The Not-So Austen Bookclub discussion

The undead. The term is self-explanatory, once you think about it, but do any of us really understand what they signify? It signifies the terrifying potential of those meddlesome scientists and inventors of ours to tamper with the links between the body and the soul.

Welcome to Muddlesbrook - a quiet, unknown community off main London. The year is 1840 and women wear dresses and carry parasols whilst men wear top hats and carry pocket watches.
Well, now they mostly carry pistols so as to ward off the undead, in the event of an attack, but pocket watches are still quite fashionable.

The main places in Muddlesbrook to remember:

- The government building: where all the important stuff happens. Ruled by men and looked at by women whilst they bustle to and fro.
- Klyders Lane: the main shopping district - by everything and everything, from dresses, to hats and ribbons and be sure to take a look at the theatre or stop for tea at the teahouse. Bring along a chaperone if female; this is the place to be seen!
- St. Billington Street: where the residence of the Hunter's Association is
- Axley Park on Northend: a delightful park, perfect for a casual stroll, a carriage ride or even a picnic!
- Southend: Undead territory. Prohibited to all of Muddlesbrook's inhabitants and definitely not brought up in polite conversation!
- Carlinelle House: used for balls, functions and charity works.
- Borgon's: the most frequented pub in Muddlesbrook

There are four main institutions in Muddlesbrook to be aware of:

- The Hunters Association: trackers, hunters and killers - the Undead are their specialty. They take on local cases and in the event of a large-scale attack, will be the first on the scene.
- The Board OAA (Operabitur Apud Anima): monitor all inventions or discoveries about the Undead, and souls in particular - they, along with the Parliament and Her Majesty, are in charge of overseeing the law and making sure no one works with, helps or creates more Undead. People who disobey them are swiftly punished.
- Miss Elizabeth Garnarray's Circle: lead by Miss Elizabeth herself, a women of forty and two years, this is a group that tries to make sure that the young women of Muddlesbrook are brought up with 'all the enchantments of London society' since none of them can leave Muddlesbrook for the season, due to the Undead.

The rules of Muddlesbrook:

- Few are allowed (or, indeed, want to) enter, unless they have permission from the Parliament or the Crown.
- None are allowed to exit, unless they have the protection of the OAA, the Parliament or the Crown.
- Curfew is at 10 o'clock in the evening.
- Undead precautions must always be taken (e.g. 'look both ways before crossing a field', 'carrying a parasol with a metal tip', 'a safe home is a strong home', 'never walk alone', 'rid the home of spoiled food', etc.)
- Never question the OAA
- Contribute to Muddlesbrook society

Please refrain from not heeding the rules. They are for your own safety and the safety of others.

A good day to you!

____________________________________

My character:

Name: Miss Allison Snod of the Vanderhill Snods
Age: 17 years of age
Information: A terrible liar, an avid reader and with the kind of curiosity that always leads to trouble, Allison is one of two children of Mr and Mrs Snod, of Wilhearte Drive. Her older brother, Dawson, is always telling her news of the Undead, despite her mother's belief that "those horrid stories will spoil her sleep!". After one of her best friends disappeared suddenly, Allison is going to go to any lengths to find out exactly what is going on.

Name: Angelina Chickering
Age:16
Information: Angelina lived as a street urchin for six years. Her parents having died mysteriously on the eve of her 6th birthday. She literally ran into a very influential killer of The Hunters Association who saved her from the men chasing her. He took her in and for the last four years she has trained to become a tracker of the undead for The Hunters Association. (Though many don't know she is a girl, as she poses as a boy by the name of Ansel. It is becoming very difficult to pose as a boy, many people are a bit suspicious of a 16 year boy with a high pitched voice.)

Miss Allison Snod of the Vanderhill Snods:

Please; just call me Allison.

Mama insists that, due to our very rich and very stuffy ancestors having the title, the addition "of the Vanderhill Snods" should always be used when introducing myself. But I, for one, believe that times have changed since my great-grandfather Issac Snod of the Vanderhill Snods lived on his estate in London and went shooting for game on the weekends.

For now we - the last of the Snods - reside in Muddlesbrook, not London and are neither rich nor stuffy. And we live in constant fear of one day seeing what polite society call "The Unrefined Post-Mortem".

In plain speaking: the Undead.

Dawson has seen an Undead. He had just joined us in Muddlesbrook- having been lucky enough to linger in London in order to study at Oxford under the patronage of Lord Chemsford. Him and two other men had been going along the road, in a carriage, when all of a sudden there was a horrid noise.

"'Twas like the churning of a hungry stomach, mixed with the sound of one who is spewing," was Dawson's elegant description, when he'd told me the tale. "They had no pupils - their eyes sightless, white and all putrid looking. Clothed in rags, they were - some were not clothed at all! The smell was like a sewer, but worse; they were rotting before our eyes, Ally. It was the most terrifying thing I have ever seen in my life!"

Dawson, and the two other men, had been lucky - they'd only been attacked by five Undead, a loner pack and had managed to hurt three, before fleeing from the scene. Dawson was particularly proud of his rifle, the one with the bullets which were coated with a new material called 'Ammonium silver'.

"There's this chemical," Dawson would say, "and it's added to the silver - they melt it down and then pour it into the bullet moulds. That's the simple version for you, since you're a woman and all. But the chemical speeds up the decomposition of the Undead. It wrecks havoc on their insides and gives you a chance to escape."

Dawson loves to tell stories of the Undead - ones he's heard, ones he's read. Mama says its "Appalling behaviour for a young man of such breeding!" but he always manages to get away with it - he's Mama's darling, and can do no wrong in her eyes.

I, on the other hand, am always getting into trouble. Like today, for example.

"Polly, please go fetch the purple gown," Mama ordered, her lips pressed together in a tight line. Polly complied and Mama turned to me, arching an eyebrow. "Why must you insist on wearing that dress, Allison? It makes you look like a toad with pox."

My mother - always polite.

"I like it," I argued, looking down at my green dress and feeling ridiculously pleased.
"Mr Salsbury is certain not to," Mama retorted, taking the dress from Polly, who had returned quietly, and holding it out to me. "Here. Change, please, and be ready to leave in fifteen minutes. I will not have us be late to Mrs Salsbury's tea party! I simply will not allow it!"

My mother exited the room with a swirl of skirts and I was left to change quickly, lest 'poor Mr Salsbury' be bereft of purple fabric.

Name: Master Charlse Donnahew
Age: 17
Information: The Donnahews are one of the richest families in Muddlesbrook. Lady and Lord Donnahew have three sons- Nathaniel, the eldest, James, the second and, Charlse, the youngest. Both the older two married and moved away before there was any of the 'Undead' restrictions about, so the Lord and Lady remain living in the Donnahew Manor with Charlse.
Charlse is strong and good looking, the subject of all swooning in women his age. He is chivelrous and charming to all, no matter their social standing, But he's single and longs to leave Muddlesbrook as soon as he can.
Charlse has stormy grey eyes and dark brown hair, like his brothers, but unlike them, he never shouts, rather, he goes to the library. Stunningly handsome, athetic and a brilliant thinker, Charlse is perfectly suited for his job at the Hunters Association.

Charlse Donnahew

I woke to the sound of my mother's voice yelling at me to get up. Usually the maids did it, but obviously I'd slept through their nervous knocking and overly polite wake up.
"... Charles Joshua Donnahew, the Salsbury's teaparty is in an hour! Mr Salsbury has requested you attend!"
My whole family are Irish, we moved here ten years ago and I dearly regret it.
I groaned, the Salsbury's were as boring as they were rich. And they were very rich, almost as rich as us.
I covered my head with my pillow. "I don' want to go." I said, "Tell him that I'm ill."
"You'll go if you know what's good for you." My mother warned.
"If I'm ill, then going out wouldn't be good for me." I replied. I heard the clip of her heels on the wooden floor of my chambers, then felt my blankets get ripped off me.
"You're not ill." My mother said. "I expect you to be ready within the hour."

I chuckled as she left my room and shut the door.

I chose my favourite tailed suit, a simple black with guilded buttons and a crisp white shirt underneath. Ruffeling my hair into some kind of decent style, I put on my top hat and made my way down the grand stairwell.
My parents waited for me there. My father looked like he'd rather have a glass of whiskey and go hunting than go to the tea party, but it was a matter of social politics.

Men would gather in the drinking room and discuss topics that they all pretended to care about while the women had a teaparty and gossip. It was polite, as a sinhle young man, to introduce myself to the women before I was able to excuse myself and go to the library, which was what I usually did at these events.

I helped my mother into the car before getting in myself, my father in the front.
There goes my day, I thought miserably as the car left our Manor behind.

Allison Snod:

Mr Henry Salisbury was as interesting as the mounted head of a moose I had spotted on a plaque as we had entered the Salisbury Manor.

I tugged restlessly on my gloves, stifling the urge to yawn as Henry Salisbury talked on and on about his father's latest business endeavour. "And I must say, Miss Snod, that Father's chat with the Minister of Resources went swimmingly - the dear chap said that he would be more than happy to offer double the amount of energy needed to put the factory into use, and then on top of that-"

I nodded, raised an eyebrow, shook my head and basically went on autopilot. I doubted anyone cared, or noticed, how bored I was in his company - many a young woman in the room were eyeing us with jealousy and I would have given anything to have swapped with them, had Mama not been looking my way the whole time.

"Do you read, Mr Salisbury?" I asked, as we finally made it over to the table where everyone nearly was seated. He paused in his talk of coal mines and looked vaguely shocked.
"Read, Miss Snod? Why, yes, of course I do. Do you?"
"Yes," I replied. "Have you read the works of Browning and Tennyson?"
"Ah, no - no, I haven't Miss Snod. I dislike that romantic nonsense immensely." He turned to grab a plate and offered it to me with a smile. "Would you like a scone?"

A scone? A scone ?! The man had just insulted two of the greatest poets of our age and he was offering me scones ? I knew at that precise moment that if he wasn't careful I would pour the teapot's contents over his head without any hesitation. Thank the Lord, he was soon called over my his mother to help her welcome an arriving group of guests and I was left to my own devices.

I arranged my skirts around me and leaned across the table - snatching up the teapot and pouring myself a cup, not bothering to pretend I was waiting for Mr Salisbury. Which I was not, because the Lord only knew how I detested the man.

I sipped the tea and wrinkled my nose at its taste. Bleh - it tasted like dish water! I set my cup down, grabbed my napkin and dabbed at my mouth daintily, still put off by the tea. Not only did he dislike poetry but the man could not even afford to serve reasonably-good tea? Good grief.

I settled back in my chair, picking up my parasol and tapping the ground with it as I sat alone, listening to snippets of conversation around me. The sun was lovely at least, and warmed me to the tips of my toes - Mama would be sure to hate it.

With my blonde hair and pale complexion, I was prone to freckles when my skin chose to rebel, and to Mama freckles were an 'abomination!' She would be fuming that she had not made me wear my hat.

Charlse Donnahew

We arrived at the Salsbury Manor, late as always, but I wasn't complaining.
I got out and help my mother from her seat. She quickly fixed her many layered dress and opened her parasol. My father offered her his arm, which she took and we may our way to the front doors.

A butler greeted us and lead us through to the other guests.
I saw Henry talking to a Lady, I almost felt sorry for her, until Lady Salbury called him over, announcing my arrival.

"Charlse!" He exclaimed taking my hand.
"Henry." I returned, but with much less enthusiasm.
"My friend, may I ask you a question?" He said with his overly posh Brittish accent.
"You may."
"Who are Browning and Tennyson?"

Dear God man! "They are two of the greatest poets to date. Why do you ask?" I ask calmly.
"Well, The lovely Allison Snod, the woman I was just talking to, asked me if I had ever read them. Do I look like the type of man who reads Sense and Sensibility?"
I almost slapped him, "That's Jane Austin, Henry."
He waved his hand dismissively, "They're all the same."

No. They. Are. Not.

But Henry, oblivious to my frustration, continued talking, though on a whole different topic, "I've found quite a few ladies that I'd like to introduce you to, I think it's about time that you found a woman." He says this every year. "Let's start with Miss Snod."

He led me over to the table where the Lady sat, wrapped in purple, she looked picturesque. Except pictures don't usually look unbelievably bored. "Allison." Henry said, the woman looked up, her eyes full of dread due to the man's unwanted return.
"Yes, Lord Salsbury?" She said.
"I'd like you to meet a good friend of mine, Charlse Donnahew."
I bowed my head, "Miss Snod. I apologies that my friend knows nothing of poetry- or any literature for that matter." She smiled as Henry's turned crimson.
"Charlse," He looked at me pointedly. "There is a table of Ladies over there that I was going to introduce you to, but I am presently with Allison. Could you go introduce yourself."
That was my signal to leave, I dipped my hat at the Lady, "Lovely meeting you, Miss Snod."
"And you, Master Donnahew."
I smiled at Henry and made my way over to the group of Ladies Henry had talked about.

They all giggled uncontrollably at my approach. I fought the urge to roll my eyes and, being a gentleman, introduced myself. "Excuse me, lovely Ladies." I bowed,"I am Charlse Donnahew."

Allison Snod:

Charlse Donnahew. I took another eye-watering sip of tea, whilst covertly glancing at the gaggle of girls who had surrounded the young man. He had the most bewitching pair of grey eyes and I found myself wondering what his laugh sounded like. A laugh, according to Dawson, tells you a great deal about a person.

"Miss Snod?"
"Oh, I am sorry, Mr Salisbury," I said, not sorry in the least. "I was just admiring your lawn. Do tell me, who picked out the flowers that I see there around the hedging?" And that was enough to get him talking about yet another boring as anything topic. I nodded and took another sip of tea.

Bleh.

Charlse Donnahew - a man who knew of Tennyson and Browning; how refreshing indeed. If only more young men bothered with books, the world would be a far better place. I accepted the offer of a scone this time and spent more time than necessary buttering it; ignoring my Mama's pointed look. Corsets be damned! I would eat all the scones I wanted to!

"Please excuse me, Mr Salisbury," I said after a while, getting to my feet and opening my parasol. "I am off to find fresh air."
"Would you like me to escort you?" he offered, starting to rise.
"Heavens, no!" I said, motioning for him to sit. "It is simply air, Mr Salisbury - it will be there tomorrow, I assure you."
"If you are sure, Miss Snod...?"
"Very - though I thank you for your kindness."

I nodded politely to him, held up my parasol and picked my way through the chairs and groups of guests, heading for the courtyard I had glimpsed - and feeling utterly bored as I did so. If only Dawson were here! But he was always with his nose in his books nowadays, and Mama would never dream of entreating him to come out!

Unlike myself, of course. And there Mama had no problems with threatening and coercing me into attending stuffy gatherings and stuffing me into dresses with so many frills I felt like an adorned Christmas tree.

Charlse Donnahew

"Do tell us, Master Donnahew," A pudgy woman in a large peach-blossom coloured dress, making her look like an over-iced cake. "Are you presently in a relationship?" She blushed and took out a brilliantly decorated fan out of her purse and proceeded to fan herself.
I smiled at her and the rest of the women that had come uncomfortably close. "I haven't had the pleasure nor the privilage of female love. Now, I will have to excuse myself from this group, I have important matters to discuss with a few of associates. Farewell, Ladies." I bowed once more, they all smiled and waved me farewell.

"Important business, my ass." I heard a familliar voice say behind me.
"Leo." I smiled, turning to see my friend leaning upon a wall, completely content. "What brings you to the Salsbury Estate? Surely it isn't because of good company- you won't find any at these events. Maybe you came to have an intellectual debate with Henry?"
He laughed at my sarcasm, "Or maybe," He said, "I came to save my closest friend from the perils of social gatherings, but I believe that you have that skill mastered." he looked over to the group of ladies, who were deep in conversation once more.
I rolled my eyes, "Save me your taunts, those women will giggle and blush at any man who stops to pay them any attention."
"Yes," He nodded, "But it is especially worth the blush and forced laughter if Lord Charlse Donnahew walks up to your table. You know- Who is that?" I turned to see whom he was talking about. Allison was walking in the other direction, I was glad that she had escaped Henry'company.
"That is Miss Allison Snod." I tell him.
"Well, you must excuse me, Charlse, but I have spotted a fair lady who is without company." With that he made his way towards her.

Leonardo Maxim never attended these occasions, though he was always invited. When he did come, it was to meet new women. I smiled to myself as I made my way to the Estate's private library.

Angelina Chickering

"Are you sure it's this way?" Connor said, looking around skeptically. Ashford didn't say anythin but I could feel his questioning look. I did not dignify his question with a response. It was a well known fact that I am one of the best trackers in the association. Although even I was doubting myself, it seemed as though the undead were heading towards Muddlesbrook. That was unheard of, they always stayed away from populated areas.

The three of us continued onwards, Ashford the hunter, Connor the killer, and me the tracker. "Maybe you've lost your touch my lady." Connor said sarcastically, they were the only two besides Lord Chesterson that knew the star tracker 'Ansel' was actually a woman.

I silenced Connor with a look and went back to tracking. We entered the outskirts of Muddlesbrook and continued on towards the Salisbury estate "We are headed towards Salisbury's aren't we? Weren't you invited to a tea party there Lady Angelina?" Connor said mockingly. I ignored him and stopped abruptly cold shooting through my veins, "there are more of them. They've joined up with another group." I said in a hushed voice. Connor and Ash shared a look and stepped up their pace.

"Maybe you should let us lead Angelina." Ashford said, looking more alert now that he knew there were more than the normal number of undead. I shook my head, "not until we know where they are headed." He reluctantly consented and we picked up our pace.

I stopped when we came within view of the Salisbury mansion. I pointed out a shaky finger and Connor swore. Near the garden of the estate there was a group of at least a dozen of the undead. "Stay back Angelina." Both Connor and Ashford said at the same time as they sprinted towards the group of the undead. I ignored them both, thinking I could at least make sure the garden was clear of people.

Allison Snod:

"You are Miss Snod, I presume?" A young man with a shock of ebony hair came down the path, wearing a top hat artfully angled on his head and an extraordinary lavender-coloured cravat. "A pleasure to make your acquaintance - I am Mr Leonardo Maxim."

I curtseyed as he bowed and analysed him, tilting my head slightly. He did no seem as boring as Henry, but one never knew, really, what a man's intelligence was at first glance. A woman's, certainly, but I had yet to discover a man who displayed his depth and intelligence upon my first look at him.

"The pleasure is mine," I replied properly and returned to gazing intently at the carvings on the side of the statue I had spotted in the middle of a pristine rosebush.
"What is it that has caught your gaze so, Miss Snod?" the young man asked, walking over at his leisure and peering over my shoulder. "A statue?"
"The carvings." I took a step to the side, creating some distance between us. "They remind me of something I once read about. Have you any idea where the Salisbury's got the statue from, Mr Maxim?"

"Haven't a clue," was his response. He shrugged good-naturedly and gestured to the manor. "However, the Salisbury's boast an excellent library - perhaps the book you saw these carvings in is there?"

The memory of the carvings, though insignificant, tickled the edge of my memory and being curious by nature, it bugged me greatly to know I had forgotten something I once knew. "I do hope so. It is rather irritating not to remember."

"May I have the pleasure of accompanying you?" he asked. I thought it was rather out of the blue, seeing I hardly knew the man, but he didn't seem to be as much as a fop as Henry, so I nodded my acceptance and took his offered arm.

Charlse Donnahew

If there was one thing that I liked about the Salsbury Estate, it would be their Library. It was a candle-lit room with sprawlling shelves of leather-bound books. Stepping in was like walking into a fantasy, the comforting smell of old books, weaved into the aroma of melting wax.

I wandered through the isles, waiting for a book to catch my eye. At the very end of the Library, hidden away in a dusty old coner, I found one.

"THE SALSBURY HISTORY." I read aloud. The letters were gold and elegant, written just above what seemed to be a family crest.I blew the dust off the cover and opened it, the pages were brittle and it took all my concetration to not break them.

I began reading, "The Salsbury Family are one of the oldest and most mysterious families in all of England-" I snorted at that, a picture of Henry's ridiculous face spring into my mind. "-Their blood runs deep and cold through the veins of History, they are not a family to reason against." What a lovely family biography, I thought. The author wrote as if he were warning the reader and less like he was writing a ancestrial recount. "They were always a great influence- politically and socially and well liked by friends and aquaintances." There we go, this is what a family history should look like. "Until-" Of course. A twist. "Lady Marrisa Jane Salsbury and her family moved to the lonely town of Muddlesbrook in the 1400's." Hasn't changed much then. "It was here that Marrisa turned mad, screaming about the 'Living Dead' haunting the town. She predicted that Muddlesbrook was cursed but only she knew the cure. She was pronounced a 'Mad Witch' and was burnt at the stake." How charming.

I heard the sound of footsteps behind me and I quickly ripped out the pages about Marrisa, maybe it would help the Hunters as we fought to rid the town of this plague. Undead... Living Dead...
"Charlse! I knew you'd be here!" I saw Leo with Allison close behind.
"That's because I told you, Leo." I smiled at him and bowed to the Lady.
"So you did, tell us, what is so interesting in-" He picked up the book and the cover. He arched an eyebrow, "THE SALSBURY HISTORY? I'm surprised you didn't die from disinterest."

I laughed, "Usually, I'd agree with you, Leonado. But it seems the Salsburys aren't all that they seemed to be."
He opened his mouth to respond but stopped as moaning entered the room. We whipped around to see three undead making a slow journey towards us.

Allison screamed, Leo and I stood infront of her to shield her from them. We took out our guns. It took only three shots and they were dead once more.

Leo and I both work for the Hunters and we had faced many Undead before, this was nothing. But it wasn't nothing to Allison, she sat trembling on the floor, her skirts spilling all around her.

We crouched down, "Are you ok, Miss Snod?" I asked. She nodded and tried to stand but fell straight into Leo's arms- much to his joy.

"We need to tell the Hunters." Leo said as we made our way out of the Library.
I stopped to look out the window, "It seems as if they already know." I pointed at them, then to the group of Undead heading towards them. "We need to get down there."

Allison Snod:

I inhaled deeply and shakily held my parasol before me, in case any more of the Undead were nearby. "I am coming with you," I stated, hating the way my knees under my skirts felt as if they were made of the same horrid tea the Salisbury's had been serving.

"Miss Snod," Mr Donahew said, quite patiently, though I could sense he's growing exasperation. "You are in no condition to go anywhere."
I sniffed and tapped the ground with the parasol. "I will have you know that I am quite fine. Perhaps I was a tad...unprepared to see the Undead, but for God's sake - we were in the library of a well-to-do family in the midst of a tea party! I should say anyone would be unprepared!"

"Quite so," Mr Maxim said solemnly, smothering a smile - and failing miserably. I lifted my chin and began heading down the stairs, leading to the front of the manor - the two young men right on my heels.

"Miss Snod-" Mr Donnahew began.
"Save your energy, sir," I replied, keeping up a quick gait. "I believe you have need of it. I am simply dying of curiosity! There is no way I am going to sit calmly sipping tea when the Undead are about!"

Charlse Donnahew

And that was that.
"Women." Leo laughed, "We will never understand them. Scared out of their wits one minute, and the next they're 'Dying of curiosity'" He laughed, pocketing his gun, I followed suit.

"Miss Snod." I said as Leo and I fell into step beside her.
"Yes, Mr Donnahew?" She asked, a strange mix of curiosity and fear upon her delicate face.
"Well, I was simply wondering how, in fact, you would defend yourself? You are marching into an Undead fight, with the full intention of doing so and you come with nothing more than a lace umbrella. I'd assume that you weren't planning on running, that dress is too heavy for you to get very far."
Leo took out his gun, "This," He explained, "is the only way to kill an Undead. Ammonium Silver bullets kill them faster and more effectively than any other material. So unless you've got one of these in your purse or your parasol fires one, you had better not get too far away from us."

Allison Snod:

I smirked and waved a hand at the two young men. "I understand your need for male supremacy, but really I am quite fine. My brother made sure of that."
"I do not quite follow you," Mr Donnahew said.
"Ammonium silver?" I said, gesturing to Mr Maxim's gun. "My brother is obsessed with it. In fact, he ordered me to have it at hand at all times, lest the Undead ever fancy a visit. Though I wish I had known they were so very fond of tea."

"Your point is, Miss Snod?" Mr Maxim prompted.
"Oh, yes. In the threat of an attack I shall simply brandish this," I waved my parasol, "at the Undead. The point is reinforced with ammonium silver and if I press this-" I showed them a nifty button on the underside of the handle " - ammonium silver darts are released - but I would never use it. A terrible waste of darts and they are so very hard to come by."

Charlse Donnahew

"Impressive." Leo nodded.
"And it was nothing to do with male supremacy, we just wanted to make sure you were prepared. We work side by side with talented, indepedant women." I told her.
"Miss Angelina Chickering, for example." Leo continued, "I saw her outside, at the front of the group, men were cowering behind her. She's brilliant."
"Then there is Conner's sisters, Marybeth and Eliza and quite a few more." I added then smiled at the Lady in our conpany, "Please, Miss Snod. Where we work, we cannot afford to be sexist."
"And where do you work then?" She challenged, but we kept straight faces.
"I'm sorry, Allison, but we cannot tell you."

We reached the front doors and hauled them open.
"Let's have some fun." Leo said and went off to join the rest of the Hunters.
I turned to Allison, "You are a truely unbelievable eoman, Miss Snod."
Then I walked calmly over to Angelina.

Allison Snod:

It will not surprise you in the least that I was less than grateful for being left stranded in the doorway of the Salisbury Manor, by two gentlemen of limited acquaintance, whilst they began speaking in hushed tones to a group of people I had never seen in my life. Not only was it slightly embarrassing - hanging around like an unwanted puppy - but I was simply dying to know what was going on!

It is not everyday that an Undead turns up in a library, at a tea party and that two gentlemen of high caliber compliment you before taking off most rudely. Obviously I was not dense - I understood their haste and their need to confer with their group - but I was a little put out. Did they think me incapable of knowing what was occurring? Of being brave?

Certainly my display in the library and had been less than favourable, but I was not a flower, despite my purple dress and curled hair. I watched, my embarrassment and hurt growing by the second, as Mr Donnahew conversed with a young man...who I immediately realised was, in fact, a woman.

Oh, I am sure not everyone could tell - but it was the tell-tale marks of binding around her mid-section, and the way her body was proportioned. It was quite the shock to see such a blatant display of masculine attire on a female, but I was not against it - far from it, I wish I had the liberty to wear such clothing. My corset was horrid.

Minutes ticked by, and the group had begun to argue amongst themselves. I sighed and wondered whether Mr Donnahew's final comment had been a sort of dismissal. Should I leave? Obviously they had no need of me - and that stung as well, despite my knowing that I could indeed be of use if only someone would divulge what was going on.

And then I spotted something - an insignia on Mr Maxim's gun. I shaded my eyes and squinted, making out two hands holding a sword, which was slashing through a skull. I was startled by its appearance; recognising it immediately from my brother's description.

Dear Lord, they were Hunters - how perfectly thrilling! Though with the thrill came the twinge of reason that they had definitely dismissed me; why would they trouble themselves with a silly, young girl at a ridiculous tea party who enjoyed Tennyson?

I took on last longing glance at the group of Hunters, before slowly retreating from the doorway and making my way back to the tea party.

Chatlse Donnahew

"Evacuate the Estate! There are too many innocent people here! If we're going to clear it, we must clear all people out." Conner argued with Angelina. They were such good friends and prone to this type of argument.
"No, we need to complete this as quickly as possible, if we raise any type of alarm, the panic will only delay us even more." She saw Leo and I approaching. "Where in Heaven's name have you been?"
"Well," I said calmly, "We were pretending to enjoy the company of the Salsburys until we were able to escape to the Library where we were met by three undead."
"They're in the house?" Angelina looked shocked.
"They were the only ones, we came accross no others on our way here." Leo told her.
"Were you with anyone?"
"A woman." I replied, "I'm presuming that I will have to go get her to prevent her from raising the alarm?"
Angelina nodded, "Leo, Conner and Myself will go with you while we clear the inside properly, the rest will patrol the grounds."
So we split.

Allison Snod:

"Allison!" Mama exclaimed, coming up beside me as I re-entered the party. I felt oddly disconnected - the assembly too extravagant and frivolous compared to what I had just witnessed. "Where in heavens name were you?"

"I took a turn about the garden," I replied calmly, taking a seat beside her and declining a cup of tea. I could not stomach such watery concoctions. "And a look at the Salisbury library. It was quite an interesting experience."
"Well, Mr Salisbury was so very worried about you," Mama said, raising her eyebrows significantly.

"Bully for him," I muttered, snatching up a biscuit and biting into it.

"Allison!" Mama gasped, looking around hastily. "Such language!"
I refrained from rolling my eyes and sighed delicately. "Mama, Mr Salisbury is, quite frankly, a bore. And no, not a swine Mama, rather he has not concept of literature whatsoever. He has a horrid fascination with coal mines."
"There is nothing wrong with coal!"
"Neither is there anything right about it. Really, did he expect me to be ecstatic over it?"

Suddenly Mr Donnahew appeared, tailed by Mr Maxim and another man I did not know. Whilst Mr Maxim hurried over to a group of ladies, and the other man to Mrs Salisbury, Mr Donnahew headed straight towards the table I was seated at - halting abruptly and bowing low.

"Excuse me, Mrs Snod - mightn't I request your daughter's presence for a mere moment?"
I was immediately suspicious, but Mama gobbled it all up. "Oh, of course! I shall just go and have a nice chat with Mrs Palmer!" She raised her eyebrows at me and swept off, leaving me with Mr Donnahew.

"What do you want, sir?" I asked him, tapping my parasol against the floor.
Mr Donnahew quickly sat in my mother's vacated seat and leaned in close. "Miss Snod - what you saw in the library...I need you to keep silent about what occurred. You must not tell anymore, or alarm them. Do you understand?"

I bristled at this and let out a slow breath to calm myself. "Dear sir, I am hardly slow - did you really think I would hightail myself over to the local papers and screech to the heavens about the presence of The Unrefined Post-Mortem? I may not be a Hunter, Mr Donnahew," I added, lifting my chin, "but I am no simpleton."

"I shall keep my silence," I continued. "Indeed, I shall never speak of it to anyone. I am so glad that after so brief a meeting, your opinion of me is as such that you would believe me capable of acting like a ninny."

"Good day to you, sir," I said, getting to my feet and lifting my parasol. I tossed my head and stalked off to where my mother sat in avid conversation with Mrs Palmer, not looking back.

"Insufferable man," I muttered. Mama looked up and smiled widely.
"Hello, dear - are you quite alright?"
Besides being rudely accused and made useless? "Oh of course, Mama. I was only wondering whether I could leave soon? I have a rather horrid headache." Which was, in no way, a lie.

Charlse Donnahew

What a brilliant woman. I couldn't help but smile at her accusing tone. Leo came over to me, "Isn't Miss Snod remarkable?" I asked him.
"Well, if you call an overly pushy, arrogant and proud woman remarkable, then yes, she is rather."
I laughed, then smiled once more, remembering her almost patronising breakdown of my character, when as she stated herself, we had only just met. "She did not like my asking not to tattle, but whether she was intelligent or had the brain of a rock, Angelina told me to tell Miss Snod, and that's what I did. "
Leo nodded then we both saw Angelina beckon and we were off to clear the premises withoyt any of the guests knowing.

Allison Snod:

It is an invigorating moment in one's life when one tells a falsehood and insists upon doing something rash when one had explicitly been told not to. Such was the case when I informed my mother I was taking a hackney home. She had fussed, cooed over me and then resigned herself to allowing me to go home on the condition I accompanied her to the Trenton's knitting circle the following week.

With gritted teeth I had accepted, all the while making note of exactly when Mr Donnahew, Mr Maxim and the other man I did not know left. I slipped away from the tea party and hailed a hackney, climbing into it with a little difficulty considering my skirts.

"Where to, miss?"
I tapped my parasol against the hackney floor. "The next street over, if you please."

The hackney delivered me there and I alighted from it, paid the man, and quickly made my way back to the Manor, hoping that had gotten Mama off my tail. I spotted a servant's entrance and slipped inside - thankful that most of them seemed to be too busy serving those at the party. Ducking around tables and avoiding collisions with pots and pans, I made my way into a silent hallway.

The marble floor was irritating - my steps resonating, so I slipped off my ridiculous heeled shoes and crept along, looking for the Hunters. Where could they be? In the Library would be an excellent start, but I needn't had troubled myself, for I heard hushed voices and backed against a wall, listening closely.

"-Setting off an explosive, Conner?" Mr Donnahew's voice, if I wasn't mistaken. "Isn't that a little...rash, my good man?"
"The only way to get them all out of here," came the injured reply, clearly the other unknown man. "Like you two have had any ideas."
"Is it a large one?" questioned Mr Maxim's voice.
"Ah...um, no. Not really."
"Which is it, man?" Mr Donnahew asked.
"Well, I haven't exactly tested it!"
"A fine time to admit to that fact, Conner," groaned Mr Maxim.

"Are you going to keep bickering?" A woman's voice. "Or are we going to make sure the evacuation happens?"
"We have two choices," Mr Donnahew said. "Firstly, create a diversion and make sure everyone leaves so we can deal with the problem. Or, we could deal with the problem and leave everyone be."
"I quite like the second option," Mr Maxim offered.
"Well, I like the first," came the man known as Conner's voice.
"I wonder why," came the woman's wry reply. "Are we sure no one knows about all this?"

I pressed myself against the wall and tried not to breathe. "Crisis averted," Mr Donnahew responded and I bristled with indignation. Well, really! What a horrid man! I was starting to quite like using the word 'horrid' as it seemed to be applicable to nearly every situation I found myself in. "Now - what are we to do?"

Angelina Chickering

It was lucky that we had run into Leo and Charlse, I'm not sure that our little group of three would have been enough to stop this many undead. During a lull in our conversation I heard a "humph" coming from a wall and I edged away, making a circle motion with my finger. Telling them to continue speaking. Connor nodded and gave me a thumbs-up. I quietly padded over and around a corner, quickly grabbing the girl who had pressed herself against the wall.

"Oh!" She said, seemingly surprised at being found. I frowned, "weren't you with Charlse earlier?" She nodded and her expression turned sour at the mention of Charlse. "You may as well join us since you already know what's going on." She nodded and looked both excited and apprehensive at the same time.

Connor and Ashford looked slightly surprised when I came back with someone else, though Leo and Charlse didn't. "She was listening to us." I said and shrugged. "So, what are we going to do? We can either evacuate and create panic. Or we can take care of the problem right now and risk somebody being in the wrong place at the wrong time. So what's it gonna be?" I asked with my arms crossed over my chest.

I shot Connor a look when he opened his mouth to speak, "and no, either way we are not setting off explosives!" He pouted and I rolled my eyes. "I think we can accomplish more as long as we can keep the guests contained in one place. Miss Snod and Leo can keep the guests in the parlor and fend off any of the undead who attempt to attack them. Ash, Charlse, Connor, and myself can get rid of the rest of them."

"Sounds like a plan Angel." Leo said sweetly and I fought the urge to put my hands on my hips. "Anyone opposed?" They all shook their heads and we headed off. Ash and Connor went ahead to get to the undead outside while Charlse and I went a bit more slowly, making sure there weren't any others inside.

"So, what did you do to Miss Snod? She seems to... Dislike you." Charlse got a smitten look on his face but did not answer. I shrugged and we continued to search the house, finding no signs of the undead. We went outside and pulled out our pistols, joining Connor and Ash as they fought with the undead.

***

I was sweating by the time we had disposed of all but a couple of the undead. "Bombs away!" I looked over to where Connor was in time to see him throw something towards me. "Move Angelina!" "Wha-?" I stopped when I saw a round object land at the feet of one of the moaning undead which was not three feet away. My eyes widened and I sprinted out of the way. There was an explosion and the area surrounding where the object had landed was covered in a silver goo, including the undead which was starting to sizzle.

I stalked towards Connor, "what did I say?! No explosives!" He had a crazed glint in his eyes, "but it worked didn't it? And the undead are dead once again." It was hard to argue with that logic but still, I doubted that he had tested it before now.

"We had best go tell Miss Snod and Leo that we have finished." I noticed Ash grimace and I frowned. "Are you well Ashford?" He nodded but I noticed that he was clutching his shoulder. "You should head back to the association and have them treat your shoulder, that could get infected quickly." Ash nodded and Connor went with him to make sure he made it back safely.

"Shall we?" Charlse said giving me a slight bow. I smiled and we made our way back to the mansion. We quickly found Leo, but had to search a bit more to find Miss Snod. She turned we she saw us and waved, but as she turned one of the undead came up behind her. Charlse shouted in warning and she turned, but froze at the sight of the slavering beast limping towards her. Leo, Charles, and I each pulled out our pistols but they all clicked uselessly. We were out of bullets and Miss Snod was still frozen.

I made a quick decision and sprinted towards her, roughly pushing her out of the way and pulling out my silver amonium tipped dagger. I wasn't quite fast enough though and the thing bit me before I could stab it. I let out a screech as it chomped through flesh and went all the way to the bone. It was good fortune that I still held my dagger and was able to stab the thing before it went any further through my forearm. It died with a disgusting gurgle and slumped to the floor.

I dropped the dagger and cradled my arm to my chest. "Are you ok Miss Snod?" She nodded, looking quite shell shocked. She gasped and pointed at me, "your arm! It bit you didn't it? You'll get infected!" I waited until she calmed down a bit. "I won't get infected, everyone in the Hunters Association has to take regular vaccinations before we can be assigned anywhere. Of course we don't let the public have them because the vaccinations can kill you if your body can't handle the stress. We wouldn't want to get everyone's hopes up of finding a cure, because if most people in the public took them they would die."

Charlse Donnahew

I offered my hand to help Miss Snod to her feet, she reluctantly took it but scowled hideously as she did so. I really don't know what I had done to make her hate me so, but there was nothing I could do, she seemed determined not to speak to me.

"Angelina," I said, looking over the woman's injury and trying to see if the amount of Undead Venom wasn't too much for the antidote to fix. It wasn't. "I can safely say, Miss Chickering, that you will live to slay another Undead."
She laughed, "We should get back to the Association, they'll want a debriefing." She said to me, then began to whisper, "How do we lose Miss Snod?"
"We could just make her look at Charlse's face, she doesn't seem to like it that much." Leo suggested mockingly. I laughed as did Angelina.
"I know," I said and walked over to Allison, who was admiring some carvings on the wall. "Miss Snod, as you have so cleverly deduced, we are Hunters and now we must return to the Association to discuss the happenings of today. Now, as much as you may 'Die for Curiosity', you may not follow us. To do so is to call upon your own death."
She looked shocked, "You'd kill me?"
"I wouldn't. Killing people isn't something I'd do. I'm just forewarning you, Allison, there are people in the Association who wouldn't hesitate to put some Ammonium Silver in your back- whether your a woman or young or claim to be on this team, it matters not to them. I worry for your safety, Miss Snod, so please just go home and forget that this ever happened."
She nodded slowly and made a slow journey back to the teaparty.

I went back to the others, "Nicely said." Angelina nodded.
I smiled then remembered the sheets in my pocket, "Angelina, I tgink there is something you should know when we get back to The Hunters."

Angelina Chickering

"Angelina, I think there is something you should know when we get back to The Hunters." And that was all Charlse would say on the matter, despite my constant pestering.

I still clutched my arm to my chest, despite knowing that I wouldn't be infected it still hurt. A lot. I hoped Ash was doing ok, I knew he was most likely fine his wound wasn't as serious as mine. But still it would make me feel much better when I saw him and could verify that he was indeed all right.

I felt slightly guilty, telling Miss Snod that if she followed she would be killed. She wouldn't be killed if she followed us. Most likely anyway. There were just some in the Association that were a little overzealous about secrecy, not that they didn't have a point in some cases. Like for example, women. Some of the higher ups didn't sit well with the fact that women were out risking there lives for them, it did not matter if many of the women were better fighters and had higher immunity to the undead virus than many men. And so woman were urged to mascarade as men or healers whenever they went out on assignment, or whenever a benefactor of the Association came to visit. It was irksome to say the least.

"Do you think Connor and Ashford remembered to send a team to clean up?" I said, suddenly worried and Charlse grimaced. "Ashford would remember, but with his injury he shall be whisked off to the medical ward and won't have time to say anyhting." I made a face, glad that I wouldn't have to be there when the bodies were discovered. So much for our plan of not causing a panic.

Allison Snod:

I did not return to the tea party.

How could I? Mama believed me home lying on a lounge, with a cool cloth to my forehead. I couldn't suddenly make an appearance and pretend everything was dandy! But I nodded meekly and turned to leave, disliking Mr Donnahew more and more by the minute.

The Hunters were so mysterious - so brash. It was as if they were oblivious to the fact that everyone knew of the Undead's presence - but clearly the Hunters were akin to a kind of exclusive knitting party. And to think I had pegged the Salisburys for snobs, when the Hunters were their own special brand of snob, complete with explosives.

I stared dejectedly at my ruined dress, the hem of which smouldered from the explosive that had been set off. Wonderful. Now I would have to explain that to Polly, and most likely Mama.

I was confused, shocked and hurt and I did the only thing I could think of doing. I hailed a hackney and gave the driver the address to my brother's workplace. I needed to speak with Dawson; maybe he would give me the information I longed for so and perhaps he would figure out a way for me to find out exactly what those Hunters were up to.

The whole drive I stared out the window at the passing houses, trying very hard not to think of Hunters, Undead or men with a penchant for Tennyson.

Charlse Donnahew

We arrived at St Billington Street and walked up to the Front doors of the Hunter's Association. The building just looked like a large estate home, the public would only assume it to be so.
I took out my Hunter's key and let us all inside. "Angelina was bitten, sanitise the wound. The vacination should save her from transformation but not infection." I told a nurse who was standing nearby.
Angelina protested, "But you have to tell me something."
"I will when you're ok." She nodded and allowed herself to be led to the Infirmary. I turned to Leo, "Make sure that there is a clean up team at The Salsbury Estate."
"Will do." And he was on his way.
"What do I do?" Conner asked.
"Make sure that all our guns are reloaded."
"Yes Charlse."

And I'm sure you can assume where I went next. Yes, the Library. I needed to know more about Marrisa Jane Salsbury.

Angelina Chickering

There was a new nurse in the medical ward. It was clear the second I stepped through the entryway and someone screamed. The nurse who had escorted me jerked me back and gripped my shoulder to keep me from doing anything when I had started towards the source of the scream. "Calm yerself Ansel, it was only Miss Julia. She is new and hasn't had time to adjust to some o' the more bloody cases." The nurse said with an Irish accent.

I relaxed slightly and let the nurse examine my arm. She let out an exclamation when she saw how deep it was and muttered in Gaelic. "Yer lucky the bugger did nay go deeper, yer muscles should be fine and everything else seems in order." She rubbed some salve onto the wound and bandaged it tightly.

I did not say anything as the nurse finished, only nodding when she said I was fine to leave. It was hard not speaking to the kind Irish nurse, but her using the name Ansel meant someone was listening. Someone who was against women risking everything to save the good people of Muddlesbrook.

"How is Ashford?" I said in my deepest voice and the nurse led me to where he was talking with a nurse. I let out a sigh of relief, even knowing he would be fine it still put my heart at ease to see him bandaged and walking about.

He turned when he saw me, "ah good, you have been seen to. Connor came and told me that Charlse has found something and wants to shows us. We are to meet in the library as soon as you are able." I nodded and we thanked the nurses before leaving.

Allison Snod:

It would be terribly difficult to guess what the first thing my dearest brother did upon seeing me at the Naxley Institute was. He smiled broadly and said, "Come in, Ally - would you like some tea?"

Tea. Again. I forced a smile on my face and said, "No offence to you nor the tea, Dawson, but I will decline your offer for the time being, if you do not mind."
"Of course, sister." Dawson put down the heavy volume he'd been squinting at and leaned back into the velvet armchair by the fireplace that he occupied at the present time.

The Institute - a place for scholars and the like - had a myriad of small workspaces, studies and libraries all under the one roof and Dawson's area was quite well furnished. He practically lived there and I had grown to think of it as my second home, except without the hired help, Mama's shrill exclamations and the ring of the tea bell.

"So, what do you need this time?" Dawson asked. He had blonde hair like mine, except unkempt in a way that made him look like an overgrown schoolboy - a child in men's clothing and with a man's height and voice. "Did you ever find out what that French maid was muttering on about?"

I nodded and took a seat on the lounge opposite his chair. "She was speaking of a lost inheritance of some sort. Terribly anti-climatic - and after I went to all that trouble to translate her letters!"
"Quite so," Dawson said solemnly. "But it was not a complete waste of time, was it now? For learning in and of itself-"
"-is always the greatest reward," I finished, rolling my eyes. "I know, Dawson."
"Father would be proud of you," Dawson said. "Have you had word from him?"

Our father, Mr Snod of the Vanderhill Snods, was currently stuck - or 'residing' - in London, where he had business. He frequently sent letters, but recently I had noticed a lapse. "No," I said, feigning nonchalance. "No word at all. But I am sure he shall write soon."

Dawson shot me a shrewd look but did not comment. "That is all very well, Ally, but again I shall ask - what need have you of me?"
I took a deep breath and then asked, "Have you a book on carvings?"

Dawson looked thoughtful and began fiddling with his cravat - a sure sign the cogs in his brain were at work. "Carvings? Well, what kind - ancient, modern, eastern, western...?"
"I haven't a clue," I said bluntly. "Yet I saw the most unusual carvings on the side of statue at Salisbury Manor - and again on their walls. It was not ornamental, rather it seemed almost like a form of linguistics."

Dawson got up from his chair and smiled at me. "I will see what I can do."

Angelina Chickering

I had almost made it to the library when one of Lord Chesterson's servants found me. "My master has requested your presence." He said, bowing low. I shivered slightly and followed him as he lead the way, leaving Ashford to continue on to the library.

I tried to stay calm, but it was hard. It took almost every ounce of my willpower not to flee. It didn't take long to get to Lord Chesterson's study. The servant knocked on the door, "bring her in." Came a male voice from beyond the door. The servant opened the door and followed me inside. "That will be all Peter, thank you." Said the man who was sitting at the desk reading a newspaper.

"I heard you were injured." He said without looking up. I swallowed and tried to quell my trembling voice. "Yes, I was forced to protect a civilian whom was nearly bitten." Lord Chesterson nodded, "yes a Miss Allison Snod. Wise to protect her, it would be terrible if her injury were to affect her brother's work. He's very important to the Association." He looked up, briefly examining me, " it seems that due to your wound you shall be unable to attend any social events. I shall spread the word that you are unwell." I nodded as he went back to his paper.

"That will be all Angelina." "Yes Lord Chesterson." I said and quickly left the study, feeling relieved.

Allison Snod:

"Well?" I poked Dawson's leg with my parasol. "Have you found anything yet?" It was getting close to supper and Mama would be wondering where I was.

"Patience, Ally," Dawson mumbled, too intent on his task of scanning the many shelves in the room. His blue eyes were narrowed in concentration as he ran a slender finger along a book spine. "No...no not that one, though perhaps..."

I sighed and retreated, taking a seat in the seat behind his desk, setting my parasol against the chair and peering at the papers scattered across the mahogany wood of the desk. Reports to the university, a small pocketbook novel titled The Complete Anatomical Works of Gregory Fisher , pens with dry nibs, ragged pieces of string and a few broken seals...my gaze faltered on a letter, whose header read: The Association would like to thank you for your continued research in the areas of-

"Found it!" Dawson's triumphant exclamation made me start and I hastily got to my feet, snatching up my parasol as I made my way to his side. He turned from the shelf and waved a brown leather-bound book in front of me. "Architecture - a Guide , by a jolly fellow by the name of Figgs. Has some stuff on carvings and other decorative features, I believe. Take a look; though you'd best take it with you, I suppose, seeing the dearest mother is probably sending out the search party as we speak."

I took the book from him and accepted the small satchel he passed me to place it in. "Thank you, Dawson," I said, smiling up at him.
He ruffled my curls and grinned. "No problem, sister dearest. Just don't get into any trouble 'til I see you next, hmm?"

I laughed and waggled my fingers at him as I left - making no such promises.

Charlse Donnahew

The Huter's Association Library is the best place for research, it had a list of every person and evennt they'd ever been to, what people thought about them and what they were interested in. I was a hub for Hunters who were researching the beginning of the Undead invasion and its cure.

I sat on a comfortable armchair, sifting through old news articles- all involving the Salsburys but not necessarily Marrisa. Most of them were boring, they were the more recent ones. Only when I began getting to the older ones did things get interesting.

Then suddenly I came across a diary entry from another Salsbury, a cousin? A sibling? A child? It was dated just after Marrisa's execution. The paper was so old that I had to read it from behind a viewing glass and wear gloves when I touched it.

"My Salsbury Shame" I read, taking notes in my small leather journal, it was already spilling with notes from previous cases. "To think that one of my own blood, a necromancer! Disgusting..." Finally, I thought, something interesting.

Allison Snod:

I gave a sniff of disgust and pushed the bowl of porridge away. "Dear Lord, Ivy," I said to the maid to my left. "This is simply ghastly-looking - I feel like I am about to eat a pile of human entrails!"

"Heavens, Allison," Mama admonished, patting the corners of her mouth daintily with a napkin. "Be more gentile, dear. That frown is most unbecoming."
"I refuse to consume it," I protested, taking a large gulp of the fresh coffee on hand. "I would rather starve."
"Well, I suspect you'd fit into your new dress better if you chose to," was Mama's comforting remark. "Very well - don't eat it. But be sure to eat something light before you go to the Parkinsons this morning; it would not be seemly to have a fainting spell, now."

The Parkinsons had only one daughter, Christine, and she was my age with big brown eyes and a penchant for frills and bows. We had become fast friends, what with her ability to get me out of unpleasant situations and of course, she was rather entertaining to listen to. I quite liked her.

"Yes, Mama." I got to my feet and smothered a yawn. I had spent most of the night candidly reading by candlelight the book Dawson had given me. I had yet to find anything on the carvings, though, much to my disappointment.

Allison Snod:

Christine wrinkled her nose and looked over her shoulder as we walked, side by side. "Good grief - is Alexander still tailing us?!"

"It would seem that way," I replied, not bothering to glance behind us.
"Mother must have put him up to it," Christina said spitefully. "It is honestly like I cannot take a step out of my own house without my useless brother following me. Mother does not have me tail him when he ventures out, of that I assure you! The unfairness of it!"

Christine's older brother Alexander was the bane of her existence and they shared a rather terse relationship based on mutual dissatisfaction - Alexander always complained he had wanted a brother, whilst Christine adamantly argued that he was no brother of hers and that she and I were long-lost sisters.
At the present time, whilst Christine and I walked through Axley Park, enjoying the sunshine, Alexander followed a good distance behind - the ever-lurking chaperone.

Christine took a calming breath and set her shoulders. "So...are you going to tell me of the party yesterday?"
I rolled my eyes and angled my parasol so as to shade my face. "Oh, Christine, you do over-romanticise the event - the tea was not even half decent, let alone the company."
"Do you mean to say not one gentleman caught your eye?!"
"Why is that so hard to comprehend?"
Christine gave me a look. "It is not hard to comprehend, Allison, simply unbelievable given your situation. Surrounded by the cream of the crop and yet you saw nothing that pleased you?"

I stepped closer to her as the path narrowed. "I do hate when you make such events sound like a meat market, Christine. It is a terrible put-off."
Christine shrugged. "Call it what you will, but I personally would have loved to have gone - but Alexander was not on hand to accompany me and Mother and Father had to attend this dreary event at the Benerey's. Though," she added, shooting her brother a spiteful look, "Alexander seems to have an awful lot of time now."

"I repeat - not a man there was worthy of my attention." No man, nor Hunter. And I did not mean 'attention' in the romantic sense - I simply meant my attention, my time...no one there had been worth me giving two seconds thought about. "Or of yours, Christine; trust me, you can do far better than Henry Salisbury anyday!"

Christina laughed at shook her head. She was tall, with curling brown hair that framed a heart-shaped face with rosy cheeks - and a good heart. She may not be picture-perfect in the artistic sense, she was a face I had grown fond of seeing and I valued her true friendship very much.

Angelina Chickering

"Connor!" I whispered, trying to get his attention without raising anyone's suspicions. He glanced at me and nodded, signaling he had heard me. He murmured an excuse to his companions and and sauntered over to me and I rolled my eyes. So much for not raising suspicions. "What can I do for you, Ansel?" I made a face, "I just met with Lord Chesterson." He nodded and smirked, "would you like me to accompany you to Borgon's?" I tried not to nod too eagerly, meeting with my benefactor was always stressful.

Connor laughed and threw his arm over my shoulders. "Never met a woman who can hold her liquor quite like you Angel."

Allison Snod:

After my walk with Christine, I said my goodbyes and made my way Klyders Lane - hoping to grab a few writing supplies, including a new stack of tracing paper, so I could trace the illustrations of the carvings in the book Dawson'd given me.

Klyder's Lane was always in a whirl of movement, carts being pushed along by men wearing cloth caps pulled down to cover grubby faces and the air filled with chatter and the swish of women's skirts as they tottered along, surveying the shops. Today was no different and I wove through the crowds, using my parasol to get through particularly dense areas and into Webbons.

Webbons was full of bits, bobs and assorted knick-knacks. From pearl studded pocket watches and monocles, to leather notebooks and scents to dab onto personalised writing paper - Webbons had it all. I smiled as I breathed in the smell of leather and books, lifting my skirts as closed the store door behind me and made my way up the short flight of steps into the shop.

Skirting around a large display case, I made my way over to the shelf containing the tracing paper and carefully took out four sheets and then made my way into the back of the shop. "Mr Westerfield - are you here?"

A gruff voice replied from somewhere within the store. "I will be with you in a moment, Miss Snod." I finally found the desk at the back and set down the tracing paper, looking around me and then above my head at the wind chimes that Mr Westerfield had hung there. The man himself appeared a moment later, grumbling.

"Rotten timing," he said, narrowing his blue eyes at me - one larger than the other in appearance thanks to the monocle he wore. He snatched up the paper and began to roll it up for me. "I was just unpacking a crate of envelope openers from London."
"I am awfully sorry," I said, trying to look solemn.

"Hogs-teeth," was the rude reply. Mr Westerfield shot me a wry look, the wrinkles at the corner of his eyes deepening in amusement. "I have not seen a less sorry person in my life, Miss Snod. Beside, you know how much I adore your company."
I raised an eyebrow. "Really? I thought you found me quite annoying."

He gave a low rumbling chuckle at that. "Aye. You are that - you can talk the hind legs off a donkey when you put yourself to it, but you've got a brain on you, Miss Snod, and you're not afraid to use it."
"Why, Mr Westerfield; that sounded awfully like a compliment."
"Nah," the old man said, handing me the rolled paper. "Your hearing needs fixing, Miss Snod."
I smiled and handed him the money from my purse, placing the paper in the satchel I'd brought with me. "Well, thank you kindly, Mr Westerfield. I must be on my way."

Mr Westerfield inclined his head. "Give my best to your brother, Miss Snod."
"I will."

Angelina Chickering

"You know what's strange?" I slurred to the men at the table. "Angel, do not even bother to finish that sentence. They've all passed out." I looked at the men, trying to concentrate enough to see whether or not they were indeed out cold. I giggled when I saw that they were. "I told them I could out-drink any man, but they didn't believe me!" For some odd reason I found that humorous so I kept giggling.

Connor looked at me, his amusement clear. "Ash won't be pleased when I bring you back inebriated." I put my glass down and it made a clang as it hit the table. "Oh, who cares about Ashford? He's a fuddy duddy anyway, he never comes out drinking with us." I pouted for a moment before returning to my drink. "I propose that that is due to the fact that you always drink Borgon's out of their supply of liquor Angel." Connor said still amused.

I giggled again and hiccuped, going cross eyed as I tried to keep the room in focus. "I'm glad that they keep a private room for the Association, at least then we may attempt to conceal your true gender. Not many would look kindly upon a lady getting drunk or the fellows drinking with her." I tried to speak but it came out so slurred I was not sure what I was attempting to say. "I believe it is time to return before they send out a search party."

I protested but Connor ignored my protests and slung me over his back like a sack of potatoes. "You have our thanks, do make sure those fellows are all right will you? The lady does like to drink a lot and sometimes men just don't know when they have been beaten. As always send the bill to the Association." Connor said to the barkeep as he carried me out.

Allison Snod:

I was terribly bored.

I sat at my desk, tracing paper beside my arm and the book Dawson had given me opened before me, its crisp pages smooth beneath my fingers as I turned page after page - blocking a yawn with the back of my gloved hand. I had found nothing, besides some rabble about Egyptian carvings on the insides of tomb walls and I was quite sure the Salisbury's had no Egyptian connections.

I leaned back in my chair and glanced over at my bedroom door. Perhaps...perhaps I could simply take a quick walk past the Hunter's Association's headquarters. It would be quite the coincidence, of course - not done on purpose or anything. Not that I wanted to run into the Hunters and ask numerous questions - not at all!

I grabbed my day hat and my parasol, twirling it fondly and bringing my satchel with the book in it. I would show it to Mr Donnahew...if I saw him. Not that I would, because that would be a coincidence, of course.

I smiled to myself as I slipped out the door.

Charlse Donnahew

I had finished in the library and grabbed my coat and top hat and began to leave. I knew that Angelina was in the bar, drinking all the boys unconscious. Brilliant woman.

I had just closed the door of the Association when I spotted the lovely woman known as Allison Snod. I chuckled to myself, despite my exasperation.

She hadn't noticed me yet so I stolled behind her. "Miss Snod." I said eventually. She dropped her parasol in shock, I picked it up for her.
She turned to face me, clearly not happy at my appearance. "Mr Donnahew. Don't you have Undead to kill and women to swoon?"
I laughed, "I've done both of those today, Allison. Right now, I'm just wondering what brings you over to this side of Muddlesbrook?"
"I'm going to the park." She lied.
"Well," I said. And admittedly, I was trying to be bothersome. "I live right beside the park so I'll escort you there."
She frustratedly took my offered arm and we began walking.
"Mr Donnahew, I really don't like you." Allison sighed.
I laughed, "Miss Snod, with a rhyme like that you'll be as good as any Poet!" She rolled her eye which only made me laugh again. "Oh, Miss Snod. You may not like me, but I like you a lot. You are hilarious."

Allison Snod:

Hilarious?

I sighed and shook my head, feeling my curls tickle the nape of my neck. "I do try, Mr Donnahew, but I dare say that it is not the lure of entertainment that has you accompanying me."
Mr Donnahew cast me a wry look. "Neither do I believe that you are purely enjoying the wonders of the park, Miss Snod."

I feigned indignation. "Are you trying to say that I am lying, Mr Donnahew?"
"And very prettily, if I do say so," he replied, smiling.
Shaking my head and tapping my parasol, I said, "I assure you - I had meaningful and well-thought out plans to walk among the trees and to drink in the beautiful harmony of nature!"

Mr Donnahew chuckled. "None whatsoever were inclined towards stumbling across Billington Street and the Association?"

Allison Snod:

I swallowed and raised an eyebrow in what I hoped look like a show of confidence. "Why in Heavens name would I do that, Mr Donnahew?"

Mr Donnahew smiled at me. "Must you keep up the charade, Miss Snod?"
"I have not the foggiest notion what you speak of, Mr Donnahew."
"Come now - we both know very well that you heading this way is no coincidence. No offence to your person, Miss Snod, but subtly is not your biggest attribute."

Angelina Chickering

I groaned and felt the rush of a new headache. Connor looked at me, bemused. "Sober yet?" I nodded, wishing I could just shake off the headache. "Good. Melinda is sending us out again," he said sounding grim. My head shot up and I stared at Connor. "Already? We've only just returned! Ashford and I have not even had time to heal yet!" Connor looked at me, pained. "Do you think I do not know that? I know you and Ashford haven't had time to properly heal, do you think they do not know that!"

Connor stood looking at me and I looked back at him sadly. Everyone in the Association knew we were spread too thin, but never in my strangest day dreams had I imagined the circumstances were this bad. That they would send teams back out after most of the team had been injured. Connor extended his arm and grimly said, "shall we fetch Ashford? I doubt he would be very forgiving if we went without him." I was worried, this was not like Connor, but as there was nothing I could do I nodded and took his arm.

Allison Snod:

I looked away and cursed inwardly. Bullocks! It seemed I was doomed to be tailed by the bothersome Mr Donnahew - how in Heavens name was I to slip away to the Association and pry?

"You really needn't accompany me, Mr Donnahew," I tried. "I am sure you have much pleasanter activities to be conducting on a gorgeous day like today."

Allison Snod:

Just then there was a commotion from across the street. Mr Donnahew shoved me behind him without hesitation and pulled out a strange-looking device - almost a cross between a sword, a gun and a fire-poker. "Stay here," he commanded, making to leave me.

"I will not!" I replied, twisting the handle of my parasol and watching the spikes shoot out of the holes in the fabric. "I will accompany you."
"This is not fun and games, Miss Snod," Mr Donnahew said in exasperation.
"Really? Why, I thought we were playing croquet," I replied, sarcasm evident in my tone. "Shall we visit the theatre after we off a few undead?"
"Be serious."
"I am, Mr Donnahew. It is you who are being foolish."

Charlse Donnahew

Know the time of day, Angelina was most probably drunk and a lot of Hunters had gone back to the Salsbury's for further investigation.

So I was left to protect Miss Snod and fight a gang of Undead. Do not judge me, yes Miss Snod had the means to defend herself but that does not mean that she had the ability to. Last time, she fainted. But there was nothing I could do, so I rushed into battle with Allison clipping at my heels.

Allison Snod:

When we reached the source of the commotion, we glimpsed a man in a long overcoat brandishing a knife at a putrid, rotting Undead who was trying to maul the man's shoulder, its dead, sightless eyes giving me chills through my body. Mr Donnahew held out an arm to slow my approach, clearly not wanting to spook the Undead and draw its attention to us.

"If things start to get messy, Miss Snod, I must ask you to leave me and go get help from the Association." Mr Donnahew's eyes met mine, his expression serious.
"The Association. Why, I have no idea where that is." I smiled at him. He smiled back, shaking his head with a soft laugh.
"Ah, Miss Snod. Never a dull moment with you around."

With that he drew his weapon and pulled back a lever I hadn't noticed. He clicked back a compartment and I caught sight of a dart - right before he clicked the lever and the dart shot out the 'blade' or the sword-contraption, which was actually similar to the barrel of a gun. The dart connected with the Undead's neck and it howled - swatting at the dart and staggering around to face us.

I immediately stepped forward and struck the Undead in the chest with my parasol - twisting the lower section of the handle to activate the blades which hooked themselves into the rotting flesh and when I tugged the parasol back, I heard a ripping noise as pieces of flesh came away. Grimacing in disgust, I gestured with my head to Mr Donnahew to aid the man, who was leaning against the building, taking deep breaths and holding his bleeding shoulder. The Undead hissed and made to grab me but I pressed the bottom the handle and ammonium silver sprayed from the tip of the parasol - the Undead roared in agony and clutched its face.

I nearly tripped over the hem of my dress as I stumbled back away from the Undead, who stumbled blindly after me. Mr Donnahew came up behind it and raised his contraption - slicing off the thing's head in a single, elegant stroke. There was a heartbeat's pause and then the head fell to the ground, rolling to a stop at my feet. Mr Donnahew then sliced the body in half and shot it with two more of the darts. We stared at each other over the corpse.

"Are you...are you alright?" he asked, slightly breathless.
I swallowed hard, avoiding looking at the beheaded rotting corpse. "I will not be fainting anytime soon, sir - I can assure you."

He came up to me and gently grabbed my elbow and led me over to the man. "You would not happen to have a clean handkerchief on you, Miss Snod?" I nodded and rummaged with trembling hands in my coat pocket, before handing it over to him. He accepted it with a smile of thanks and ripped it in half - pressing the pieces to the man's wound, causing him to moan in pain.

Charlse Donnahew

The man wasn't looking good, his shoulder oozed with blood and puss and the area had begun to turn black with undead venom.
He winced as pressed the dainty napkin into the wound. "You are going well, stay with me." But he passed out from the pain.
I turned to Allison. I knew when someone was beyond help. "We need to get him to the Association but..." I trailed off.
"But what?" She asked.
"Sometimes, Miss Snod, Hunters don't protect the citizens of Muddlesbrook as well as we try. Sometimes we fail. And tonight, this man will eith become Undead or die in the process. This will happen because I failed him."
I bent down and strung the unconcious man around my shoulders. "Stay a good distance away, Allison. You don't know when he might turn."
"Then why are you carrying him?" she asked, keeping her distance.
"Because he needs to get to the Association for the team to look at. And I do this stuff all the time."
We settled into silence as we walked along and the hard cold feeling that always came when I'd failed, set into place and my eyes m closed in dispair.

Allison Snod:

It was a silent walk.

"This is not your fault," I whispered, not knowing if he would hear me, or if he did, whether he would heed my words. "You did all you could."

Mr Donnahew sighed heavily and shifted the unconscious man on his shoulders. "It is. I am a Hunter, Miss Snod. I failed at my duty."
"You did not fail. There was nothing you could have done."
"I do not expect you to understand," he said, staring ahead.
"No. Of course not. I am just a silly, pampered woman who does not understand vows, not honour and certainly not duty." I had had enough of his melancholy attitude. "By all means, wallow in your own guilt."

Charlse Donnahew

"Maybe I will. And while I'm doing so, you can continue thinking that you're the victim here." I told her. "You sigh and whine about how you want to be involved and protest as soon as someone wishes to protect you! Allison, this is all I do for a living, I failed and someone died. That is the blatant truth. Now, do you know how much you multiplied my worries by? What if next time it's you that I lug on my shoulders? So I will wallow in self pity. But maybe you should practice some consideration before you go making judgements."

We walked in tense silence, the man weezed in his sleep.
"I'm sorry." I said after a while. "It's been a long day and, being Irish, I get a bit snappy. I would kill for wisky."
She smiled faintly at me. "Maybe when this is done."
I nodded as we reached the shadow of the Association. "That'd be nice."

Angelina Chickering

I was panting heavily by the time our second assignment had been completed. Ashford's wound had been reopened, as had mine. Connor had also been hurt by now, having been latched onto by one of the newly turned and I feared that his forearm had been broken. The three of us trudged through a misty square, still on alert as Ashford and I were still dripping blood.

It was obvious that the circumstances of our assignment was wearing on us all.The usual easy banter was gone instead replaced with a cold silence, Ashford was barely able to walk straight, and I was having trouble focusing on the path ahead. It was a relief when the Association building came into view.

We limped across the threshold and gratefully let the nurses lead us to the medical wing. I winced as I heard the snapping noise accompanied with a groan from Connor as his arm was set.

Allison Snod:

The Association was a looming building made completely of grey stone. A set of steps led to a veranda of sorts, lined with a set of mighty columns and completing the look was a magnificent mahogany door, the top half fitted with glass. As Mr Donnahew busied himself with balancing the weight of the man as well as his own as he made his way up the steps, I studied the building...my eyes widening slightly in surprise.

The carvings I'd seen at Salsbury Manor - the ones that had stirred my curiosity - were also present on the columns of the Association.