The town was the same as usual. It was still the small bustling town that also served as a connecting point of the neighboring countries and bigger cities. But there was a palpable tension in the air. The people looked calm on the outside but their eyes roamed around every corner as if expecting something or someone to pounce at them.

Lia made her way to Yolly’s store to deliver the medicine. Like the rest of the town, she was restless, her bloodshot eyes looked over Lia’s shoulders as if making sure she was not being followed or watched. Lia sensed the urgency so she ducked inside without so much as a greeting. She found that the store was closed. She turned around with eyebrows furrowed and a million questions running through her head. Yolly shot her hands up to prevent the incoming barrage of questions from Lia.

“It has been terrible. Terrible!” She said wearily, bringing one hand to massage her forehead. “They had a raid on one of the pubs saying they were selling illegal drinks. My Frankie was almost caught! And I’m telling you he had not done anything else, anything that might serve him to the prison cells.”

“Why?” Lia asked though she had an inkling of what might cause this.

“Why he hasn’t been caught?” Yolly shot her a glare then shook her head. “No, of course, you’re not asking that. I’m not sure. The town has been full of trouble since last week. So many arrests. Lots and lots of guards!”

A week ago, that was when Lia found Eldric in the clearing soaked in his own blood. That might not be a coincidence.

“There was also this plague.”

“Plague?”

“I don’t know girlie. That’s what they’re saying. There are people who get sick lately.”

Lia recalled Eldric’s investigation about a gin. “The gin… is that why you told Frankie to avoid it?”

Yolly nodded and then muttered. “Where is that boy?”

Lia knew she was losing Yolly. But there were still things to ask. “Where do they get the gin?”

“What?” Yolly’s attention was back to her. “Oh, that damned drink. I’ve got no idea where. Maybe that suspicious hole in the alley.”

Yolly jerked her chin on the direction of that hole but Lia still did not have an idea as to where it was, only that it was west of Yolly’s store. She just filed away that information anyway.

“Why is your store closed?” Lia asked.

“Because they suspect every store that might be selling the medicine. Especially,” she gestured to the inside of her store.

“That’s ridiculous!”

Yolly shrugged. “I’m afraid that’s the way it is girlie. You’ve seen it yourself.”

She shuddered when she remembered how they were surrounded and accused of things. She would not forget that easily.

“You and your mother should be careful. Be wary of anyone approaching the woods.” Yolanda warned her in low voice.

A cry sliced through the thin air, making the hair at the back of Lia’s neck stood. Both she and Yolly peered through the slit at the door and watched as a young woman was dragged on the streets. She cried and begged but the town guards did not heed her pleas.

“You are the one selling the witch’s medicine!” one of the guards said to which Lia assumed must be the captain, judging from the pins stuck on his uniform.

“I’m not. I’m not! I beg you please believe me!” Her voice was raw from crying and screaming.

Lia’s heart hammered on her chest. This was not going to end well. She did not dare move from where they were standing, afraid that just a slight movement would give their position away.

“Then tell us who colludes with the witch,” the captain said.

With a shaky finger, she pointed straight to Yolly’s store.