Prologue

My body shivered as the air surrounding me cooled my damp skin.

Voices rang out but it was impossible to make out what they were saying. My body felt as if it was flying through the air, I was lying down, being transported somewhere. Attempting to open my eyes, the voices became clearer but everything around appeared to whirl above me, so I shut them again.

“Junie! Juniper!”

Someone called out to me. I answered, or at least I thought I did. Realising that I was unable to speak, I struggled with remembering what exactly transpired to cause me to be in such a state. Where was I and what had happened?

»»————-　♔　————-««

I was volunteering. The islands in the Pacific were in desperate need of aid during a tropical storm. As someone who had recently graduated from university in hopes of becoming a licensed registered nurse, I thought it fit to lend my expertise alongside experienced doctors who would be lending aid as well.

 When the storm appeared to have settled, we set up tents outdoors to welcome anyone who required medical attention. While tending to the wounds of a patient who was caught under debris after harsh winds levelled homes, I recall someone issuing a warning near shore. The once calm winds picked up and everyone began moving their workstations indoors. After escorting my patient inside the warehouse I returned to my tent outside to retrieve something. It was important, but I cannot seem to remember what it was.

A person called after me and lightning struck. Thunder roared and rain assaulted me. I turned to head back to the warehouse, my hair whipping in the wind when a sudden sharp pain shot through my leg. I remember collapsing into the mud and I suppose I must have lost consciousness not long after.

»»————-　♔　————-««

“You’re going to be okay, Junie, I promise. Just try not to think about it.”

“How can she not think about it? Look at it.”

“Shhh! We don’t want to freak her out. Your bedside manner stinks.”

There were people having a conversation around me. I could hear what they were saying, I must have been regaining my senses. Just as I tried to reach out toward someone, an excruciating pain shot through my leg and this time I could hear the painful cries I produced.

“Hey, hey,” someone whispered, “you’re going to be alright. We’re taking you in for surgery now. You won’t be in pain much longer.”

My cries grew quieter as my consciousness seemed to fade once more. I fought to stay lucid despite the agony I was presently enduring.

The gurney I assumed that I was on ceased movement and a bright light blinded me even with my eyes closed. The sound of medical equipment being adjusted and metal tools clanging together took me back to the days of nursing school. I dwelled on this nostalgia, almost missing what the surgeon had said.

“The debris has almost completely severed her left leg. I will unfortunately have to amputate it.”

There was silence and what I assume was a mask used for administering anaesthesia was pressed onto my face. Darkness followed.

»»————-　♔　————-««

Dendritic lightning lit up the sky for merely a moment, reaching out toward neighbouring clouds, and for a moment, I was mesmerised. The thunder that followed, however, shook me to my core. Deafening. My breath grew shallow and it felt as though my mind raced and stalled simultaneously. My hand gripped my left knee as I desperately tried to calm my nerves. Phantom pains radiated and I shut my eyes tightly, hoping they would go away.

The cane I carried with me fell to the concrete ground snapping me back to reality. I reached over to pick it up when someone else's hand beat me to it. I lifted my head to see who had intercepted my walking stick.

"Hey, Junie, long time, no see, huh?"

The mystery person happened to be a friend from nursing school. Evelyn Merriweather. She and I graduated together, even if she needed some assistance from procrastinating.

"My word, Evelyn!" I exclaimed, retrieving the cane from her hands. "I never expected to see you here. How have you been?"

"I've been doin' pretty well, started working, but that's irrelevant," she gave me a soft, worried look and her gaze settled on the cane in my hand. "How you're doing seems to be the better question."

"Oh," I hugged the wooden stick close, a bit ashamed for some unknown reason. "You recall that I volunteered to assist the islands during that horrendous storm? A second round caught us off guard..."

"Gosh! That's awful. Is your leg alright? Nothing too serious, I hope."

"No," I crossed my right leg over my left in an attempt to hide it. "It's quite alright. Just needed some surgery, but I'm fine."

"Yikes," Evelyn shuddered. She never liked the thought of cutting into another person's skin. How ironic given her interest in the subject. "I guess that explains why you're back earlier than expected. Well, you know if you ever need anything, I will always do my best to help. I have connections all over the city now!"

I smiled and shook my head. I stared off into the clouds that were likely to dump rain on us from above at any given moment.

It was true that I returned to the lovely Neo-Victorian London sooner than I would have liked. After the amputation of my leg, everyone saw it best that I was sent home to recover despite my pleas. After disembarking the plane, I sauntered down the cobblestone streets with my walking stick in one hand and luggage in the other. My eyes followed those who passed me by as I admired their fashion. So many different styles and aesthetics make up this beautiful city, it is difficult not to stop and take it all in.

As I wandered down the streets and meandered through the parks, I found myself seated upon this very bench that Evelyn and I currently occupy. I suppose that my prosthetic began to cause me discomfort as I had not had long to grow accustomed to it before I was placed on a plane. Something that had kept me on said bench that I do remember, is the realisation that I did not have any "home" to return to. In fact, I did not plan on coming back to London at all. Just before I left for my volunteer work, I relayed to my landlord that there was no need to keep my place on standby for I intended to move back to my hometown in Scotland after my assistance on the islands was no longer needed.

"Now that I think about it," I started, emerging from my thoughts. "I don't suppose you could find me a place to stay? Preferably one on the lower end of my budget, I'm afraid I don't have much to work with."

Evelyn jumped to her feet, placing her hands on her hips.

"Never fear, Junie! You've come to the right person. I know of a place that is both cosy and not that expensive. Just tell me, are you open to living with someone else?"

"That...may be much needed."

"Alright! Then follow me, your guide, Scarlet Evelyn Merriweather, to your new home!"

»»————-　♔　————-««

I trailed behind Evelyn, who insisted on pulling my luggage. As we approached our destination, she pointed to various buildings and told me what each one was to help me navigate the area efficiently with my leg.

"Be especially careful at nighttime, though," she warned me. "In fact, it's best to just stay indoors after sundown."

"Why's that?" I asked.  "What happens after sundown?"

"Have you not heard of The Whitechapel Murderer?" Evelyn questioned.

I shook my head.

"He's a serial killer that's been preying on young women recently," Evelyn informed me. "They say he lurks in the shadows after dark."

She halted in front of two large doors, pulled out an ornate key and inserted it into the keyhole just below the doorknob. A click resounded and Evelyn pushed open the doors revealing a beautiful welcoming area. The floors appeared to be made of marble and each step we made echoed throughout the space. Just above us, a grand chandelier twinkled. The crystals danced as the light fixture swayed upon our arrival and the sound they produced was truly magical.

"Welcome to Victoria's Palace," Evelyn stretched out her arms. "It's a hotel of sorts, only you can choose to stay permanently if need be. This place is open to all kinds of people looking for some place to stay, so you'll run into some interesting people, no doubt. Rather than consisting of singular-style rooms, this place is made up of flat-like properties. So think of the usual English flat but under a hotel-style system."

"A novel idea," I said. "It appears no one is at the desk currently, should we wait for someone to show up?"

"Oh, no need, I'm well acquainted with the maître d'hôtel, they won't mind if we see ourselves in."

Evelyn strode over to a staircase and waited for me to follow. Once again trailing behind, I glanced over the handrail to continue admiring the well-polished floor and the artwork that was meticulously hung on the walls.

"I think you two will get along," Evelyn began. "She has a similar aesthetic as you."

"She?"

"Your roomie, silly. She's got all sorts of interesting things and knick-knacks displayed. The place is anything but dull."

As we neared the top of the stairs, I could hear the wonderful sound of a violin progressively grow louder. The melody was light and cheerful. It reminded me of a tune I used to hear in my childhood. The epitome of joy and I was filled with warmth.

"I do have to warn you though," Evelyn continued before approaching a door at the top of the stairs. The door from which the lovely music emerged. "She can be a little...dramatic."

Evelyn pushed the door open and stood aside to let me enter first. The music I had heard suddenly came to a halt and something whirled past my face. Evelyn shrieked as I remained still in shock and the smell of gunpowder filled the room.

Before me stood a tall and slender woman, a violin in one hand and a firearm in the other, pointed directly at me. She glared at me with the iciest blue eyes I had ever seen. Her face was angular, almost bird-like. The eyes that pierced through me were narrow and a bit sunken. Her nose was long and her lips thin. Long brown hair draped over her shoulders and contrasted her fair skin.

"Interesting," she mumbled.

"I beg your pardon?" I stepped forward.

"Holmes!"

A person appeared in the doorway and the woman spun around, setting the weapon on the table beside her and picking up the bow to her violin. She began playing the tune I had heard earlier and I realised that what I initially thought was a speaker or gramophone was actually her all along.

"Don't act like you didn't just shoot a hole in my wall!"

The woman mumbled something indiscernible.

"Oh, hi Mr. Hudson," Evelyn greeted the man who stood between us.

"Evelyn! Forgive me, I did not even notice you," the man turned to my friend and his attention fell on me. "And you've brought a guest, now I just feel awful.

I apologise for my sudden outburst and the improper welcome. The name is James Hudson. I suppose you could call me the maître d'hôtel as Evelyn has so dubbed me."

Mr. Hudson appeared to be in his mid-30s. He wore glasses that sat precisely on the bridge of his nose and not a hair was out of place on his head. The suit he wore was well-tailored and he was an all-around definition of a distinguished gentleman. He turned to face the woman playing the violin.

"I know you're mocking me in your head, I can hear it in your notes!"

The violin screeched for a moment before retaining its cheerful tone. The woman slightly swayed to the rhythm.

"If I may ask," I said and his attention turned to me once more. "Who is she?"

"Oh, right, I assume that Evelyn brought you here to introduce the two of you to the idea of living together. That is Shirleigh Holmes. A brilliant young lady but a thorn in my side, I'll tell you."

"Shirleigh...Holmes..." I watched her gently sway as the sound of her violin filled my ears with its enchanting sound. I turned to face the wall where a singular bullet hole remained. My attention turned to Evelyn who gave me a worried smile and I motioned for her to come out into the hall with me.

"I can't live with her."

"Junie, I am so sorry, I had no idea she would do something like that. Well, she has done some drastic things in the past, but I promise, you two would be great!"

"Evelyn, she fired a gun at me. She could have killed me!"

"But she didn't. I mean, if she wanted to she would have. I mean...! Just trust me, Junie."

I sighed and paced the hallway. Mr. Hudson leaned against the doorframe as he quietly witnessed our conversation. My mind raced as I stopped in front of a gorgeous painting. The building was truly astonishing and as another rumble of thunder shook the chandelier downstairs, I let out another heavy sigh.

"Fine," I threw my hands in the air. "I need a place to stay for the night so I will move in. Don't expect it to be permanent, Evelyn. I am unsure of why you are so insistent upon my staying, but I shall humour you."

"I knew you'd come around, Junie!"

Evelyn threw her arms around me and my eyes met Mr. Hudson's. He gave me a welcoming smile and told me to meet him downstairs to get some paperwork out of the way. Evelyn escorted me down the stairs and we bid each other farewell. I completed the required forms and returned to my temporary residence.

The violin playing had ceased and some of the lamps that were scattered about the living room were alight with flame. My "flatmate", that is how I shall refer to her now that we lived in the same space, was currently curled up in a chair in front of a burning fireplace. Her chin rested on her knees and the flames danced in her eyes. I made my way over to the chair across from hers in hopes of striking up a conversation.

Her eyes flitted over to me before resting upon the fireplace once again. Even with the burning fire a few feet away from me, her eyes still chilled me to the bone.

"Um, a pleasure to meet you-"

"There's no need for pleasantries."

Her voice took me by surprise. This was the first time she had spoken since I had met her. I watched as she stared into the fire. The light bounced off her skin and she appeared ghost-like.

"Have you gleaned any information?"

"I-I'm sorry?"

The woman unfurled her limbs and turned to face me.

"I would hope you would have discerned something about my person from how long you have been staring at me."

"I was not staring," my face grew warm, most likely because of the fire. "I was merely watching you. That is all."

She gave me a rather disconcerting stare and I focused my attention elsewhere. All I could hear was the rain that inevitably came down from black clouds that hung in the evening sky. My mind started to race as I sat in the uncomfortable silence. The pouring rain brought back vivid images of the event that claimed my leg. I closed my eyes and tried to shake the thoughts from within my head.

"You are back from volunteer work in the islands, yes?"

I lifted my head to see my roommate's eyes still fixed on me, they did not seem glaring, however. This time, they appeared softer, but that could have just been my imagination.

"That's right," I acknowledged. "Did Evelyn tell you?"

She shook her head and pressed her fingertips together.

"The tags on your luggage show that you have been there recently," she explained. "Those islands in particular have been prevalent in the news as of late due to the ravaging typhoons tearing through them. Now, assuming you are sound of mind and did not travel there to vacation, it would only make sense that you wanted to volunteer your services as a nurse. Your calm demeanour is one of many aspects of your character that has helped come to this conclusion.

It would also appear that you were relieved of your duties earlier than anticipated. Given that you were desperately searching for lodgings, you were not prepared to return. The reason for your impromptu return is the accident that caused your left leg great harm. Strong winds must have knocked over a tree that landed on said leg or a piece of debris-"

"You know all of this just from...looking at me and my belongings?"

Her eyebrows furrowed. I realised that she may not have liked the fact that I interjected.

"Apologies," I said. "It's just...that is truly amazing."

"It's nothing of the sort," she cocked her head to the side, eyes closed in thought. "If people would simply observe, what I do would not be so impressive. If I relayed my methods to others, they would soon find me to be rather plain."

"What you did seemed much more complex than just observing," I added. "It was as if you pieced together different clues to reach a specific conclusion. A sort of deductive reasoning."

"Inductive reasoning," she said curtly.

"Inductive?"

"Deductive reasoning allows one to form specific conclusions from general ideas. Inductive reasoning lets me form general conclusions using specific observations."

"Brilliant," I murmured.

"You are easily astonished."

"Is that a bad thing?"

She did not answer my question. Instead, she curled her legs underneath herself and sat quietly for a few moments. I looked down at my prosthetic that was hidden by my long socks. I was uncertain of why I wanted to keep the fact that I lost my leg a secret. Maybe I didn't want to tell something so personal to someone whom I just met. But I hid the fact from Evelyn as well...

"If you wish to attain a considerable amount of sleep tonight, now would be the best time to turn in. There is a vacant room at the end of the hall."

My eyes gazed over the woman in front of me, she remained still and if I had not known better, I'd say she hadn't said anything at all.

"Right," I answered rising from my chair.

"Shirleigh Holmes."

"Huh?" I steadied myself with my cane as I prepared to head to my new room.

"My name."

"Oh, right, Mr. Hudson told me as much," I paused for a moment. "I recall you saying that there wasn't a need for pleasantries?"

There was another minute of silence before I finally left the room to obtain some much-needed rest.

Shirleigh Holmes. What an intriguing woman.