Chapter 3: One Hour Photo

　　At the fisherman`s row, Bel stood against the rails and had her camera case by her legs. She was smoking a cigar, and simply idling by watching the numerous boats on the port enter and leave. The view was picturesque. The boats anchored in port rocked gently along the waves. Calm as it could ever be. The wind flew by and blew a cold wind, and they often tugged on her shirt`s collar. Still, it was better than the bitter winters back home.

　　Bel, whose face was obscured by the shadows casted on their face, had a resigned look plastered on it. She felt done with the situation at the train, and had some doubts about everything, and feared for her sister`s life. Those thieves maybe up to no good, and she felt compelled to protect her, but she didn`t have the same drive that drove her sister to convince her to flee that cold, bitter home.

　　Her flowing auburn hair danced in the air, the only thing that reminded her of Mother, and the oval glasses which sat on her nose is her memento of her father. Before she wallowed any further into her troubled past, she noticed something in the distance. A silhouette slowly edged its way along the clear cut bay. The silhouette was clumsy and belonged to a small boat. She readjusted her glasses to make sure that her eyes were not lying.

　　The boat then made port, and the rider tossed mooring ropes onto a bitts on the dock. The boat was small, smaller than most boats in the port and had a mast that saw better days. The rider hopped off his vessel, and stretched himself like a sailor`s cat. He had a gaunt face, thick forearms, a supple white beard, and was dressed with a turtleneck sweater. A pince-nez nestled itself on his large nose. After stretching, he turned towards his vessel.

　　A large marlin was wrapped in a net and lay in the bottom of the boat. The woman on the dock watched with interest as the skipper began to unload his catch. He lifted the marlin out of the boat and onto the dock with ease, then began to untangle the net. The woman moved towards the old skipper of the boat to get a better look.

　　Who`s there?" The old man grunted. "Are you one of those cheeky bastards who want to cut me throat off!"

　　"What? I`m not a rabble rouser," she said, her deep voice coughed as smoke came out of her throat. "I`m a dignified young woman!"

　　"Oh, afternoon, young lady. What`re you doing here? Are you part of the guild?" The skipper nodded in agreement. "You look like the gal who accompanies Morgan."

　　"I`m just a photographer, and I`m just trying to enjoy this silence." She replied. "This cigar`s tobacco isn`t good."

　　The skipper chuckled. "Lady, that cigar`s one of the most expensive ones in town. Pass me a smoke, surely it`s not a bad kind?"

　　"If you want you can have it," she replied, shaking her head. "I`m just here to relax. But you wouldn`t mind if I took some photographs of the port and the boats."

　　The skipper nodded, and gestured towards his boat. "Well, feel free to take some shots of my boat and the marlin. I`ve been fishing these waters for over 50 years, and I`ve seen all kinds of fish. This one here is a beauty."

　　She thanked him and started taking some shots of the boat and the marlin, carefully framing her shots and adjusting her camera settings. The skipper watched her work, occasionally pointing out some interesting details on the boat or the catch. It took her quite a while before all the photos she needed were done.

　　As she finished taking her shots, she turned to the skipper and asked, "So, how did you manage to catch the fish? I`m not knowledgeable on the subject of fishing."

　　The skipper grinned, revealing a few missing teeth. "Well, it takes a lot of patience and some good luck to catch a marlin like this one. I was out at sea for a few days, and I finally caught it on the last day of my trip. It put up a good fight, but in the end, I reeled it in."

　　Bel nodded, impressed. "It must have been quite a challenge. How do you feel about catching such a magnificent creature?"

　　"Aye, it was a tough fight, but I managed to reel him in." The skipper`s expression turned serious. "I feel grateful and proud, but also a little sad. It`s not easy to take the life of such a beautiful fish. But, you see, it`s also how I make a living. And I always make sure to use every part of the fish, so it doesn`t go to waste."

　　Bel nodded, understanding his perspective. "That`s very admirable. Thank you for sharing that with me."

　　The skipper smiled. "No problem, young lady. It`s always nice to have visitors who appreciate the beauty of our work here at the port. And don`t forget to enjoy the silence too, it`s a rare commodity these days."

　　The woman reached out to touch the marlin`s sleek body. "What are you going to do with it?" she asked.

　　"I`ll sell it at the market," the skipper replied. "It`ll fetch a good price."

　　The woman nodded, "It`s a shame to see such a magnificent creature reduced to mere currency," she said, her eyes fixed on the marlin.

　　"That`s just the way things are, but it`s not all bad. At least someone will be able to enjoy it." The skipper shrugged. "Well, since you`re here, do you mind?" The old skipper pointed to his catch of the day. "If you feel bored, how about you lend me a hand in helping me?"

　　Bel smiled, "I would love to& But I`m not good at fishing."

　　"Ah, fishing`s not for everybody, after all."

　　"Oh, by the way. Who`s Morgan?"

　　The old fisherman took off his pince-nez and began to rub it. He then coughed a bit before he began talking. It was a harrowing noise, but it didn`t seem to faze Bel in the slightest.

　　"Seeing as you`re new to town, I can explain." He started. "He`s a fine lad, but he`s got a reputation. He came here with a criminal called Jack Donovan two years ago. Nobody knows anything about him, other than he seemed empty and Donovan was sort of a mentor."

　　"I see. So, is Morgan a criminal?" Bel inquired.

　　"If you could call it that. He`s meant to keep the peace. But the most dangerous thing about Morgan was that he could break into homes and steal women."

　　"What?" Bel`s eyes widened in shock. "What do you mean he steals women? That`s terrible!"

　　The skipper nodded gravely. "Aye, it is. Morgan`s got a way with the ladies, and some say he`s stolen quite a few hearts in his time. Men who love to lust on various women and such, I detest. I say this as a devout follower of the Lord."

　　Bel felt a chill run down her spine. She had only been in town for a few days, and the idea of a criminal like Morgan lurking around was unsettling. "Do the authorities know about this?"

　　The skipper shrugged. "They`ve been keeping an eye on him, but he`s always been bailed by the guildmaster. Always manages to evade them somehow. I`d advise you to be careful, especially if you`re out and about at night."

　　Bel nodded, feeling a newfound sense of caution. She had come to this town looking for adventure, but now it seemed like danger was lurking around every corner. She thanked the skipper for his warning and promised to keep a lookout for any suspicious activity. After that, she continued to converse with for what felt like a moment. She was happy after all, as she loved hearing his stories. Then, she bid a farewell to him and walked away.

　　As she walked away from the port, her mind was racing with thoughts of Morgan and his criminal ways. She couldn`t help but wonder what kind of person would steal from others and prey on innocent women. It was a side of humanity she had never encountered before, and it left her feeling both scared and curious.

　　She then made haste in order to develop her photos.

　　- break -

　　As Bel walked through the town`s winding roads, she couldn`t help but feel overwhelmed by the crowds of people and the bustling activity around them. The narrow streets were packed with merchants hawking their wares, locals going about their business, and visitors from afar, all vying for space in the cramped alleyways. The air was thick with the scent of sweat and other unpleasant odors, which made it difficult for Bel to breathe comfortably. She tried to cover their nose with her hand, but the smell still permeated through. Despite the discomfort, Bel pressed on, determined to find their way through the labyrinthine town. She navigated through the twisting alleys, trying to keep their bearings amidst the chaos of the crowded marketplace.A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

　　Eventually, after what felt like hours of walking, Bel emerged from the labyrinthine town and into the open air. They took a deep breath, savoring the fresh air and the freedom from the cramped, stifling streets. As she took in the air, someone suddenly bumped into her. Bel stumbled a bit, her glasses falling off, before instinctively quickly turned around to see who it was.

　　"Sorry." A young boy apologized, or at least that`s what the blur appeared to be.

　　Bel quickly regained their balance and crouched down to pick up their glasses. As she put them back on, she noticed that the boy was holding a small package in his hand.

　　"It`s okay," Bel replied, smiling kindly at the boy. "Are you okay? Did you drop anything?"

　　"No, I did not. I`m sorry, ma`am."

　　"Can you tell me where the photo shop is?"

　　"What`s a photo?" The boy asked.

　　Bel stumbled to find an explanation for what a photo was, perhaps due to the bustling pace of town. She scrambled into her satchel and took out a photo of the old skipper.

　　Bel held up the photo for the boy to see. "It`s a picture," she said. "Like this. Do you know where I can find a shop that sells things like this?"

　　The boy studied the photo for a moment before pointing down the street. "There`s a shop over there that sells those magical things like that. It`s just a few blocks away, on the left side of the street. You can`t miss it."

　　"Thank you," Bel said, grateful for the boy`s help. "I appreciate it. But this isn`t magic!"

　　As she started to walk away, the boy called after her. "Wait! Do you need any help finding your way around town? I can show you some shortcuts and places that most people don`t know about."

　　Bel paused for a moment, considering the offer. She was a bit hesitant to trust a stranger, but she was also grateful for the offer of assistance.

　　"That would be great," she said with a smile. "Thank you."

　　The boy grinned and led Bel through the busy streets, pointing out hidden alleyways and shortcuts that would help her get to her destination faster. Along the way, he told her stories about the town and its history, pointing out landmarks and interesting sights.

　　Bel couldn`t help but feel grateful for the boy`s help. Without him, she might have been lost in the winding streets of the town for hours. As they walked, she realized that this town wasn`t as overwhelming as she had first thought. With the boy`s guidance, she was able to appreciate the unique energy and character of the bustling marketplace.

　　Eventually, they arrived at the photo shop, and Bel thanked the boy for his help.

　　"Bye lady." He said.

　　Bel entered the photo shop, and the door chime rang. The photo shop was less of a photo shop, and more of a fine collection of fine art that was not supposed to be here. She couldn`t help but feel like she was being watched, and she gripped the shoulder strap of her satchel tightly. She looked around but saw no one who seemed suspicious. She walked over to the counter where a man with a weird face and buck teeth was.

　　He twirled a coin around playing and doing some tricks. Before Bel could speak up, he did.

　　"Good afternoon, young lady." He said, with a heavy accent. "I see you`ve come here to ask me about processing photos?"

　　He was odder than most of the photo technicians she met across the country. Bel felt a bit uneasy as the man`s eyes lingered on her, and she couldn`t shake off the feeling that something was off about him. She hesitated for a moment before nodding and clearing her throat.

　　"Um, yes. I was wondering about getting some photos developed," she replied, trying to sound confident.

　　The man continued to twirl the coin, his eyes still fixed on the silver glint and edge. "Of course, of course. We can do that for you. What kind of photos are they?"

　　Bel shuffled her feet nervously. "Just some pictures I took on my camera. Nothing special."

　　The man raised an eyebrow. "Ah, but every photo is special in its own way, is it not? The memories they capture, the emotions they evoke. Perhaps you`d like to show me some of these films? You wouldn`t be able to see what would be in the photo."

　　Bel hesitated, feeling even more uncomfortable now. She didn`t want to show her personal photos to a stranger, especially one who gave her such an odd vibe.

　　"Uh, I don`t think that`s necessary. Can you just develop them for me, please?"

　　The man`s smile faltered slightly, but he quickly regained his composure. "Of course, of course. Just leave your camera with me, and I`ll take care of everything."

　　Bel shook her head. "I`d rather not. Can`t I just give you the—"

　　The man`s expression turned cold. He stopped twirling the coin around and turned around. His odd face now stared directly at her, his eyes resembling a mad artist`s painting. "I`m afraid that`s not possible. We need the original device to properly process the photos. Now, are you going to give me your camera or not? If my appearance is what scares you, be assured that I`m not a wrongdoer."

　　Bel`s heart raced as she tried to come up with a way out of the situation. She couldn`t shake off the feeling that something was seriously wrong here, and she knew she had to get out before things got worse.

　　"Young lady?"

　　Bel took a deep breath and forced herself to remain calm. She needed to calm down.

　　"Just," she said, trying to sound polite but firm. "Just don`t break it. It`s my only camera& My boss will get mad if it breaks.

　　The man`s expression softened again, and he chuckled. "This is a daguerreotype, is it not?"

　　"It is. My mother gave it to me."

　　"These kinds of cameras are quite antiquated nowadays. We`ve got better, more portable cameras, but that`s ignoring the fact that this kind of camera is special. I can develop all of the film for ten ducats, within an hour or so. So, do you want me to develop the film in order to see the moment you captured?"

　　"Sure."

　　Bel reluctantly handed over her camera to the man, hoping that she hadn`t just made a big mistake. She watched as he carefully took it from her and placed it on the counter. He then turned and disappeared into the back room, leaving her alone in the shop.

　　Bel`s heart raced as she waited for the man to return with her photos. She couldn`t shake off the feeling that something was off about him and the photo shop. After what seemed like an eternity, the man finally emerged from the back room with a small packet of developed photos in his hand.

　　"Here you are," he said, handing them over to Bel with a smile. "All ten of your photos are beautifully developed and ready for your viewing. The cost is ten ducats, as agreed."

　　Bel quickly counted out the coins and handed them over to the man. She then took the packet of photos and rushed out of the shop, feeling relieved to be out of there. As she walked away, she couldn`t shake off the feeling that she had narrowly escaped from something dangerous, or perhaps the lingering feeling ever since the train robbery caused her to act like that.

　　She began making her way back to where Lucille said to meet, the restaurant by the town plaza. This time, the large crowds from earlier had dissipated. Moreover, the gas lamps around sidewalks were turned on. The dull orange-yellow hue that it emitted glowed the darkening sky.

　　As she walked, she took in the sights and sounds of the small town. A few shops were still open, their doors welcoming customers who wanted to browse through their wares. A couple of musicians played their guitars and sang ballads, their music adding to the ambiance of the evening.

　　She soon arrived at the restaurant and found Lucille sitting at a table outside, sipping a glass of red wine with a man wearing a hood. "You made it," Lucille said, smiling warmly.

　　"Yes, sorry for being a little late," she replied, taking a seat across from Lucille.

　　"No worries," Lucille said, waving her hand. "Did you have a chance to explore the town?"

　　"Oh, who`s the fellow over there?" Bel inquired, as she sipped on a cup of tea that happened to be on the table. "Lucille, please don`t tell me that you`ve gotten yourself a lover."

　　"Quite the contrary, Bel. I hired him to protect us from those thieves from earlier." Lucille replied, "Bel, this is Morgan. Morgan, this is Bel."

　　"Hello&" He said before returning to his stoic silence.

　　Bel stopped drinking her coffee. This must be the Morgan that the old skipper was talking about& She furrowed her brows in confusion as she remembered the old skipper`s warning about Morgan. She couldn`t quite put her finger on it, but something about him seemed off from the skipper`s description. Perhaps it was his stoic demeanor or the way he seemed to be constantly on alert, as if expecting danger to come at any moment. He also didn`t seem the type to commit adultery.

　　Bel shook off her thoughts and decided to focus on the present. "Nice to meet you, Morgan," she said, giving him a polite smile.

　　Morgan simply nodded in response and took a sip of his drink. The atmosphere around the table felt awkaward, with Morgan`s presence seeming to dampen the cheerful ambiance of the town.

　　Lucille noticed the change in the mood and quickly tried to lighten it up. "So, Bel, how did your day go? Did you find anything interesting? Any stories for me to write?"

　　Bel took a deep breath and decided to share her experience. "Well, I met an old skipper at the port who caught a marlin. He told me about his job and how he felt about it. It was quite interesting."

　　Lucille nodded, intrigued. "That sounds like a unique experience. Did he have any insights on the town?"

　　"Well, not really." Bel replied, thinking back to her conversation with the old skipper. "He mostly talked about his life at sea and how he`s seen the world change over the years. But he did mention something about a dangerous group of people who`ve been causing trouble in the town lately."

　　Lucille`s eyes widened with interest. "Really? It could be those lawbreakers we met in the train. Do you know anything else about this group?"

　　Bel hesitated for a moment, remembering the encounter with the shopkeeper. "Not much, but I did overhear someone mentioning something about `the boss` and a shipment that`s coming in soon."

　　Morgan`s ears perked up at the mention of the boss and the shipment. He leaned forward slightly, his eyes narrowing with focus.

　　Lucille noticed Morgan`s reaction and glanced at him curiously. "Do you know anything about this, Morgan?"

　　Morgan shook his head slightly. "Not yet, but I`ll look into it."

　　Bel couldn`t help but feel a bit uneasy at Morgan`s response. It was clear that he knew more about the situation than he was letting on. She decided to change the subject and asked Lucille about her writing projects. As the conversation continued, Bel couldn`t shake off the feeling that something big was about to happen in the town, and that Morgan`s involvement was more than just that of a hired protector.