Chapter 31: 'It's Beautiful'

Charlotte walked out of the supposed alleyway and widened at the scene in front of her.

Instead of the floating headlights, regular streetlights shone a bright yellow. Accompanied by the street lamps were red lanterns hanging from the ropes of buildings, giving off a warm glow as they lit up the lively street. It was filled with a brilliant golden light that outshined the darkness of the night. People walked around in warm clothes and chattered happily down the street with food in hand.

Mentioning food, there were several food stalls that lined up all the way down the street, each store giving off a delicious smell wafting through the air. The vendors seemed to be lively as they would yell out "Come try our food!" while customers were bustling trying to get in line. There was everything one could ask for in a street dedicated to food, as it has not only food but also beverages and dessert.

The street food stalls all have a system. Stalls would attract customers, giving more traction to the other food stalls and creating a domino effect of people trying one thing after another in one place. It is a smart business idea where one could be introduced to the people's culture.

Charlotte looked around at the different people having fun and enjoying themselves. The food was definitely far from prestigious and it definitely wasn't as high class as the atmosphere the people Charlotte previously saw, but it gave her an indescribable warmth from her chest that wrapped around her being. She felt lively and unconsciously smiled at the scene in front of her.

'It's beautiful.'

She carelessly wandered around the street, joining these people but noticed their stares.

Charlotte shrank herself back, trying to figure out what might have caused her abnormality.

A vendor then shouted, "Who are you? I don't see you around here often!"

Another person yelled, "She is one of them. Ah- they must have found out!"

"Damn it! I spent so hard making these batches of rice cakes."

They all started to pack, some even rushing to leave.

"I... accidentally stumbled upon this place. And I... have told not a soul," Charlotte spoke above the crowd.

"Where exactly am I?" She bravely asked.

There was whispering and several glares. People were muttering about something she couldn't hear.

"Do you swear that you will never tell anyone?"

A young man approached from the crowd.

'What a coincidence. Honestly, I am not even surprised.'

The boy revealed himself and lifted his black hood off his head. It exposed his blonde hair that fluttered through the wind.

He was the very young boy she saw this morning.

"... I solemnly swear with my life on the line," Charlotte boldly claims.

They both stared at each other as if testing out the other's behavior, well at least the young boy did. Charlotte stared at him because she noticed the golden eyes that the young boy bore. Similar to the main protagonist, Detective Cromwell, and the antagonist, Charlie Blossom, she was fascinated by those bright eyes. They shimmered brightly, like a well-polished jewel that shone in the night, illuminating their surroundings.

'A trait of all important characters? I think the authors deliberately did so.'

As if done assessing her, "You'll be under my watch tonight. But you will have to get rid of that on your forehead first. Although we made anti-tracking devices, you can't be too sure."

Charlotte then glanced at the people around her and noticed that they didn't wear their headsets, actually, not many technologies were in sight in the first place. She also touched the side of her head which still had the headset on.

'I forgot it was on my head. I got so used to it that it seemed... normal. I see what the conflict of the novel is.'

So, Charlotte complied and took the headset off, her vision stopped seeing the little panel that accompanied her throughout this trip.

The blonde-haired boy then extended his hand, "Walk with me. I'll introduce you to the place."