I Dream of Witches with Long Red Hair
Chapter 2 – Town Lost To Time But Not To Alien Trouble.
By Crystalquirt
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Kevin stopped at Gwen's house first for her to grab some belongings, her laptop and a couple of changes of clothes in case they were gone for more than just overnight. Then they went by Julie's and she got permission from her parents to go with them. She quickly threw a few of her belongings into her gym bag.
Ship wasn't around, but Julie seemed sure he would show up at some point. Lastly they went by Ben's house. He told his parents what was going on. His dad swelled with pride and offered to help with the huge alien bazooka. His mom simply told him to keep warm.
"Mom, it's almost summer. I'm sure we'll be fine, but don't worry – I have two coats already in the car." Ben promised, gave her a hug and ran out the door.
After what seemed like ages to Kevin while he had to stop at everyone's house in turn, he drove the team out of Bellwood and toward the little town of Willden. Using the SAT view on Gwen's map, the area seemed to be nothing more than a few ranches with a post office and gas station all in one building.
When they got there though, Willden turned out to be a small town with a main street and three blocks of businesses. A sign they passed said the population was only 728 people.
An elementary school was located on the north side and a small high school on the south. Behind the businesses were a couple of rows of very old homes in each direction, most had barn's, livestock and small fields of crops growing right next to the house.
"I thought the SAT view online was supposed to be live."
"It usually is. Looks like for this town they were using old footage . . . or maybe the link was wrong." Gwen gazed out the window.
Even the townsfolk they saw were dressed in materials and styles from a hundred years ago. They drove passed a small group of girls walking home from school. They each carried books and had gray and black uniforms on. Gwen seemed excited; like they were visiting a theme park. "Wow, not a very colorful bunch huh guys? Everyone we've seen on the street is dressed the same. Wonder if their school colors are gray and black . . . oh wow – look - a horse and carriage - and a blacksmith shop still right on Main Street!"
"It must be a tourist thing."
"I don't see tourists, or enough hotels to accommodate large tourist traffic." Gwen eagerly watched the sites go by while Kevin complained because Main Street wasn't even paved. Julie sat forward and said to Gwen, "Wow - its like time forgot this place."
Gwen had her laptop plugged into the car's auxiliary power source and was waiting for it to come back on. Months ago, Kevin supercharged the auxiliary plug just for Gwen's laptop since she modified it to access the Plumber network and extranet. She could have it on for hours now without running the car's battery down – even if the engine wasn't running.
Kevin downshifted and observed, "How weird that there would be alien activity in this town of all places."
"Yeah Kev . . . and Julie, make sure when you see Ship that you tell him to stay hidden. If someone here sees him they might die on the spot."
"Don't worry Ben, I'll make sure Ship knows to stay out of sight so we don't scare anyone needlessly."
"Thats Ben, always worried about saving the victims. I say scaring a few would be fun." Kevin smirked. He stopped the car at the first and only little building in town that said 'Motel' and 'vacancy' out front.
The Lord's Palm Motel had five rooms. Two behind the office and three more across a small parking lot with a grassy patch in the middle that included a picnic table. The motel was only a block away from the center of town where there was a large clock with a plaque that said the town had become a town in 1880.
Julie made small talk when they got out and stretched. "Finding a vacancy here wouldn't be any problem any time of the year I guess. It looks like were the only ones here from out of town."
"Well, the aliens are from out of town." Ben grinned.
"And they probably won't be staying in the motels."
"You never know."
Kevin was the oldest, looked the oldest and had an assortment of fake ID's. He was chosen to go into the motel office alone to get their rooms after Ben gave him the money after a little grumbling. "Hey, didn't I pay for the motel room the last time?"
'Well yeah, but I bought the food – and the gas."
"You didn't buy all the food . . . so – not - equal!"
Ben complained, but Kevin was already walking away. Gwen kept her nose in her laptop mumbling something about "Boys."
Julie took money out of her pocket and tried to give it to Ben.
"Oh no Julie, I didn't mean you should pay anything – I know Kevin has more money than any of us."
Gwen tried to stand up for Kevin."That's why he has money - you know? He hangs onto it as long as someone else is willing to pay."
"Yeah, unless he is buying a toy for himself or something for his car. Wait, were talking about Kevin – most of the time he just steals that stuff too."
"He does not – he's not like that anymore Ben."
"I'll believe it when I see it."
"Come on Ben, you have to admit he's been nothing but help since he joined us. Even when he drove off with the Rust Bucket a long time ago, he was only trying to deal for that holoviewer."
"You're right, but he still takes tech and car parts from everywhere we go."
"Not everywhere - he only steals from the bad guys and thieves. Its a sort of reclamation."
"Wow - kind of like Robin Hood only he keeps it for himself."
"So not true – most of what he obtains has been very helpful in our work against the aliens who threaten the earth. Not for himself!" Kevin returned to the car and stopped the discussion. "I got two rooms, one for me and Gwen and one for Ben and Julie."
Ben looked shocked and was rendered speechless; blushing three shades of red. Gwen corrected, "No Kevin, Julie and I in one and you with Ben in the other."
"Awe, too bad. Why do you have to ruin the best possible parts of these trips Gwen?"
Kevin handed Ben an old fashioned door key on a numbered tag. Gwen took it from him, "Look at this, I've never stayed at a motel that didn't use the programed cards to unlock doors. No technology of any kind has never come to this town."
Gwen started pulling her stuff out of the car so the others did the same. They were parked across the driveway, but right in front of their rooms. The girls put all their stuff in their room and then, with Gwen's laptop joined the boys in their room. Gwen got right to business, "Hey Kev, how was the clerk in the motel office? Did he say anything weird or seem nervous at all?"
"No, he was half asleep; he barely even looked at me. I could have been a big, purple Glynex with a Steverwat checking in and he wouldn't have noticed. He didn't even look at my ID. I was pretty proud of that one too. 'Said I was with the C.I.A."
"Well he probably won't be any help, but at least he won't get in our way, I hope. Maybe it's better that he doesn't pay much attention."
Gwen was sitting on one of the double beds with her legs crossed and the laptop open. Kevin sat next to her. Squishing the mattress right behind her made Gwen fall into him. "Kevin!" he looked down at her now lying with her head in his lap and smiled a big – shit-eating grin.
"Getting back to it, Kevin what kind of reports have come from here exactly, and really – who would have done the reporting? They don't even have wi-fi at this motel."
"How about any wi-fi from the coffee shop-cafe next door?" Julie asked.
"I'm picking up no wireless internet connections from anywhere in town. Its good the plumbers don't use the earth's internet. I do still have access to the extranet, but that won't let me look up anything about this town."
"Whoever reported the aliens being here must have used the extranet."
"Probably . . . the reports were a little vague. Nothing more than someone finding strange energy readings, a pulse that shook the windows and strange behavior by the townspeople." Gwen put her hands on both sides of her neck and did a head roll. "I must have pulled something when I got caught underwater."
Kevin rolled around on the bed until he was sitting behind her and started rubbing her neck and then down her back. As soon as his hands touched her, she closed the laptop and her eyes, just enjoying it.
"Well Julie, from the looks of it, that's the end of the discussion about our mission - with Gwen and Kevin at least." Julie giggled, Gwen and Kevin ignored him.
"There must be a plumber or someone with access to badge's communications here somewhere right Ben?"
"Right . . . I say we look for them. Hopefully there's a Plumber here who can tell us what's going on." Ben got up and held his hand out to help Julie get up.
Gwen had her eyes closed during her massage, but looked up when she heard Ben's feet hit the wooden floor. "Ben, lets start in the morning, can we? I'm starving and my muscles hurt. I would really like to lie down, okay? We'll start bright and early – okay?"
Kevin sounded worried, but not worried about Gwen, "How early?"
"Don't worry Kev, you'll get your beauty sleep."
"Well Gwen, next order of business - do you feel like walking to the diner to eat or shall I go get you something to bring back here?"
"I can walk over there with you. Its just next door. You guys don't have to come back with me after you eat. If you want to do a little investigating that would be awesome. Maybe you will have it all solved and taken care of by morning."
Ben chuckled, "Right Gwen, never without you. You're so good at figuring things out. We'd be lost without you."
After what Ben said Gwen felt a little bad about wanting to quit doing the alien stuff with him. Ben and Julie went out hand in hand and walked toward the street. Before they got too far they stopped and waited for Gwen and Kevin. When they caught up, Ben asked, "Gwen, what happened to you anyway to make you so sore?"
"Kevin and I went for a picnic at Grandpa's secret fishing rock and when I went swimming I got tangled up in a fishing net. Kevin had to dive in to cut me out. I guess I wasn't breathing for a few seconds."
"Longer than that Gwen - it was scary Ben. I thought I lost her. With all the alien fighting we do and I almost lost Gwen to someone's garbage that they left behind – It really sucked."
"Wow, I had no idea! Sorry Gwen . . . glad Kevin was there."
"I was glad he was there too." Gwen smiled at Kevin and he took it as an opportunity to kiss her right there on the street. A driver blew his horn and shook his finger of shame at them. Kevin nor Gwen even looked, but Ben saw. "What's up with that guy? They're just kissing." he mumbled as he stared back at the guy in the pickup truck.
The four walked another fifty feet to the diner in silence as two couples, boys holding girl's hands. Ben thought it felt like a double date and wondered who was paying the bill this time.
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In the park across the street from the motel and diner, a being lurked in the shadows watching the four teens. The being was Ben's height and weight and even had Ben's voice when he whispered to an unseen companion.
"They're here and they've paired up. Looks like Ben Tennyson has found a mate. I wonder if humans mate for life? Either way, she may come in useful at some point if he wants to mate with her."
There was movement in the darkness behind a tree. Barely visible, with black skin covered with black scales that reflected the light like glass, a creature moved. His scales almost made him look transparent.
The being had large, heavy horns, claws and powerful muscles rippled all over its body. Resembling a large, basically humanoid dragon, complete with fire in its nostril when it snorted softly, it stood three feet taller than the one who summoned it. Red eyes flashed in the darkness when it blinked. The alien kneeled and bowed its head. Even kneeling, it still stood a few inches taller than its human-looking companion who spoke.
"With your help, Demonix - this time I will have that Omnitrix and Ben Tennyson's life for what he has done to me!"
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That night, after the four were all in bed Ben tossed and turned, talking and moaning in his sleep. In the wee hours of the morning, Ben woke Kevin up for the fifth time so he threw a pillow at him. Even that didn't wake Ben up, but it did stimulate him enough that he started screaming loudly and throwing his fists around. The blankets fell off the bed and the sheet wrapped around Ben's leg making him fight harder.
"Well shit man!" Kevin rolled off of his bed quickly and touched Ben's shoulder. "Ben! Wake up man, you're having a nightmare."
Ben's swinging arm knocked Kevin's hand away. Right away there was an urgent knocking on their motel room door and Kevin yelled, "What? Come in, its unlocked." Kevin tried again to hold his friend down and wake him, but Ben screamed even louder and kicked until his leg came out of the sheet and he hit Kevin in the cheek with his heel. Kevin took a step back holding his cheek as Gwen and Julie came in.
"Do something with your cousin Gwen!"
Both girls were in their robes and slippers even though it was very warm outside. Kevin wore no shirt, just boxers, not expecting company or even to be awake at that hour. Ben had Spongebob pajamas on. Gwen started over, but determined Kevin grabbed him again by both wrists. "Ben! Wake up!"
Even in his sleep, Ben tried to activate the Omnitrix to protect himself. Gwen yelled at Kevin, "Don't let him touch the Omnitrix!"
"No duh Gwen!" Kevin was already being careful to keep his his hands apart. Ben suddenly froze, his eyes fluttered open trying to focus on Kevin. Julie and Gwen were standing at the foot of his bed. Breathlessly he panted, "Why are you all looking at me? What's going on?"
"You tell us." Kevin let go of him. Julie noticed that it seemed Ben was still not completely awake or something. "Your hands are shaking, that must have been some nightmare you had." Julie leaned down and patted the top of Ben's foot. It was all she could reach.
Ben took a deep breath and looked into each of their faces before he really seemed to wake up. "It was just a nightmare right? Oh man – that was awful!"
"What was you're dream about Ben?"
". . . Wow . . . it was terrible, and very weird, but I don't remember many of the details . . . Phew." Ben fell back on his pillow and pulled the covers up, exhausted.
"Well, thanks to Ben - we might as well stay up, its almost daylight." Gwen looked out the window.
Kevin glared at her for suggesting such a thing. "But Ben hasn't slept well all night. He should stay in bed. I'll stay here to make sure monsters don't get him. He kept me up most of the night too you know."
"Yeah? Well you boys get you're beauty sleep – you need it. Julie and I are going for breakfast." Julie went out first and Gwen closed the door quietly.
"Sorry I woke you up too Kevin, I didn't dream out loud on purpose. Its been a long time since I've had such terrible nightmares. My mom used to come in and wake me up sometimes. Before they knew I was fighting aliens I think they thought I was going crazy."
"Are you sure you didn't go crazy? I think you've arrived."
"Haha . . . Yeah I'm sure, most of the time. This time I had white hair in my dream. I remembered showing it to Julie. She screamed and ran away. Then a monster with big claws and sharp teeth – and white hair chased us."
"Well if you're just gonna keep talking, I guess getting any more shut-eye is impossible. Maybe there's a diner that does open early for breakfast in this town. I could use some waffles."
"Do you like waffles?" Ben chuckled.
"Yeah, I like waffles."
"Well I like pancakes. Are you sure that it's cool to like waffles?"
"Its very cool to like waffles, Tennyson."
"Okay Kev." Ben laughed softly.
Being shy, Ben took his clothes in the bathroom to get dressed. Kevin found his own socks and pants that he wore the night before under his bed and pulled them on over the shorts he slept in.
Even though they started a few minutes after the girls, Ben and Kevin were ready before them. While they waited out front and walking to the diner, Ben was quiet. He was trying to remember more about his dream.
He remembered he had white hair and he took off a black wig to show it to Julie. It was like he wasn't himself, only he was looking at himself. "Was I growing old suddenly?" he also remembered a terrifying dark monster with glowing red eyes and a mouth lined with sharp teeth. ". . . And what the hell was that? An alien or just a good old fashioned demon?"
"Are you talking to yourself now Tennyson?"
"No, well yeah, I guess I was. Sorry."
"No prob, wanna talk about anything?"
"No, I don't think so, but thanks Kevin. Really."
"It's just that if you are worried about something, you won't be able to fight as well and I might need some back up when we find whatever threat might be around."
"Thanks for your concern Kev . . . you're too kind." Ben exchanged looks with Gwen and Julie and waited for them to go in the diner first. Kevin was holding the door open for everyone. When Ben walked by, Kevin playfully messed up his hair and got him to laugh.
"Take it easy bud, it was just a dream."
"It doesn't seem like it was 'just a dream."
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Back in the park, the small being was rejoined by the large one just before daylight. "I heard screaming . . . good job Demonix. I guess the tales of your species being able to enter other beings thoughts and dreams are true. You already have Ben Tennyson all shook up. I could tell even from here that something was bothering him when they came out."
Albedo was obviously pleased with himself and the plan he was cooking up. "And how about this town? This seems a backward bunch, even more backwards and ignorant than the rest of the humans. They believe in a creator God, as most humans do only they are really unreasonable about it. They also believe in beings they call witches that go against their God. I spent weeks researching and finding out more about this town. There is another town called Salem on this continent. A hundred years ago it was like this, but even they have moved on. This town hasn't. Its like its stuck in some sort of time loop."
"Demonix, I need you to fight with them. With Ben and his friends displaying their powers where the locals can see them it should be easy to get the town against them. Once we get them accused of witchcraft, the town - with some help from us will take care of them, except for Ben, I want him to die by my hand. His friends will be too busy with the townspeople to interfere with what I will do to him. Oh – and Demonix - when the battle begins - don't kill the dark-haired boy, Kevin or you won't be able to reap you're reward for helping me."
Demonix growled softly showing a row of very sharp white teeth in long, lizard-like jaws. He snarled up his lips like a mad earth dog. Albedo understood that was the way Demonix showed happiness, and most other emotion too. "Go now - find a couple of townsfolk to scare in their dreams before daylight. We have some seeds to plant, to make their fears grow. This town has a recent history of disposing of people they thought were these 'witches' – I can't wait!" The moonlight reflected off of Albedo's white hair as he laughed an evil laugh.
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Ben remained quiet through most of breakfast too, still thinking about his nightmare. He had a strange, indescribable feeling he'd never had before after a nightmare. Kevin got his waffles and fed Gwen bites every now and then. She purred having a taste of something so wonderful with her single poached egg and dry wheat toast.
Julie tried not to stare at the two waffle-lovers across the table from she and Ben but it was funny to see tough guy Kevin acting all mushy with love and her scrambled eggs were boring. "Well this place is nothing to write home about, but its okay." she tried again to get Ben to talk. He answered her finally "Yeah, better than diner last night at least. My cheeseburger tasted like cardboard with wax melted on top."
"How would you know? You eat a lot of cardboard do ya?" Kevin teased.
"Well no – I was just comparing."
"How do you know if you haven't eaten cardboard? Ben, you gonna eat your sausage?" Kevin asked as he reached for it. Ben didn't bother to answer. His sausage was in Kevin's fingers already and he was too deep in thought to care. Daylight started to appear on the horizon between the far away mountains. "The sun's coming up. We should probably hit the streets as soon as more locals start coming out."
"Okay Ben, you got this?"
"Kevin, I paid for the motel! Get out a pry-bar and turn loose of some of your money this time."
"So not fair, I'm saving up for something and I paid for diner last night."
"Diner was only twenty bucks for all four of us, and 10 of it was yours! How do you know I'm not saving for something just as important?"
"While the boys argued, Gwen and Julie took care of the bill and left the waitress a good tip. When Kevin noticed the girls were waiting by the door for them, he pointed and Ben looked. They both smiled. "Told ya they'd take care of it."
"You're good Kev."
Outside and out of sight, Ben went Big Chill. He hissed, "Talk to anyone willing to talk guys, lets get this wrapped up fast."
"Right, Gwen and I had other plans for her break from school."
"Okay Kev, mind on what matters here." Big Chill turned transparent and intangible and left his friends standing alone. They soon split up too to investigate. Julie and Gwen started walking in opposite directions. They planned as soon as people started coming out to start their day, they would ask some questions. They kept in contact and each knew where the other was using their plumbers badges and mobile phones.
Kevin went to his car and most of the town probably heard him start the engine and rev it. Kevin drove his car around; it seemed he drove just for the joy of driving since he didn't stop anywhere or talk to anyone to really try and learn anything.
Ben Big Chill glided through the little town looking for anything strange. After he flew from one end of town to the other and back again. He landed out of sight and changed back into Ben. When he came around the corner and out on the sidewalk, he saw there were several groups of kids in uniform all walking the same direction, presumably to school.
I should follow them. Ben fell behind a group of boys and girls at least five years younger than he was and just kept pace with them. They were talking and horse-playing and never noticed him.
Instead of School, Ben was surprised to see he was following them to Church. "Wow, this place is huge. Must be the biggest business in this town."
The small group Ben was following went through large wrought iron gates and down a stone path lined on both sides with grass. Large areas between the stone path and the fence had many large, old trees with picnic tables under them. The stone path made a straight line to the largest building near the center of the grounds. Elaborately decorated, Ben thought this was the most beautiful church he had ever seen.
Ben sat at a picnic table near the front gates and took his green '10' jacket off. It was still too hot even in the shade with only a short-sleeved black T-shirt on. "its only eight in the morning and it already feels like its 90 degrees and humid. Ben mumbled while he watched more kids come in through the front gates.
He guessed there were close to a hundred kids that had come in or were coming in. Do they come to church instead of school here? Just then a horse and buggy came through the gates and dropped off three children. The driver circled the team in the grass and went back out the same gates. Ben was watching how well the horse's worked together when a little boy walked right by him off the path so he could stare. Even after he passed the boy stopped and looked back at him. Ben said, "Hi."
"Cool!" the boy cried and ran back. "Hey, what is that?"
Ben saw the kid was staring at the Omnitrix. "Oh it's just a watch. My girlfriend gave it to me a few years ago. I never take it off. What's your name?"
"I'm David."
"I'm Ben."
"Your watch doesn't look like my father's watch, or any other watch I've ever seen. Was it expensive?"
"Surprisingly, it didn't cost any money." Ben smiled at him, "How old are you, David?"
"I will be ten years old in two weeks."
"Cool. I remember when I was ten, I really loved aliens and stories about space. I even collected monsters in a way. Have you seen any aliens or monsters?"
"I don't know, but we've had witches in town."
"Witches? You mean like magic and flying on a broom witches?"
"Oh yes – my parents say to stay away from them. They are very dangerous, but Father Macurdy can handle them. He says he sends them back to Hell where they belong."
"Have you actually seen one of these witches David?"
"Oh sure; a few times. We have to watch them be punished. Its terrible, but mom and dad say it is good for us to see what happens to them so we don't do evil against the church ourselves."
"But David – what do they do to them?"
"They go away in fire. We never see them again. I hate watching, but dad says I have too."
"In fire? You mean they are burned alive? But what if Father Macurdy makes a mistake and they aren't really witches? Or they aren't bad witches?"
"Silly, all witches are evil and Father Macurdy's never wrong. Still, he told us that if the person is innocent, God will spare them and they will walk out of the fire unharmed. That is why they must be alive when they are punished. None have ever walked out unharmed, so Father Macurdy has always been right."
"Father Macurdy sounds like quite a guy." Ben was amazed and horrified at what he was hearing.
"Not really, he is mean and won't even let me have a book about dinosaurs. Father Macurdy went to the library last week and burned a lot of books with a bunch of other people. My favorite dinosaur book burned with the rest of them."
"Why did they burn the books?"
"Because Father Macurdy said they were full of evil and we were not allowed to read them or we would be infected by evil too."
"But that's crazy!"
"Shhhhh, don't let anyone here you say that! And don't tell anyone you think that some witches aren't evil. They will think you are weird and make you go to church – or worse. I don't think you're weird though."
"Well thanks David." Ben was almost rendered speechless from what the boy told him went on. "Are you on vacation from school too? In the town I'm from no one has to go to school for two weeks."
"oh no, there's school today. We only get Christmas off."
Why is everyone coming to the church instead of to school then.
We have two hours of mandatory religious studies before school.
Just then the bell rang, "Oh, bye I gotta go! May God be with you."
David ran toward the main building and Ben was left sitting alone at the picnic table so stunned he couldn't stand up for a second. "Oh no, did David just tell me that this town's preacher burns people alive?"
Ben rose took a few steps walking and then ran as fast as he could to the alley. Once he was sure no one would see him, he went invisible Big Chill again and few off to find the others.
It was lunch time before they all got together again. Gwen was talking to an elderly woman in the laundromat and really wanted to talk to her some more when she got a call to meet the other three in the park.
"I'm sorry, I have to go meet my friends. It was very nice to meet you ma'am."
"Nice to meet you too sweetie. Stop by for tea sometime and bring that boyfriend of yours. He sounds like he could use a little bible study. I live on the corner just across the street."
"What do you mean? What makes you think we need bible study just from what we've talked about here?"
Not once have you mentioned God or how you serve, or what you've done for the church."
"Oh well, we're just visiting."
"I know you aren't from around here."
"Well, I will go to bible study closer to where I live, thanks."
Gwen hurried out to join the others. Everyone except Kevin looked a little like they had seen ghosts. Kevin hadn't ever stopped to talk to anyone, but Gwen heard things similar to what Ben heard. Gwen found people to talk to that seemed to not be with the church very strongly, like David who asked questions and wanted to learn. Julie had a more dangerous encounter.
Julie reported. "I ran into an elder man who insisted that if we are still here on Sunday, we must come to church."
Gwen added, "The first guy I spoke to told me to come to church and wanted me to go right then to meet someone he called Father Macurdy. The last woman I talked to invited me and Kevin for tea and bible study at her house." Kevin had been leaning back on his car, but stood up. "Why are they so obsessed with making even visitors to this town go to their church? Did anyone talk about anything else?"
"not that I can remember. Gwen admitted and Ben added, "David talked about a lot of things, but Julie, what happened, you look a little freaked out."
"I told him I would go to church on Sunday, just to avoid an argument. He was very insistent. Before he left I asked him if he saw any other strangers in town or if anything weird had happened recently and he started going on about witches."
"I heard a lot about witches too." Ben paused as he noticed, Julie was standing with her arms crossed in front of her chest rubbing her shoulders like she was cold. "What's wrong Julie, you can't be cold – it must be a hundred degrees out here today."
"That guy called witches, satanists and when I dared to say that a witch and a satanist are two different things, he grabbed me and shook me so hard my teeth rattled."
"He grabbed you! He attacked you? Julie are you okay?" Ben took her hands in his to look her over. She insisted, "I'm fine."
"No you're not – there are big bruises on your arms! That Jerk! – I-I can't believe he laid his hands on you!" Ben hugged Julie so tight she thought he might leave another bruise or two. "I'm so sorry I wasn't there to protect you!"
"Ben come on, really - I'm fine."
"That's assault, which one was he?" Ben was furious. So furious it was out of character for him. Kevin interrupted his rant. "Ben calm down. She said she's fine. But Gwen . . . no one touched you did they?"
"No Kev, I didn't run into anyone like that. Sorry you did Julie. Next time we'll stay paired up."
Ben forced himself to calm down. He looked around first to see if there was anyone else in the park. They were still alone so he took a deep breath. "I think a kid told me that this Father Macurdy . . . killed someone – maybe several someones."
"What? - Ben, what did he say?"
"This kid told me that he's never seen a witch, but there have been witches who have come here. He said Father Macurdy got rid of them the same way he got rid of a bunch of books he thought were evil." Gwen was really afraid to ask, but did anyway. "How?"
"He burned the books. You should have seen how upset that kid got when he told me they make him and the other kids watch them burn the accused witches! I really don't think he was lying."
"No way, this town can't be that backward – no one burns witches at the stake anymore."
"The preacher could be doing it with only a few townspeople behind him. David said he has had to watch more than once. It sounds like this Macurdy has plenty of followers and others are afraid to speak out against him. David warned me to watch what I say about aliens and stuff. It sounds like what happened to Julie was exactly what this kid was talking about."
"Yeah, lots of people here seem to be nervous, but I thought it was just because we're strangers. No one has said anything about aliens or seeing anything strange, except witches and until they saw us."
"Not to change the subject completely, but the last woman I spoke to told me that she had a premonition just last night where a dark, demonic monster would attack the town and it would be led by a witch. I guess it won't be the first time it's happened here."
Kevin had been listening quietly, "Oh come on! Are you guys saying these people believe in evil ride the broom and cook little kids in big pots for stew-type witches?"
"Well yeah Kevin that's what we're saying. If you had gotten your butt out of your car just long enough to talk to just one person, you would have heard it first hand."
"Well then Ben, I say we get out of here. There are no aliens here. These people are just nuts."
"We can't leave, even if there are no aliens here, people are being killed. We have to keep that from happening ever again."
"How do you suggest we do that Ben? Shouldn't we just call the police?"
"They don't think of it as murder, Kev. If the police here follow Father Macurdy too going to them won't help. They talk like they are just ridding their town of evil, that they are sending them back to hell where they came from."
"Then we should call the state police or something Tennyson. This is not Plumber business. We should leave and Gwen, you better be extra careful until we get out of here. You're about as close to a witch as you can get."
"Kevin! . . .Well you might be right, but I'm not evil."
"Most of the time. But my opinion about you is still open. The subject requires more study." That got Kevin punched in the arm again.
"Hey, that spot is getting sore, next time switch sides okay Gwen? . . . Ben, you've been awfully quiet."
"Yeah, thinking . . . Julie, that woman you talked to who thinks she had a premonition; did she describe the monster?" Ben had his arm around Julie in a gentle hug. He was feeling very protective of her.
"A little, she said it was a couple of feet taller than a human, very dark and had red eyes. It grinned a wicked smile showing rows of sharp white teeth."
"That could be the same monster from in my dream this morning."
"Your kidding right Ben? You think you had a premonition too, the same one as this woman did?" Kevin leaned back on the hood again and crossed his arms.
"Hey, its not impossible if something really is going on here. We've run into aliens before with powers to do things to someone's mind."
"This stinks. I think this was a waste of time and money. Lets get out of here. There probably isn't anywhere in town to get gas for my car either."
"There's a gas station on the corner over there." Ben pointed.
"I doubt they have gas of the quality I want for my car. Anyway, its probably dirty or watered down. I bet 'Weights and Measures' has never visited this place."
Gwen argued, "Come on Kev, I would like to find out at least where the report of alien activity came from. Someone here must know about the Plumbers to have sent the request for help."
"Okay guys. We should have lunch and think about it." Julie settled it.
"Aw Gesh." Kevin moaned. "Well lets not go back to the place we had breakfast . . ."
Julie was already thinking about food and had been for a while. "I saw a place. The food smelled good from outside and they have ice cream and chili fries."
They all agreed to try the place Julie suggested. Kevin insisted on taking his car even though it was only two blocks away. The small diner was an old fashioned soda fountain and diner. Still in 1950's style, the little diner had the best chocolate malts ever according to Julie! she purred as she finished hers. Ben thought the sweet potato chili fries were to die for and temporarily forgot that Julie had been assaulted or that they even had to discuss what to do next.
Kevin pointed out that Ben and Julie were meant for each other, just for the way they eat and Gwen laughed at Kevin's cleverness like she always did. After they all finished eating Gwen got her laptop out of her bag and put it on the table in front of her.
As the computer came on and the display lit up other customers gathered behind them watching like they had never seen such a device before. Gwen changed seats with Julie so her back was to the wall and they couldn't see her screen, if they might even understand what it showed.
One of the older men spoke up when he realized Gwen was trying to hide something from them. "You're a strange bunch. Ain't seen you around here before. Why're you here?"
Kevin glared at him, "Not that its any of you're business, but we're just visiting."
Ben added, "We came for the sweet potato chili fries." Julie giggled softly at him.
"Then why are you kids asking all the questions? We've seen you cornering folk to interrogate them."
Ben repeated, "Cornered?"
"Interrogated?" Kevin continued, "Not interrogating, just being neighborly. We're interested. What's going on in this town?"
"Whad da yameen sonny?"
"I mean, everyone seems nervous or angry. What do you do for fun around here? You look like you haven't had any fun in a century."
"Shhhh, Kev," Gwen cautioned him. "Sir, I was wondering what do you do for work here? Is there some sort of manufacturing plant or is it farming? I haven't even seen any large fields, harvesters or tractors."
"We get along fine, but there ain't no vacant jobs to be had round here. You best be stopping the interrogating, leave our town alone and move on."
Kevin smiled wickedly, "Oh, you did not just threaten us did you? Well you ain't seen interrogating - yet - you want to be first?" Kevin stood up and pushed up his sleeves. Gwen put her hand over Kevin's forearm and assured the man, "Don't worry sir, we don't want jobs or to even stay here any longer than we have to."
"See that you don't have to," grumbled a low voice in the back. When the small crowd went back to their own tables and behind the counter, Kevin leaned forward across the table and whispered to the rest. "Why did you stop me? They were all asking for it. I bet we could have learned everything we need to know from that little lynch mob."
"Maybe they've had bad experiences with strangers coming to town before and that's where the witch stories come from."
"Probably. Its only a matter of time before they decide that we're witches."
"hey, I can't be – can a guy even be a witch? I think I would be a warlock." Kevin absorbed the polished metal from the edge of the table up to his elbow. "Now that's magic."
"Stop it Kevin!" Ben looked around quickly to see if anyone saw what he did. "There is something going on here and that Father Macurdy person is in the middle of it. I would love to meet him."
"Well then, lets get it over with. You gonna wear black to go visit him Gwen. I'll find you a pointy hat."
"Knock it off." Gwen faked anger, but didn't pull away when Kevin leaned over for a kiss. Kevin even put his hand behind her head for a slightly more intense face sucking experience.
The waitress yelled, "Now we'll have none of that in here! Just pay your bill and get out."
The four complied, happily. They had other things to do.
[[[[[[[[[[Ben10AF]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]
To Be Continued . . .