Beta Reader: bitbyboth
"I gave Robert a ring and he said that he had a friend in town who could lead us through the bayou," Dante stated. The two hunters headed back into town with all of their weaponry ready to go. "His name is Gerald and he lives on the edge of town in an old house with a blue roof."
This town seemed so odd that Nero was beyond ready to leave even if leaving meant venturing into the heart of the swamp to get away. Hopefully they could find some answers, finish their mission, and be on their way back home. A step out of the ordinary was nice every now and then but this place was really throwing him for a loop.
Dante led the way to an old house with a blue tin roof. Nero's heart dropped when he realized where he was. An old couple was sitting on the front porch with sweating drinks in their hands moving steadily in matching rocking chairs.
"Oh my, if it isn't my young friend," the elderly woman smiled at seeing Nero.
"I'm no friend of yours granny…" Nero mumbled to himself.
He immediately recognized the shriveled up woman as none other than the old bag who had insulted him earlier. Seated next to her was an equally old man sipping on a glass of ice tea steadily swaying in the old chair.
"Oh is this your woman friend kid, she seems nice," Dante exclaimed aloud giving a flashy smile to the old couple. He approached the two to speak more. Nero's shoulders slouched as he too approached the pair.
"Excuse me sir, would you happen to be Gerald?"
The old man glided back and forth in his old chair while he answered.
"Yeah, that's me, and this here's my wife Betty. What you fellas need?"
"We need to locate someone out in the bayou and Robert Gatreau said that you could show us the way." Dante awaited the man's reply eagerly.
"Oh yeah, I haven't seen Robert in a while- not since we stopped playing poker together on Thursdays. Mmm hmm, that old fart always took my money."
Nero dropped his gaze to the ground. Old people were so frustrating to him; they always talked about nonsense and things that nobody but other old people would care about. He shifted his feet impatiently and was glad that Dante was doing all the talking.
Dante calmly listened to Gerald speak his mind for a second before 'guiding' him back to the topic.
"Sounds like a real card shark. So anyways, can you take us to Marie Laveau's place?"
Nero felt a chill go up his spine as he glanced over to Betty; she was staring at him as her thin fingers tapped on her tea glass. He fixed his gaze instead on Gerald who was taking his time getting to the point of the conversation.
"Sure thing son, it's a long trek out there but I can do it."
"Thank you sir, I appreciate it. We are ready to leave at your earliest convenience."
Dante sure knew how to turn on the politeness when he needed to. It was quite rare actually to see him acting so charming. Nero was use to the slayer being a real asshole and having a smart mouth. But when duty calls…
"Let me put my mud boots on and we can get going. We need to hurry before it gets any later though; the gators like to come out at night."
Gerald stood from his rocking chair and slowly walked to the front door. Betty watched him head inside and followed him. Her thin frame seemed unsteady and frail. Nero wondered if the old man was any better; could he really lead them into the swamp?
"Don't forget to put on fresh socks hon, you don't want your feet smelling."
"Yeah, they get to smelling like an old whipped swamp donkey." The conversation trailed off as the two went inside for a moment.
Dante turned to Nero. "You gotta relax kid; you need to have patience when dealing with these old types."
"You've got nerves of steel; I can't deal with all of this dancing around the point shit- it drives me crazy."
"I remember being young and dumb once too; at least you have enough sense to wear a shirt unlike me. But, you're still pretty clueless, hehe."
"Clueless?! You're the one that still acts like a kid, you-"
Nero was cut off by the opening of the screen door to the blue roof house. Gerald emerged with his tea glass in one hand and a shotgun in the other. His dirty boots were tucked into the camo pants that were held up with an old leather belt. To top it off he was wearing a faded cap that said 'Mardi-Gras '79'.
"Alright, you boys ready?"
Gerald walked down the steps and approached the two hunters. He gave a weary smile and began walking towards the swampy marshes.
"Let's shake a leg," Gerald exclaimed.
"Gerald, where's my goodbye kiss," Betty called as her head popped out from behind the screen door.
"I'm on a mission woman; I'll kiss you when I get back. Good grief…."
"Okay, I'll be waiting with a plate of warm biscuits!"
She smiled before retreating herself back into the house letting the front door close with a 'snap'. Gerald continued walking shaking his head slightly; his balding head catching the light with each shake.
"That woman is going to be the death of me; either she's gonna poison me or feed me biscuits till I die," Gerald took another big swig from his tea glass. "I hope it's from the biscuits boys."
The marshes didn't seem especially dangerous. Navigating the way, however, was a different story. If you didn't know where you were going then it would be extremely easy to wander through the bayou for hours with no clue where you were at. Gerald thankfully seemed to know exactly where he was going.
"How do you know your way through here so well old man?" Nero questioned curiously.
"Well let's see, I grew up in this little town and me and my friends use to go out into the bayou and play during the summers. Yep, use to swim in the little Cypress creek, and fish down at Mud Lake. Mmm hmm."
Nero imagined growing up in such a place. The thought of it seemed so farfetched to him. He had grown up on a coastal town, spending his younger days going to the beach getting salt water in his eyes and coming home with bad sunburns on his fair skin. Good times. If he had grown up somewhere different then his childhood might seem as crazy as Gerald's.
Small ponds littered the terrain giving the scenery a damp and dirty look. The ground beneath their feet was spongy and squished with each step taken. Although there was plenty of wildlife about it was all fairly harmless like frogs, squirrels, and bugs galore.
Dante was walking behind both Nero and Gerald keeping a lookout. Even though their tour guide knew where he was going it didn't mean that they wouldn't run into any 'surprises'. Something in the air felt chilly and slightly off.
After about an hour of walking they came to a small clearing with a cottage nestled under two big willow trees. There was a soft glow coming from the windows as well as smoke billowing from the stone chimney.
"Alright boys, this is where Marie Laveau lives. She's a real kind young woman. Hope she can help you out boys."
Gerald turned to leave. "I'm headed back home now; it's gonna be getting dark soon so I recommend you take care of your business quickly."
He raised his hand with the cup of tea into the air to bid them farewell. The two hunters nodded and continued on towards the cottage to gather some hopefully good information on the case.
Dante stepped in front of Nero as they reached the front door of the old house. He tapped a few times on the wooden door and awaited their host. A few seconds later they heard footsteps come towards to door to greet them.
The door creaked open and a young woman, appearing to be in her late twenties answered the door. She had long dark hair and creamy caramel skin. "Hello, may I help you gentlemen?"
"Yes m'am, are you Marie Laveau?"
"I am, what can I do for the two of you?"
Random: So I wandered over to fictionpress and made an account the other day. I thought that it would be a lot like here (it is layout-wise) but it's more different than I had hoped. I posted the first chapter to this random story I've been dabbling in and I'm pretty sure it sucks...like a lot lol! I've only had a handful of views and no reviews, oh well. I should stick to what I'm better at, not necessarily good, but better- fanfiction.