Ugh, I feel like I haven't updated in months! Sorry it took so long everyone. I've been finding ways to occupy my time this summer instead of write *cough* playing Dead Island *cough*. Anyways, this chapter has a nice sprinkle of humor to it. I hope that you enjoy.
Beta Reader: bitbyboth
The next day brought along the tedious process of checking things out. Since the two were unsure of what exactly they were after they decided it best to scope out the town that everything had originated in.
Nero and Dante pulled into the small community of Creola about midday.
"This looks more like a backwoods redneck convention," Nero took note of the various shacks and dilapidated buildings that scattered the area. The ground beneath them was dirt with prominent outlines of the 'roads' the locals used.
"Watch your mouth kid; this is where these people live." Dante had expected something slightly less lavish that what the city had to offer- but this was sad. "We just need to talk to a few locals and see what's been happening on the inside."
The teen nodded and followed Dante into the heart of the village. People were going about their everyday lives it seemed. They duo decided to start their investigation at the local market- a natural gathering place.
"Why don't we split up for a bit and meet back at the car in an hour?" Dante peered around scoping out good targets for information. He figured that splitting up would gleam twice the information in half the time. Besides, whatever was threatening everyone seemed to only be active at night.
"Okay, see you around." Nero trotted off in the other direction.
Dante saw a store that a few people had gone in and out of near the market so he started there. The bell on the door rang as he entered the place. The cashier looked him over when he walked in.
"Hello sir, mind if I ask you a few questions?"
The man had a stern face and simply looked at the white-haired man before him.
"Okay…I was wondering if you knew anything about the disappearances that have been happening lately."
The cashier looked down t his hands for a moment. "Yeah, people been going missing lately- strangest thing."
"Anything unusual besides the missing people lately?" Dante would take anything to work with at this point. Even something small could turn into a solid link that could help.
"Naw sir, same old same old around here. If anything unusual happened everyone would know in a small town like this."
"I see, well thanks sir. Let me know if you hear anything else."
Dante turned to leave the shop when he was approached by a woman in her mid-forties. She had fair skin and washed-out brunette hair.
"Excuse me sir, I overheard you talking with the owner. If you are looking into the disappearances then I would like to help any way that I can."
The elder slayer nodded to her. Maybe she would know something they could use.
"You see, my niece was one of the people to go missing…." She trailed off as she reached for a handkerchief from her purse. Her eyes began to water and she patted them to soak up the salty trails. "I'm sorry….it just, still hurts…"
"It's okay. Is there anything you can tell me that you think might help?"
"Well, I hear people say that it's not human. They say that it's something else that is luring everyone away in the dead of night."
"Yeah, I heard the same." It seemed that none of the locals knew any more than he did. People wither didn't know what to look for or were too afraid to look it seemed.
"I'm sorry I don't know more. Maybe you should go talk to Marie Laveau."
"Yeah that's a great idea, I bet Miss Laveau might know something," the cashier piped in at hearing this. "She knows about all of that stuff, like magic and stuff."
This piqued Dante's interest greatly. Maybe there was someone in town who knew more about what they were working with. Or at least someone who knew that there were demons and monsters running around the world.
Meanwhile Nero walked through the farmer's market and hadn't met anyone that seemed to know anything. He was about to give up and head back to the car when he heard someone call out to him.
"Excuse me lad, can you give me a hand?" An elderly woman was in her front yard attempting to pick up a large potted plant.
Without even considering passing up helping the little old lady Nero sauntered over eager to assist.
"Yeah sure." Without even blinking Nero threw the potted plant onto his shoulder and looked at the old woman. "Where do you want this?"
"Oh my, you are a strong young lad aren't you!"
"I'm not that young…" Nero muttered to himself.
"Put it on my front porch if you don't mind."
The white-haired teen placed the pot on the porch with ease. He felt good about helping a senior with a simple chore. It was Kyrie that had instilled in him the importance of helping others less fortunate- something he still carried on to this day.
"There you are ma'am, have a good day." He turned to leave when the old woman chimed in once again.
"Wait, won't you please come inside and rest for a moment?"
"Uhhh, well you see…"
"I have cookies!" The lady beamed at him a sweet old smile. Her wrinkled face held character and kindness.
Nero let out a sigh and looked over his shoulder. "Yeah, sure, but only for a bit. I have somewhere to be soon." He followed her inside feeling anxious that he would keep Dante waiting.
The younger slayer chewed on a soft chocolate chip cookie as the old woman crept about the small kitchen. He eyed her as she fixed two cups of tea for them to enjoy. She sat down at the table with the drinks in hand.
"What brings a young lad like you out to this small village?"
Nero sipped some tea and swallowed the remainder of his cookie before answering. " I'm here with this guy and we are investigating the disappearances that have been happening lately."
"Oh I see, so you don't like women hmm?"
The teen stared at her with his eyebrows furrowed. "I wait -what? No! I'm here searching for….I like girls!" He felt defensive at the woman's strange assumption.
"Ooh hoo, my apologies. We get loads of hoodlums from New Orleans that like to wander off into the woods together and eat mushrooms. They dress funny like you and color their hair too."
'Why does this always happen to me?' thought Nero to himself. 'This senile old bat thinks I'm a freak, druggie, and lollipop!'
"No. I'm here looking for the missing people." He set down his cup and scooted his chair back. "I actually have to leave now and meet my friend." This was going nowhere fast and he and Dante actually had work that needed to be done.
"Okay, do be careful. Tell your man-friend the same. Don't eat the brown mushrooms!"
Nero hurried out of the house before she could spout off any more nonsense. He didn't know whether to blame it on her old age, or the fact that she lived in a swampy redneck paradise. Whatever.
Dante was leaning against the side of the car when Nero finally arrived.
"What gives kid? You're twenty minutes late. I hope you found something interesting we can use." Dante gave him a wary look.
"Well you see, what had happened was…. I uh ran into this woman-"Nero was immediately cut off by the elder hunter.
"A woman huh, about time you start chasing some skirt kid!"
"No, dammit! Why won't people just leave me alone? ! This old woman made me move stuff then starting being weird and I left as soon as I could."
"Uh huh, she 'made' you? Well while you were out helping the elderly I actually found out some good stuff."
Dante stood straight and opened the trunk of the car. He removed Rebellion which had been resting in there while they were in town. Both he and Nero had kept their firearms on them at all times though. Even in the middle of town, you never know.
"Great, what did you find out?" At least one of them had done something productive in the past hour.
"Seems there's some sort of 'witch doctor' close by that might know something. At the very least maybe she can point us in the right direction."
Nero nodded in confirmation. He had never met a 'witch doctor' and in all honesty wasn't entirely sure what it was. He assumed they were those crazy people who cut off the head's of chickens and sprinkled salt in their doorways.
He too withdrew his sword from the trunk and placed it on his back. The bayou was surely filled with all types of threats, both natural and supernatural alike.
"She lives out in the bayou and we can't drive there, so I hope you brought your walking shoes kid."