausing.

ERLE: If you're going to follow me, you should at least be quieter.

LUCY slowly walks out from the bushes and gives a sheepish smile.

LUCY: Sorry, I was wandering aimlessly and I didn't know what to do.

ERLE: Aren't your parents worried? (Lights lantern)

LUCY: I finished my chores early. I was just at the Curio Shop earlier. Vanessa dragged me there and I didn't really want to be there anymore.

ERLE (stands): Why didn't you go to the bakery or something? Get a snack. That Curio shop has too many people nowadays.

LUCY: I don't like their cakes. They don't even have chocolate cake.

ERLE: Oh, right. That apparently isn't a thing yet.

LUCY: Yeah. I miss the classic chocolate cake honestly.

ERLE: We can always bake some. I bet the others can help find ingredients or something.

LUCY: Oh, okay...

Erle prepares to walk further into the forest.

LUCY (follows): What are you doing?

ERLE: Exploring.

LUCY: Alone? Isn't that dangerous?

ERLE: Well, I'm not alone anymore. No need to worry.

They walked in silence for a few moments. The further they get into the forest the thicker the fog becomes. The forest is unusually quiet.

LUCY: What are you trying to find anyways?

ERLE: Something. Anything. Just anything that isn't Elgin. Maybe another city. We have a train right? It has to go somewhere.

LUCY: I wonder if we're near a lake. We have a river after all.

ERLE: Exactly.

They walk in silence. Lucy shivers before glancing behind. A figure catches her eyes and it stands still. It's too foggy for her to distinguish any features.

ERLE: Are you still following me or do you plan to get lost?

Lucy snaps her head to Erle.

LUCY: I feel like we're being watched.

ERLE: I wouldn't be surprised if we are. Elgin is creepy in general.

LUCY: Who would be watching us?

ERLE: Why don't you ask them? (Points to audience)

CUT TO:

INT. "CURIO SHOP"–SAME DAY

VANESSA: Where would you find a journal?

JORDANIA: Outside of the shop?

Vanessa stands next the counter while Jordania sits on it while making an origami crane. The shop is lively as always with the group of children asking the shop keeper questions in the distance.