Chapter Text
Victor Reece Addams, age 22
I gave the shop keeper a fake smile as I left without buying anything. I nearly was knocked over the moment I left. The person who hadn’t looked where they were going had been knocked onto the floor. I helped her up. Then I realized who it was. Skylar. She tucked more of her signature flower back into her hair face expressionless. I picked up her satchel, passing it to her. “Where are you going in such a rush?” I asked. She didn’t reply at first. “To the dove.” She said at last. I saw the glint of something metal in her satchel, but I decided not to comment. “What does that mean?” She didn’t respond. She just twitched with her strap. We stood there for a few awkward seconds. “I’m sorry that you can’t find Opal.” She whispered. The gentle words pierced me like a poisoned dagger. I felt like yelling at her, not just because she mentioned Opal, it was because – even though Cassidy was an old friend, I'd known ever since I’d met Opal, Cassidy's sister was a complete stranger. Camilla had contacted me letting me know she was pursuing the path of suspecting Skylar. I noticed Skylar looked startlingly like her sister. I decided to break the silence. “Thanks, not much I can do though. A letter was sent, I don’t want to risk it.” It felt like playing with fire. If it had been Skylar I needed to tread carefully and not imply that I was still looking. I don't know what I expected to see in her face. Relief, suspicion, more blank nothing. Instead Skylar’s eyes flashed as if she was... disappointed in me for giving up. “The jackal likes to play with its prey.” She said simply as if it answered everything.
“Who is the jackal?” I asked. Skylar gave me a small sad smile.
“Props lead to a secret door, though the door is a hallway, decorated by cobwebs and dust, continue. For surrendering will lead to death. Behind the ladder, third rung is the key to success. Don’t surrender, or the jackal might get you. I can’t tell you who it is, that would only put me in danger.” I grit my teeth. She was so annoying and backwards. If only she could give me a straight answer. As if she could hear my thoughts her tone turned deathly serious. She looked me dead in the eye. “Don’t give up, giving up will kill Opal more surely than surrendering ever will.” She readjusted her satchel and walked away. A war raged in my head. I sighed decision made, then I followed her. She moved among the alleys as if she knew the route off by heart. She turned to the theatre, then I couldn’t see her anymore. I looked down both hallways the entrance of the theatre split into, but I couldn’t see her. I waited. Then I sighed and walked away. Skylar’s words ringing in my head. Giving me a headache to go along with my heartache.