Thank you, Scoutcraft Piratess for being my reviewer! I love that you like the story. I hope you will read on. Hope you like it!!!

Clara 

Once Upon a Mystery

Chapter 3: Dead Hollow Lane

"The shop is located on Dead Hollow Lane, and you can not laugh. It is just not witch or warlock like. You'll give us away. Turn over here." Finney whispered. They walked down a cobble stone path with shrubbery surrounding them. It was getting dark, and Melinda was feeling cold. She rubbed her light peach colored skin to feel warmth but, it was still chilly at touch.

"It sounds so cozy and comforting that Dead Hollow Lane. Witches and Warlocks how exciting" she whispered under her breath. Finney glared at her. She stayed quiet. She ran her hand through her sliver long hair. They came to an alley. She shivered, she glanced at Finney he looked really like a Warlock. Mad and dead serious. Witches are stubborn and stingy. Okay, stubborn and stingy. Then suddenly they heard a crash above them. Someone threw a bottle out a glass window. Finney and Melinda ran away as glass fell down from above them. Everything crashed to the ground in a thunderous boom.

Finney and Melinda walked down the alley they came to the street. It looked as deadly as it sounded. Melinda recorded this in her memory, Dead Hollow Lane. She wrapped her deep purple colored cloak around her. Stubborn and stingy. The lane was black wet cobblestones and on the sides of the street witches, warlocks, and wizards crowded around cauldrons mixing magic.

"I'll go to the small shoe shop and you go in that spell shop. Maybe you can hear something about a local thief." Finney whispered in a low tone. They went their separate directions. Melinda went inside the spell shop. It was very eerie inside, and even colder then outside. She lurked around the shelf area to here any conversation. She picked one up in her sensors. She listened.

"So, did you get it, you knit wit?" A high pitched voice yelled.

"Yes, and it is all there. I stole it from that lad's house." A warlock said, Melinda knew it was, she felt black magic.

"Good, good. Give it to me!" The High pitched voice droned.

"On one condition…" He said.

"What???" She said.

"Give me dragon's blood." He whispered. Melinda eyes widened. Dragon's blood was powerful stuff. It isn't meant to be tampered with.

"You crazy, Freidrich?" She laughed.

"Yes, I am. Now get it!" He sounded furious. Melinda walked slowly toward the door. She gently snuck out still listening to the conversation.

"Freidrich! I'll get you for this!" She rasped her voice tired. A warlock ran outright after her. He glanced down at her with anger. She looked at him with stubbornness. He walked away draped by his black cloak running with something at hand.

"Finney…Finney. Do you have a lead? I'm out." She whispered standing by the spell shop.

"No, but come here, I've found something interesting." Finney said with delight. Melinda rolled her eyes.

"More history…" She said.

"I heard that." Finney whispered. She walked down the cold street, the cobblestones still fresh with rain. She felt so eerie and so mysteriously dark.

'This must be going to my head' she thought. She came to a shop where everything felt a little warmer and brighter.

It was the shoe shop. She hurried in, and saw Finney looking through a sheet of glass.

"Magnificent, It is an unusually piece of leather." He said still keeping the warlock tone of voice.

"Oh dearest what have you found now? You have millions of ancient things at home.!" She droned. She sauntered down to the display. Finney looked up at her.

"Oh it's you. Gara, you have to complain all the time do you? But, look. It's a genuine magic leather used in the shoe my accomplish bought. The man said my dear friend came in here on Thursday." Finney said.

"Henir, don't talk about business at a time like this. My feet are in pain. We have been walking around all day. Hurry get your shoes." She groaned.

"I'm sorry but my wife and I need to get going. Thanks for your business." Finney said ushering Melinda out. After they were in the alley again, Finney started to talk.

"Quite an act you put on. Very witchlike. You convinced me. But tell me…did you get a lead?" Finney asked.