Chapter 14: 'Love Made Me Mad Anyways'

'Curiosity kills the cat' was the phrase Charlotte's teacher would always use to describe her. What can she say? She can't help it? Well, the statement holds true, even Charlotte acknowledges it herself. If she was ever put into a play as the tragic hero, it would be her hamartia.

Walking home, she could not help but see for herself the famous site of the killings, the site in which Jack the Ripper strikes, the Whitechapel.

Despite being a major distinction in all of Jack the Ripper's cases, Charlotte doesn't know much about the Whitechapel.

All she knew about it was the fact that it is a trendy district in modern times, sort of like a mini-market, where everything was sold.

She took a short detour and walked around the bustling street. There are carriages moving through the district. People were walking by and looking around through the windows of the shops.

There was a bookshop not far away and she went in for the first time. She touched a few old covered books, recognized some of them, and began to admire how unreal this experience was.

Although tempted, she didn't make a single purchase fearing it might disrupt some sort of flow. Besides, she wasn't comfortable with the bustling district and was confident she would make a fool of herself when speaking to someone.

She walked down the stone pathway and sat down on one of the benches.

She couldn't help but think, 'Damn, Charlotte, you have decided to do business in the wrong spot.'

The noise of the carriages was very apparent as they clicked and clacked together, creating a weird sense of harmony. The chatter of the people, and the laughs, while walking by gave an abnormal nostalgic atmosphere. People going in and out of shops, some even wearing a look of absolute joy after coming out gave a warm feeling. Charlotte turned these loud noises into white noises while admiring this intriguing scene through a tinted rose-colored glass that gave a sense of belonging.

Although not sure where the feeling stem from, it made her feel safe and relaxed as she watched this one-in-a-lifetime moment flash before her eyes.

She lets out a sigh to fully sink into the moment and quietly watched the people going by.

Not sure how much time has passed, but the sun was setting and fewer people were in sight. After looking around, she went into one of the shops and got herself some food, making it her first purchase. She saw that many people gathered near this shop and couldn't help herself.

'Nothing much has changed from modern to old. People still follow the trends,' she thought while taking a bite.

Compared to the bustling environment, it is now calmer, and more peaceful. The breeze hits her face as she once again sighed into the mystical atmosphere. The sense of nostalgia hasn't quite disappeared but rather increased with every step.

'How cliche,' she silently chuckled.

As she walked by, she coincidently enough saw a familiar figure.

They were moving rashly as if chasing someone. They dashed into the alleyway and were out of sight.

Adrenaline took over as Charlotte followed and ran towards the alleyway, completely ignoring the danger warning her head was giving her.

Coupled with a grey coat, she looked up and met the pair of eyes.

Frantically, they looked back.

"Are you alright? You seemed to be in quite the rush."

"Charlotte! I was just chasing some brats who stole something of mine. I swear- they went into this alleyway!"

Looking around she saw no kids and a dead end.

"I see no kids Mr. Levington, perhaps your eyes played a trick on you?"

The young gentleman let out a scoff.

"These aggravating kids... Something similar happened a while back-"

He proceeds to go on and on about the other time he was robbed. Charlotte listened and couldn't help but pity his bad luck of being robbed on several occasions.

"Well anyways... I was quite busy today you see, and I haven't had the chance to drop by today. Have you read the news, Ms. Charlotte?"

"Yes, very devastating, it was also very tragic. People like these bear a lot of hate no?"

"Certainly! It has also been the talk of the town!"

"Are you heading in a certain direction Mr. Levington?" Charlotte asked.

"Yes, I'm on my way to the post office. You see, I forgot something there and need to retrieve it."

"Well, best of luck Mr. Levington, I'd best be on my way."

They parted.

'Strange, he doesn't appear much outside of the bakery. Why did I have an encounter with him? Unless he plays a bigger role, why would he be here at this time?'

'No, I might be thinking too much about it. Or maybe not? Well, if everything has a purpose what would one explain that?'

Walking further down the street, she saw another familiar figure. They sat quietly on the bench gazing up at the sky.

'What kind of cast get-together is this?'

"You seem to be quite distant?"

They lowered their gaze onto Charlotte.

"Ms. Charlotte, I seem to have, haven't I? I am prone to doing so."

It was the blonde woman herself.

"Is that so?" Charlotte said while sitting next to her.

"I often come here just to look around. I know this place quite well. There is no reason to it really, it just- I guess you can say my fondest memories have always been this place."

"Fondest?"

"Yes, I met him here as well. Although it was a bit awkward, I fell at first sight."

Charlie then recounted her love story.

She was going to buy a certain item but then realized she forgot her wallet. In the midst of being scolded by the vendor, the guy made eye contact with her and reached out to pay for her. It would be a lie if she said she wasn't infatuated at first sight. Obviously, she was deeply touched and she accompanied him throughout the day until dark. He delivered her home and then left.

Fallen for his charms she went every day to the Whitechapel to catch a glimpse of him, even asking the vendors if he was around. She eventually found him and they stayed in contact. They wrote to each other and often accompany each other. Eventually, he also probably fell for her, they were together most of the time so it is hard to imagine he wasn't. He also probably fell for her due to her action of forcing herself onto him, and they fell in love.

Their time together was so sweet that they never had to worry about the relationship. She praised him for being a very loyal man who always gave her the attention needed. Thus, fast-forward to the current situation.

"Truly, it felt like it was only yesterday"

"Glad to know your love hasn't died out..." Charlotte laughed on the inside, the story was too cliche to not find funny.

"Ah- I've never heard you talk about a special person in your life Charlotte," Charlie's eyes lit up.

"Well... not much can be said?"

"Have you ever experienced love Charlotte? It's a really wonderful feeling!"

"I guess not."

Her eyes then drooped, "That is a shame."

Suddenly, they shined brightly once more, "I could introduce you to someone!"

"No, please that is not necessary," Charlotte quickly interjected.

"I guess you could say not everything is about love. Or anything that matters really. I do feel love, for people I deem as family, but I guess not love 'love'."

Charlie looked at Charlotte and said, "You truly are different. All the girls around our age love these subjects and yet you seem to reject it."

"Not all shoes will fit everyone. It's not my cup of tea," Charlotte sighed.

Charlie looked at the sky and the moon is slowly rising.

"I should probably leave now. Charlotte, you should as well."

Charlie stood up and walked along the oath. She stops then turned at Charlotte, her figure against the moonlight.

"Love can make you do many things..."

She looked down and whispered.

"Many illogical things."

She walked away.

Staring at her departing back, she was convinced. Despite her whisper, Charlotte could hear every word.

She looked back up into the sky and focused on the stars.

Despite what just happened, her mind was still wrapped up in the subject of 'love'.

'I've always avoided this. Honestly, she makes all single people collectively feel dejected.'

'Love... What is love? The age-old question.'

'What are the lines that come between love and like? Is it obsession? Clearly, this is the case for our dear protagonist or antagonist.'

'Like a distant memory, a once happened and never again.'

'Ah- what do I know? I have no right to judge.'

Charlotte stood up and walked in the opposite direction, with the moonlight, casting a long dark shadow.

'Love made me mad anyways.'