Chapter 34

Ptolemy

Why was Ptolemy so silent when he was around Kathleen? Sometimes it even got to the point where he couldn't speak. He honestly didn't know why he was this way. And what was that weird feeling she gave him? It his heart race, his cheeks blush, and made him feel as though he was flying, but sinking at the same time. He felt so nervous when around her. He had never experienced a feeling such as this before.

There it was again. Feeling. He wasn't supposed to have those anymore. He was supposed to be a spirit. And spirits don't have feelings of any kind.

But that was the least of his worries. He hardly thought about it at all.

Kathleen was a natural born leader, Ptolemy could see that. Her black hair bounced and flowed behind her as she walked. Her eyes were like a window; Ptolemy could always see her every emotion.

She was like a jewel, plain and simple.

Too bad they could never be.

They couldn't be, right?

Maybe they could…If there was a will there was a way. He had shown that to Bartimaeus himself.

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Ptolemy sighed as he focused on what he was doing. He stayed close to Kathleen, making certain he didn't stray from her path. He tried his hardest not to drift into another daydream.

Eventually, he and Kathleen had made it out of the mansion. Kathleen closed the door behind him and walked out to the sidewalk. Ptolemy followed after her.

Kathleen seemed to be looking around for something. "What are you looking for?" He asked her.

"I'm trying to figure out how to get to Mr. Button's house from here. But I only know one way to it, and the starting point for it has got to be at least two miles off." She was answering him subconsciously.

Ptolemy thought for a moment. "Just follow your instincts."

Kathleen hesitated for a moment. "My instincts are telling me to go to Whitehall first, since I know how to get to Mr. Button's from there. But it'll take all day just to get to Whitehall."

"Let's go to Whitehall then." Kathleen looked over to him for a moment, her facial expression questioning him. "Stop thinking logically and start thinking with your heart," He told her.

Kathleen gave him another questioning look for a moment, then sighed and said, "Alright Ptolemy. We'll go to Whitehall. Follow me, and stay close."

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And he made sure to do that. London was a crowded place. People pushed and shoved by, some making others fall. Ptolemy stayed close to Kathleen. They came to a stop when it was too dark to see. They had stopped between two buildings; in front of an alley.

Ptolemy looked around. Little red spheres hovered above every doorway. Vigilance Spheres. Those, however, weren't what interested him. What really interested him were the bright glowing letters and figures. He felt himself attracted to them as he was attracted to the glass vases in Jane Farrar's estate.

Kathleen had sneaked up behind him and stood on his right side. She tried to find whatever it was he was looking at. "What are you staring at?" She asked finally.

Ptolemy pointed to one of them. "What are those things?"

"Those are neon signs. They run on electricity and…" Her voice drifted off when she noticed Ptolemy was totally lost. "Oh, it doesn't matter now. C'mon, we gotta find some shelter for the night."

Just as they began to leave, someone spoke to them. "Clara? Clara, is that you?"

Kathleen turned around to face a man. He was bald and heavily built. "George? The manager of the Frog Inn?"

"Yes!" The man boomed. He seemed excited. Ptolemy didn't trust him one bit. He knew people like this back in his lifetime. They seemed friendly enough on the outside, but on the inside they really hated you and were working against you. "Good to see you, Clara," The man continued. "What are you doing back here anyway?"

"Well, my friend and I are sort of…in a ditch. We need a place to stay for the night." Don't take anything he offers, Ptolemy mentally pleaded with her. He knew this setup well enough. The man would gladly take the both of them in since he was supposed to be Kathleen's friend, then when they were least expecting it, he'd attack.

"Come in, come in!" The man—George—walked back into the building, the Frog Inn.

Kathleen turned to Ptolemy. She seemed to read his thoughts. "Don't worry, Ptolemy, I know this guy. You can trust him." She turned back around and began to walk into the Inn. Not for long, Ptolemy thought to himself. She'll find out soon enough. He walked inside without a word.

Ptolemy was, however, slightly confused. Her name was Kathleen, or Kitty. Where'd Clara come from? Ptolemy made sure to ask her later. With some reluctance, Ptolemy kept his mouth shut.

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A/n

George has appeared! What is his significance to the story, you may ask? Read on and find out!