Hello! Thanks to everyone who read and reviewed. Bad news, I have an idea for another story. But the good news is that I don't like to write more than one story at a time (unless it's a one-shot or something). So if you're into the story then don't worry I am stubborn and like to finish one project before moving on to the next.
On with the story then! Please review if you have any thoughts on it so far. I'll admit I use to never review until I started writing myself then learned the value and meaning of a good review!
beta reader: bitbyboth
The next morning Nero awoke to someone on the TV babbling on about something.
…and it's slightly cloudy. There's a cold front moving in from the north later today…" the man on the TV was spouting off monotonously.
Nero rolled over under the warm sheets and blinked his blurry eyes a few times. After regaining his vision he saw Dante sitting on the bed next to his.
"Morning kid," Dante grinned as he placed a strip of crispy bacon into his mouth and gave it a crunch. A few crumbs were on his shirt from a previously eaten biscuit, and a few more strips of bacon rested on the plate in his hand.
"Mmm, what time is it," questioned Nero as he sleepily rubbed his eyes and sat up. The sun outside was shining bright, but it was obviously still early.
"It's about 7:30," replied Dante as he ate more of the goodies on his plate.
"…how long have you been up?"
"Oh, about an hour or so. I wanted to make sure that I got to hit the free breakfast before it was over."
Nero noted the almost empty plate of food in the elder's hand. His stomach gave a little growl at smelling the delicious food wafting in the air.
"Makes sense. The only thing that can get you out of bed this early is food." Nero flung back the covers and grabbed his room key from off of the nightstand. He was hungry and wanted to grab some morsels before they got back on the road.
"I'll be back." The teen gave a small wave in Dante's direction before scurrying out of the room.
"Better hurry," Dante called back before averting his gaze back to the screen.
"Damnit! Either you ate all the food or they've stopped serving breakfast!" Nero threw his room key on the table before storming off into the bathroom. Dante shot him a sad look while he still had a piece of bacon hanging from his mouth.
"Oh my bad, guess the clock is off. He he."
The younger hunter went about his morning business, ignoring the fact that he had missed breakfast because of Dante's idiocy. He angrily brushed his teeth and mumbled profanities to himself to alleviate his frustration.
The two soon packed up and were ready for another fun-filled day of being cooped up together in the car. Within the hour they were on the road again.
Ten more hours of driving and half of a dozen energy drinks apiece they reached New Orleans. It was around eight in the evening when the city flashed before their eyes.
"So where exactly is the guy that hired you?" questioned Nero. He was taking in all of the sights around him. The architecture was different than what he was used to, as well as the natives. Bright lights were flashing from every corner, and drunks littered the aptly named Bourbon Street.
"He is from a small village on the outskirts of the main part of the city called Creola. The man owns a bar here on the main strip, so we're going to stop in for a bit and get some more details." The pair found a spot and parked on the strip before walking into a bar called the Paige Pub.
The atmosphere inside the building was buzzing with energy. People were coming in and out; the air was thick with the scent of smoke and strong spices. Citizens from all walks of life were seated throughout the odd joint. The walls were an eclectic feel of brightly colored ornaments and tattered music posters.
Dante walked in as if he owned the place and approached the bar. There was a young man standing there drying a clean mug in his hands.
"Hey there, what can I do fer ya?" the man gave a wide grin and placed the dried mug on the counter in front of him.
"I'm here to see a Robert Gatreau."
"Yeah, just hold on one minute sir." The young man walked to the door leading into the kitchen and gave a shout. "Hey Paw, there's a man here to see ya." He walked back and gave another toothy grin.
A weathered old man rounded the corner from the kitchen. He was sporting an apron with assorted stains adorning it. He hurried over at seeing the white-haired hunter.
"Hello sir, you must be mister Dante. My name is Robert, nice to meet 'cha." He stuck his hand out and gave a warm-hearted greeting.
Dante replied by accepting the man's shake and grinning in return. Nero stood slightly behind him, not entirely sure what to do, watching everything unfold.
"Yes I am. I made it here as soon as I could," Dante stated to the man.
"Wonderful. I do 'preciate you both being here." The old man saw Nero standing beside Dante. The similar appearance tipped him off that they were partners. "Why don't y'all take a seat? I'll rustle up some food then we can talk."
Dante nodded before turning and locating an empty booth on the edge of the bar. The teen followed him like a small child. They sat down and Nero spoke up.
"They sure seemed cheery, have you met them before?"
"Nope, that's just the locals- real hospitable people." Dante leaned back and awaited the man to return with information and food.
Robert joined the two hunters carrying two large steaming bowls.
"Here ya go gentlemen; it's the house specialty red beans and rice. My own recipe!" After setting down the bowls he joined them at the table so they could comfortably chat.
The elder grabbed his spoon and dug into the piping hot bowl with eagerness. Nero followed suit and dipped his spoon into the dish before bringing it to his hungry mouth. The food was bursting with flavor, tons of spices and notes were present.
"I called y'all here because we've been having a problem with some young folks disappearing." Robert's cheery face had fallen at mention of the troubles. His eyes dropped to the table as he tugged on his salt and pepper mustache. "They were all disappearing from Creola, but the last few done gone missing from here in Orleans."
"So, in the beginning they were all from your village and only recently they've been going missing from in town?"
The elderly man nodded his head. "Yes sir. The range keeps expanding and we don't know what to do. We told the authorities, but the way they disappear makes me think it's not a man. There are never any signs of struggle or breaking into a house."
He stopped for a moment, recalling other vital parts. "I heard about you from a guy that knew a guy. Anyways, you deal with this sort of stuff so I thought it wise to call y'all down before this gets any worse."
Nero stopped listening for a moment as he felt a strong tingling in his mouth. The tingling quickly turned to a burning sensation. Without realizing it his mouth had gone from spicy to flaming hot. His eyes watered. He turned to Dante. The older slayer was intently listening while dumping spoonful after spoonful of red beans and rice into his mouth practically unfazed.
The younger slayer dropped his spoon and tried not to think about the fire burning in his mouth. He could kill for a glass of water.
"And where exactly did the last disappearance take place?" asked Dante gleaming every tidbit he could.
"About two weeks ago a teenage girl went missing from her apartment on the French Quarter down the road. She lived with a roommate who said that there was nothing taken, and all of her stuff was still there."
"Okay. No need to question her then." Dante finished with his bowl and felt satisfied with what he had heard from Robert. "I guess we'll start first thing in the morning investigating then- right Nero?"
Nero barely heard his name. He was busy trying to hold it together while in front of other people. His face had a tight and pained looking. He gave a cough before nodding his head in agreement.
"Loosen up kid, it'll be fine." He gave him a rough pat on the back causing Nero to give another cough.
"Another thing, the disappearances all happen at night so whoever or whatever you are looking for can probably only be found at night."
"We'll get it done, don't worry."
The pair exited the bar and made their way to the car.
"Were you alright in there kid, I thought you might pass out for a minute," Dante laughed thinking of Nero's face.
"What the Hell, that was some spicy shit!" The burning sensation still lingered; however it was much better than before.
"Get use to it, that's how the food is around here."
"You sure didn't seem to mind." Nero breathed the cool night air into his mouth to help alleviate the sting.
"This isn't my first time down south. This job will lead you lots of places and you've just got to embrace the change."
"Oh yeah, I bet you have tons of fond memories and nostalgia being here then."
Dante let his mind wander. He thought of drunken nights in bars that never closed, gambling away thousands on the boats in Shreveport, and of course sugary sweet southern women. He cracked a smile thinking of the last one.
"Yes and no. Don't worry, I'm sure you'll make some memories here yourself kid- in due time."
They climbed into the car as it roared to life. Tomorrow is when all of the real work began. It would be no more laughing and silly antics- it was business time.
Oh my, I'm sure you do have some crazy memories Dante! The next chapter has some good humor in it lol! Thanks for reading.