* * *
Lady Evanly walked briskly down the street, heading home with the boards of cakes and scones on either side of her. She was nearly out of the North District when she heard a girl’s voice call to her, “Excuse me, Ma’am.”
Evanly stopped and looked down the alley between a butcher and a fifth generation seamstress’s shop. There was a little girl in a bright blue and white dress standing in the alley, her patterned leather shoes in the muck there. Her curled hair was tied up with bows, and her white stockings were speckled with mud.
“My child, what are you doing back there?” asked Evanly. “Get out of that alley.”
“I need help.”
“Then get out of there,” said Evanly. “You’re not likely to get much help back there like that.”
“My sister hurt her leg. Please help.”
Evanly squinted at the pale young girl, confused by the situation. “Where’s your parents?”
“Please help,” said the child before turning and walking deeper into the alley. “My sister’s back this way.”
“If you think I’m traipsing off into an alley then you’ve lost your mind,” said Evanly. “I’ll go get help.”
A gloved hand wrapped around her mouth as an assailant caught her from behind. Lady Evanly was picked up off her feet and carried into the alley. Her two boards of baked goods splashed in the gutter as she squirmed and tried to scream. Then she saw the little girl open a door to the butcher shop and hold it open for the man to carry Evanly into.
The Lady struck back at the man carrying her, and hit him hard enough to cause his hand to falter, allowing her to scream out for help. He quickly clasped his hand back over her mouth and then struck her in the spine. At first she assumed he was punching her, but the pain was more intense than expected, causing her muscles to spasm. Warmth flooded her dress as he struck again, and she suddenly understood that she was being murdered.
Evanly was carried into the butcher shop, kicking and trying to scream. The child went in as well, and then locked the door behind them.