Luminous Sunset

Chapter Two

The following morning, Suzette woke up early to water her lily flowers. The time is around seven. The same two guys from last night entered her shop.

"Morning, Suzette!" said the one with the purple shirt.

"Fabien," She called him and looked at the guy with the green shirt. "Pierre, go to the inn and follow the Leaf Wolf and the Rainbow Girl. The former is named Harold Vernon. Last night, he was wearing a green shirt like you, Pierre. I don't know if he changed clothes or not, though. He should be with the Rainbow Girl. Find them and take them out. Be careful of the Leaf Wolf!"

With that said, Fabien and Pierre proceed to the inn where Harold and Stella are staying.

That same morning, Harold and Edgar were the first to wake up. Cecilia was next and Stella was the last one. This was expected as Stella likes to sleep in until nine or ten in the morning. The time right now is about eight o'clock.

For breakfast, Stella wanted to try out another pastry shop. This time, it was the crepes that caught her attention. The walk led everyone to the far eastern part of the valley.

Along the way, Harold notices they were being followed by two people. One of them is wearing a purple T-shirt, brown jeans, and black shoes. This person has brown hair and blue eyes. The other person has blonde hair and green eyes and wears a green T-shirt, blue jeans, and white shoes.

"Edgar," Harold whispered, leaning to Edgar's ear. "See those two?" He nods towards the two pursers. "Green shirt and purple shirt?"

Edgar casually yawns and glances at the direction where Harold had pointed to. "Yeah, I see them."

"I believe they're following us."

Stella turns around and smiles at Harold. "What are you guys whispering about?"

"Harold bought flowers for you last night," Edgar said. "But I guess he forgot to give them to you."

Stella smiles. "Awwww! Did you forget or are you waiting for the perfect time?"

Cecilia stops walking and turns around. "You bought Lily flowers? Am I gonna be a grandma soon?"

"Mom!" Stella exclaimed.

Cecilia laughs. "I kid! I kid!"

At this point, they have arrived at the crepe place. Harold opens the door for everyone to walk in. He glances around and sees the two people standing around doing nothing from across the street.

Inside the crepe place, Stella and Cecilia go to the front desk to order food for everyone. Harold and Edgar stay behind at a nearby table.

"They're across the street." Harold said.

"Yeah," Edgar said. "I wonder why they're after us."

"Or whom they are after. Us?" Harold then nods towards Stella and Cecilia. "Or them?"

Edgar glances at the mother-daughter duo and looks back at Harold. "Them? Why them? I think they're after us. I mean we are the police and we are investigating this thing."

Stella and Cecilia return with eight crepes total and sit down at the table.

"They have so much flavor," Stella said. "So I wanted to try as many as I could."

Cecilia sighs. "With this much sweet, I might gain some weight."

Stella frowns. "Why do you need to worry about your weight? Dad still loves you."

"Lily, dear! Just enjoy your crepe!"

Without hesitation, Stella picks up one of the crepes and quickly eats it with excitement in her saffron-colored eyes.

After eating, Harold looks at everyone with a serious look. "I believe it's time to tell you guys this. See those two guys over there? Green shirt and purple shirt?"

Stella and Cecilia look around and see the two guys that Harold mentioned.

"They had been following us since we left the inn." Harold notices Stella looking worried. "But don't worry. To find out whom they're after, Edgar will go somewhere on his own. One of them should follow after him. Then I'll go and hopefully, the other guy will go after me."

"And if they don't follow anyone?" Cecilia asked.

Harold glances at the two guys. "I'm sure they'll follow. They're still here." He looks at Edgar. "I'm sure you can handle yourself?"

Edgar nods and goes out the door. He turns right and goes off where Harold, Stella, and Cecilia can no longer see him.

About ten seconds later, the guy in the green shirt starts to follow after Edgar. Now, the only guy standing across the street is the one with the purple shirt.

"Alright," Harold said, looking across the street. "The green shirt guy went after Edgar, so that leaves the purple shirt guy to me." He turns to Stella and Cecilia. "I'll drive that guy away. You ladies can do your thing. I'll meet up with Edgar after I'm done and then meet up with you guys at the inn later."

"Good luck, Harold!" Stella said. "I hope you guys make it back safe."

Harold frowns. "You're making it seem like we're going to war or something."

"Hihi! Just trying to be supportive. I don't think you'll need it, though!"

"You can go now, Harold." Cecilia said.

Harold stands up and goes out the door. Instead of turning to the right, he turns to the left.

After leaving the mother-daughter duo at the pastry shop, Harold continues to walk around the nearby area. It took about a minute before Harold noticed that the purple shirt guy was following him.

If Harold were able to detect surveillance this easily, then the one following him must not be skilled in tradecraft. Or that was the thinking because the purple shirt guy didn't even try to hide his presence.

The walk from the pastry shop led Harold to the southern area of the eastern part of the valley.

Now that there are witnesses around, Harold can confront the purple shirt guy. The only thing in the surrounding area is the wildlife.

"I know you're following me!" Harold called out without facing the guy. He turns around and the purple shirt guy is sprinting towards Harold with a Sword in his right hand.