Land of Heathens

Chapter 8 - Shadows in the Empty House

The night crept up on them, the cracked pavement barely lit by the faint glow of lamps, and shadows spread down the deserted streets. Navir trailed Mehrak and Nimi by a few meters; they all had a difficult day.

The serene environment contrasted sharply with the clearly upsetting events of the day. Navir's hand moved involuntarily inside his pocket, merely touching fabric. He felt a twinge of fear as his fingers followed the well-known designs that ought to have been in his other pockets. His chest tightened as he realized something was missing. "My wallet! It's gone. His voice was low and taut, with a trace of disbelief.

Mehrak took a few steps forward and pivoted a little, his bald head shining in the dim spotlights. "What?" He had a pleasant but curious look on his face. "My wallet is nowhere to be found." Navir's voice was interrupted. "I had it this morning.”

Mehrak's eyebrows knitted and his lean shoulders stiffened. "You lost it?" Navir shook his head in frustration. "I don't know. I had it when we got out of the square, but now... His voice trailed off as he looked about the dark, dusty alleyways, the air dry and faintly scented with old wood. For a moment, Mehrak glanced from Navir to Nimi and back. "What are you going to do now?" His voice was one of cool, collected worry.

The fingers curled slightly as a controlled strain passed through them. Nervously but steadily, he continued, "I have to find it. I’ll start at Baasit's."

Nimi's voice was choked with worry. We've covered much ground today. Your chances of finding it are low. Is it really necessary?”

"I must." Navir spoke in a hoarse but eager tone. "I just can't leave it. It's important. I will be back soon enough, Wait here.” With a reassuring whisper, Navir quickly left.

Navir hurried down the curving street, his breathing slowing only as he saw Baasit's house. There was a sensation of alertness and watchfulness in the quiet indoors, even with the dark windows and the frame's constant firmness except death.

He went cautiously on cracked rock, slowing down. There was a faint shuffling within, too deliberate to be the house shifting. He carefully made his way toward the nearest window, rising just enough to peer inside. The two hooded figures moved silently across the empty, dark room's bare flooring. They silently examined the empty rooms as though they may be concealing something, despite the house's bleak aura.

One leaned forward, a tiny bit of his sleeve fell back and displayed on its forearm the orchid-petal insignia Navir had noticed before. His heart started pounding. One of the figures froze, tilting its hood slightly toward the window as though listening. Holding his breath in the hopes of becoming invisible, Navir lowered himself without hesitation and smashed himself on the wall.

As Navir tried to see again, a floorboard moaned loudly beneath his foot. The sound caused one of the shrouded figures to shift, and Navir cried out softly. Before the noise could spread, Nimi pulled him down and put a palm over his lips. Without a word, she pulled him out the window and into the alley's darkness. "Move," she uttered, gasping for air. Their feet pounded on uneven rock as they dashed down a dim lit alley. Navir tried to control his breathing, but the sight of the veiled beings burned behind his eyes. Mehrak hurried toward them, breathing erratically and his eyes darting over his shoulder. A tense mutter, "I think we're being followed," he said.