Writing

To Andy, as always, thanks for the Tea.

Acknowledgements:
My thanks to all my friends who've taken such an interest in this work, and who's eyes don't totally glaze over when I start talking about it and for egging me on.
Thanks also to 'deamburnt', the creator of the 'word count catch-up' thread on the NaNoWriMo forums. It helped so much.
And last, but by no means least, my eternal, undying gratitude to the makers of generic supermarket own-brand energy drink. I couldn't have done this with out you guys.

I would also like to apologise to Andy, Kat, Jade-who-I-RPG-with, Greg, Major, Jade-who-I-work-with, and any one else I pissed off during the writing of this. NaNoWriMo ate my brain. But don't worry, normal service will be resumed come December ^.^

Eight o'clock and all's well, Tayna thought as she strolled from the library, her place of work, to a cafÉ down the street for a late dinner. The street was fairly dim, but Tayna wasn't worried; she'd walked this route hundreds of times with no ill happenings. However, today was different. Today, the air seemed electric.

As she rounded a corner, Tayna saw 2 men walking towards her. She moved politely to one side but the men did not.
"Excuse me," she said, trying to pass.
"Aww, don't you want to chat, luv?" asked one of the men, catching hold of her shoulder. She looked up at him. He was tall, wiry, dressed in flashy gold jewellery and grinning in an unpleasant manner.
"Actually, no. I don't, thanks all the same," Tayna told him trying to sound confident, angry. She turned back to walk the way she'd come, but found one of the others blocking her path. A small frightened noise escaped her throat. This one was shorter, more heavily built, just as imposing. He pushed her back, the other grabbed her arms. Tayna felt her heart quicken, her breath gasp, throat clench in terror. She knew she had to scream, kick out, do something, anything, but her body refused to obey her.
"Just a quick kiss, luv," the second said, reaching to cup her cheek. She pulled away.
"Let me go!"
"Now why would we want to do that?" asked the first. "We only want to have a little fun." Tayna felt him move closer to her back.
"Stop it! Get off me!" she started to struggle.
"Oh don't you just love it when they squirm?" the first said to the second, who smirked back.
"Excuse me," said a new voice, behind the second.
"Huh?" the second turned, and Tayna heard a crunch, saw him stagger back towards her groping at his face. She screamed, then screamed again as a hand grabbed from the side and tugged her from the first one's grip.
Suddenly a dark, hairy face zoomed into Tayna's. Time seemed to stop momentarily before the face urged, "Run!" She forced her self forward, past the face, back to the way she'd come, feet pounding the ground as she crashed back into the library.

Somewhere, some when, somebody sneezed.

Her feet were still moving, her eyes shut when Tayna felt herself falling. She screamed yet again, because it seemed like an appropriate thing to do. But she was very surprised to find herself eating leaf litter once she had hit the ground. She pushed herself to her knees and, kneeling, looked around. It was very dark, the kind of dark only found in the middle of the country side. Looking up, all she could see was a few pin pricks of stars. Back on the ground, pale silvery moon light scattered down through the trees around her, making ghostly puddles of light. Back behind her, she could hear the sounds of what could be described as a violent fight – She could hear tree branches being brought crashing to the ground, and the clang of steel on scale. Where the hell am I? Was Tayna's only coherent though, as she stood, nonplussed in the chill air, the fight sounds ringing around her and through to the rest of the dark night, the shafts of silver casting shadows that pooled around her knees. She stood, reached to brush herself down and discovered she wasn't wearing very much. She yelped, and looked down at herself. In place of her jeans, sweater, jacket and comfy trainers was a huge cloak, leather skirt, knee-high boots and worst of all, a leather breast plate that left not much to the imagination. "Heh? What...? Why am wearing this? Where... Where am I?" she looked around again, turning this time, seeing nothing my the dark pillars of tree trunks. "And, just what the fuck is going on here!" she demanded of the universe. Unsurprisingly, the universe deemed her unworthy, and refused answer her paltry question, so Tayna glared at it instead [which the universe managed to ignore, even with an air of superiority], turned on her heal and headed, slightly doubtfully, to the sounds of battle.

Peaking out from behind a tree, Tayna could see a man, human, fighting two huge purple and neon green spotted monsters, with huge horns and tusks and very sharp looking claws. The poor guy seemed to be loosing badly to the monsters. The smart thing to do is walk away, she told herself. I probably hit my head on the library door and this all a bad dream. She turned to walk away, when she heard the man cry out. Worry that this was not a dream churned in her gut. He cried out again and she hurried back to see what was happening.

The man had dropped to one knee, a hand clutched to his side, blood seeping out between his fingers like little crimson rivulets. One of the monsters was dead, it's throat split wide open and oozing green goo, but the other was very much alive and advancing towards the hapless man with malicious intent, licking it's chops and roaring ferociously.
That really looks like real blood. Tayna thought to herself anxiously. Suddenly, as if propelled by an all-seeing hand, Tayna saw the man lift his head, and look right towards her. At the same time, the moon came out and shone down, bathing the scene with clear silver light. Tayna gasped, That man, he's the one who saved me! I have to help him... But how? She looked desperately around, searching for something to use as a weapon, when her eye landed on something shining in the moonlight. She hurried across, to find a beautiful sword, leather hilted, with a deep azure pommel stone, thrust into the ground upright, near a broad limbed oak tree. With out thinking she grabbed it, and ran back to the clearing. Curiously the sword didn't seem heavy, nor did it seem to get in her way as she ran.

Only a quick glance was needed to confirm that the man was still in mortal danger. Without much thought, Tayna gripped the sword in both hands raised it above her head, and ran screaming into the clearing. With a mighty effort she swung the sword at the beast's legs. The monster paused in it's advance.
"Merr?" it asked, looking back over it's shoulder.
"Yeep!" she replied. "Good monster, nice monster, please don't hurt me, oh my god, oh my god." As she waved the sword about in what she hoped was a confident and professional manner, the creature turned towards her. It roared at her in anger, and took one giant step towards her. "Yarg!" Tayna said, frozen to the spot.
Suddenly, the monster went cross-eyed, said, "Roar?" and began to topple forwards.
"Milady!" came a voice from behind the monster. "I advise that thou shouldst shift it!" the voice was all that Tayna needed to bring her out of her panicked daze.
"Milady!" came the voice again, more insistent this time.
"Yes, okay, running now!" she yelled back, managing a hint of sarcasm even in this most desperate of situations, and ran, not a second too soon, as the monster tumbled down to where she had been stood. The shock wave from the creature's fall caused Tayna to stumble, but before she could fall, strong hands grabbed and held her.
"Milady, are you hurt?" Tayna looked up into that face again, then flushed as she realised he held her naked waist. She pulled back abruptly.
"My thanks kind sir," she replied, "but, pray: who art thou, and what hath happened to us... And why in the hell am I talking like a bad Shakespearian actor?" she shook her head trying to clear the urge.
"Milady, those are prudent questions, however I feel some food, some heat, some rest and possibly some bandages would be advisable before they can be answered."
"Yes! Of course, you're side! Are you badly injured?"
"Nay, Milady, 'Tis but a scratch. Come, we must find a suitable resting place, away from these foul creatures."
"Okay, but one thing..." The Man looked at her, an eyebrow arched in question. "Please, please, stop calling me 'Milady'."
"Of course ma'am." Tayna, glared at his back as he set off ahead of her to find some place for them to rest.

Soon enough, they came to a small, shallow cave, with pleasant dry sand for the floor, that successfully managed to keep out the worst of the bitter wind that had sprung up.
"Look, I expect we should get a fire going, that's what seems to happen in most adventure books I've read. Since you are injured, why don't you wait here and I shall fetch some wood."
"But, Ma'am, 'tis dangerous indeed out there in the forest. I should go."
"Do I need to point out that you are bleeding copiously from one side, and that I still have this?" she waggled the sword at him. "It'll all be fine, as long as one of us can work out how to start a fire. Yes," she continued in muttered tones to herself, "it's all going to be fine. Quite peachy in fact. Wonderfully dandy. Just. Fine."

When she returned, the man's bleeding had miraculously stopped and save for a few spots of dark brown on the floor, there was no evidence he ever had been. Tayna dropped the wood.
"Your side, the bleeding, it's stopped," she said. The man waved an empty vial at her.
"Healing potion apparently. Good thing to," he told her. He stood. "I don't believe we've been introduced yet. My name is Jeremiah." He held out his hand toward her. She took it.
"Tayna. What is going on here?"
"I've really no idea. All I know is that one moment I'm fighting those cronies who attacked you, the next the whole world has changed and I'm fighting monsters. What about you? What's the last thing you remember?"
"I was running... I fell through the library door and landed in a forest." They stared at each other for a moment.
"So what do we do now?" Tayna asked.
"Warmth, food, sleep." Jeremiah told her. "As I said before, it's pretty pointless trying to find answers now. We need to eat and rest. Help me build up a fire."
"Umm, how?"
"What do you mean 'how'?"
"I've never built a fire before, I don't know how to do it."
"How could you not know?"
"I've lived in the city most of my life."
"Oh. Well then, go and find me about ten large pebbles. This size." He cupped his hands for her to see what size he meant
"Okay..." Tayna turned and walked into the forest, scanning the ground for rocks. She wished she knew exactly what was going on, but a nasty feeling in her gut told her Jeremiah knew more than he was letting on. Maybe he was even the cause of all this... But to what end? What on earth good would it do him, bringing me here like this? Unfortunately, Tayna was so absorbed in her thinking, she didn't see the rock until she had tripped over it. Picking herself up off the ground, she found that scattered around her where ten rocks, of exactly the right size. She frowned. It was as though someone had left them there for her to find. Tayna shrugged and picked them anyway.

"Hey Jeremiah," Tayna called when she got back. "I found- Jeremiah?" she looked around. He'd started a fire, so she carefully arranged the rocks around the outside. From somewhere had appeared what resembled sleeping bags. Warmth, sleep... Maybe he went to get food. She pondered. Suddenly she felt her legs weaken. Those beds looked so comfortable... but Jeremiah was still missing. I should look for him.
"Jeremiah?" she called, stumbling towards the beds. "Oh my head," she muttered as sparkles danced in front of her eyes. "Jeremiah?" she whispered as her legs finally gave way and her vision darkened, until she was completely unaware of hitting the ground.

When she came too, Tayna found herself lying in a huge four-poster bed. She groaned and sat up. Sun streamed through a bay window as she looked around. The room was fairly large, had unlit oil lamps and to one side of the room was a dressing table covered with beauty products. On a hanger at the end of the bed was the most outrageous dress Tayna had ever seen. It was white and covered with red bows, and frills and ruffles.
"Oh dear gods," she breathed. "Where the hell am I now?"

Sighing dramatically, Tayna climbed out of the bed to discover she was wearing only underwear and a nightdress. "There has to be something better to wear than that," she said to herself, giving the dress a disgusted look. "I'll look like a strawberry meringue! But then... I can hardly wear a nightdress all the time." She plucked at the offending garment, before moving to the edge of the room in search of a closet. However, once she discovered that all the clothes were equally frilly, and that the strawberry meringue was the least offensive, Tayna reluctantly put the thing on and studied her reflection.

She was a pale girl with dark hair, always bright red lips, and consequently had gained the nick-name 'snow white' at school. She'd hated it then, but now cherished it. Surprisingly the meringue dress looked good on her, highlighting her curvaceous figurer, ivory skin and ebony hair that tumbled over her shoulder. She sighed again. I may look good, but I still feel like a complete twazzock. Tayna turned to look at the door.
"I suppose I should see what's out there," she muttered to herself, and strode towards the door.

On opening it, Tayna found herself in a corridor with a flight of stairs leading down. Pulling herself together she descended. At the bottom she could see a man stood. At the sound of her approach he turned around.
"Jeremiah!" Tayna cried happily and hurried down. She was still a few steps from the ground when he clasped her by the waist, spun her off the step and dipped her. Suddenly his face seemed very close. He's going to kiss me!
"What the hell are you doing?" She cried. He paused.
"I have no idea," he let her stand. "Really sorry about that. Don't know what came over me." He looked down at himself. "Got any idea's why I'm wearing this?" Tayna looked at him. He certainly cut a dashing figure. Now she was able to see him in daylight, she took closer inspection of him. He was around the same age as herself, had dark hair that curled just above his shoulders and a slight build that was wrapped in a white shirt, fancy waistcoat and suit. She felt a small sigh escape her lips.
"Youhoo?" Jeremiah waved a hand in front of her face. "I asked if you had any ideas why I'm wearing this. Or why, for that matter, you are wearing that." Tayna's eyes glassed over.
"You do look rather dashing though. Like a dream..."
"Reh?" Jeremiah flushed. "Well, well, you look like a shapely meringue."
"What!" Tayna flushed too, and fussed at the skirt. Suddenly she stopped and looked up. "My gods, I think I just worked this out. Have you ever read a romance novel?"
"Uh. No."
"Well, that kind of embarrassed interlude, it's a classic plot device. Deus ex machina."
"God in the machine. How do you know that?"
"I work in a Library. I have access to a large amount of books, and not much to do. How do you think I know?"
"Wait, you're telling me we're in a book?"
"I don't know what I'm telling you. We seem to be bouncing through genres though," she glanced through a window. "Fantasy, Romance. What's next I wonder?"
"Hopefully something that doesn't include me wearing such silly clothes," he muttered. Tayna giggled at him.
"Maybe we should go and get some food first. Shall we good Sir?" she held out her arm grinning. He shrugged and took her arm.
"May as well." They strolled through the house to discover a dining room with a full spread of breakfast food: Bacon, egg, sausages, black pudding, grilled tomatoes, toast, orange juice, tea, coffee.
"Mm, smells wonderful," Tayna commented as she sat. Jeremiah sat also, and immediately started reaching for a plate.
"Allow me sir." Tayna started in her seat, Jeremiah stood halfway up before they both noticed the bald, ageing butler at the end of the room. Jeremiah sat and let out a nervous laugh.
"Jenkins! You startled me a mite there old chap. Yes, yes carry on."
"It's Jeffreys sir, and thank you sir," the butler served them as Tayna shot Jeremiah a slightly freaked out look across the table. Soon enough the butler had finished, and stood patiently by the doors.
"Err, thank you Jeffreys, you may go now." The butler gave Jeremiah an arched look, before bowing slightly and departing, with,
"Very good sir. Ma'am."
"Wow, what a creepy man," Tayna said. "I wonder where exactly we are."
"More to the point, what book are we in?" asked Jeremiah in between mouthfuls. "And how are we supposed to get out of it?"
"Well, every time I pass out we seem to end up in a new genre. Whether we're changing books too I don't know. Maybe it's a new kind of book that encompasses all genres."
"You are suggesting that we're characters, figment's of someone's over-active imagination? God I hope we get to meet the hack that's writing this, just so I can give him a bloody nose."
"Jeremiah, please. It's just speculation. I expect that there is some reasonable explanation for this, one that involves rips in the time/space continuum and my library," Tayna sipped her tea, thinking speculatively.
"Yes," muttered Jeremiah, "because that's perfectly reasonable."
"After all," Tayna continued, not hearing him, "I did fall through the library doors when this all started out. Maybe we'll end up in a Sci-Fi next, with someone who can explain it all."
"Or maybe we'll just get some lame robot who repeats everything we say to up the author's word count. I bet it's some fifty year old goit who still lives in his mothers basement."
"Shut up, please. You might be happy considering if your a figment of someone's imagination, but I find it disturbing."
"Oh. Sorry," he coughed and looked down at his plate. They ate in silence until Jeremiah broke it.
"So, the only way we can travel between genres is for you to be out cold for a while?"
"Looks like it." Jeremiah nodded and stood. "Hey, where are you going?" Tayna asked.
"To find, alcohol, chloroform or, at a pinch, a big stick."
"What! Hey, no. You are not purposefully knocking me out," she stood also. "We don't know if it works only on me. Why don't I find the chloroform, and you can get yourself comfortable." He considered for a moment.
"No."
"Oh come on! I've done it twice. Since you seem to be moving with me, it's your turn."
"No!"
"Dammit, please?"
"No means 'no'."
"I'll be gentle, and I won't let anything embarrassing happen to you while you're out. Please?"
"Grrr, oh fine! Just don't hit me too hard or anything." Tayna smiled.
"Sure, Be right back."

"Jeffreys?" Tayna called.
"Yes ma'am?" The butler replied, stepping from a doorway. She jumped slightly.
"Oh, there you are. Jeffreys, do we have any chloroform?"
"Ma'am?"
"Yes or no, do we have any?"
"Yes ma'am, but may one ask why?"
"No one may not. Please bring it to the sitting room."
"Yes ma'am," he said reluctantly.

Tayna walked to the lush, and unfortunately pale pink sitting room.
"Did you find any?" Jeremiah asked.
"Yes, that creepy butler, Jeffreys, is bringing it. Comfy?"
"I suppose."
They sat for a while, before the door opened and admitted the butler.
"Your chloroform, ma'am." Tayna took it from him.
"Thank you, that will be all." Jeffreys nodded and withdrew.
"Getting use to having him around are we?" Jeremiah asked mockingly.
"Oh hush. I still think he's creepy," she glanced out the patio doors at the end of the sitting room and studied the view. The house seemed to be built on top of a hill or cliff, as she could see down into a cove where the surf seemed to caress the shore. She could see children playing on the beach, their parents relaxing in the sun. It could have been painted, it was so perfect.
"Where d'you think it all goes?" she asked quietly.
"All what?"
"Everything. The house, the scenery, the people. Where does it go when we've moved on?" Jeremiah sat up and rested a hand on her arm.
"I don't know. Maybe they live on in the authors mind. I'm sure he'd not forget somewhere like this," he looked into her eyes before settling back. "I'm ready when you are." Tayna sighed again, took one last glance out the window and nodded firmly.
"I'm ready," she smiled. "Sweet dreams." Tayna poured some of the chloroform on to a handkerchief that conveniently happened to be on a coffee table next to them and held it over his mouth. Slowly Jeremiah's eyes dropped and he was unconscious.
"Out like a light."

Sometime later Jeremiah opened his eyes. With some effort he sat up and looked around. Tayna was sat at a small dining table not far from him, late afternoon sunshine streaming through a window.
"What happened?" he asked.
"Nothing," she replied bitterly. "We're still here, in the romance department."
"Why didn't you move us on when you knew nothing would happen."
"I figured we might end up in some situation where it would be better if one of us was awake."
"Yeah, good point."
Tayna turned from the window and looked at him. "How are you feeling? Ready to move on?"
"Give me a sec. I'm still a little groggy." Tayna nodded and resumed looking out of the window.
"Anything interesting happen while I was gone?" Jeremiah asked. Tayna drummed her heals on the chair.
"Nope. How are you feeling now?"
"Better, thanks. Not keen to move on are you?" Tayna slowly turned towards him, and shot him a venomous look.
"There is nothing outside of this house and a few meters in any direction."
"What d'you mean?"
"Exactly that. It's hard to describe exactly what kind of nothing it is, but it's as though the world beyond this house just hasn't been written yet."
"I see," Jeremiah stood and stretched. "Make yourself comfy." he told her, extending a hand to the couch. Tayna sighed, pushed her chair back, and, as she stood, the world went into slow motion. Jeremiah saw her rise, slowly, gracefully from the chair. In one smooth motion she smoothed her dress down, then stood fully erect as she flicked her hair out behind her and over her shoulder. Jeremiah could have sworn little stars flickered around her as she did this.
"I think," he said mesmerised. "I think there is something we need to do before we go."
"Oh? What's that?" His feet took him swiftly across the floor to her, until he stood so close he could feel her body heat. Gently, he cupped her cheek.
"Jeremiah, what are you-" He put a finger to her lips.
"Shh, trust me."
She stayed silent, wide-eyed and trembling as he lifted her face toward his. Gently he lowered his lips on to hers. She was so soft, so warm. Softly he kissed her, then drew back to look into her eyes. She was speechless, but he could see through her eyes, her mind was in turmoil.
"I'm sorry," he whispered, "but I think that was something we had to do to move on." Tayna nodded, her legs weak. Jeremiah snaked an arm around her waist.
"Ready?" he asked. She nodded. He picked up the chloroformed handkerchief and pressed it over her mouth. Her eyes flickered, and the last thing she saw was his loving smile.

Tayna came too with a pounding head. Sitting up she found herself lying in what appeared to be a pile of old sheets in a huge warehouse. It was very dark, but a full moon shone down through skylights. There was a strong odour in the air, one she couldn't quite work out. She looked down at herself. Thank the gods, no more frumpy dresses. Instead she seemed to be wearing tight jeans, and a black roll-neck sweater with flat shoes. Finally, something I walk in and not feel silly. She opened her mouth to call for Jeremiah, then stopped, flushing at the memory of his kiss.
"Damn him!" She grumbled, and stood, wobbling slightly. "Dragging a girl though genres, only to kiss and run. Bastard." she looked around again trying to find an exit, seeing only stacks of boxes and pallets. Suddenly she thought she heard something, and spun around. There was nothing. She suddenly realised she was gripping something. Tayna looked at her hand.
"Reh!" In her surprise the silver cross clattered to the floor, along with blood drops where it had pierced her hand. She stared at it wide-eyed, before pulling herself together.
"Stop being so silly. It's just a cross, and there is nothing here. It's just the wind or something." She giggled a high pitched, nervous giggle, and stooped to pick up the cross.
As she did so, she felt something rush by and brush her legs. She gasped, stood bolt upright and very still, the cross again tightly clutched in her hand. Tayna realised she was holding her breath, and let it out slowly, trying to calm her racing heart.
"Huh well, if Mister 'I have to kiss you' isn't going to save the day this time, I suppose I should do it myself." She glanced around again at the boxes. "If I can't see an exit, then I'll just have to go find one. There has to be an exit from this place somewhere." She huffed moodily and set her shoulders, trying to get her courage up. Tayna lifted herself up on the ball of one foot and spun herself, arm out stretched. She stopped randomly, opened her eyes and set off down the chosen 'corridor' of boxes.

I wonder what sort of stuff is being kept in this warehouse? Tayna thought as she walked along. Her fingers itched to open a crate and find out, but aside from the fact she had no tools, good sense [or maybe it was fear] prevented her from doing so. It was very quiet, the only sounds her gentle breathing and the tip-tip-tip of her shoes.
Suddenly she shivered, a spine tingling chill, the kind she'd only ever read about. She froze, certain she was being watched. Tayna struggled to control her breathing, to stop her legs from fleeing on their own. Of their own volition, her eyes filled with water as her nose twitched spasmodically. Under control at last she spun around to find there was nothing. She stared at the space behind her, trembling. She had been so sure... Still staring at the empty space, she backed away slowly before turning and hurrying down another 'corridor', without realising it was a different one.

Wow, I've been walking a long time, Tayna thought. There has to be an edge to this place, surely? To try and dispel the silence she began to sing,
"I don't know,
what words I can say.
The wind has a way,
to talk to me.

Flowers sleep,
a silent lullaby.
I pray for reply,
I'm ready." As she began the second verse, Tayna was sure she heard another voice beside hers. She stopped singing. There was no other sound.
"Huh, must have been an echo." She mused, trying to ignore the sound-absorbing properties of wood. She continued,
"Quiet days calm me,
oh serenity.
Some one please tell me,
ohm, what is it-"
Abruptly she stopped, but the other voice carried on,
"What is it they say? Maybe I'll know one day...." The haunting tune petered out, and ended with a ghostly giggle, much like a child's. Tayna felt her blood run chill, as her nose twitched again.
"H-hello? Is someone there?" She sneezed violently as a ghostly hand seemed to slip through hers. "AaaaAAAH!" Completely freaked out now, she turned and ran pell-mell back through the labyrinth of boxes, towards one of the warehouse walls.
Suddenly a bright light, followed by a huge dark figure blocked her way. She screamed as she tried to stop, but was unable to stop herself crashing into it. "Aah! Let go of me! Let go! Let go! Let go!"
"Now then Miss, I'll let go of yer if yer can tell me what y'are doin' wanderin' round this 'ere storage facili'y int'dead of night."
"W-who are you? I don't know! I just woke up here! Please, don't hurt me!" she sobbed in reply.
"Name's Joe, I'm a security guard here. Now, calm down Miss. Why don't you come along wid me and have a nice cuppa, eh? Then we can answer each other's questions."
"Yes! Anything! Get me out of here, please. Please!" Joe shone his torch at her face.
"Okay, okay. Well, now, you're as white as a sheet. Seen ghostly 'app'nin's, has yer?" All Tayna could manage was a strangled sob. Joe carefully put his arm around her and lead her through the maze of crates to his office.

"'Ere we go Miss," Joe said, handing her a cup of extra sweet, extra milky tea. They were sat in his office, a small bright room full of small televisions each showing different aspects of the warehouse.
"All better now, eh?" Tayna gulped half the mug before nodding.
"Yes, thank you," she took another swig. "I'm sorry about the whole screaming thing, it's just, I-" Tayna stopped, and looked intently at the mug. He'll never believe me. But then, she glanced at one of the TVs, do I? Joe seemed not to notice her sudden confusion.
"It's no matter miss. Now, I hope you'll not mind, Miss, but since yer seem a bit calmer, I'm needin' to ask yer some questions." Tayna nodded.
"I understand. It's okay." Joe nodded, and flipped open a shorthand note book.
"Now then, what's yer name?"
"Tayna. Tayna Davies. That's tee ay why en ay, dee ay ve aye ee es." Joe lifted one eyebrow. She flushed. "I'm sorry, it's just a lot of people have trouble with it. In fact, I remember one time-" Joe cleared his throat. Tayna flushed again.
"Address?" Joe asked.
"Seventy one, Maple Drive, Bethesda, Maryland."
"Wha'?"
"Uh, the United States of America." Joe stared at her blankly for a while before seeming to shrug and write it down.
"Now comes the hard bit Miss Davies. How did yer get into this facili'y int'first place?"
"I don't know. I woke up, and there I was." Joe looked at her closely for a moment, before writing that down too.
"An' whut's the last thing yer remember?" Tayna flushed deep crimson.
"Kissing... a boy. A friend. At his place," she felt her face go even hotter, but her mouth continued to explain regardless of her brain thought. "It wasn't a party or anything. We were-" Oh gods, he's going to commit me if I say 'Well, actually, you see, these guys were trying to rape me and this other guy came along and saved me but now we're stuck in some literary genre dimension and he had to kiss me so that we could move on and maybe get home.' Shit, what am I going to say? Then inspiration hit like a line man for the Dallas Cowboys. She flushed even brighter, and looked coyly at her lap.
"Well, we were doing what many young lovers do, if you catch my drift," she smiled at him shyly and continued. "I guess the emotional, the sexual, tension got a little much. Though how I ended up here is entirely beyond me," she fluttered her eyelashes for extra effect and sat back.
"So," Joe said, looking sheepishly at his notebook, blushing slightly, "let me see if I 'ave this right. You an' your lad was havin' a bit of a how's ya father, when it all got a bit much an' you fainted. When you woke you was 'ere. No rhyme or reason to it?"
"That sounds about right, yes."
"So what was all that yellin' and screamin' about?"
"I, err," Tayna sighed. She had to tell him eventually. "I though that someone was following me, and or there was a ghost in there with me. It's pretty silly huh?" she giggled nervously. "I guess I freaked myself out a little." Joe gave her a funny look, before scribbling that down as well. "So," she drummed her fingers on the side of the mug. "Is that all?" Joe shook his head slowly as he finished writing.
"I'm really sorry about this Miss, but that warehouse has a lot of valuable ar'ifac's in it. I have to make sure you didn't nick anythin'. If you could stand up please?"
"Really Joe, I was running around, lost and scared witless. I didn't take anything."
"I know, but still I have to check. If you would." Tayna sighed and stood with her arms stuck out, cruciform, as Joe gently patted her sides and trouser legs. He stopped when he hit her pocket.
"Miss Davies, could yer remove what's in yer right trouser pocket." She frowned, but did so, holding the sliver cross out in front of herself for him to inspect.
"It was in my hand when I woke. Probably a gift from that no-good lover of mine," she told him, rolling her eyes at the mention of her 'no-good lover'. Damn that Jeremiah! She thought crossly. Joe sat and reached into a drawer. As he pulled out a huge book and began to flick through.
"Ah. 'Ere we go. The cross please," he held out his hand. Tayna handed it to him. He seemed to be scanning the pages, looking alternately from the book to the cross. Finally, after much humming and hawing he handed it back. "It's okay, it's not one of ours. Sorry, Miss Davies-"
"But you have to check, I know. You're very good at your job, Joe. Be proud," Tayna smiled at him.
"Thank you Miss," he grinned back. "I hope you don't mind me asking, but what did you hear in there? The other guards have told me about the visits they get from ghosts while on the night shift, but I've never experienced anything." Tayna stared at him. Others have experienced this stuff?
"Well, uh. I thought something was in there with me. I thought I could hear it moving around and watching me, and I also thought I felt it touch me. Um, and I was scared, so I started singing and there was another voice singing with me, a child," her eyes began to water, and her nose to twitch again, but she continued. "And just before I ran into you I heard a child giggle and, and a hand, a child's, in mine," Tayna sneezed violently, once, twice. She looked up, eyes streaming to find Joe staring at her. Tayna wiped her eyes on her sleeve.
"What is it?"
"You can't be. There hasn't been one here for decades."
"Be one what?"
"I was told that it was hereditary. There's no way..."
"Joe! Be one what?"
"A spirit sensor."

Tayna blew her nose loudly in the handkerchief Joe handed her.
"Joe, what are you talking about? What is a 'spirit sensor'?" he looked down at his hands. He mumbled, seemingly debating with himself.
"I shouldn't, I shouldn't tell her. Get someone who really knows to, but, she's so curious. No take her to Madam, Madam will explain much better. Yes. But I shouldn't leave my post, so many artefacts. Directions," he looked up. "If I write them down, do you think you could follow directions to someone who can really explain?"
"Yes, I should think so." Joe nodded, again seemingly to himself and set about finding pen and paper and writing something down. Finally he handed it to her.
"Please follow these directions and tell Madame Fox that I sent you and you are what you are."
"Oookay."
"And be careful. I don't know what it's like in the United States of America, but our streets can be quite rough at times." Tayna smiled. "I'll be fine," she told him.

As she walked away from the warehouse, waving goodbye to Joe, Tayna pondered. I wonder who this Madame Fox woman is, and what Joe meant about the streets being 'rough'. Maybe they're cobbled. I wonder why he seemed to think that my perfectly normal reaction to the supernatural was so special. I've always been like this, ever since I was little and Kate and I told each other stories under the covers at night. Maybe, maybe I was brought here for a reason, to help these people, with whatever is wrong here.
I wonder where that blasted Jeremiah got to. You'd think that we'd have moved on together like the last two times. Maybe he got stuck in Romance. Ha! Serve him right if he did. After all he was so mean to the author, I bet it's really a pretty she competing in some novel writing competition. I hope she wins...
As she walked, Tayna noticed the streets where completely empty and the night very cold. Mist and hot water vapour from vents in the ground jumped together, had a fight, rolled around, then sulked and went their separate ways. The architectures was exactly like she had seen in some period drama for Victorian London. For the first time, she wondered where she was and what the time really was.
Following the directions, Tayna was easily able to make it to 'Madame Fox's' with out much trouble, and with no harassment. However, when she arrived, she hesitated to ring the bell. It's the middle of the goramn night, I know I'd be pissed if someone woke me up this late. But... I've nowhere else to go. And it's cold. Maybe Jeremiah's with her. Her eyes lit up at the though, before she cursed herself for doing it. Angry at herself, she sighed.
"Oh dammit. What the hell," she muttered, and pushed the button.

She heard the clanging of a bell come from deep within the house, rushing out to scold her for her impudence. There was silence for a long while after it stopped, stretching into the darkness like a particularly lithe cat, when suddenly above her a window flew open.
"Who's there? Waddaya want with me, so late is the hour, can't a body get an inch of rest? Well then speak up, if you've a tongue to wag and and a mind to speak." Tayna cleared her throat.
"Err, Madam? My name is Tayna Davies, I was sent by Joe," she had a sudden urge to tack on the end 'He's from the button factory', but successfully resisted. "He, uh, he said you could explain to me what a 'spirit sensor' is." Just as abruptly as it opened, the window shut with a thud and the tinkle of poorly fitted glass. Tayna heard footsteps running down through the house and up to the front door. It was opened by a tall thin and pale lady, still in a heavy white nightgown, her grey hair in disarray.
"A spirit sensor eh? Can't say I've seen the likes of you for a while," she looked Tayna up and down. "Well then, come in if you're coming," she said, standing back from the door.

Tayna eyed the woman before stepping across the threshold into a huge lobby. At the furthest end was a huge staircase, leading up into the darkness. A few portraits of men in proud postures adorned the walls. The woman herself was holding a candle. Odd, Tayna though, The security guard had TVs, which means electricity. Why does this one only have a candle?
"So, and so," the woman said, shutting the door. "You are a spirit sensor, hum? What is your name, then? And where would you hail from, and who might you kin be, hum?"
"Whoa, slow down. I'm sorry, but are you Madame Fox?" Tayna asked. "I want to speak to her. I will only answer her questions." The woman leant back and regarded her.
"A fox you seek is it then? Well then, well then," the woman began to walk away. "Come on then, if you're coming and have legs to take you." She beckoned to Tayna who followed, not wishing to be left in the dark.

The woman lead Tayna to a small room, with large armchairs and a fireplace. A bookcase stood against one wall and in the centre was a small table. Like a parlour. Tayna though.
"Take a seat, yes, take a seat please now," the woman told her motioning to the chairs while she went around the room lighting oil lamps that cast a warm, if not very bright, glow over the room. Tayna chose the smallest chair that stood one side of the central table. When she had finished, the woman turned back to Tayna and said,
"Well then, well then. Here I am then, here would be the fox you seek. I believe some answering would be in order now. Yes, Q and A, question and answers. If you can still recall, some answers the fox would like, if you please." Tayna stared at the woman, Madame Fox, for a moment. Fox indeed! The woman is certifiable. She though. I am getting dizzy just listening to her speak. But she nodded and began to speak in answer Madame Fox's questions.
"As I said before, my name is Tayna Davies. I'm from Bethesda in America, which no one seems to know about here. As for my kin, well, I don't have any. I've been orphaned as long as any one can tell."
"Well now, well now. That adds quite a twist, yes an interesting twist, to this little tale, now doesn't it?" Madame Fox steepled her fingers and tapped them together.
"Okay," Tayna said leaning forward in her chair, "my turn I believe. What the hell is a spirit sensor and why does Joe, the security guard, seem to adamant that I am one?"
"Well now, well now, what a curious thing: a sensor that doesn't know what or how she is. Well now then, let us see. Let us see.
"A spirit sensor is a one, yes, usually a male one, who knows when there are other ones, spirits, beasties, critters, things that go bump in the night, around. Doesn't have to see them. Doesn't have to hear them. That one, that sensor, he just knows. Some ones get itching in their palms, some other ones get a tingle on the scalp, and yet some other ones get a twitchy, tickley nose. I wonder. I wonder, which of those ones might you be? Hum?" Madame Fox leaned forward also, her nose barely inches for Tayna's own.
"I- My eyes run and I sneeze," Tayna lent back and looked away, finding the other woman's gaze to intense.
"And yet," Madame Fox continued, "and yet, it is so curious, so curious indeed, that we have here a female sensor with no kin, no blood to link her, and not from around abouts either. How could it be that you are not a sensor? Maybe your sweet guard was wrong. Maybe our Joe needs himself to be tweaked, fine tuned a little, Hum. Hum hmm. A test perhaps. Yes. Perhaps we should run a test, a small experiment, maybe even perhaps a scenario."
"Hey, wait a minute!"
"Yes, yes yes!" Madame Fox grabbed Tayna's arm and pulled her from her chair and through the door. Tayna pulled back.
"No, stop! I'm not doing some stupid test. I don't know why I even bothered with this, I only want to go home!" she tugged her arm back. "Would you let go of me, crazy old bint! Let GO!" Madame Fox turned back as Tayna finally wrenched her arm from the other woman's grip. Tayna stood there, her hands on her head. She was so confused; she wanted to run away, and cry and shout some more, all at the same time.
"I don't care. I don't care. I want to go home. I just want to go home," she mumbled. "I don't, I don't AAAAAAAAAAGH!" She sank to her knees, pulling at her hair, oblivious to the older woman staring at her. Tears began pouring from her eyes as she screamed. "God damn it! God. Dam. It!" she sobbed. "Why? Why? WHYYYYYY? I don't care, I don't, about any of this, please, gods, why? Why me? I've had it. Enough. Enough! I want to go home. I don't want to be here. I want to be living my normal life. I never want to have met that sick bastard Jeremiah. I don't care that he saved me, I don't care about the attack. I hate him. I hate this. Make it go AWAY! You sick, twisted fucks. Make it go away. Send me back. BACK! HOME! I WANT TO GO HOOOME!"

As she curled in a ball on the floor, sobbing her heart out, Tayna felt a touch on her shoulder.
"There there," muttered Madame Fox in sympathetic tones. "There there. I am most terribly sorry, over flowing with apologies of the sincerest kind. I got so terribly, awfully, fanatically, enthusiastic about you, poor sensor. It's been so long, you see, so long. I didn't think at all about you, poor thing, about how you would feel. I regret this lapse most dearly. You poor dear, poor lamb," the woman patted Tayna's back. "Poor thing. When did you last eat? When, for that matter did you last sleep? What, oh and what did you have to go through to get here? Such a poor dear," Madame Fox tugged at her arm. "Come on then, poor lamb, poor duck, come on and we'll get you some food to fill you, and a bed to rest you, and all will be right as rain-"
"Shut. Up," Tayna interrupted.
"Huh?"
"Just shut up. Quit talking. Cease and desist. And let go of me," Tayna's voice was low, slow and dangerous. She pulled away from Madame Fox and stood. "Food, sleep and then I am leaving. I am going to find Jeremiah and he is going to tell me what is going on. If you please," She looked pointedly at Madame Fox. The older woman looked sheepish.
"This way then, yes, yes, this way. Come on, then, come on." Tayna's brow furrowed into a glare as the older woman tottered away, ushering her towards what Tayna presumed would turn out to be a kitchen.

She was right... ish. The kitchen was down in a basement, and was rather larger than the average. Along one wall stood large cabinets, one full of what looked like alchemists paraphernalia, all gleaming glass and steel, another with bottles, pots and jars of curious colours and shapes, and yet others with simpler utensils, pots and pans. Huh, any moment I bet she's going to call for an Igor. Tayna though bitterly.
"I assume you actually keep food here?" she said out loud in a snotty tone of voice.
"Oh yes, yes. It's a round here some place. After all we all need to live. Let me just call my assistant..." Oh for the love of androgynous hippies! Tayna mentally slapped her forehead. I can't believe this... Madame Fox walked to a door off the kitchen and knocked at it.
"Uh, assistant? Could you kindly come and make us a pot of tea and maybe perhaps even a late night snack?" There was a grunt and something hit the inside of the door. Madame Fox turned to Tayna.
"I think I may have woken him up." Tayna wondered at the older woman's astonishing capacity for stating the obvious. She also felt sorry for the pretty female author that the response was so succinct, which seemed to be unusual for Madame Fox, who, given her scatty nature and mad scientist aspect, seemed to have a natural propensity for repeating everything she said multiple times and rambling on at great length. Tayna suddenly realised that this rather rambling thought of hers about Madame Fox, in whom she had no particular special interest, was the cheating author's attempt of upping the word count. She rapidly stopped thinking and started to take notice again in what was going on.
The door creaked open and out slumped a dark figure hanging off the handle. It grunted at Madame Fox.
"Yes, now, be a dear would you?"
Grunt.
"Be polite, there's a lamb, we have company you know."
Grunt?
"She's over there," Madame Fox flicked a hand back towards Tayna.
The figure grunted in surprise and Tayna watched it unfold and rush towards her, tripping out of a sleeping back in the process.
"Tayna! Tayna! My God!" Tayna's eyes widened in surprise as the figure came into the light and up towards her.
"Jeremiah! I though you were dead or – well, actually I didn't know what your were, but – oh!" She finished in surprise as he clasped her shoulders and face. "I'm so glad you're okay, I was so worried -" Then in a rush Tayna remembered how angry she was at him. She slapped him around the face. His expression was one of such shock, pain and disbelief that it would have convinced the most sceptical of directors of his ability to act.
"Ow, hey, what was that for?" he put a hand to his stinging cheek. Tayna looked like she could cry, wordlessly she then kissed him hard and full on the mouth. When she pulled away, that same look was still plastered across his countenance, minus the pain.
"And that?" he asked. Tayna began to cry.
"I don't know! I was so angry at you, I thought you'd dumped me or you'd become a spirit, I was so scared. But now, I'm so happy, you're back and I'm so pleased to see you, and so relived and-" Jeremiah put his arms around her and pulled her to him in a really warm embrace.
"I don't know about turning into a spirit, but you sure sound like you could do with some, the stronger the better," he squeezed her and began to let go to get some when she cried out.
"No, please," she looked up, eyes wide, terrified.
"Okay, okay. It can wait," he murmured before turning to the older woman, who was stood looking fairly confined. "Madame. I would recommend that you get some rest for the time being. We'll explain all in the morning, if we are still here. I pray you are not too disappointed at lacking your midnight snack."
"Oh no. No no I don't mind, don't mind at all. Quite happy to in fact. The snack was for the poor dear there, yes the poor lamb. Would you see to it for me?"
"Yes Madame, of course." Madame Fox nodded and turned to leave. As she left the kitchen Tayna was sure she heard the woman say,
"Some horror this is turning out to be."

Jeremiah rested his chin on Tayna's head.
"So, you really though I was dead, huh?" he asked. She sniffed.
"Or an Igor."
"'An 'Igor'?"
"Never read Terry Pratchett's Diskworld?"
"I didn't ever really use to read much. After this, I don't think I'm ever going to do books again."
"Don't let one bad experience put you off for life," Tayna mumbled back. He looked down at her.
"Do you even know what you're saying?"
"No."
"Didn't think so. I think it might be time for you to sleep."
"She was right you know."
"Who?"
"Madame Fox."
"About what?"
"This horror really isn't that scary. Our author sucks at horror. What this really needs is a couple of good zombie chases. She really shouldn't be so concerned with getting her word count up. She keeps pulling dirty little tricks like this one to up the count you know. I bet next she'll start spelling out things like comma and full stop and exclamation mark in a moment."
"Tell you what," Jeremiah said, "why don't we leave getting chased by zombies and other ghouls for tomorrow when you've rested and eaten."
"Okay," she mumbled into his chest. He put an arm around her waist and half carried her to his cupboard sized room. He gently lowered her on to the mattress on the ground and with great care and tenderness covered her with the sleeping bag he had been sleeping in [go go Captain Obvious!].
"Hey, Tayna?" he sat with his back against the opposite wall and pulled the door to. He watched her carefully, for signs she was still awake. When he was sure she was finally asleep he sighed and spoke again. "I'm sorry about all this, I really am. I know this is hard on you, and you're starting to break already, but you really do have to hold on. Our dear author still has forty one thousand, fiver hundred and ninety three words to go until she can stop, and we're only three genres in. A lot has to happen to us in that time. And I'm sorry that it was you who got sucked into this, cause, well, you seem like a really nice person, and I think we would have gotten on really well, but I was told to help someone and you seemed to be the best person to help, since those men where going to, well you know, and, dammit, I really am just so sorry.
"But the best part is, I know we're going to have a happy-ever-after. I don't quite know how or what exactly, but she promised me that, before she sent me in, and I believe her. I trust her skills as a writer, even if she doesn't seem to be doing a very good job at it right now. I'm sorry I've had to lie to you, but I'm sure it would really screw things up if you knew," he paused, then put his face in his hands. "Oh my god, I can't believe she just made me monologue." He leant over and brushed some strands of hair away from Tayna's sleeping face. "But I bet she didn't plan on me falling in love with you." Gently he kissed Tayna's cheek, then lay down next to her. In the dark, Tayna's slitted eyes were unreadable.

The next morning Jeremiah and Tayna were woken by a scream from outside the room. They rushed out to find Madame Fox stood in front of the kitchen wall that had nothing on it. Only now it did. Smeared in blood where the words: 'How's this for horror, bitch??' Jeremiah mentally slapped his forehead, as Madame turned to them and said accusatory,
"Did one of you write this? Why?"
"We didn't do this, I swear!" Tayna said. "We fell asleep practically the moment the moment you left."
"Then who? Who, who could have done this?" Madame Fox faced the wall, gesticulating wildly and flapping her arms in angry animation. "Ruined my lovely wall, my kitchen. In blood no less!" Madame Fox turned to them. "Do you know how hard it is to get blood off things? A white wall. A white wall! Gah, such a terrible, awful, stubborn stain!"
"Madame, why don't you come and sit down. A cup of tea will do you wonders," Jeremiah said, moving to manoeuver the distraught woman to a seat. As he did so he nodded to Tayna and then the kettle. She took her cue and moved to prepare the tea; fulling and lighting the stove, filling a kettle and placing it on the stove, setting out teapot, cups, saucers, tea, sugar, milk, biscuits.
"Why don't I set these out on a tray?" Tayna suggested. "That way we can take them upstairs and you can explain more about spirit sensors." Jeremiah nodded encouragingly.
"An excellent idea Tayna," he said. "Why don't you and Madame Fox take it up now? I'll bring the tea in a bit and start preparing breakfast after I've cleaned this."
"Yes, okay. We'll all feel better after a bite to eat," Tayna smiled brightly. Madame Fox scowled.
"Are you two married or something?" she asked. Tayna and Jeremiah just smiled at her.
"Humph. Well, fine then, fine. I'll go and I hope you'll clean up after yourself. Never could stand a grubby kitchen, oh no." Jeremiah took her arm and steered her to the door.
"Of course Madame, wouldn't dream of anything else." Behind them Tayna picked up a tray with the cups, saucers, sugar bowl, milk jug and a plate of biscuits and carried it after Madame Fox as she ascended the stairs, smiling all the time. Jeremiah, too, was all smiles. However, as soon as he could hear them on the ground floor, moving away from the top of the stairs, his smile vanished.
"Darling author, that was a really crappy trick, not scary at all and far too clichÉ."
The writing on the wall changed morphing to read ' It's only not scary because you know it's me. It got a scream from the charmingly batty Madame Fox.'
"Please," he asked. "could you remove it so I don't get into more trouble. You're going to blow your cover you know. I already think little Tayna suspects something with your little word count tricks." The writing morphed again to read ' Prepare to be frightened then.' then vanished. Jeremiah snorted and shook his head. 'I heard that.' briefly appeared on the wall. Oblivious Jeremiah then set about sorting out the tea and cooking a full English breakfast.

Upstairs, in a slightly less formal sitting room Madame Fox lounged on a sofa, nibbling a biscuit, while Tayna set out the tea things. When she was done she sat in an overstuff, but strangely comfortable arm chair opposite Madame Fox.
"So Madame, I recall you said that these spirit sensors people are all most always male, and that there hasn't been one around here for a while, but you didn't really explain much more than that."
"Well then, well then, what sort of thing is it you want to know about them?" Madame Fox asked in response.
"I'd like to know how it works. You know, is there something special about these people's genetics, or is it just a gift? Is it hereditary, passed from father to son. And if so, then how on earth could I be one of these people?"
"From father to son, father to son, yes, yes. I believe that is how it has worked in the past. How you seem to be one is beyond me, though I have heard it said, yes, that it's a third son of a third son thing and maybe, just maybe if the third son is a daughter then she would get the gift. And, yes, a gift, a gift it is."
"Why? Why is being able to sense a ghost a good thing?"
"Or a ghoul, or a beast, a critter even, or a something that goes bump in the night."
"Or one of those, yes."
"Ah a terribly good question. A good one indeed." Madame Fox stood and walked to the cold fireplace. She rested her elbows on the mantle and her chin on her hands and gazed into the gilt framed mirror that hung there, as if she could see into other far away lands. It was a curiously child-like gesture Tayna though.
"Yes," Madame Fox said, her voice and eyes far away. "Yes a gift it can be. The ghoulies and ghosties and the critters and the things that go bump in the night can be very dangerous, very dangerous indeed. They can hurt and they prey and do terrible things. It is a gift. A sensor helps, they can warn, they can tell who might be in trouble, in danger. Haven't had one in a while, no, no. Not since I was a girl, a wee little cherub. Pity. Oh yes, such a pity, a tragedy, maybe even perhaps a contretemps." Tayna heard her sigh and looked at Madame Fox's reflection. Are those...tears? Tayna looked down at her hands.
"Who, who did you loose?" She asked in a small voice.
"A man, my best friend, my light and life. My... lover." Tayna felt tears spring to her eyes and a lump form in her throat.
"I..." Her voice choked. "I'm sorry." She risked a glance in the mirror again. Madame Fox had her eyes closed. "Excuse me." Tayna said in a tight voice as she rose. There was no response from Madame Fox as Tayna left.

Outside the room Tayna found a hard backed chair and sat down, staring into space. How could I have been so selfish last night? She thought angstily. She's lost the only one in her life that was important to her. She lost him because someone like me wasn't around. And I had the gall to whine like a complete baby last night, when she only wanted to find out if I really was one of these sensor things, maybe to help others. A portrait of some guy in a frilly shirt glared down at her in accusation. She leant back in the chair and stared unseeing at the ceiling, tears flowing down her face unnoticed. "Gods, what a Muppet I am." She muttered out loud to the floral plaster work. She closed her eyes for a split second, then opened them and sat up, her face set and determined. She wiped away the tears.
"And you can go screw yourself." She told the man in the painting. She had come to a decision.

"Madam?" Tayna asked from the doorway. The older woman was still stood at the fire place, but Tayna saw her shift her head slightly so she would be able to see the girl. "I assume," Tayna continued, "you had somewhere in mind to test me?" Madame Fox said nothing, and Tayna couldn't see her face. "I mean to say, Madame Fox, that if you are still as enthusiastic as last night, I would be willing to submit to your test of my reputed abilities. Do you have a place in mind?" Madame Fox turned around.
"I am heartily, joyfully, most paradisiacally pleased to hear you say that, my dear, my little sensor, my cherub." There were tears still on her face, but she was smiling broadly. "Of course I have a place in mind for this test, this excursion, this experiment. But, and yes but, a spot to eat, a bite, a nibble of breakfast before we go, yes to keep our strength up. We will need it, yes, you will need it my sweet. I'm so glad, so delighted you will do it. And now, and now we should go and see how that breakfast, that grub to break our fast, is coming along." she nodded, wiped her eyes and walked out the door past Tayna who had the distinct feeling that that little show had been simply to encourage her to agree to the test. I will need my strength, eh? The whole thing was making her a little nervous. She turned to see Madame Fox walking down the corridor.
"I'll wait up here, if you don't mind Madame." Tayna called to her. Madame Fox turned and raised a hand in acknowledgement.

Tayna walked back into the sitting room. The morning sun cast shafts of light into the room from where Madame Fox had pulled back the curtain earlier, and dust motes danced in the warming rays. Tayna went and stood at the window hugging herself, and shut her eyes for a moment. The warmth of the sun felt very good. They all may think I'm a strong girl and that I can deal with this... and maybe I can, to a point, but I still need moments like this to recharge. It's been such a roller coaster since I started this. I've not really had much of a chance to think it all through. I've been making snap judgements and assumptions about everything, from him, Jeremiah, to what has been happening to me.
I know he was talking to me last night, I know I heard what he said, but I can't for the life of me remember what he said. I think it was something very important. No – I know it was something important. Damn! I wish I could remember... She opened her eyes again and looked out through the window. The house was quite a maze, but Tayna was sure she was looking at some kind of small side garden. It was very much like an English cottage garden she had seen once, in a magazine; The multitude of fragrant, pastel flowers, exploded from the flower beds, rambling at will over the ground, each other, and the nearly invisible path of lush, dew soaked grass. In the middle of the garden, on a slightly wider patch of green, was a stone bird bath and feeder. The sun shone down through the hedge surrounding the garden and rays of light lit up the bird bath. From the surrounding hedges birds, sparrows, blue tits, thrushes, chaffinches, robins and wrens, all flitted down to drink and eat. It must be nice to be a bird, Tayna thought, never having to worry about this or that, only caring about eating and drinking and playing in the sun. She sighed and lost herself in the pleasantries of the scene.