Emporium Story Chapter

Ignoring the incessant voice that echoed in her mind, Evie stopped exactly where the door had been standing. There was still no door, but there was a rock wall. It was crumbling ever so slightly. “What use is this?” asked Bea, staring at the rock wall. She slumped over to it, an sat down to rest. “Bea, we have no time for resting, come on!” Evie said, annoyed that they were stuck in this situation. Suddenly, the rocks crumbled, and revealed a tunnel. Evie and Bea stood in front of it, shocked looks on their faces. Bea crouched down and peered inside. “It looks like there’s something at the end!” Evie crawled down with Bea to the end of the tunnel. On their way they spotted multiple sights: a rat family hiding in a hole, pieces of metal and glass that they had to be careful to avoid. Without warning, Bea squeaked, so loud that part of the cave started to crumble. “Bea, that was right in my ear! What is it?” Evie asked. Bea didn’t reply, she just pointed towards the end of the tunnel. Slowly, Evie turned her head to see what Bea was seeing. It was the door. As quick as a flash, they ran towards the door, worried that it would disappear again. They edged closer to the door, and Bea clutched the handle. “3…2…1…” They opened the door. Interestingly, they were in a corridor, the same corridor that they had been in to enter the room. Together, Evie and Bea guiltily headed back towards the main room of the emporium, where a suspicious looking Mr Darkwood was sitting in his velvet chair. He was looking at them, a knowing look on his face. The girls were expecting him to say something, as the book had obviously been moved from where Evie and Bea had left it. They exchanged worried glances and he climbed out of his chair and headed to his desk, picking up the book. He looked at them again, and then back at the book. “Did you girls find what you were looking for? Bea, did you help Evie around here?” asked Mr Darkwood. His very intimidating voice caused Bea to shake, and stutter, not able to speak. “Don’t worry, Mr Darkwood, Bea has been helping me out.” replied Evie, stepping in for Bea. “Very well then. How are you finding the emporium?” Mr Darkwood fixed his murky glare on Evie. “It’s…l…lovely thanks, umm, Bea was just on her way to show me her…um…room. Yeah her room! Come on Bea! Nice to see you again Mr Darkwood. Bye!” They ran along to a corridor, where the little robin that they had seen before was perching on a branch. “Phew, that was close. He’s going to be on to us soon. Look, I think I’ve got to go. If your Dad asks about the book, just blame it on me. My friends down on the beach think I’ve gone to get sweets.” said Evie. “Well, don’t disappoint them! Here take these.” Bea pressed a paper bag of sweets into Evie’s hand. “You will come back another time, won’t you?” Her sea blue eyes staring into her soul. “Promise,” said Evie, and they exchanged hugs. With that, Evie left the shop. Evie stepped out onto the street and headed back to the beach. As she got closer, she could her her friends screaming and screeching with joy. Oh how she wished she could be here with Bea. Bea! She remembered the sweets in her pockets and took them out. Inside were little love hearts. The girls on the beach, she’d known them for ages. But their friendship didn’t feel as special as hers and Bea’s.