Chapter 4

Day Two 6:45am

Soft light filtered through the murky window, casting a delicate glow across Ariel's face. The young woman stirred, murmuring softly in her sleep, "Jasper..."

A small bird perched on the windowsill, letting out a series of hopeful chirps. Ariel rolled onto her back, her hair fanning out around her head like an amber halo. The room remained still, with an open suitcase shoved into a corner and a jacket, tank-top, and skirt scattered haphazardly on the floor. Suddenly, two knocks shattered the silence. Ariel frowned in her sleep and shifted to her side.

"Hey, Ariel? You awake?" Leroy's voice called out.

Ariel groaned, her mind slowly drifting back to consciousness. "Leave me alone..."

"Ariel, it's almost seven. Time to get up," Leroy persisted.

Ariel grabbed her pillow and covered her head, "Leroy, just give me a minute," she complained.

"You don't have a minute. They're serving breakfast now, and Mrs. Williams informed me that if you're not down there to give your order—"

"I'm not hungry," Ariel interrupted.

"Ariel!" Leroy protested. "I'm risking my breakfast here. If you don't come out right now, I'm going to have to leave you and—"

"Leroy, I appreciate this, but I'm not hungry," she insisted, her voice muffled by the pillow.

Leroy crossed his arms, frowning stubbornly at the door as if Ariel could see him through it. Ironically, she could picture him in her mind as she lay there.

"Fine, fine..." Leroy said, feigning defeat. "I guess I'll just eat and watch Mandy take your seat next to Jasper and talk to him all morning about Mr. Warner's house and how lonely she was without him and—"

Ariel's door flew open. She stood there, flustered, running a brush through her hair with one hand while pulling on a sock with the other. Leroy smiled at the glare she shot him.

"Good morning, sunshine," he teased.

"Shut up," Ariel retorted, still fumbling with her sock.

They reached the dining room just as Mr. Williams was about to shut the doors.

"WELL, WHO DO WE HAVE HERE? LATE, ARE YOU? YOU SHOULD KNOW AT THIS INN WE DO NOT TOLERATE TARDINESS!" the old man shouted.

The din of breakfast chatter ceased, and thirty pairs of eyes turned to stare at them. At the back of the room sat the rest of the GPI team. Taylor smirked, amused by the scene, and Mandy, to Ariel's horror, was already seated cozily next to Jasper. Leroy noticed this too and gave Ariel an unsympathetic, I-told-you-so look. Ariel glared back at him, annoyed that he was right.

"Come on, let's find a seat," Leroy whispered, steering her towards an empty table near the group.

As they settled in, Mr. Williams continued his tirade. "NOW, YOU TWO, SIT DOWN AND BE QUICK ABOUT IT. BREAKFAST WON'T WAIT FOREVER!"

"IT WASN'T MY FAULT! I WAS HERE ON TIME, BUT SHE WOULDN'T GET OUT OF BED!" Leroy shouted, trying to shift the blame.

Oh, nice, Monk, Ariel thought grumpily.

Ariel glanced at Jasper, hoping for some acknowledgment, but he avoided her gaze, as did Max. John stood and waved them over, but immediately buckled from a sharp kick to the shin by Taylor. Ariel shot a bright smile at John, who winced and rubbed his leg, then sent a glare at Taylor.

Marching over to their table, Ariel took a seat next to Mandy, who pretended not to notice and continued her rapt conversation with Jasper. "As I was saying..."

Leroy sat next to Taylor, each exchanging a glare as their greeting.

Feeling invisible to the rest of the GPI team, Ariel leaned back and took in her surroundings. The dining hall was spacious, filled with numerous tables, almost all occupied. The far wall was entirely made of windows, allowing the morning light to flood in. So far, Ariel liked this room the best. Nearby, an older couple sipped coffee and smiled, their conversation drifting over:

"...I always loved Marlowe..." "...just a couple more days now..." "...I can't wait to see what it will be like this year?"

Intrigued, Ariel leaned forward slightly, trying to catch more of their conversation. Just then, Mrs. Williams approached, balancing a large tray. With surprising dexterity, the old woman began setting out bowls of food. Smiles lit up the faces of the GPI team, murmured thanks filled the air, and they began to eat—everyone except Leroy and Ariel. The two looked up at Mrs. Williams inquisitively, and the old woman looked down at them smugly.

"LAST TO ARRIVE, LAST TO EAT."

Ariel glared at the retreating figure, her stomach growling forlornly. Across from her, Leroy eyed Taylor's food with barely concealed envy. The priestess, in turn, ate each bite with exaggerated satisfaction.

"We'll set up at the theater after this," Jasper said, breaking Ariel's focus on her hunger. "I want to question Miss Marlowe further. Max, did you get her address from Mrs. Williams?"

Mandy looked up from her bowl; Ariel also fixed her gaze on Jasper. "Would you like some company?" Mandy asked eagerly, seizing her chance. Ariel gritted her teeth, blaming her empty stomach for her slow reaction.

Jasper set down his utensils across his bowl, dabbed at his mouth, and took a sip of coffee. "No, thank you, Makenzie. Max will be there to take notes."

Mandy's cheeks flushed, and she returned to her breakfast. Ariel smiled to herself, though her rumbling stomach prevented her from feeling entirely victorious.

Ten minutes later, everything was finished but the coffee. Finally, a shuffling sound signaled Mrs. Williams' return. She carried a small tray and, with a clank, set two bowls in front of Ariel and Leroy. The rice, plain and cold, stared back at them. The old woman kept a straight face, but her eyes twinkled mischievously.

"ENJOY."

Ariel lacked the energy to protest. She stuck her fork into the sticky rice and forced down a lumpy bite. Mandy watched her eat with amusement, prompting Ariel to focus intently on her food, determined to appear as though she was enjoying it. Leroy, however, had no such intention.

"Bah! What kind of dish is this?" he exclaimed, snatching up Taylor's bowl and pouring whatever was left into his own. Taylor opened her mouth to protest but thought better of it when she saw the look Leroy sent her.

Jasper finished his coffee and stood. "It's getting late. Max and I are going to pay a visit to Miss Marlowe. The rest of you can set up base. We'll meet later."

With that, he and Max excused themselves from the table. Ariel's cold rice stuck in her throat. Deprived of coffee, she stealthily reached over and grabbed Mandy's. The medium made a face but gave up and left the table too.

"I'll be at the theater."

Taylor leaned back in her chair, glaring at Ariel and Leroy as they ate. "Come on, John," she said finally, "we're not waiting for them to finish."

"We're not?" John asked, being bodily dragged from his seat.

Ariel watched them all go with little interest; Leroy seized some of John's leftovers next. "Want any?" he offered half-heartedly.

Ariel shook her head slowly, her eyes drifting over to Jasper's bowl. Innocently, she pulled it over to herself. Leroy watched her between bites, raising an eyebrow. Ariel pretended to ignore his look and peered into Jasper's bowl: cold rice. She pushed it away rather hard and rested her chin in her hands with a sigh.

"Hurry up, Leroy; they'll need our help setting up base."

Leroy frowned at her. "I'll take all the time I need, thank you. Remember, you're the reason this happened."

Ariel glanced at the table next to her, noting its emptiness. In fact, many of the tables now only held dirty dishes.

"Leroy," she said in a lowered voice, "why do you think this place is so full? I mean, it's, well—"

"A dump?" Leroy finished, smirking.

Ariel sent a guilty look around. "...Yeah."

Leroy shrugged. "I don't know, maybe there's some kind of festival going on nearby?"

Ariel nodded thoughtfully, running her finger over the grains of wood in the table. "Maybe..."

Just then, the dining hall doors opened. A young man about Ariel's age walked in. He looked surprised to see them but then smiled and waved. Ariel and Leroy smiled back and politely nodded their heads. The young man then set to work, carrying a tub and dish towel, collecting dishes and wiping off tables. Leroy watched Ariel watching the young man and tutted under his breath.

"...no loyalty..."

Ariel's head snapped around, and her cheeks colored. "Eh? What was that, Leroy?"

"If only Jasper was here to see how quickly—"

Ariel, doing a good impression of Taylor, stomped on Leroy's foot. Leroy choked on his rice and cried out, "Ow, what did you do that for? It's the truth—"

Ariel made to stomp on his other foot but then caught the young man's eye and laughed nervously. "Hey—you okay?" she said, patting Leroy's back rather hard. The young man returned to his work. Ariel narrowed her eyes at the monk across from her. "Are you done yet?"

Leroy narrowed his eyes back at her. "I am now."

"Good." Ariel stood and brushed herself off. The young man approached their table.

"I hope you enjoyed your breakfast," he said brightly.

Leroy stood, and the two of them faked large smiles. "Oh, yes."

This satisfied the young man. "I'm glad to hear it. I'm Noah Williams; my grandparents own this inn."

With Leroy's gaze burning a hole in her face, Ariel smiled stiffly. "Nice to meet you. I'm Ariel Kinsley, and this is—"

"Leroy Thompson," Leroy cut in. Noah smiled and waved again.

"Well, Thompson... Ariel, I hope you enjoy your stay with us. Maybe we'll run into each other another time?"

Both of them agreed and left amidst more waving. Outside, Leroy rubbed his chin as they walked out the front door.

"Very old-fashioned, this town..."

"Yeah," Ariel replied, basking in the sunlight.

They stepped onto the inn's porch, the morning sun casting long shadows across the small town. The distant sound of children playing and the occasional bark of a dog reached their ears. Ariel took a deep breath, savoring the crisp, clean air that was a stark contrast to the musty inn.

"I wonder what kind of festival it could be," Ariel mused aloud, glancing down the main street lined with quaint shops and cafés.

"Whatever it is, it's pulling in a crowd," Leroy responded, his tone thoughtful. "Maybe we should ask around, see if anyone knows what's happening."

Ariel nodded, her curiosity piqued. "Good idea. Let's start with the café over there," she pointed to a charming little place with a sign that read 'Marlowe's Café'.

As they made their way over, Ariel couldn't shake the feeling that something was off. The people they passed were friendly enough, but there was an undercurrent of something she couldn't quite place—almost like they were all in on some secret.

Inside the café, the air was filled with the rich aroma of freshly brewed coffee and baked goods. A young woman behind the counter greeted them with a warm smile.

"Good morning! What can I get for you?" she asked.

"We'll have two coffees, please," Ariel said, returning the smile.

As the barista prepared their drinks, Ariel leaned on the counter. "Can I ask you something? What's with all the people in town? Is there some kind of event going on?"

The barista's smile faltered slightly. "Oh, you must be new in town. Yes, there's a festival happening in a couple of days. It's a big deal around here—everyone's excited."

Leroy raised an eyebrow. "What kind of festival?"

"It's our annual Marlowe Festival," she explained, handing them their coffees. "It celebrates the town's history and... well, some say it's to honor the spirits of those who lived here before us."

Ariel felt a shiver run down her spine. "Spirits?"

The barista nodded, her smile returning but with a hint of something else—maybe caution? "Yes, there are lots of stories. Some people think the town is haunted, but it's all in good fun."

Ariel exchanged a glance with Leroy, who seemed just as intrigued. "Thanks for the info," Ariel said, taking her coffee. "We'll have to check it out."

As they left the café and continued down the street, Ariel couldn't shake the feeling that they were about to uncover something much deeper than a simple town festival.

Outside, Magnolia Midlands was a hive of activity. The large square ahead of them bustled with townspeople setting up stalls, children running around with bouquets of flowers, and men carrying wooden planks to a group engaged in animated discussions. The air buzzed with energy and excitement. Ariel looked up at Leroy questioningly.

"Maybe that festival they talked about?" he offered thoughtfully.

Then Ariel caught sight of two familiar faces. "Hey, that's Mr. Warner and Mandy."

"Huh?" Leroy said, scanning the crowd.

"By the men with the boards," Ariel insisted, tugging on his sleeve. They squeezed past the throng, coming to stand behind Mandy, who was engrossed in conversation with Mr. Warner.

"So you see, Mandy, the stage will be built right here..." Mr. Warner was saying.

Ariel's eyes widened. Mandy?

Leroy cleared his throat, and Mandy whirled around, looking surprisingly relieved to see them. She took Ariel's arm like an old friend, flashing a radiant smile. "Oh, hello Ariel, Thompson. Mr. Warner here was just explaining Magnolia Midlands's plans for a stage in their festival. Do continue, Mr. Warner."

For a moment, Mr. Warner struggled to compose himself, looking slightly put out by their arrival. "Ah, well, yes, we plan to build a stage," he managed feebly.

"Daniel!" a sweet voice called out. Waving at him, Shiloh walked up. Mr. Warner smiled lightly.

"Hello, Shiloh," he greeted. The woman clasped her hands together excitedly.

"Oh, don't you just love the energy of this festival?"

Ariel smiled despite herself; the actress seemed genuinely enchanted.

"Well, yes, I was just telling Mandy about some of our plans," he explained, offering a warm smile to the medium. Mandy's expression remained kindly, though strained.

Shiloh's smile faltered, the enchantment draining from her eyes. "Oh."

"What is this festival?" Leroy interjected, breaking the uncomfortable silence. Mr. Warner drew himself up importantly.

"Only the most significant festival for miles. It's seven days of honoring our great Bradford Marlowe. At least eight neighboring towns come every year, and it's all driven by a love of theater."

Now Mr. Warner looked enchanted. Leroy crossed his arms, mulling this over.

"A bit of bad timing calling us out here now, eh?" Leroy remarked.

Mr. Warner blinked, surprised. "You think? I wouldn't say so. You don't know the full story, but... now is not the time for that," he said, lowering his voice.

"Where are John and Taylor?" Ariel asked Mandy.

The medium glanced toward the theater. "I don't know. I haven't seen them."

"Daniel," Shiloh spoke up, her eyes briefly landing on Mandy, "don't we need to go over some things?"

"Ah, yes. Mandy, would you like to join us? Some of this might interest you; I think I know a future actress when I see one..."

Mandy's tight smile cracked; quickly, her sleeve came to the rescue, covering her mouth in that flattering way Ariel hated. "Oh no, I would only be in the way. I'll go with Ariel and Thompson."

Mr. Warner looked supremely disappointed but then brightened. "Very well, I'll be with you again shortly."

Ariel exchanged a look with Leroy. Mandy looked flustered as they helped her away from their very forward client. As they made their way to the edge of the crowd, Mandy reclaimed her arm and straightened her dress.

"I hope you don't consider this a debt to you?" Mandy spoke lowly, out of earshot of Leroy.

Ariel raised an eyebrow at her rival. "Certainly not."

"Good," Mandy said, composing herself again.

"I suppose we should join Taylor and John?" Leroy suggested, not missing the exchange.

Ariel, arms crossed against her chest, just glared silently at Mandy. Mandy simply stared ahead, pretending not to notice. Leroy hung his head and sighed. "Come on, you two," he coaxed.