The car slowed to a stop in front of an old warehouse. From the large opening that served as a door emerged three women. A dark-skinned woman with red hair took confident steps forward; on her left and right were twins, both with long wavy hair dyed green and white.
The twins wore red robes that covered their bare feet, and the dark-skinned woman wore a full black robe of similar length.
Martin came out of the car first and slightly bowed his head at the three women before opening the passenger side of the vehicle and offering his hand to the older woman.
Mrs. Cross took his hand and gracefully emerged from the mud-covered vehicle.
The dark-skinned woman rose both arms, and the multitude of bangles that decorated her wrist up to the midlength of her forearm made rattling noises as they traveled down to her elbow. "Madam Cross, how wonderful it is to see you again."