AN: Okay, as I've already mentioned in the introduction, here is the first chapter.

I have no idea myself where this story is going - because, I'm not the one going to be writing the next chapter! I will be one of the readers while another interested author will decide to write a follow up for it.

This chapter is of 1150 words - slightly more than 1000 words, but not too much. I would like the other writers to maintain this word limit too.

So, any one interested to write the next chapter will leave a review - this is a MUST!

If there is already a reviewer who wishes to write a continuation, the others will have to wait for their turn.

As I already said, you have TWO weeks to write your chapter - an easy feat for only 1000 words!

.

That said, here is Chapter 1! Do let me know how you liked it!

Enjoy~

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"Dialogues"

'Thoughts'

Chapter 1: Women In Black (By The Symbol of Faith)

Conan knew better than to follow strangers.

Especially strangers dressed in black and acted suspicious.

Never mind that Haibara was perfectly sure that none of those two women wearing black did not have the typical 'scent' the Black Organisation had. According to her, they were perfectly normal females who decided to take a fancy to black and don it from head to toe.

Then, why did he decide to follow them?

For one, they were not in mourning to be decked in all black, Conan was enough of a detective to realise that. For two, they were not doing anything suspicious, yet they sent off warning bells in Conan's mind. Not a dangerous, murderous kind of warning…simply something that told him that things were not what they seemed to be.

So, naturally, curiosity peaked, the shrunken detective had to follow them.

Haibara wanted to have nothing to do with it, "I have a Big Osaka game waiting for me back home. So, any sleuthing you want to do, you're on your own."

Conan tailed the two women expertly, following them through the city till they reached a crowded shopping area. Tracking them became slightly hard after that. But one did not become a 'Meitantei' by giving up, so he persevered.

It was soon enough that they entered a strange looking alley, filled with old antique shops, a couple of thrift stores, an old and musty looking book shop and various other stalls that seemed to sell everything and nothing. Never had Conan seen such an assortment of knick-knacks before!

'What are they doing here?' Conan wondered, even as he ducked around an old woman haggling for the price of a feather duster.

The two black-clad women finally entered a shop at the far end of the winding alley. Coming to stop in front of it, Conan gazed up at the peeling paint over the door. It spelled 'Apothecary'.

"What?" Conan muttered in slight surprise, "Why such an odd, old name? An 'Apothecary'? Why not a simple 'Chemist' or 'General Store' or even 'Medical Store'?"

Peering through the dusty glass panes fitted into the wooden doorway, Conan could make out a simple counter with an old fashioned cash box on it. Squinting a bit more, he tried to see where the women were. But alas, the store was empty of both, shopkeeper and customers.

Nothing to do now but follow them in, Conan pushed open the door, cringing slightly when a tiny bell overhead tinkled lightly. Still, the chime of the bell was not very loud and when after staying still for a whole minute, the shopkeeper made no appearance, the detective relaxed.

Pursuing through the contents displayed on shelves, Conan let out a slight disbelieving sound, "What is this shop?"

For none of what was being sold could be considered as ordinary.

Peppermint leaves, Aloe vera shoots, stalks of sage, Ivy berries, leaves of belladonna, embalmed snakes, pickled lizards, sandalwood, pickled bitter gourd, stalks of celery and neem leaves to name a few, were all labled and showcased in glass jars. Roots, barks, leaves and fruits of plants that Conan couldn't recognise on sight and more embalmed venomous animals and insects were neatly shelved.

On the counter, Conan could see a previously hidden set of scales and weights that were presumably meant to measure the goods customers bought. Over by another wall, he could also make out plenty of bottled salves and balms whose recipes were undoubtedly a secret to all but the maker.

What struck him as odd was the level of authenticity everything had. Conan felt as if he'd somehow stepped into the past where modern medicine and developments in health care had not yet been made. All the commodities were genuine, yet seemed decades old.

Many families in Japan still used 'home-made' cures for illnesses, yet this was the first shop he'd entered that made a business out of selling such products.

"Let's think about this later," Conan murmured, eyes darting towards a door situated at the very back of the room, far away from the entrance to be completely overlooked by any patrons.

Creeping towards it, Conan took hold of the handle before giving it a light tug. The door was just as old fashioned as the rest of the shop – wooden with a brass handle and a large key hole. Yet, the hinges were well-oiled and made no noise as it swung open to reveal a long hall-way. He could make out three more doors leading off from it – one at the end of the hall-way and two to each side.

Moving forward silently – his years of sleuthing giving him enough experience that he knew how to walk without making the slightest bit of noise – Conan peered under the first door.

There was no light coming from the gap between wood and stone floor or any noise from within and Conan moved forward. The second door proved to be just as disappointing.

Sure that the last door, the one at the end of the hall-way, was where his mysterious black women and (possible) shopkeeper had disappeared through, Conan crept forwards with extra care. A tingle of excitement, anxiety and thrill raced down his spine.

While the no light poured out from under this door way, there was a strange sort of illumination that seemed to be flickering.

'Orange and yellow,' Conan narrowed his eyes, 'A fire-place, perhaps? A fire definitely…that is what is causing this coloured glow. I should have expected this of course, such an old fashioned method to produce light would only be present in such an old fashioned shop,'

Pressing his ear against the door frame, Conan could make out voices from within. While the thick wood prevented him from hearing any actual words, he could make out an inquisitive tone and an excited response. A gruff voice followed after an impatient mutter. Pacing of footsteps…more than two sets of footsteps.

'I was right,' Conan smirked, 'there is at least one other person with those women. I wonder what they're doing...especially in such a strange place. Everything here makes very little sense!'

Even as the detective thought that, the footsteps neared the door. Conan froze – What to do?

He could make a run for it and leave the shop with none being any wiser, but that would make him lose any opportunity he had to figure out the mystery behind this shop or those women.

Or, he could slip into one of the other rooms and hope no one entered it and found him. Later, he could slip back out to explore the other rooms – especially the one he was eavesdropping into.

As the thoughts passed through his mind in a lightning fast pace, the footsteps continued to move closer.

Conan bit his lip in hesitation, but there was no more time to dither – and he made his choice…

AN: Here is the first chapter! Do let me know what you guys think of it...and this idea of mine. Any interested authors, please leave a review!