PART 2

Lights flashed red, yellow then green. Horseless carts growled past. Glass walls rose, high as mountains. Ava’s panic rose. She was in hysterics when a light flickered on to reveal shelves of gold--her favorite kind--fluffy, crusty buns. Panic subsided, and her stomach grumbled. Ava the sneak thief measured coins by the number of buns they bought.

Food first, then she’d find the person the satyr sent her to rob. Pulling her tattered coat tight, Ava wore her most pitiful face, hoping the owner was the merciful type but prepared to snatch and dash if he was not. She shuffled into the shop, head bowed.

“Who’s this?” a kindly voice rumbled. Ava raised eyes, half-lidded, but they flew wide when she saw a satyr with a soul patch and tufted nubs rising behind his ears, looking like a younger version of the goat-bearded satyr. A silver pocket watch dangled from a chain, gleaming against a flour-dusted black apron.

The pocket watch must be it, Ava thought as the younger satyr placed a hand on her back and a bun in her hand. In thanks, Ava snatched the watch and made for the door, coming to an abrupt halt as he caught her collar.

“That’s a tricky trinket. Best hand it back”

Ava held it tight in her fist and wished she were anywhere or anytime but here. And then she was. She and the satyr whirled around like the hands of a deranged clock then jerked to a stop.

Photo by Julia V Ashley