The library was at the center of the town, towering over the other buildings at three stories tall. It didn't seem like people enjoyed the beauty of it because, aside from the elderly man sitting at the front desk, Ava was the only one there.
She passed him, head bowed, to keep her presence as discreet as possible. After going through about thirty rows of books, she finally found the barely-there local legends section and began skimming through the spines of the books. The local legends weren't so "local". She found books on werewolves, vampires, and things more widely known. Ava expected some kind of interesting tale that would explain the deaths, but none of the fables listed made any sense.
Either way, she scribbled down anything that might be helpful in the future. After a while, her mind wandered off, along with her pen. She began writing about her mother. She liked to imagine she got her love of literature form her mom. Cam didn't know, but Ava kept track of how much time has passed since their parents' killings. It's been four years, almost to the day.
With her attention somewhere far away, the old librarian had been looking over her desk. When she finally snapped back into reality, she shut her notebook closed, hoping he hadn't seen what she was writing.
"Why the interest in our little town?" he asked, adjusting the thick-framed glassed resting on the bridge of his nose.
Ava stammered, trying to find some excuse. "I'm, uh, writing a book and this town seems like the perfect setting." She grinned innocently at him, hoping her stuttering hadn't given her away.
"If you want accuracies about the town, you won't find them in these books." He glanced at them like they were offensive to him.
"I thought so," Ava sighed and dropped the pen she'd been writing with.
He peeked around as if making sure no one was listening in. Who would be listening? Ava thought. This place is empty. "I couldn't tell you a few things if you're interested."
Ava nodded enthusiastically as the man sat down across from her.
Cam flashed her FBI I.D. when the sheriff demanded it after she asked about the deaths. He seemed reluctant to talk about them even when she identified herself.
"There's nothing much to say, really," he said, leaning back in his chair. He couldn't be much older than her.
"Why don't you tell me exactly how they died, then," she asked impatiently.
"They were all just freak accidents. I don't know why the FBI has to get involved."
"How stupid do you think—"
The door opened behind Cam swung open before her patience could give out.
"May I borrow my partner for a moment," Ava's voice kept Cam on edge.
She shot the sheriff an expressionless gaze, then stood and followed Ava out the room.
"What is it? I was getting somewhere," Cam complained.
Ava didn't so much as look at her as she dragged her out of the police station. "Just be quiet, okay?" Ava muttered, leading her sister into the Jeep.
Once inside, Ava looked out the windows as if to check if anyone was looking at them.
"Did you see all the people staring at us?" Ava said, finally looking at Cam. "Everyone; it's like they want to kill us, or something."
"So? People want to kill us all the time. Plus, you're pretty weird looking."
Ava rolled her eyes. "The last person to question the deaths was a reporter, Jason Mann, also known as our fifth victim." She spoke in an eager tone as she always did when telling a story. "The librarian told me this local legend that could either be true or complete crap. Either way, it's all we have to go on. Apparently, this entire town worships this goddess who, in exchange for sacrifice, makes everyone young."
"Is this guy trustworthy?" Cam asked.
"I think so. Why would he make up this entire story? Anyway, that's why everyone here's so young, except for him. He said he isn't into the whole 'ritual cult' thing."
"Good thing we are," Cam groaned, leaning back into her seat. "There has to be someone here in touch with the goddess, right? The leader. I bet it's the sheriff."
"I'll drop you off at the motel so you can search up the goddess and I'll go see if the librarian will tell me anything else." Ava started the car.
"I hate it when you tell me what to do," Cam complained.
"Would you like to walk?" Ava flashed her sister a grin that resulted in Cam rolling her eyes.
"Nerd," Cam said under her breath.
Ava replied, "Bitch."
