The brownies started to cry, hugging me with their small arms before leaping out of the fire exit and disappearing into thin air.

I was never going to get used to that.

Gion and Gert had packed me a knapsack full of supplies. Gert smiled and kissed my cheek before leaving too.

The door behind me opened halfway with a tremendous bang, the vanity was nothing but splinters.

I was already on the fire escape, holding the window open.

I could see the face of Odile staring at me, her smile sharp and menacing.

"Oh, it's you!" She said, in surprise, pushing away the remnants of the vanity.

Her sharp heels clicked against the wood.

"It's me, bitch!" I said, "Now what do you want?"

"Me? Nothing really, but my master wants what's rightfully his." She lit up a cigarette, taking in a lung full before blowing out. "And you seem to have it." 

I've seen this picture before.

Not a fan.

"There's nothing here," I said
"Now I'm leaving! Goodbye and fuck you!"

I jumped as her smoke enveloped the whole room. The fire escape was still slippery from the night before but I managed to get down to the ally.

I nearly twisted my ankle but I was safe from that psycho.

"You can't run forever, little human!" She said, it felt like her words were in my head. "I always find my prey. It's only a matter of time."

I didn't look back as I booked it, running as fast as I could till I reached Main Street. I could hear her laugh echoing in my ears.

She would never leave me alone.

All I could do was hide until she found me again.

I stopped at the park, heaving for breath. Nobody batted an eye at me as I sank to my knees.

I got up and sat down on a park bench, trying to control my trembling hands. It was damp and cold, I could feel the darkness closing around me.

Odile's smile haunted me.

I didn't dare think about what she would've done if she had caught me.

At least the Brownies were safe.

"My lady!"

"Fuck!" I yelped as Gion emerged out of my knapsack.

"It seems I keep startling you. Is my appearance so repulsive?" He asked with his hands clutched in front of him.

His eyes swell with tears again.

Oh please not again. I didn't want to be seen crying on a park bench with a brownie-like a weirdo.

"No!" I said frantically. "You're so adorable! How could you ever!"

"You flatter me so. Mistress has chosen a wonderful friend," Gion said, wiping his tears away. "Now we must bring Mistress the vial and—"

"Gion!" I stood up, startling him. "The vial! I left it in the apartment! Oh, how could I be so stupid!"

"My lady?"

"All that work and I just lost it! Fallon would be so disappointed in me!"

"Er...My lady."

I clutched my head in my hands, yelling at the sky. "I'm such an idiot!"

"My lady!" Gion raised his voice. "Please, compose thyself. The vial is in your sack."

"Oh!" I said, sitting back down. "That's a relief."

"Indeed." He puffed out his chest, proud of himself. "I'm well trained."

"You're the best, Gion!" I hold my hand out with my palm facing up for Gion. "What would I do without you?"

He straightened the straps of his overalls, smiling with his sharp teeth. "You praise me too much, my lady! But please, don't stop."

"Hey. I don't know how to get to the Realm but you can, right?"

"Mistress was very kind in showing us how to traverse this new world," Gion said. "There are various ways to travel between the two realms. But I must warn you, the path comes with perils."

He glanced around before wrapping a small hand around my pinky and jumping into my palm. It ticked as he took small tentative steps.

"Is there anything nearby?"

"There is one but..." he trails off.

"What?" I press. "I need to know."

"Mistress uses it rarely." Gion mumbles. "The last time she used it was when she entered the mortal realm."

<:——<<

"Are you sure this is it?" I asked, looking up at the giant sign.

Gion was sheltered in my coat, tucked between my scarf and neck. He poked his head out, his white hair tickling my cheek.

"This is it!" He cried out. His little hand gather the material of my scarf. "It hasn't changed at all from that fateful day!"

The faded yellow sign said in big letters to keep out.

I couldn't believe that there was a portal in the city that led to the Fae Realm.

I've passed this route on my way to work and I've never once seen it.

Was it glamoured this whole time? 

"Have humans ever wondered in here?" I ask, stepping over the yellow tape and construction materials. "I'm sure the city would notice a huge pile of junk like this."

Gion nodded. "Some do but the glamour sends them away. It is a great asset."

"I thought humans get taken to the Fae Realm."

"Only if they're unlucky to meet a sentry."

"Sentry?"

That didn't sound good. Weird smoke ladies, ghouls, brownies and not Sentries. Didn't exactly sound like a walk in the park.

I couldn't imagine what they looked like.

"Do not worry, my lady. There are no Sentries here. They have most likely been dispatched by Sir Darian."

"Oh, that's reassuring," I said. My voice echoed off the walls. "Darien said I couldn't enter the Fae Realm though? How is this going to work?"

"Because you have me!" He said proudly.

So cute but cuteness wasn't going to answer my questions.

"Could you elaborate?"

"Well...my mistress told me that humans can't enter alone but if they were accompanied by one of the Fae Folk then it's possible." He explained. "That's why I'm here!"

"Gion?" I reached up to pet his head. "Why are you coming with me? Shouldn't you be with the other brownies?"

"I told them to hide." He said. "And...you said you'd find our mistress. How could I let you go alone when Goodfellow told us to look after you!"

"You know it's going to be dangerous, right?"

"I may be small but I am mighty."

I chuckle. "Of course. Gion is the strongest Brownie in the whole Realm."

My heart felt lighter as I entered the tunnel. I had some faith knowing that I wasn't alone in this.