While the rest of the group set out, HB and Abe were forced to stay in the back of the truck, able to see out but unseen by passerby. The truck sat in a wide alley, posters covering the walls, people walking by.
"Well, Abe old buddy, looks like we're gonna have to sit this one out," Hellboy said, making himself comfortable. Abe sighed.
"You know I really wish there was some way this could be avoided. These problems that occur, just because we don't look like everyone else. You'd think people could have a little acceptance in them, not judging others by looks or origin." Hellboy heard these words, and nodded, knowing exactly what the marine creature felt.
"Yea. I don't know what it is with people. But I know one thing, Myers better keep his hands off my girl."
--
Walking through the streets of Maiduguri, the six remaining members of the BPRD had been split up into three pairs. The goal was to find any information they could about the whereabouts of István Raseinai. Liz had been paired with Agent Clay. The buildings in Maiduguri varied from large to small, dark, to light. Vehicles moved sluggishly through the crowded streets, people walking on the sides of the roads, paying no heed to the cars. One building that looked to be a church reminded Liz of an oblong cylinder. It was white with a cross on the front.
Pausing to look, she raised her camera to snap a photo. "You can't be taking pictures every five seconds. We got a lot to do," Clay said, stopping to wait. Liz gave him a look.
"I'm not taking them every five seconds." They continued to walk, looking for anyone who might know a lot about the people of Maiduguri.
"Hey, hi, do you know of a man named István Raseinai? I've heard he's quite the voodoo guy," Clay asked an old looking man who was sitting selling some crocodile skins. The man shook his head, his face cranky and displeased. They walked on for the next few hours, asking many people the same question, with the same results.
"Do you know anyone named István Raseinai?" Liz asked an older woman. The woman's eyes went wide.
"Raja Raseinai? I have not heard that name in long years. It is not spoken on the lips of our people," she answered, quickly turning and hurrying away.
"Wait!" Liz yelled, following after her. The woman wove her way quickly through the crowds, before Liz finally caught up to her. When Clay turned to see where she had gone, he couldn't see her amidst all the people.
"Agent Clay, we're heading back to base now. The truck, that is," Manning's voice said on his locator belt.
"Copy that," Clay answered, still unable to sight Liz.
--
"They ought to be back by now. Ughhhh, I knew this was a bad idea," Hellboy said, pacing back and forth in the truck.
"Don't worry. I'm sure it's just taking them some time," Abe said, sensing the demon's uneasiness. Just then, a loud sound was heard from the back of the truck. After a moment the back opened, and five of the agents were revealed.
"Where's Liz?" Hellboy inquired, immediately noticing that she was not among them.
"I told Clay to meet us back here, hold on," Manning said, pressing a button on his locator belt. "Clay, where the hell are you?" he demanded. An out of breath Clay was heard.
"I'm here, just trying to find Liz. She ran off after some women, and I haven't seen her since," he said. Hellboy immediately pulled Manning to him, speaking into the transmitter.
"Listen to me, Clay. We've known each other a while now, and I'm telling you, anything happens to her and you are dead meat," he growled, his eyes severe. There was a pause on the other end.
"You bet, big guy. I'm going to find her. I promise," a slight quiver was heard in his voice. Clay widened his gait, now running through the swarms of people. Panic was beginning to overtake him when suddenly he ran straight into someone. It was Liz.
"Oh my God, what happened?" she asked, clearly concerned. Clay took a deep breath.
"Why'd you run off like that? Do you have any idea what Hellboy would do to me if I lost you?" he asked her, sweat seeping through him. Liz's face softened.
"I'm sorry. That lady, she knew something about Raseinai, but she wouldn't tell me. Apparently people don't talk about him. So, all those people we asked probably knew something, but just weren't saying," she explained. Clay nodded.
"Figures. Well, let's get back before your boyfriend has my ass," he said, and they began walking back. After another hour they finally arrived back at the truck. Hellboy, upon seeing Liz, quickly walked over to her, jumping off of the truck. Luckily no one else was in the alley to see him. Gently stroking her hair with his normal hand, he looked over her face.
"You okay? You were gone a long time," he said. Bringing her hand up to caress his arm, she nodded.
"I'm fine. It's my fault we're late. We got separated in the masses," she explained. Hellboy nodded, a smile coming to his face. Pulling her closer he brought his lips to her forehead, glad she was back with him, where no one could harm her. Clay watched them, glad he had been able to find her.
"Alright, folks, we're moving out. Everybody back in the truck," Manning said, interrupting their moment.
"Where we going?" Hellboy asked.
"The Telegnostic Underground. Since we didn't find anything helpful today we're going there to see if we can get a hint." Reluctantly, Hellboy jumped back into the truck, followed by Liz and Clay.
By that time it was pitch black, the sounds of the city a gentle hum as they rode along. Liz stared tiredly out of the window, wondering how long it would take them to get there. Myers looked at her thoughtfully, before taking a small book from his pocket.
"Hey Myers, whatcha got there?" Hellboy asked. Myers looked up.
"It's Robinson Crusoe. My uncle used to read it to me a lot when I was a kid," Myers explained. HB motioned for him to continue reading. The company on board were all very quiet, including Manning.
"So no luck, huh? Might've been different if you'd let Abe and I come along," HB commented, looking at Manning. He sighed.
"You know you might be right. But, in the midst of it you would be discovered, and placed in more danger. All of us, really. So just be patient, you'll get your turn," Manning said, clearly not up for an argument.
"Patience my…" Hellboy felt a hand on his arm. He looked to see it was Liz.
"We're tired, HB. Can you save it for another time?" Her question was soft, but somehow it quieted him. Just as he was beginning to feel slightly down by the it, Liz took his hand in hers. He could see in her eyes that there was no anger or annoyance there, and it quickly made him feel better.
About thirty minutes later the truck came to a halt. Manning got out first, then motioned for the rest of them to follow. Through the dark, a building could be seen. It looked somewhat like a pentagon in shape, painted pure white. There was no fence around it, unlike at the BPRD. "This is it, I think," Manning said, walking toward the building.
"He thinks," Hellboy said, disbelief in his voice.
"Well after all, they are much more 'secretive' than we are," Abe added. A sign stood nearby that read, "YOU BUY, WE BUY." HB looked at it.
"Doesn't make sense."
"Exactly. That's why no one ever comes here to bother them," Abe explained, as they reached the door. Manning opened it, and they entered what seemed to be a lobby. A young man sat at a desk, in custom clothing.
"Can I help…" he stopped when he saw Hellboy. Picking up a phone, he quickly began speaking in a foreign tongue.
"Hey, we're from the BPRD, in the US. There's no need to be alarmed…" Manning tried to explain.
"Security, security!" the young man began to shout.
"Hey! He said not to be alarmed," Hellboy said, force in his voice. This only made the man shout louder, and more urgently. Suddenly, Hellboy stepped forward, taking him by the shirt. In an effort to get him to be quiet, he quickly lifted him up into the air, then threw him back into his seat. It was done with such force that the young man's chair scooted back, hitting the wall with a loud crack.
"Red!" Liz said, the look on her face one of unhappy shock.
"What? He wouldn't quiet down," HB explained, just as some security guards walked into the room. They were followed by a short African American man, in a tie and suite.
"What's going on here?" the short man demanded.
"Oh, I'm terribly sorry, sir. We're from the BPRD…" Manning was cut off.
"Ah, the paranormal squad. I see. What have you done to my secretary?" the man asked, looking at the quivering young man. He looked back at Hellboy, then at Manning. "Is this demon violent? I will not permit violence in my headquarters."
"Ah, no, not usually. He just has a quick temper, that's all. We'll be sure he causes no more trouble for you, Mr…?" Manning said, unsure of what the man's name was.
"You may call me Mr.Garnahweh. Follow me if you want my help, or else I'll have to ask you to leave," the short man said, and began walking down a hallway. Manning motioned for the company to follow.