Chapter Nineteen: Shortcut

"We're not moving fast enough," the writer said.

"How do you know?" I asked.

"I just do," he said. He looked tense and he had grown a full beard since he wasn't shaving. He squinted up at the evening sky. "We need to take a shortcut."

"There's a shortcut to the Wall?" I asked.

"There are shortcuts to everywhere," he said. "But I need some supplies. There's a ritual, a ceremony."

"What do you need?" I asked.

"Flowers," he said. "And a wedding dress, including a veil. And matches."

"Sounds like some crazy fun times I've had," Tulip said. "What do you need them for?"

"I told you," the writer said. "We're taking a shortcut."