Echo (Part 3)

“Where are we?” Carla stammered, asking again, cold clinging to her cheeks.

“No need for questions. You will be in help’s hands soon.” Emily looked up at the back of the Man’s neck. It was stressed in the oddest way possible, the vanes clearly visible and ridged. Was he cold too under all that cloth? “Stay here for a moment, girls. I just need to check on something quickly.” The Handsome stranger darted off into the night, leaving the girls cold and alone.

“I say we split. I don’t like this guy.” Emily whispered fiercely into Carla’s ear.

“No! He’s friendly enough. Plus I haven’t been to this side of town before.” Carla smiled, her perfect teeth sparkling just the smallest bit in the moonlight.

“Exactly and this part of town doesn’t seem like the kind of place that would have a service booth.”

“Er…”

“Well I’m going and you should follow.” Emily turned around and started walking. This always worked. Emily would start to leave her sister behind and then Carla would hurry and catch up with her before she got lost. This time was different, though. Carla wouldn’t move a muscle.

“Carla, get your face over here!” Emily screamed, frustrated by her sisters defiance.

“No! I am waiting for the nice man.”

“I don’t think he’s nice, Carla.” Emily stomped her foot into the snow, angry. “He is actually kind of creepy.” Carla always liked danger. The bad boys were always the ones texting and e-mailing her.

“No he’s hot.”

“What?! He’s like… I don’t know, seven years older than you!”

“Stop screaming, Em. Your ganna wake up the neighbors.”

“Neighbors’… I don’t even think this part of town is populated by rats.” But as Emily said that, a small fizzy body scampered over her foot and down into the sewer. “Okay… maybe only rats.” Emily jumped up and ran a couple feet closer to her sister.

“Ew… Well, we’re not going to be here forever. Oh and look the man is coming back.” Emily slouched her shoulders in frustration and ran to catch up with Carla.

“Sorry girls… I just needed to find some… I guess… Help?”

“Why are you asking a question?” Emily asked, squinting into the darkness.

“Was I? Well that’s a little odd. Come girls lets be on our way.” The man said dismissing the topic. Emily followed dragging her feet in the slush on the pavement.

“Can I ask you some?” Carla chimed, picking up her pace.

“Of course…” The man stopped and turned around to face her. “What is your question?”

“How old are you?” The man laughed fiercely and than went back to walking.

“Much older than you, my dear. I can assure you that.” The man was still laughing as he spoke.

“What do you mean? Are you like twenty-five or something?”

“No, no, no… much older than that, Carla.” Carla wrinkled her nose in discussed.

“Never mind…” The man laughed again, but kept walking.



“Is that light?” Emily’s heart seemed to jump out of her chest.

“It’s a torch, if that’s what you’re asking.” Emily sighed. At least it was some light. The women snatched up the torch and held it up to the ceiling. It was made completely out of wood; witch was a slight surprise to Emily because of all the stone.

“I can see!” Emily giggled with joy.

“Yes you can, and you are beautiful… just dirty.” Emily smiled at the women; witch wasn’t so bad looking herself.

The woman’s hair was red, but was so silky it could have been spider silk. Her skin was almost translucent, like the strange man’s from the mall. Her eyes were almost silver. They looked strange, terrifying, but gorgeous. The woman was a vision of beauty and stood about six feet tall.

“You’re gorgeous!” Emily exclaimed suddenly.

“Well thank you, Emily” The women turned away, smiling.

“What’s your name?” With light in the room, Emil felt more comfortable, at ease.

“Manura.”

“What a nice name.” It sounded like the name of a Goddess, a fairy.

“So_” Emily was cut off short when Manura started to talk.

“We’re here.” The women said quietly.

“Where’s here?”