Percival felt shivers run down his spine as he read the note. It had been in the same place as he put it the night before. The note didn't look tampered with, and he hadn't even owned anything with red ink, he couldn't afford to buy a pen like that. Although, parts of it looked as if it hadn't come from a pen.
Walking back and forth through his small bedroom, he couldn't help but glace at the note everytime he faced it again. He'd been afraid to touch it ever since he noticed that new writing on the paper. However, he couldn't shake the feeling that the dream he had was connected to the phrase on the paper. "Hold your gaze towards the future in front of you". Was this a connection to the dream I had last night? No, even if it was, I'm no fortnute teller, let alone someone who dreams of the future. Even so, It's not the kind of future that I can let come to me, that's just not the kind of person I am... There were 2 dozen bodies laid out infront of me! I was covered in blood all the same. I'm not a killer.
The more laps he completed around his room, the less anxious he felt. The past 2 days had been too extreme, almost a fever dream. Even so, he'd made up his mind to explore the gaps and crevices around the crossing in Viewford Avenue. Glancing at the clock Percival noticed it was already 8:20am, deciding on what to wear, the same clothes came to mind. He figured hed just put clothes on and head out. He wrapped his unkempt shirt around his torso, connecting the buttons starting from the bottom. Although, he couldnt help but notice the hole in the shirt that was left from last night. Deciding on something else, he changed into a similar, but more fashionable white button up shirt, the one which he kept for whenever he had to wash the other one. This was a rare ocassion, as he didnt have the kind of money to be putting his clothes through the wash, all he had was the sink in the bathroom or the showers on the 2nd floor. The newer shirt wasn't covered in much dirt, even so, it still had small stains on it. From a distance it looked almost new. Throwing on his slacks, which seemed half eaten with how many holes were in them, he tied his shoes and stood up once again. Percival made his way to the door, he grabbed the house key, which was hanging on the hook. twisting the handle towards the hallway, he stepped out, almost transported somewhere completely different from the hallway at night.
The morning sun shone through the window which sat at the front wall of the corridor, giving view of the street before it. The window was the only source of light that would come in throughout the day, which hadn't always been the case, but as the owner no longer wanted to waste electricity, he had windows put in on the 2nd, 3rd and 4th floors of the building 6 months ago, giving Percival something to look forward every morning. Percival made way down the 3 flights of stairs, stepping out the front door to the building.
My first goal is going to be getting to Viewford Avenue, it's going to take about 20 minutes to get there if I walk, faster by tram, however, I really can't afford that right now... He sighed. Once I find the crosswalk where everything took place last night, I'll check around the buildings for any gaps between them, and if that doesn't work out, the next step is going to be checking which buildings would realistically be unlocked at that time of night. Once I've finished up with my search I'll check the newspaper stand. The faster I can get a job the less I'll have to worry about losing my home.
Percival sped his way to Viewford Avenue, arriving around 8:45, which was good time for him, it only took 15 minutes to get from his home, which was faster than he had anticipated. As he rounded the corner to the crossing, he had a quick scope of the sides of the buildings, although none seemed to have any alleyways to cross through. Percival spent the next 2 hours looking deeper, checking the sides of builidings, the fronts and even asking residents whether or not they would be unlocked at that time. Percival found out there were the occasional hiding spots, but nothing seemed to be able to hide a person well enough. The doors to every building seemed to have been locked at night, on top of that there were no escape routes. With that in mind he retraced his steps.
There's a bakery here, but that would be closed at night, same goes for the post office. The apartment buildings are always locked, thats what the residents were saying.. unless she's a resident in one of the buildings? No, she would've had to unlock the door to the building, which means that she couldn't have disappeared as fast as she did. Even the park is still a decent way away, there's no way she could've gotten there before I opened my eyes.
Actually.. thinking about how quickly everything happened, could it have been possible she hitched a ride on the truck!? It drove off quite fast considering they would've tried to stop the truck as soon as they saw me. But perhaps she clung onto the side as it came by. It seems as if that's the only way she could've left so quickly. Maybe I could ask some of the people around if they've seen her.
Percival spent a while asking around for information, however as expected, he turned up with nothing useful. One couple said they've seen a lady like that in the papers, although it was just advertisement for the style of gauze hat that seemed to be gaining popularity recently. Percival had also stopped by the news stand to see if they had any new offers up, however that was also a miss. As the sun started to set he made his way through sunder Street, passing many clothes shops and food vendors. Sunder Street was well known for its high quality clothing as well as the rows of food stalls that lined the endless stretch of streets. They were only opened throughout the day, as most of the vendors would shut their stores around sunset when the streets popularity died down. Percival could see a large amount of them already closing up as he walked through the middle of Sunder street. He didn't have any need to go into clothes stores so he never bothered, yet today he felt pulled into one as if there was a reason to go inside.
Thorn and Tallow
The sign hung like a whisper above the doorway. The dull iron lettering, fighting it's own battle with time and dust. The name caught on something in Percival, both familiar yet foreign, like something out of a dream he had once had but no longer held the memories to.
He gently pushed open the door, awaiting a possible entourage of questions from a salesmen, instead the bell above let out a sound, not quite a chime, but more like the bell that tolls from churches; a breath held in too long, finally released. Inside, the scent of old parchment, candle wax, and something faintly floral hung in the air. Clothing swayed gently from mannequins, as if waiting for the eyes of its wearer to glance its way. The silks shimmered like oil amongst the surface of water, corsets laced with silver thread, boots with buttons like onyx eyes. Every piece looked like it had a story stitched into its seams.
And then, something caught Percivals eyes, as if drawing him into it. Tucked in the corner beside the dimly lit corridor of fabric. A black trenchcoat, long and immaculate. Covered in lustrous silk with subtle embroidery lining the cuffs, like thorns curling up from beneath a grave. The kind of coat that knew secrets, it hummed in a way, seemingly lively.
Percival took a couple steps forward, breathing slowly, the noise of the bustling streets and merchant shops dissolving behind him. He'd only stepped into the shop out of curiosity, as if pulled in. But as he lay his eyes upon the coat, he began to wonder if this was something he really wanted.
"I see you're eyeing that one down". A shrill voice pierced the insides of his ears. "It's been sitting here for quite some time, collecting dust.
"Perhaps it would do us some good to finally see it gone. It's become something of an eyesore lately".
Percivals voice arose, confusion and interest interlaced, "nobody has been interested in this coat? It's beautiful".
"Not once has anyone paid it any attention, you're the first since it'd gone up 3 years ago. As I said, it's been collecting dust all this time.
"Honestly I won't take your coin, just get it out of my sight, that's payment enough for us". Turning away to walk back to the counter she waved her hand towards the door
"Are.. you sure?" Percival seemed taken aback, grateful but still a little sceptical.
She once again waved her hand towards the door, silence echoing through the space, signifying that if he wanted it to, he would need to get out of the store immediately.
"T-Thank you so much! It means more than you could imagine!" Percival nearly stammered over his words from the excitement building up inside him. He had no idea what the outcome of walking into that store would be, but perhaps this was a sign of good things to come.
He wrapped the trenchcoat around himself, it almost seemed to warp itself around his figure, as if it had always been waiting for him. The weight seemed to settle across his shoulders with purpose, not burden; heavy enough to be felt, but never unwelcome. The warm feel of the coat entangled Percival in its embrace, like a gentle hug from a long awaited connection. It felt familiar, certain, as if remembering who he was. He had never imagined himself to wear something so incredible.
Percival continued to walk through to the end of Sunder Street and made his way to his apartment, it wasn't far from where the street ended, he'd actually been walking in the direction of his home already, so he was only 5 minutes away. However halfway home, he had noticed that those who walked the streets around him, seemed to hover away, as if frightened by something he couldn't see. People stared at him, pupils dilating then turning away at his gaze. He hadn't experienced something like this before.
Nobody will look me in the eye, it's as if they're avoiding my gaze. As if something isn't right around the streets, and I'm the cause. They look at me like I'm a psychopath, like I don't even know who I am anymore. It's unsettling to say the least.
Putting the unsettling thoughts aside for the moment, he continued walking. For he had a destination, a place in mind before his arrival home. He had never imagined going back there again, yet here he was, completely certain that that's where he needed to be. Even after it'd been so long, he remembered the way perfectly.
Knock. Knock.
The door opened, and standing in front of him was his mother. The one who had made the decision to let him leave their lives..