Chapter Seven – The First Night

Everyone got ready to venture back to the Blythe Estate. I wasn't terribly excited for investigating another mill, but what choice did I have? Later on, after doing a second walk through and speaking with Sir Blythe again (this time with all agents present), we began setting up for our first night.

And would you believe me when I told you that I was assigned to the mill for my first shift? Well, believe it, because it's true. We drew teams and assignments out of a hat. Quill, Holly, and Lockwood were first placed together until George made a semi-obvious point. "Lockwood? Don't you think that you and I should switch? See both you and Kipps have had experience with leading a group, and I think you should each be in separate groups," George stated. "I suppose you're right," Lockwood said, deep in thought. "So, you want me to join your team?" "No, no. I think it'd be simpler if we just switch," George replied. I stared at him. Why on earth had George suddenly wanted to be on Kipps team. The typical sarcasm rate would probably double! Lockwood scratched his chin. "Okay," he said. "Then it's set. We'll see you guys at 2 to switch stations. Just before he walked off, George turned around and winked at me. I was a little confused. What was he up to? I decided I'd ask him later. It wasn't the time.

"Ready, Luce?" Lockwood asked, his gaze resting on me.

"Yup!" I said, smiling. Lockwood grinned back and suddenly gave me a swift hug before walking off towards to lake. I was taken aback, but I followed him.

Upon reaching the mill, we first looked at it from the outside. All seemed pretty normal. It wasn't falling apart or anything. The mill seemed in good condition even though many other parts of the estate did not. Then, Lockwood and I walked to the entrance and stood in front of the door. The light from the evening sky had already started to disappear and soon things would begin to stir. "Would you do the honors, Lucy?" Lockwood casually asked. "Erm," I said, thinking. "Sure I guess" "It's okay if you don't want to, but –" "No. I got it." "I can." Both of us reached from the door knob at the exact same second. I reached it barely a second before Lockwood did. His hand rested on top of mine. We looked at each other. I shuffled my boots and blushed. Lockwood cleared his throat and looked away. Then he turned back to me, his eyes gleaming with excitement for the upcoming case. And then, the awkwardness faded. "Shall we?" he asked. A sheepish smile presented itself on his face. I reassuring smiled back. "Yes. Let's go." Then, we turned the doorknob, together. Our hands fell away, but somehow laced themselves together in a single instant. Lockwood and I looked at each other. He squeezed my hand. Just as the night sky began to lose the last of its light, we stepped into the mill, hand in hand.

First, we began taking readings. Lockwood went to the far wall, I stayed when the little light that was left shone all it could. Then, I closed the door. Darkness. I couldn't see a thing. It would take a while for my eyes to adjust. "You coming, Luce?" Lockwood called. He seemed so very far away. "I would be, except I can't see a thing," I called back. My voice echoed through the mill. "Hang on," Lockwood said. "I'll come get you." I stayed where I was. A slow feeling of terror started to overcome me. "Lockwood. Hurry." "I'm coming!" he called. "I see you. Stay where you are." "Okay," I mumbled. A creeping fear washed over me. I felt it all. Miasma, Malaise, Chill. And then, Ghost-Lock. At the end of the hallway to my left, shone a bright, spectral light. A figure stood there, its body mangled into a horrible contortion. I realized what had happened in the mill. Presumably, someone had gotten stuck in the machinery…and died. Fog swirled around my ankles as I realized that it was moving towards me. I couldn't move or react. The once slow pace of the Visitor had quickened to a dash. It was headed straight towards me. I heard the clang of metal and just before the Visitor reached me, Lockwood had intervened. He cut a ward knot in the air with his rapier, and the ghost vanished. And then, Lockwood was beside me. He wrapped his arm around my waist and led me to the center of the room where an iron circle was set up with a lantern just inside. "Are you okay, Lucy? I'm so sorry I didn't come sooner." "No, you came just in time. And yes…I'm fine." Lockwood's eyes locked on mine and scanned me to make sure that I was telling the truth. I shivered. The mill had grown significantly colder since my experience with the Visitor. I looked back at Lockwood. He was still gazing at me, concern evident on his face. "Here, Lucy, sit down." I sat, and Lockwood sat down very close to me. My entire body shuddered involuntarily. Lockwood took off his coat. "Here. Put this on." He handed his coat to me. When I didn't take it immediately, he draped it over the both of us. It wasn't a particularly large coat, but with Lockwood's slimness, we first underneath it just perfectly. And I was fine with being squished against him after what had happened over the past few days. He put his arm around my waist once again and pulled me to him. We sat underneath his coat for a long while until Lockwood turned to me.

"Hey, Luce?"

"Yup?"

"Can I tell you something?"

"Sure. What's up?"

There was a silence. "Well…I've been thinking a lot. About you. And I think it's time that I should tell you that…" he trailed off. "That I like you."

Even in the dim moonlight, I could see his hopeful eyes. They were eyes that expected nothing in return from me, but seemed relieved to have said it at last. At last, they lowered to his knees where his hands sat.

"Lockwood. I know. I feel the same."

"What?!" He said. "Did you George tell you?"

"No," I said, smiling. "I was saying I know what you meant. I like you, too. You told George?" I raised an eyebrow.

"Oh. Erm, no. Well, yes. But it was an accident. He was questioning me and." Lockwood ran a frazzled hand through his hair.

I placed my hand on his and slowly interlocked fingers with his long, thin fingers. "It's okay. Don't worry about it."

Lockwood squeezed my hand. "All right. Thanks, Luce."

"Yeah. Anytime."

We both looked at each other at the same time. Our gazes met and locked. Then I leaned forward and planted a delicate kiss on his lips. After I sat back, I noticed Lockwood staring at me with a look of surprise on his face.

Lockwood grinned at me, his sheepishness had vanished. "We'll continue this later."

Then Lockwood and I stood up to deal with the case before us. A little bit of time passed. We had scanned the entire first floor. There wasn't anything of interest, just some storage places and an empty office area. We had moved to the second floor where a lot of the machinery was. A thick chain ran down from the ceiling to the floor. "Anything?" Lockwood asked? "Nothing," I replied. "Should you ask the skull?" he said. "I suppose so. Hang on. Cover me." Lockwood moved beside me and drew his rapier. There was certainly a presence near us, but it hadn't presented itself yet.

So, you want to use me? the Skull asked. It was oddly energetic and happy.

"Yes, please," I said.

On one condition.

"What's that?"

You must swear to tell me everything that has happened between you and Lockwood up to this point in time. I won't judge, I'm just curious. The Skull's face drew back into a mischievous grin.

I thought for a moment. What was there to lose? It wasn't like it could tell anyone, and we really needed help at the moment. "Deal," I said. "When we get back to the inn."

Well. You were right in what you thought, Lucy. Someone died here. But you were incorrect in one thing. It was no accident.

I immediately told Lockwood what the ghost had said. "It wasn't an accident, Lockwood. We're talking about a murder victim."

"Hm. What do you suggest we do?"

"I suppose I could take a few readings."

"I don't know, Luce. Could be a bit risky."

"Since when have you cared about something being risky?" I asked.

"Since I realized that I had deep feelings for you. And since you told me that you do too. And since I noticed that I wouldn't be who I am without you. Just since then."

"All right. I get it. I'll be careful. Plus, you're here. Speaking of which, come here."

Lockwood walked over to where I was standing beside the machinery. I took off both of my gloves. When taking a reading, I typically only take off one glove. Lockwood knew this. He stared at me in confusion. "Hold out your hand." He did so. I stuffed my gloves in my pocket and took his hand. "Okay," I said. "If anything goes wrong, you'll know." I smiled. "Of course," he said. "Ready?" "Ready."