...Disclaimer: You've heard it.
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The streets of the town were completely deserted. Not a single person was outside. Every door was shut, and every window curtained, although Peter thought he saw a face in one for a moment.
They stood in the middle of the road and wondered for a while, but nothing changed. Finally, Xerxes walked up to one of the houses and knocked on the door. There was no answer.
"Surely someone will answer," he said, and went up and down the street knocking on doors. The first ten or so houses remained quiet, and for all appearances empty.
The next door opened an inch and a half. It was the house where Peter had seen the face. Someone inside whispered frantically, and Xerxes motioned for the others to join him.
The door opened suddenly, and they all hurried through it.
The woman who had let them in looked different. She had, of course, the same pink hair as everyone else, but it was left down around her shoulders and not oiled. Her eyes were the same purple color, but they were missing the sadness that seemed to be in all the others. She wore a simple enough dress in one shade of violet.
She shut the door quickly, turned the lock, and drew two bolts. Then she turned around and introduced herself. Her name was Lydia.
"Is that the only name you have?" asked one of the boys.
"No," said Lydia, "but my full name is too long to use. Anyway, if anyone asks you later, you won't be able to tell them exactly who you were staying with. There are four Lydias on this street alone. "
"Why would anyone care?"asked someone else.
"This whole town is under orders not to show themselves or speak to any strangers until further notice, or until the regularly scheduled meeting next week."
"Whose orders?" asked Peter.
"The city's orders. They took a vote. It was almost unanimous."
Peter thought he knew who had voted against it.
When she had heard everyone's name and what had happened at the last town, Lydia went into a closet and brought out a basket of clothing. She distributed it among her guests and showed them where her upstairs bathroom was.
"Everyone line up to take a bath," she said. "Crystal and Martha, you may use the bathroom downstairs. Call me if you need anything."
Peter felt much better after he had washed and put on dry clothes. Lydia gave everyone some hot cocoa and found places for them to sleep, saying that it would be safer for all concerned if they left after dark.
A short while later, Peter found himself lying on a green and pink plaid sofa. The curtains were still drawn, so the sunlight didn't bother him too much, but he still had a hard time falling asleep.
The boy across the room started to snore.
Peter got up and walked into the kitchen. Lydia was there, packing food into a very large basket. She looked up when she heard him, and asked if he wanted another cup of cocoa.
"No, thank you," said Peter. "What are you doing?"
"I am getting ready to come with you," said Lydia unexpectedly.
"Why?" asked Peter.
"From what I've heard, none of you know how to get to Mount Niol," she explained. "Well, I do. I've been there."