(Excerpt) Chapter One—The Shadowy Figure:
London, England
September, 1832
As night fell across a dark, lonely street, flickering street lamps on either side of the cobblestone street glimmered. Ominous clouds gathered, threatening rain, and a chilly breeze began to blow. The door to the Ladies Boutique, a purveyor of fine ladies dresses, linens, and lace, opened as its assistant shopkeeper left the building. She glanced up at the sky and turned back to lock the door. Turning the key, the lock clicked, echoing lightly down the empty street. She briskly walked down the sidewalk while pulling a shawl over her head.
If only I had brought my umbrella today. It's going to rain. I just know it, she thought.
As if she'd summoned the rain by thought, it started to sprinkle lightly. Sprinkles became raindrops that soon turned to puddles on the road. She hurried along, trying to avoid splashing her dress, but even with great care, the hem of her dress became damp. The sound of the rain and her footsteps beat rhythmically down the street. Off in the distance on Golden Lane, she heard local pubs opening and music playing.
Down the street under cover of the bridge, a silent figure stood. From the shadows, he watched her make her way down the street. She began to have an uneasy feeling, glancing over her shoulder, she noticed the dark personage. The distraction caused her to step directly into a deep puddle; she glanced down only for a moment to catch her footing. When she looked back up, he had disappeared. She paused, staring at the bridge. Feelings of fear began to sweep over her, for she had heard strange stories of disappearances. Of course, these were dismissed as old wives tales, stories told merely to scare people. Yet something inside of her, perhaps instinctual, told her she must hurry home quickly.
—End of Excerpt—
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