Luminous Sunset

Chapter One

At the center of Clementine Valley lies a field of lily flowers along the orange landscape. Suzette, a florist by trade in her early thirties, is watering the flowers at the river's edge when she is approached by a young man in his mid-twenties.

"Oh, Hilaire!" said Suzette. "I wasn't expecting you today. I thought we were supposed to do the money exchange next week or something."

Hilaire shakes his head. "No, this visit isn't about the usual money dropoff. Henriette will be meeting you later for that. I'm here to warn you about the Leaf Wolf and the Rainbow Girl."

Suzette tilts her head. "Who?"

Hilaire gives a description of Harold Vernon and Stella Lily Aron.

"And what do they have to do with me?"

"The Leaf Wolf is investigating the death of that journalist that tried to expose us. Soleil got caught in it and is now dead." Hilaire looks at Suzette. "I don't have to explain the rest, do I?"

Suzette turns serious. "Don't worry. I'll take care of it."

Meanwhile, at the entrance of Clementine Valley the following afternoon, Stella, Cecilia, Harold, and Edgar arrive at the western gate of the valley. The time is around five or six in the afternoon.

The valley is full of clementine trees. The color of the landscape shines a shade of fluorescent orange during the setting of the sun. The center of the valley is a river flowing from north to south. At the edge of the river are fields of lily flowers. The surrounding mountains are also in shades of orange.

The group makes their way to a cafe at the river's edge on the western side of the valley. Once inside, everyone sits on an empty table that is nearest to them. Stella and Cecilia order pastry with clementine while Harold and Edgar eat a sandwich.

Once everyone is done eating, they check in at the nearest inn which is on the eastern edge of the river. Stella and Cecilia go to sleep early while Harold and Edgar are outside discussing their plan.

Harold starts walking to the bridge that connects the western half and eastern half of the valley. Edgar walks beside him.

"So," Harold began. "We saw that creature go towards this location."

"That doesn't mean he or she would be here, though." Edgar said.

"That is true. Let's start with what we know. The journalist was investigating a group which we don't know the name of. Let's assume the journalist is dead. Why would anyone want that?"

Edgar makes a show of thought. "The journalist was about to expose the group of something. The group didn't like that they had the journalist killed to silent them."

Harold nods. "Yeah, that's the theory that I'm going with. If only we knew the name of the group. Our only lead was Soleil who is dead now. The next lead we have is knowing that the creature went this way."

At this point, the boys have crossed the bridge and are walking around the western side until Edgar sees a flower shop.

"Hey, look!" Edgar nodded towards the flower shop. "Why don't you get something for Stella? You know, as a surprise." He smiles.

Harold is confused. "For what? It's not her birthday or anything."

"You like her and she likes you. That's reason enough."

"What does this have to do with anything? We're talking about the investigation."

"Yeah, but it looks like we aren't getting anywhere soon. And it's about time to sleep. We can resume in the morning." Edgar proceeds to walk inside the flower shop.

Harold shakes his head. "Really? We're going inside?" After a moment of hesitation, he finally goes inside the shop.

Standing over several pots of flowers is a woman in her early thirties with orange eyes, blonde hair, feet five eight inches wearing an orange dress and brown sandals. She turns around and sees Harold and Edgar coming in. She must be a florist by trade.

"Let me know if you need anything!" the florist called out.

"Will do!" Edgar responded.

Harold and Edgar separately walk around the shop. The former walking to the left side and the latter walking to the right side.

After several minutes, Edgar calls out. "Hey, Harold!"

The florist immediately takes notice of that name and quietly walks closer to Edgar to listen in on the conversation.

Harold walks over to Edgar. "Yeah?"

"I notice you call Stella by a different name. Why is that?" Edgar asked.

"Her given name is Stella and her middle name is Lily. She has a twin sister whose given name is also Stella. So, we call them by their middle names to differentiate the two."

Edgar nods his head in acknowledgement. "Ah, so why don't you get her the lily flowers? She was named after the plant, right?"

Harold smiles. "You're right. Fine, I'll get her some flowers."

With that said, Harold picks up a pot of white lily flowers and proceeds to go to the receptionist, but when he turns around, the florist is already there.

"Oh, excuse me!" said the florist and looked at the flower pot. "Those are lovely. You know what? It's on me. Take it and go!" She smiles.

"Really?" Harold asked. "I mean I can pay. It's no big deal."

The florist shakes her head. "No, I insist!"

After some protest, Harold agreed to accept the lily flowers. He and Edgar then go back to their room at the inn.

Meanwhile, after Harold and Edgar leave the flower shop, the florist goes to the backyard of her shop.

The backyard is filled with varieties of flowers, but mostly lily flowers. Two young men are sitting around and having drinks talking to each other.

"Fabien! Pierre!" the florist called out to them.

"Yeah, Suzette?" they responded in unison.

"I have found the Leaf Wolf and I think he can lead us to the Rainbow Girl."

Fabien and Pierre look at each other.

"They're at the inn on the other side. Be here early tomorrow to make plans."