Swiftshadow stepped out of the store. It was empty like the rest of the village. Lights on but nobody home. She simply grabbed a couple bags of jerky and dried fruit, then left a twenty on the counter. She also found a pair of black gloves in Wilson's house.
Clutters of cats gathered here and there. It was almost unnerving the number of them. It certainly did not help the suffocating almost malevolent atmosphere. The overcast sky put the village in a dim light. The feeling almost reminded her of Optimus prime's or The Wolf Spirit's presence except it seemed darker or more twisted somehow.
Some instinct told her to flee the place. She pushed it aside. She couldn't leave Wilson to a fate worse than death. Swiftshadow was pretty sure she would eventually go crazy if she were in his position.
She spotted a tabby cat sitting on a fence nearby. She noted a suspicious gouge on its shoulder. It couldn't be could it? It would explain the lack of odd scents and the over abundance of cat.
She was deep in thought when she ran into something or rather someone. The impact sent her to her rear. She looked up to see a guy around her age. He had blond hair and a red and yellow shirt.
"Hey, Watch it," He said. His own eyes landed on Swiftshadow. He immediately sprung to his feet, "Oh, sorry about that," He extended a hand.
"Tis' fine," Muttered Swiftshadow as she scrambled to her feet. She noticed that they weren't alone. A brown hared girl and a great hulking bear of a man were also present.
"Do you believe in love at first sight? Or should I walk into you again?" Said the guy.
Is this guy serious? Is he actually flirting with her? She rolled her eyes. She had more important matters then worrying about boys.
"Nope," She said, "And it'll certainly take more than a few run ins to get me to like you,"
The other girl yanked on the boys ear, "Sorry about my brother. He can get ahead of himself sometimes,"
"Who are you guys?" Questioned Swiftshadow. She was certain that Dulsbury was abandoned.
"I'm Diana," Answered the girl.
"Me Java," Said the large man.
"And I'm Martin," Said the boy freeing himself from his sisters grasp, "We're from The Center. "
"The Center?"
"The Center is an organization that protects people from supernatural threats," Martin explained, "And we're here to investigate the disappearance of the village inhabitants. You wouldn't happen to know anything about that?"
"Sorry dude," Said Swiftshadow, "I just got here. The only odd things that I have encountered are that car wreck in the middle of town and a lot of cats,"
"Java no like cats," Grunted the man. Swiftshadow guessed he wasn't the brightest bulb in the chandelier.
"Can you take us to the crash site?" Asked Diana.
"It's this away," Directed Swiftshadow. She started down the sidewalk.
"Whats your name?" Said Martin breaking the eerie silence.
Shit. Swiftshadow wasn't sure of how much to trust them. She knew the name Swiftshadow Would probably prompt more questions. They had said that they were part of some sort of secret paranormal organization. Swiftshadow didn't want to risk being drug off to some secret lab to be experimented on. Again. She still had nightmares from the first round.
"Uh… My name is… Stacy…Stacy Williams," She answered.
"So Stacy where are you from?" Said Martin.
Damn. Swiftshadow searched for an answer that would satisfy their curiosity.
"Oh, look we're here," Swiftshadow said changing the subject. The trucks warped frame came into view. Roots tangled with twisted metal. The sight always left a furious twist in her gut. She couldn't help but imagine the many ways that the drivers drunkenness could've ended a innocent souls life. Fortunately the only known casualty was a tree. No word on the driver yet.
Martin was already poking around the area. He seemed oblivious to the spookiness that seemed to hang in the air. Either that or he was used to such things by now.
"Cool!" Martin said a child like glee. Martin was staring at the slime in the hole where the tree once stood.
"Ew, Martin," Diana said with a note of disgust, "What is up with you and slime,"
"What. it's cool," Said Martin, "Lets see what the slime scanner has to say about it,"
Swiftshadow edged closer. She half expected him to pull something out of his pocket. Instead he fiddled with his watch.
"Slime scan selected," A cold robotic voice spoke. It emitted light from its face and a strange device materialized above it. It looked like a test tube with a screen attached to it.
Swiftshadow observed with fascination as Martin pulled out the swab and took a sample. She almost couldn't believe her eyes. What kind of device was that? It certainly was far too advanced to be Earth tech.
"It's Tree sap mixed with ectoplasmic residue," Stated Martin.
"Ectoplasm? Like ghosts?" Asked Swiftshadow.
"Obviously we're dealing an ancient inter-dimensional ghost bent on causing world chaos by consuming the souls of dead," Said Martin gleefully.
"Get real Martin," Said Dianna sceptically, "Theres probably a rational explanation for all this,"
"Oh yeah explain the ectoplasm," Rebuked Martin.
Swiftshadow retreated to her thoughts as the two siblings argued. Was a ghost responsible for the villagers disappearance? How did the beasts fit into this?
She thought of the towns eeriness. It was as if a strange ambience settled over the area. She knew she could sense spiritual energy from her experience with Optimus Prime and The Wolf spirit. Could she be able to pick up on ghostly energies?
She shook her head. She could focus on that later. She needed to get to library to do research. Wilson was probably starting to get worried.
"Maybe we can find some clues at the library," Swiftshadow interrupted, "If the problem is supernatural then maybe there is a record of activity there,"
"Thats a good idea," Said Diana.
Martin headed the group as they approached the library. Half of his mind was on Stacy. She was pretty. A solid eight of ten in his books. But some instinct told him that she was hiding something but he couldn't figure out what. He asked her a few questions along the way. She either dodged the question or changed the subject.
Dulsbury's Public Library wasn't a large building by any means. It was old brick building that was probably built sometime in the early 1900's. It showed its age with peeling paint at the window sills. The steps started to look as if they could use a renovation.
Martin spotted a raven perched above the door way. It gave an ominous croak before flying off.
Martin opened the door, "Ladies first," He gestured A Stacy. She rolled her eyes as she entered the building.
The interior was as much in the same condition as the exterior. The old hardwood floors creaked and groaned with every step. a musty smell hung in the air. Several book shelves lined the walls. Two large wooden tables sat in the middle each with their own antique lamp. A door labelled Town Archives was located on the side wall.
"I guess that's is where we need to be," Remarked Martin.
"Argh!" Martin tuned to see Java shaking. he soon found the source of the caveman's fear. A small calico cat had jumped up onto a desk by the entryway.
"Easy there Java," Assured Martin, "It's just a cat,"
There were few things in this world that scared then caveman. Cats happened to be one of them. Heights and technology were also on that list.
Diana began to pet the feline, "See Java. Its not going to hurt you,"
The cat responded with a delicate purr.
"Java no like cats," Said the caveman as he relaxed a bit.
Martin Couldn't help but notice Stacy give the cat a scrutinizing glare.
"Anyways, lets get what we came here for and get out of here," She said. Stacy made a bee line for the archives. She fiddled With the door knob only to find it locked.
"No worry," Said Java, "Java open door," He proceed to rip the door off its hinges.
"Why thank you Java," Said Stacy.
"No problem," He set the door to the side.
The room was much like the previous, except there were several filing cabinets on the back wall. Stacy immediately made for them. Diane and Java began searching the shelves.
Martin sidled up next to Stacy. He found the filing cabinets to be full of newspapers. He sifted through them, scanning the headlines.
"Have any plans later?" He asked Stacy.
"Yes," Came her curt answer.
"What kind of plans?"
"Look under N," She said, "For none of your business,"
"Aww, would you consider a little date?"
"First of all, not interested," She rolled up a news paper and shook it at him, "Secondly, I have far more important matters to deal with then dating,"
They were cut short by a clatter. They turned to see Java picking up a small box off the floor.
"Java find something,"
"Ooh. let me see,'' Martin took the box from Java. It was a small simple box that easily be held with a single hand. Its lid was held shut with a small padlock.
"Now if only we had a key," Said Martin.
"No need," Java then crushed the padlock in his mighty fist. Martin opened the box to find a small book. Martin picked it up for examination.
"It looks to be a diary," He noted As he flipped through the crinkled yellow pages. A series of strange letters and runes were scrawled on its front page.
"That odd," Said Diana, "I wonder what it means,"
"Lets send to Billy for analysis," Said Martin. He went through the U-Watch's menus until he found the function needed. He scanned the pages contents. Before they could explore the diaries contents further a small mew sounded from the door.
Martin looked to see the calico standing in the door way. Its bright green eyes studied the team.
"Shit," Muttered Stacy. She was suddenly on full alert as she slipped the newspaper into her backpack.
Before Martin could question it the cat growled. Except wasn't the growl of a common house cat, it was the growl of something like a lion or tiger. Then the cat started to grow.