The drawn-out door of the hallway before the kitchen creaked an aerie sound. The ghost of baker's past could have been suspected to live here, but watching the floating cinnamon roll get chomped down ever so slowly, they slid around the much taller women. Large trays and bowls of dough were being wheeled around the floor like a waltz, perfectly in time and working to the favour of the invisible child. It was so impressive, I could not bear to break the dance. I shook my head, taking myself out of the trance and attempting to copy their smooth moves. To my utmost surprise, I did not succeed. Bumping and poking along the ladies persisted, as my feet became lefties amidst the moment. The sudden badgering of the women began as the arguing and bickering persisted. I tried to make myself as less noticeable as possible while the squabble filled the room. Thankfully to my avail, I could still keep my eyes on the prize. No matter, holding myself low, I tripled my speed and made my way towards the target…who may have seen me as they slammed what was the door to the wet room on my nose. I could feel the cracking hit the back of my skull as if it were to explode. The rattling persisted as for a small shine of a glimpse, the child creaked open the door, unveiling their potent green orbs towards me, a hit of devious joy in the eyes. It vanished once again as the door still held a small slit. The noise started to attract the women towards my direction, the voices were muffled as my head was still recovering from the bluntness of the wood slab. As footsteps got louder, I felt thick hands wrap around my shoulders, hoisting me up within a few steps as Ruth looked up at me. “What the hell was that? You looked as if you were hunting something, are you okay?” All eyes were on me as the production of the kitchen came to a halt.

A gave a small chuckle and a head rub before looking at the ladies. The nerves of my body began tingling as it became sensitive to everything around me. “I’m fine everyone, just forgot to check the stock for Dorthy” A false smile etched my face. Hesitantly, the girls gave each other silent glances, as they started back towards their unfinished tasks. Ruth however looked me up and down, giving way to lean me forward, checking my head for splits or cracks. “Ruth, I am okay I swear it.” She eyed me, so I shut up for a minute. “What were you after?” “I saw something and I needed to check it out, I swear!” A distinguishing eye roll from Ruth made me breathe a sigh of defeat. “It was a thief. I wanted to check it out.” To this, Ruth looked confused, and rightfully so, and I rightfully hoped she would leave the situation be, and yet I was wrong. “You go back to the front, I will check around the back. I’ll grab you a pack of ice while I’m at it so hang tight.” She wooshed past me in hopes of rummaging through to find this rat. Or in an alternate situation, prove me crazy. I strode slowly toward the front of the house, seeing the warm light in the distance beckoning me. And yet, something stirred. Almost out of instinct, I barged through the front door and worked my sore body around the bend of the alley. There was always a backdoor that led to the side, so there was a good chance that the two accomplices were hunched. And to my miraculous suspicion, there they were. Chuckling beside the small rubbage can, two boys that looked scarily similar to each other, Twins. While the one that was in the shop still looked as he did. The other boy had longer tied-back hair with a large overcoat and overly wide boots encompassing his legs. I kept a very close watch while I listened to their talk.

“Den! You did so well! Finally, we can convince Ari to give us a chance at some free sandwiches!” The shorter of the two, who I assumed was Den started to become vocal. “Doesn’t Ari have a business? He could buy these breads by himself.” A quiet sound, his voice was very shy. “Well yes but-” A small finger hushed upon the lips of the taller brother. “Dan, why did we need the bread?” The eyes of Dan started to dart around, a sheen of red embarrassment lingered on his face before he started to break. “Okay, fine, half is because of spite. The owner was mean to Mom when she worked here and I figured that maybe getting back at her might be the best idea!” It was hilarious and also strange seeing this. I kept watching. “Daniel, you're an idiot sometimes. I slammed a girl's head for no reason just to get back at the owner. You are ridiculous sometimes. You could have done this one on your own! With your speed, you could have even stolen more than me!” The once quiet voice began to erupt in volume. The taller boy looked down at his brother. “Look, Dennis, I didn’t want to be seen and besides, it's better that I was a distraction or else they would have heard you!” The shouting became louder in the wake of the long alley. Oh god, these little Narkers were smart and dumb at the same time. I eventually emerged from the state of hiding, “For small-time criminals, you should have made a getaway and then argued.” A scream hitched from the two boys, they huddled in a state of fear, Dennis turned invisible while it almost comically looked like he was holding air. “Y-You're the lady from the bakery!” The Invisible Boy stated. “I thought you said she was dealt with!” “I didn’t know that she was still alive!” “You dummy!” “You’re the dummy!” “You-”

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My hands made their way to the back collars and tore their holds to appear from one another. “Listen you two! I have the right of mind to hand you in as Narkers to the police! Now as much as you guys have done wrong here, I deserve an explanation and I may let there be peace but you two need to shut up for one moment you got that?” It had been a while since I raised my voice, I could feel the headache begin again from the door slam. Dan and Den glances at each other, I could only assume in some twin language they may conjure, before setting both pairs on me. “First off lady,” Dan began “We prefer to be called ‘Lusus’. Thank you very much!” Den finished. “Secondly, what gives you the authority?” He continued. “Are you some sort of spy or assailant of Jericho?” ‘Jericho?’ That was a first. They noticed I looked confused amongst the words. What was it? To this expression, they confirmed that I was not affiliated, so they moved onwards. “We were just hungry…and I wanted to get back. It’s a long story which I don’t think you deserve to know about!” I scoffed, “Alright fine, Then tell me what exactly are you two? Can you change into freaks and grow these weird faces and appendages? What devils have you summoned?” Dumbfounded, they looked at me with judging eyes, why did I feel bad? “Listen, I don’t know where you get these ideas, we're just like you, except, we can run fast and turn invisible. That's about it. To give proper intros. I am Daniel, and this is Dennis, we are Lusus. And who are you?” Looking the two up and down, My eyes slit to narrow my gaze amongst the small boys. “Bree, Breina O’Neil.” An awkward silence hushed upon the area before I got a little curious. I sat down took my apron off, lying the cloth on the ground so that my backside would not get drenched. “So you two being Narkers, you know a lot of people here correct?” They both nodded. “Tell me, did you know that woman? With all the arms that attacked the police?” The sudden change of mood lay across the two boys like a weighted blanket.

“That was Sophia, she was one of the leaders of our group.” Dennis relayed. Group, huh? “She was a diversion but not for us. There is more to it.” To exclaim the end of the sentence, the large Bell of Ben chimed along the distance of the sky. Eleven times. “Dennis we need to go, they are waiting for us.” Dennis nodded towards Daniel. “Please don’t say anything. We already have to deal with Lucid.” Lucid? Like Lucid Dreaming? What the hell were these children going on about? Before I could utter a word, the form of Dennis vanished while Daniel ran ten times the speed as a greyhound could. I say there, embracing the silent raindrops pooling around the corners of the cobbled alley. ‘Some weird boys that is for sure. But they seemed smart along the lines of the outside world. Lucid? Jericho? Ari? Who the hell were these people? This is getting confusing, why is everything sputtering out without description? Is there a silver lining between us? I mean they seemed nice, but why were they-’ “Bree!” My monologue was interrupted by the voice of Ruth stomping on my body. “You are scaring me, what's going on with you?” I didn't respond. That line stung like the thorns of a rose. I stood up and turned to Ruth, my hair limp from the rain and clothes covered in dirt and soot. A sigh escaped the ginger's lips. “Bree, go home. You need some rest, the girls and I will handle the fort. We will see you Friday.” And with that and a pat on the shoulder, she walked off. I stood, just gazing at where the woman once was. I felt angry, and upset. I looked totally stupid in the eyes of everyone around me. I started back towards the main plaza, that was until my eyes caught a shimmer out of the corner of my eye. A circular object half-buried within the grimy dirt of the rainy day. I inched closer as I pulled out the trinket, it was connected to a silver chain long enough to go around someone's neck many times. The engravings along the front seemed to resemble a small snake, coiling around the outside. A very odd choice for a symbol. However, inside was the weirdest. The watch seemed to be working even due to the hair rain, and yet there was something ever queer about it. It was ticking backwards. But, why? Stirring with concern and curiosity, I started to walk homeward. And while I did, the writing above the lid caught my attention. French engraved and yet still intriguing, it read,

“Mais un rêve éveillé de vie et de lumière

Il m'a laissé le cœur brisé.”