Although Black Mist Camp could not be seen from the bonfire where the Demon dwelled, it was actually only a little over twenty steps down the path before they entered the camp's boundaries.
The air around them grew colder, and the eerie silence instinctively made their souls feel danger and oppression. Everyone closed their mouths. As last time, to pass through safely and avoid being separated by accident, the four formed a line, each person behind pressing a hand onto the shoulder of the person ahead.
Miss Higgins, the witch, still controlled the Black Scales that Shade had taken a liking to, walking at the front. Old Mrs. Miles followed behind her, then came Shade, with the boy at the very end.
Since their goal was clear this time, Miss Higgins led the group directly into the camp, carefully moving along the paths between the shadowy vendors.
The direction the four traveled this time was completely different from last time. This meant that while the experience they had gained before was still useful, whatever they might encounter along the way had become entirely unknown.
The light from the four torches could only illuminate the goods on the stalls lining both sides of the path. Beneath the firelight, everyone wore a different expression. Miss Higgins worried for herself and Mrs. Miles; the old woman had the resolve to stake everything on one throw; Shade frowned as he considered the confusion in his heart; the boy behind them wore a dark, troubled expression.
The surroundings were silent. Aside from the burning flames, even their footsteps were swallowed by the black mist. A faint stench of rot lingered in the air. The faceless shadows standing motionless behind the stalls held various poses, yet all seemed to be watching them.
As he observed while