Dreaming of a better future
An/Hello reader people, read the bottom.
Chapter 22
Jaune and Aeron walked up to a crime scene as they saw it was a tailor shop where patrol cars were scattered about in front of the shop. People milled about as they pointed at the crime scene. Jaune scanned over the scene.
"I hope you know what you're doing."
Jaune said as Aeron just smiled as he turned, walking over to the crime tape where several cops stood talking. As Jaune and Aeron walked up to the two men Jaune caught part of their conversation.
"... ing are just starting to go to shit in this city, first we have the White fang causing the Breach, now we got crazy murders."
One of the cops said as Jaune and Aeron came up behind him.
"Excuse me officer."
Aeron said as the cops turned around to look at Jaune and Aeron.
"Yeah, what is it?"
The officer asked as he looked over Aeron and Jaune.
"We were wondering if we can see the scene."
Aeron said showing the officer his scroll with his newly made Huntsman licenses as Jaune did the same from behind his son. The officers looked over their licenses before sharing a look and letting out a sigh.
"Hunters just get younger and younger; sooner or later we are going to have five year olds running around with those licenses."
The officer said while his partner nodded in agreement as Jaune just shrugged while Aeron and him were let onto the scene and walked up into the shop where they were met with the sight of blood splattered across the floor and a crater in the ground with what Jaune had to guess was the remains of the tailor who owned the shop. The poor tailor looked like he had been turned into a fly on a windshield. It wasn't a pretty sight. Jaune thought he would need to hold back his vomit only not to feel that need as he just stared passively at the scene as he looked over the scene. Jaune had expected to have the same reaction he had when he saw the photos of the dead dock worker instead he only had one thought as he looked at the scene.
Maybe he was forcing himself to see something else instead of what really was in front of him to protect his mind, like when a child walks in on their parents having sex and thinks they are wrestling. In all honest Jaune still felt the need to be sick but not as great as when he saw the photos, which was strange.
"I never thought I would say this, but the body kind of reminds me of a smashed burger, which kind of makes me hungry."
Jaune said as Aeron just turned to him staring at him like he was crazy before shaking his head.
"Now I know that you're weird obsession with food when you see a dead body is something you always had."
Aeron said as Jaune turned to him surprised.
"Really, I make remarks about food whenever I see a dead body?"
Jaune asked surprised as Aeron nodded.
"Yep, I remember when I went on my first mission with you we were investigating an abandoned village where several body's had their ribs ripped out and you remarked that when you saw the ribs you wanted to have some ribs when we got home."
Aeron said as Jaune nodded.
"Good to know, quick question does that seem psychotic?"
Jaune asked as Aeron shrugged as he circled the body looking it over.
"In all honesty I don't know."
Aeron said as he kneeled down looking at the body.
"I think you both are crazy."
A woman spoke up as she came by walking into the crate with a snow shovel and began to shovel up the body. Two more people walked up helping the woman as they came up lifting the body with the snow shovels. Jaune had to admit he felt like the sight should bother him but it didn't.
"So I know it should be obvious but what killed the poor tailor?"
Jaune asked as the woman turned to him letting out a tired sigh.
"He was stabbed in the chest." The woman said as Jaune raised a brow at her to continue. "I will be able to explain more after I commence the autopsy, but what I can tell you right now is that this man was stabbed in the chest and had his heart ripped out, after which he was crushed, by what I can only assume was gravity dust."
The woman said as she and her helpers carried the body away as Jaune turned to Aeron who had his chin cupped as he looked to be thinking.
"I always wanted to say this, but I know that look."
Jaune said pointing at Aeron who just rolled his eyes at his father as he walked over to him.
"You really like clichés don't you?"
Aeron asked as Jaune just shrugged as he walked over to Aeron.
"Come now if you want point out all my little quirks you can do it another time; just tell me what you are thinking."
Jaune said as Aeron just smiled at him.
"What the M.E. said, about the man's heart being ripped out. Nightmares have an unusual obsession with hearts, it's like that of a delicacy to them." Aeron said as Jaune nodded listening to Aeron. "You see something about the heart is very appealing to Nightmares, I don't know why but it just is, and in most cases where Nightmares are involved the heart is most always missing. So if anything this murder could have been done by a Nightmare."
Aeron said as Jaune nodded turning to look at the M.E. carry away the body placing it in those black body bags.
"Ok, if it was a Nightmare why did it kill both a random tailor and dock worker?"
Jaune asked as Aeron cupped his chin in thought.
"They could have just been unlucky enough to have seen the Nightmare and ended up becoming its dinner and breakfast."
Aeron said as Jaune just shook his head no not really agreeing with that answer.
"If that was really the case then why make such a show of the kill, why leave the bodies out for someone to find over hide them or eat every last bit."
Jaune said as Aeron looked down at the crater on the floor in thought.
"What if it wants someone to find it, what if it's trying to draw attention to itself?"
Aeron asked as Jaune thought it over. It made sense when he thought about it. Nightmares were smart they wouldn't just up and leave signs of it being around unless it wanted people to know about it. As Jaune thought about it he turned back to Aeron.
"What if it doesn't just want people to know about it, what if it wants to scare people, to feed off their fears?"
Jaune asked as Aeron paused as he turned to him.
"That certainly makes sense, Nightmares are Grimm, so they feed off of the fear and dark emotions of humans, if anything this could be a double play for it to feed and set a trap for anyone who comes looking for it."
Aeron said as Jaune nodded going over what they knew so far before deciding it would be best to look around the area for anything that might lead to the Nightmare. As the two of them walked out of the crime scene walking past police officer and pedestrians. They walked through the crowd breaking through the back ready to look around the area for anything that might lead to the Nightmare. Jaune and Aeron walked across the street taking in the view of the murder scene.
"Ok, so what are we supposed to look for?"
Jaune asked as Aeron came up beside him scanning over the scene.
"Nothing, you aren't the one looking, that's my job."
Aeron said as Jaune turned to him with a flat stare.
"Do explain what you mean."
Jaune said a slight edge to his voice as Aeron sighed.
"I am made out of aura and shadows." Aeron said as Jaune just raised a brow at him causing the shadow user to roll his eyes at him. "You see, my body having different properties then a normal body means I can do things normal people can't do, including seeing things in a different light."
Aeron said as his eyes seemed to flash gold as he turned and looked over the crime scene again. Jaune wanted to ask more but he choose not to as he just turned to look over the crime scene to.
"So do you see anything?"
Jaune asked as he looked over the scene watching the people looking for anything that might help him in finding something that might help point to this murder being done by a Nightmare.
"Well I can tell you now that this was indeed a Nightmare's work." Aeron said as Jaune turned to him questionably. "Like I said, I see things differently, so what I can see is the residual Void as you call Nightmare's aura, left around the building. Sadly I am only able to see just an outline of what remains of the Void."
Aeron said as Jaune nodded.
"That comes in handy but why didn't you use it when we were in the store or before we came up here that would have saved us the time of even talking to the police."
Jaune said as Aeron rolled his eyes at him.
"Because you didn't ask and I wanted to know what exactly happened inside the crime scene."
Aeron said as Jaune just glared at him before throwing his hands in the air not wanting to argue with Aeron's logic.
"So can you follow the trail?"
Jaune asked as Aeron gave him a half smile as he turned and pointed down the road.
"Of course I can follow the trail."
Aeron began to walk down the road as Jaune followed after him heading further into the city.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Jaune and Aeron came up a fancy restaurant.
"Are you serious?"
Jaune asked as Aeron just shrugged.
"Come now where else could you find a larger supply of dark emotions than a fancy restaurant full of sad, depressed, businessmen who either have a terrible marriage or a bunch of wives with cheating husbands."
Aeron said as Jaune opened his mouth ready to say something only to stop as he just sighed and shrugged.
"I can't really deny that."
Jaune said as Aeron chuckled as he went walking up to the restaurant.
"Well let's have a look around."
Aeron said as Jaune just sighed and walked after him.
"You do know we can't get in if we aren't paying customers, right?"
Jaune asked as Aeron just smiled and kept walking. Jaune just sighed and followed after him. The two walked in slowly looking over the scene at everything as they saw men and women dressed to impress all standing around waiting for a table. Jaune just sighed as he saw the displeased looks at the two of them as if they were a couple of street rats. Jaune didn't really care as he just sighed again and moved over to the woman waiting at the front. The woman looked up at them and let out a sigh as she pulled up two menus. Jaune raised a brow at this as he wasn't really sure why the woman looked like she was ready to give Aeron and him a seat.
"Jaune Arc and company?"
The woman asked as Jaune's eyes widened turning to Aeron who just gave a short glare before nodding.
"Yes, that would be us." Jaune answered. "How did you know who we were?"
Jaune asked as the woman just waved them to follow her.
"Your companion came in earlier asking for a booth saying I should expect you and your friend and that I wouldn't miss you seeing as you are hunters."
The woman said as Jaune turned to Aeron who had let his shadows form a knife which he hid in his sleeve while doing the same for Jaune. The woman walked the two of them to a booth in the far back where a well dressed man with slick back black hair and brown eyes.
"He is a Nightmare."
Aeron whispered as Jaune figured he was able to see Void leaking off him seeing as the closer to the man Jaune got the more he felt uneasy.
"Ah, you have finally arrived, that is good, I am glad you were able to follow me so easily."
The man said as he smiled at Jaune and Aeron. The waitress gave them their menus as they sat down across from the man.
"Allow for me to introduce myself, my name is Alastair."
The man said as Jaune and Aeron watched the man closely looking for anything that might signify the Nightmare getting ready to attack. In all honesty though Jaune couldn't really believe this man was a Nightmare. Jaune couldn't really see this man being a Nightmare as he looked like a normal human. Alastair turned to look at Jaune with a knowing smile.
"No need to doubt your friend, I am indeed a Nightmare that is without a doubt."
Alastair said flatly as Jaune's eyes widened before slowly glaring at him.
"This won't end well for us will it?"
Jaune asked tightening his grip on the shadow knife Aeron made for him. The knife seemed smaller than normal but he had to assume that it was because of his close proximity to the Nightmare which was consuming the aura in the shadow knife.
"That depends on you and your little son."
Alastair said as Jaune's eyes widened again.
"What makes you think he is my son, that seems a little farfetched?"
Jaune asked as Alastair just laughed as he reached down at the table lifting a wine glass.
"Please, I came from the future myself. Either way this isn't the first time I fought with one of your children."
Alastair said as Jaune's eyes widened as he turned to Aeron for answers only to see him do the same. Jaune turned back to Alastair to see had a surprised look along with a smug smile.
"So you didn't know about him."
Alastair said as Jaune raised a brow at him as he brought the hand he was holding Aeron's shadow knife.
"What do you mean?"
Jaune asked as he gripped the knife tightly.
"It's nothing, if he hasn't come to see you yet he must have his reasons."
Alastair said as he took a sip of his wine. Jaune's hands tightened around the knife more. He was angry at the Nightmare for dodging the questions as he simply ignored him.
"Enough of that, why did you let us find you?"
Aeron asked as Alastair let out a sigh as he set his wine glass down and looked to Aeron.
"Come now can't we have a meal before we talk business?"
Alastair asked only for shadows to begin to creep up around the table as Aeron glared at him. Alastair just smiled at the sight of the shadows as he swiped a hand over the shadows as it cut his fingers some. Alastair's blood fell over the table and the shadows.
"There is no need for violence."
Alastair said as he brought his hand up wiping the blood away from his fingers with a handkerchief.
"Then answer the question."
Aeron growled out as he glared at Alastair who just smiled at him.
"Fine then, I figured I would try to speak with you two."
Alastair said as he waved a hand to the side as Aeron and Jaune raised a brow at him.
"Why?"
Jaune asked as Aeron simply tap his fingers along the table.
"Simple, I find you entertaining. What I find most entertaining is your continuous interference in my master's affairs." Alastair said smiling as he brought his hands together before him interlocking his fingers. "You see my master had done so much to make sure nothing got in the way of his plans but in the end you were able to throw a wrench into those plans. It is by far the most entertaining thing I have ever seen."
Alastair said smiling happily as he chuckled a little. Jaune and Aeron both glared at the nightmare as he seemed to laugh at them.
"What is so funny, you said we threw a wrench into your master's plan." Aeron said as he crossed his arms over his chest. "I mean if we caused your master so much trouble why would you laugh, I mean don't you serve this master?"
Aeron asked as Jaune gave him a sideward glance with a small smile. 'He got him with that one, if anything this man is trying to throw us off by making himself the fool to distract us.' Jaune thought as he let his eyes scan over the other people in the restaurant to see if anyone was paying attention to them. He really hoped Alastair was the only Nightmare nearby, because he didn't think he and Aeron would last against two of them at once. Jaune turned back to Alastair to see that his smile hadn't fallen as he simple locked eyes with Aeron.
"Your right, you have caused my master problems, but that doesn't mean I am the one he sent to solve the problem."
Alastair said as Jaune raised a brow questionably wondering if what he was saying was true. 'If he isn't the one sent to deal with us why is he here and what reason does he have to talk to us?' Jaune thought as he turned to Aeron who seemed to be thinking the same thin. They both turned back to Alastair who just smiled as he saw the questioning looks.
"Come now you should know that if you ask me why I am here I won't answer you; I mean this isn't some crappy superhero movie where the villain spills the beans on his whole evil plan."
Alastair said as Aeron and Jaune glared at him.
"Then why let us find you, why instigate this meeting!?"
Jaune asked angrily his voice rising ever so slightly as some of the people around him turned to glare at him. Alastair simply rolled his eyes at Jaune's frustration as he grabbed his wine glass and swished his wine around in it.
"Now don't get so excited, I already told you I wanted to talk. I mean you are so interesting I couldn't help but want to see what it was that made my master wants to kill you so badly after you survived his first little attack."
Alastair said as Jaune stared at him to go on. Only Alastair didn't say any more as he turned and looked past Aeron and Jaune. The two shared a look before turning around to see what Alastair was looking at only to see nothing as they turned back to him as he stood up.
"This is a shame I had truly hoped to speak with you longer but it seems I have to go."
Alastair said as he set down a small stack of lien as Jaune and Aeron went to stand up and stop him only for something to push the two down as they fell to their knees almost as if the weight of the world had just been put on them. The watched as many of the people in the restaurant all fell themselves crashing to the ground screaming in pain while others faces smashed into their tables. Jaune just stared in shock at the scene as he turned to look at Alastair who stood just fine smiling at him as his eyes glowed a bright red.
"I am sorry about this but I don't want you to follow me." Alastair said as he turned around to walk away only stopping as he turned to look back at Jaune with a small smile. "I do hope we can meet again though I would love to pick your brain and feast on your heart."
Alastair said darkly as he turned to walkout of the restaurant only to stop as a shadow shot out stabbing into his shoulder causing him to stagger back. Jaune felt as the wait around him disappeared as he turned to Aeron who jumped up lunging at Alastair. His hands were covered in shadows ready to slash at the Nightmare only for Alastair to spin around kicking up at Aeron. Alastair's foot slammed into Aeron's head sending him flying across the restaurant as he smashed into the wall at the far end. Jaune quickly drew his sword slashing out at Alastair only for the weight to fall back on him as he fell face first into the ground as Alastair just glared down at him.
"That was rude, but not unwarranted so I shall let it slide this time, but only this time!"
Alastair growled out as he turned away rotating his shoulder as he left. After about a minute the weight finally left Jaune as he and everyone in the restaurant finally were able to move again. Jaune stood up turning to look over the scene as he saw Aeron standing up helping a waitress to her feet. Many of the people in the restaurant looked to have broken a bone or two from trying to fight the weight that had crushed them. Jaune cursed as he turned to Aeron who came walking over to him a crack webbing its way across the right of his face underneath his eye.
"Can you track him?"
Jaune asked as Aeron quickly shook his head.
"No I had tried to keep an eye on his Void when he left but the moment he got out of the restaurant his Void began to move away to fast for me to follow so I can't track him."
Aeron said as Jaune cursed again as he turned to look over all the people as they tried to stand with the help of others. Jaune grit his teeth as he turned to Aeron.
"Go and tell Ozpin what just happened, I will help the people here ok."
Jaune said as Aeron nodded and quickly turned to leave running out the restaurant to go back to Beacon. Jaune quickly moved to help people. 'Damn it this is going to be hard to explain to the police when the they show up, let alone the students Ironwood sent to investigate the murders.' Jaune thought as he quickly helped up a man with a broken leg while he began to move the people around telling them what to do as he waited for the police and ambulances to show up.
End
AN/ Hurray new chapter for you strange little reader people. Nothing really to say till I know what you think of the chapter so no words to share just yet.
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