More NaNo spam! “We may have a deal, Miss Schwieterman, but I have a job to do,” she said. A childish giggle replied to this. Ms. Woode turned around to see a young child giggling.
“And what is so funny?” Ms. Woode demanded.
“You’re talking to no one. Also, Schwieterman is a funny name,” the child responded.
“Who are you, child, and why are you off on your own?”
“I’m Squirt! At least, that’s what Rosena and Aubrey call me. They wouldn’t let me come with them, so I decided to follow them. I’ve been doing a good job so far, but I’m slower than they are, and you looked like you were following them, too, so I decided to wait for you when you went into that building back there.”
Ms. Woode frowned. She was not about to allow a child this young accompany her, it would only make her job that much more difficult. However, she didn’t seem to have a choice. “Haven’t your parents taught you that strangers are dangerous?” she asked the girl.
“Well, if you did anything to me, Rosena and Aubrey would be really mad. And they’re with a stranger too and I don’t know how they know any better.”
Ms. Woode did not think it would do any good to try to explain to this child how there was a big difference in the judgement of a four year old and an eighteen year old, so she didn’t.
“Alright, you may travel with me,” she relented. “However, you must not talk unless I directly address you. I need quiet for my thoughts.”
“I’ve been quiet all the way here!”
“Yes, you must have been, for me not to notice me. Now come along, child. We’re too close to the city of Saeton for anything to go well.”
With that, Ms. Woode turned and once again began walking down the path, double checking her strange compass, and checking every now and again to make sure the small child, who had only introduced herself as Squirt, was keeping up. Something told her that this would be a long and frustrating assignment, and she probably should have just stayed home yesterday morning.
Bwahaha! Squirt randomly walked into my story and decided she wanted to star in it. I think I'm too nice to my characters.