Treasure Hunter

You were so proud of the way that you handled yourself at the Docks. Just like the sleuths you read about in your books, you crept among the crates and palettes. As you approached the warehouse from the outside you smudged the soot off the window pane with palm of your hand. You wrinkled your nose. It was yucky work, but someone had to do it. Through a hole just big enough for your wide green eyes you witnessed the meeting mouth agape.

And just like you planned, at the right opportunity, you slipped into the warehouse and snatched the crinkly papers off the wooden drafting table when they weren't looking. They were notes, clues, and maps that would you lead you right to...

The Cave.

The yellow beam of your flashlight sweeps the area as you confer with the maps. It's cold and wet here in the Cave, and you can't help but fight off a shiver as goosebumps break out all along your bare shoulders and arms. Perhaps the cute and flowy peach dress you wore for this occasion was not the wisest selection you think to yourself with chagrin. Almost as foolish as wearing white pantyhose. Rubbing your nylon clad legs to encourage a little circulation in the chill damp air, you don't even want to think about how you're going to get out all the mud speckles. Of all the tights to put on today!

Ah well, you're a budding sleuth, a student at the Ivy Ridge Academy for Girls. If the worst of your decisions are impractical attire, then you're off to a pretty good start! Speaking of good starts... what's this? Swinging the beam of your flashlight ahead you spot what you came here looking for.

The treasure chest! Lifting the lid with a heartbeat increasing with your anticipation, you can't suppress the gasp as the glow of the riches inside illuminate your pink cheeks, freshly glossed lips, and wide emerald eyes. The papers were right! They lead you right to the treasure!

"Gotcha!"

"Eeeek!!!"

A pair of strong arms grab you, one hand seizing your trim wrist, the other wrapping around your slender neck in a fearsome grip. Your startled fingers open in response, the flashlight dropping and rolling away, while the papers scatter through the air.

Oh no! You're caught! You struggle, squirm, and wriggle, but your muscular workout routine tops out at brushing that luxurious golden hair of yours and painting your nails. You're simply outmatched.

"You snoops are so predictable. You lead us right to it, blondie," a gruff deep voice grimaces in your ear making your cringe and whimper involuntarily.

So, it turns out your worst mistake was not your fashion choices this evening. Your worst mistake was to not realize that you had been followed. Not quite as clever as you thought you were, huh?

You were so busy worrying about how to get mud out of white tights... you never considered that you might have to worry about blood!

The good news? You turned out to be a very helpful tour guide! The bad news? Because you turned out to be such a terrible sleuth...

THE END

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This marvelous illustration was done by the ever talented: Vesper2D and inspired me to write up a short story to accompany it. If you are not familiar with Vesper's talents, check out their DA page or their ko-fi page for commission information!

https://www.deviantart.com/vesper2d

https://ko-fi.com/vesper2d