“Madam, we are here.” Dini called from the front of the wagon. A strange man, who’d dedicated his service to me. One day I would find out why. For now, I was content not knowing something.

Heavy curtains hung across both windows. I peeled a corner back to peek through and watched as the town closed like a clam before my eyes. Windows snapped shut, doors closed and those with locks- locked, children craned their necks to peer at the wagon that was causing so much fuss, as they were ushered inside by the aged with stern warnings. The street emptied like water through a sieve. It was much the same everywhere. Our people had a sinister reputation, partially earned, partially exaggerated in the retelling.

Unconcerned, I knew the desperate would come in hooded cloaks, once night embraced the sky. That was fine by me. Darkness was a time of secrets and revelations, a time when need overpowered fear. In short, darkness was my time. It was common knowledge in some places that Madam Rose saw better after the sun set.