The library was silent.
Kate sat on the floor among a plethora of books, each tagged with notes and markers. Silently, she flipped through pages of various books, occasionally jotting down a note or two and mumbling to herself. The other inhabitants of the room were not as occupied.
Abe was pacing, thinking to himself. Manning stood in the far corner of the room, smoking a cigar, as he usually was, and glanced around the room with a stern expression. Myers was walking aimlessly while reading a tattered copy of The Catcher in the Ryeby J.D. Salinger, a nervous sweat forming at his brow. Professor Broom was sitting calmly in a chair, hands folded neatly in his lap. His eyes were closed as if he was contemplating something important. Hellboy was reclined back on the couch. He watched everyone as they went about their business. Finally, he sighed loudly.
"Damn it, Abe. Ystehogol is a myth. Everyone knows that. Whatever killed that guy is still out there and we're wasting our time here doing research while I could be out there tracking down the son of a bitch that did it," he argued, pulling a cigar out of his pocket.
Abe stilled and watched him. "Don't be hasty, Red. We need to know what we're up against. It is possible that he may only be a myth, but Dr. Hayward is right; there are many similarities between the description we received from Mrs. Hardy and Ystehogol."
Hellboy rolled his eyes while he lit his cigar. "Alright, let's pretend he isn't a myth. What could make him come out of hiding after...how many years was it?"
Searching for the number in one of the many books surrounding her, Kate answered him promptly. "One hundred."
Hellboy nodded and glared at Abe defiantly. Abe began to speak, but then stopped and regarded Professor Broom as if he had sensed that the older man had something to say.
Professor Broom shifted slightly in his seat and gazed out among the group. "There is something that must be taken into account; Andres Hardy was a former agent at the Bureau."
Everyone tensed. Myers put his book down and glanced up in shock. Kate immediately stopped what she was doing. Manning almost let the cigar fall from his mouth. Abe and Hellboy seemed to be the only two who did not react and it was obvious they had already known.
"Do you think…did this creature know?" asked Myers quietly.
Manning snorted derisively. "That's impossible. Our agents are sworn to secrecy and any record of them having ever worked here is terminated when they resign."
"All this man had to do was know he was previously an agent here and Ystehogol would have known too. He's a mind reader and manipulator. Any thought or memory that was in Mr. Hardy's mind was in Ystehogol's as well," explained Kate, examining the picture she had found earlier of the creature. His golden eyes stared up at her from the page and she could only imagine having those eyes be a person's last sight before death.
"That's right. We must discover why Ystehogol targeted this man and if his reason had any connection with Mr. Hardy's work here," Abe noted.
The room became silent once more. Kate glanced at the clock on Professor Broom's desk. It was four in the morning.
As if he read her mind, Professor Broom said, "I think it would be wise for us to continue this discussion after we've had some rest."
Kate silently thanked him and began putting away the books she'd been using. Everyone dispersed and went their separate ways, eager to get some sleep after the long night. Kate continued to tidy up, but still felt a presence in the room. She glanced around and found that Abe was staring straight at her.
"Agent Sapien?"
Abe tilted his head at her. "I was just recalling how nervous you seemed the other day when you arrived," he said.
Kate felt that he had more to say, so she waited.
"Dr. Hayward, you handled yourself beautifully. I wanted to let you know that."
Kate shrugged. "It's my job," she replied plainly.
"You wanted to prove yourself and I think you have accomplished that this morning," Abe explained.
Kate knew she had not told him about that. "You read my mind," she said, chuckling and crossing her arms.
Abe shook his head. "It was in your eyes."
Kate smiled slightly and then started towards her room.
"Dr. Hayward," Abe called to her.
She stopped and looked back at him.
"You really must call me Abe. There's no need for formalities," he said.
Kate nodded. "Then you can call me-"
"Kate. I know."
Kate grinned, amused, then continued on to her room. Though she may not have shown it, Kate was extremely grateful for the praise Abe had given her. For the first time since her arrival, she felt comfortable with her surroundings, feeling more as if she belonged at the Bureau. When she reached her door, she realized it was pointless to sleep. She found that she was not as tired as she thought and decided to head to the kitchen for some coffee. The search lasted about ten minutes, but soon Kate found herself standing in the kitchen. After making herself some coffee and loading it with excessive amounts of cream and sugar, Kate sat down at the table in the center of the room. It wasn't long before she had company. Kate realized she never turned the light on and when someone flipped the light switch, she heard a gasp.
"Jesus," exclaimed Myers.
With his hand over his heart, he looked exasperated.
"You scared me," he admitted.
Kate giggled and motioned to the coffee maker. "It's fresh if you want some."
Myers nodded and headed to the counter. After he poured himself a cup, he joined her at the table.
"You weren't tired either?" asked Myers, sipping his coffee.
"No. I figured I'd have to be up soon anyway so there wasn't much point in sleeping. What's your excuse?"
Myers ran a hand through his hair in exhaustion. "There's something about seeing someone's lifeless body who you know had a job, a family…a life. I don't know…it's not like I haven't seen it before, but it gets to me every time, you know?"
He paused and sighed. "I'm sorry, you shouldn't have to hear this."
Kate shook her head and watched him sympathetically.
"No, no. I understand. I couldn't imagine being faced with what you and the other agents do all the time," she told him.
The image of Ystehogol's eyes briefly came to mind and Kate shuddered. Myers watched her add some sugar to her cup and stir it in. They were silent for a moment before Myers decided to change the subject.
"You know, I was looking for you earlier," he said.
Kate looked up at him.
"I went for a walk," she answered casually.
As much as she and Hellboy hadn't been getting along, she wasn't about to go back on her word.
"Why were you looking for me?" she asked, suddenly curious.
Myers shrugged.
"Just wanted to talk," he replied.
Kate smiled sadly and looked down at her coffee. "I understand you're trying to make me feel welcome here, but you don't need to go out of your way to do it. I'll be alright."
She glanced back up at him and he gave her a lopsided grin.
"It's not like I'm forcing myself to do anything. I want to talk to you. It couldn't hurt you to have a friend while you're here either."
He chuckled and leaned over the table.
"Besides, I've already seen how you and Hellboy are together and I don't think that friendship is going anywhere fast."
Kate laughed, remembering her first encounter with Hellboy. It was then she realized how long it had been since she laughed. It felt good to laugh like that.
Sighing, she looked at Myers. "Listen, I've been acting really out of character lately. The person you met the other day isn't me. These past couple days with the new job and the new people and new situations have just been so overwhelming and I don't, uh…I just don't want you to think I'm this stiff, boring, nervous person all the time."
Kate paused and waited for him to say something. Looking her directly in the eye, he smiled warmly at her.
"Then why don't we go out for coffee later tonight and we can swap likes, dislikes, life stories, whatever you want," he offered lightheartedly.
Kate looked gratefully at him.
"Good, because I'm really going to need that coffee later," she joked.
A while later, the two decided that it was time they returned to their rooms and once Kate had shut her door, she threw her glasses onto the nightstand. Not bothering to change, she flopped onto her bed.
Within moments she was asleep, but it would not be the restful sleep she had hoped for.
A/N: Thank you reviewers! I'm sorry for the lack of Hellboy in this chapter, but there will be plenty of him to come. Review, please!