I hadn't thought through everything when I jumped. I'd simply heard that iron door wrench open like a coffin, and death seemed to be more of a freedom than what would inevitably happen.

I'd sometimes imagined what it would be like to fall. I thought it'd be graceful and slow, like a ballet dancer leaping into a handsome man's arms to elegant classical piano music in a music hall.

I was wrong. My heart felt like it had turned to lead and sank down, down, down to the pit of my stomach, quickly and jaggedly. But I could feel it beating in my chest, an engine gone into overdrive. My hair was tearing at my skin. The ground rushed upwards, I tried to move myself but I was paralysed. I was speeding, falling, my body on fire. I opened my clenched jaw to scream, but nothing came out. The blast of air entering my lungs had silenced my dying cry.

Suddenly, I saw something following me. A long, chestnut, snake rippled down in front of me.

I grasped that rope.

I lurched upwards, and I gripped harder, then I came to a stop and I was just hanging, swaying, a pendulum on a grandfather clock. My heart shuddered and a chill rippled over me. I looked down; I was 2 floors away from immediate death.

I had no time to ponder though, because the rope began to move upwards, until I was high above Welhae, and far away from The Golden Finch Hotel. Before I knew it, I was long gone from the beastly town.

"Hello!" Came a whispering shout from above. "Can you hear me? Did you grab on?"

It was a female voice, I was certain of that. I could hear the strained effort in her delicate voice as she shouted down to me. I looked upwards, but all I could see was the rope snaking up to a giant silver egg with a propeller.

"YES!" I yawped. "I'M ALIVE!"

"Thank God!" Came the reply. "I'll lower the airship slowly, so you can jump onto the ground while I land the ship." The voice continued.

At that moment, I heard the propellers of the airship clatter as it turned and began to lower itself. The ship sailed downwards, a cloud yacht. The ground came closer and at a safe jumping distance, I let go and vaulted into the empty farmers field below. The airship rose in the air again, turning, before slowly lowering itself to the ground, a distance away from me.

I sighted a small opening in the landed airship, getting wider and wider, circling outwards. It revealed a pear-shaped girl with blonde hair, wearing a shimmering emerald green dress. She waved at me and stepped out onto the airship railings. The door closed behind her instantly. The girl hitched up her skirts and stepped down a ladder to the ground, before shuffling over towards me. She beamed warmly, her cheeks rosy.

"Your name is Mila, if I am correct?" She inquired.

She's with Leticia. I thought. How else would she know my name?

"Back off! I know Leticia set you up for this!" I growled, suspicious.

The girl was astounded. Her green eyes went as hard as limestone.
"I beg your pardon? One only wanted to help! I have no idea what you are talking about!"

I met her gaze, and she stared at me. I realised I'd judged the situation wrong, before feeling embarrassment. Not everyone in a fancy dress or top hat was an enemy then.

The girl pulled out a folded piece of paper from inside her white gloves. Slowly unfolding the highly creased parchment, she revealed a piece of printed text, alongside a picture of the ruined Crimson Comodo steam train.

"I am one of the survivors from that train accident." She told me sincerely. "I would never hurt someone to whom I owe so much."

"Sorry! Sorry! Sorry! I shouldn't have judged!" I told her, lifting my hands for emphasis.

The girl nodded.

"It's okay. My name is Alice."She went on to say "I would like to help you more than just offering a rope to grab onto. Is there anything else I can do for you?"

I suddenly realised I really had nothing to do. I had no home, my chauffer-friend was gone, Dalere had been a traitor, and Mr Aberdain knew everything about me now. And so did Leticia. Gosh, I hated them.

But Mr Aberdain had still committed murders. He had weaved a conspiracy to attempt to enslave me, and had committed attempted murder on Benjamin and I, wanting to rub out the evidence. Here was a crook, and a despicable man. And he was still pursuing Benjamin and I. Those crimes had gone unpunished, unjustified! Something had to be done!

"Actually Alice, I do need your help..."

I walked over to her and whispered everything I knew about Mr Aberdain and his traitors to her.
"We need to find Benjamin, because he is in danger. I've put him in it by wanting to go to The Clockmakers Arms which was a trap. They know about him, and it's only a matter of time before they find his Chicken farm. And if he is discovered, they will kill him." I finished.

Alice looked astounded. She was hanging on every word I said, her eyes understanding but heavy. She'd felt the weight of this news.
"Do you know how much of a risk this is, Mila? There is a fair chance that we will get ourselves killed." Alice whispered to me quietly.

I didn't miss a beat.
"Alice, if this results in criminals getting what they deserve, then it will be worth it."

Alice nodded slowly.
"Then I will help you every step of the way."

*********

Apologies for the gap between publishing chapters! I'm a terrible person :(
Still, normal service will resume!
Vote if you like the story, that is very meaningful to me, and I appreciate it ;)