Meanwhile down at the boardwalk, poor Angel found himself getting completely lost. The area itself was crowded with so many people that he couldn't see where he was nor could he make out what each store or establishment was. He couldn't ask for directions because everyone was either too loud for him to be heard or they were just moving right past him.
"Geez and I thought Brooklyn was hectic." He thought.
When he finally managed to squirm his way out of the crowds and recover on a nearby bench, he discovered more of those missing person fliers pinned up on the wall of a ticket booth. He rested on the bench for about five minutes then walked over to get a better look at those posters. These people were different from those he had seen on the posters he observed this morning. Just how many people had gone missing in this town?
"Don't let the cops catch you staring at those too long." A voice called. "They might suspect you."
Angel turned around and saw a young woman standing across from him. He could tell that she was either of Latin American or Hispanic descent like Vaggie, her hair was long, wild-looking, and dyed cherry pink. Her outfit consisted of a leather jacket, a tube top, and a long skirt though she wore no shoes for some reason. Her ears were pierced and so was her belly button. Her style was punk, he could tell that right off the bat. But he had a feeling that she was punk of a different branch entirely. Not exactly a rebel, not exactly a rocker, frankly he didn't know what she was.
"You talking to me toots?" He asked her.
"Yeah. I could tell that you're new here so I thought I'd give you a little warning. The cops are so hellbent on solving those disappearances that even started questioning kindergarteners. And people around here say that I'm a freak."
She pulled a cigarette from her jacket and a lighter from cleavage. She lit the cigarette and proceeded to smoke.
"They call me Cherri Bomb."
"Angel Dust." He introduced.
"How long have you been in Davenport?"
"It's my second day."
"Resident or tourist?"
"Tourist."
"Good idea choosing to visit. You don't wanna stick around here very long."
"Why is that?"
"Well you've seen it for yourself, people disappear around here very often."
"Yeah I've noticed. Any theories on what causes them to disappear?"
"Oh I've got more than theories but in Davenport it's not very safe to go blabbing secrets. I once ratted out on a drug operating ring and their leader broke into my place and tried to rip out my eye."
"How did you get away?"
"I shoved a lit cherry bomb down into his crotch area."
"Nice."
Angel high-fived her. He liked this woman.
"So why did you choose Davenport of all places to have your vacation?"
"Technically I didn't pick this place. A friend of mine was invited down here by some author she's a fan of and she brought me and her other friend along for safety."
"Author? You mean the Parish lady?"
"So you know her?"
"Everybody in Davenport knows about her, her cousin, and anybody else who lives in that spooky house. They all give me the creeps so I try to avoid them if possible."
"By giving you the creeps, in what sense? Are they criminals or something?"
"I can't really say. It's just a feeling. Anyway, are you and your friends staying at a motel here?"
"No we're staying in Miss Parish's house."
"Oh..." Cherri made an uncomfortable look. "Don't know how you can sleep in that joint. From my point of view, it's like a mausoleum."
"It is pretty sketchy in there. For a moment I thought the paintings were watching me."
"Here's some advice, be careful while you're staying up there. Old houses aren't always the most secure buildings and..." She looked around twice, as if she was trying to make sure no one was listening. "Keep your guard up about certain visitors who come by."
"What does that mean? Do you and Miss Parish have a history or something?"
"I don't know her personally but I do know someone in her life all too well." She almost sounded bitter. "It's a long story and it pisses me off to have to tell it so let's just leave it at that."
"Okay. Listen I don't where the hell I am right now, so would you mind helping me out a bit? I'm trying to find some VHS store that's around here. Do you know where it is?"
"Well aren't you lucky? I live in an apartment just above my store, my roommate is the owner. I could find it even if I was blind."
"Sweet."
"Just follow me."
She started further down the boardwalk, Angel followed her every step while also memorizing everything around him so he would know how to get back.
"So how is your roommate's business? I know VHS isn't popular anymore so I doubt that she makes mula."
"It's a he and you're right he doesn't. I've tried to talk him into a different line of work, or at least into selling a different product, but he's so convinced that someday the VHS is going to be a hit again just like bell bottoms. We're so getting evicted come next month's rent."
"You two sound close. Are you guys like roommates with benefits or something?"
"Nah. He's way too big of a nerd for my taste. But he's a nice guy and easy to live with. The only time we ever fight is when I 'dress and flaunt like a shameless hussy'." She imitated. "And when he goes into total theatrical mode. That's one of the reasons why I call him Hollywood."
Soon they reached a small store that was conjoined with an apartment building. Shelves holding VHS tapes were set up everywhere inside, old tapes. Some tapes were so old that they had a funny smell to them. But not a foul-scented smell. In fact the store was very clean and organized, and it smelled of bleach.
"Be warned he's a neat freak also." Cherri added as they entered the store. "Hollywood I'm back!"
"Cherri are you smoking in my store again?" A voice from upstairs called. "I thought we talked about this, no smoking in my store. It stinks up the place!"
"Relax I'm not smoking inside." She took another whiff and then tossed the cigarette into the nearest trashcan. "Are you cooking tonight or should I call in dinner?"
"Well that depends, did you pick up the groceries like I asked you to?"
"Aww shit I knew I forgot something."
"Then we'll order out but this time you're paying Cherisa."
Cherri blushed at the name, Angel choked down a laugh.
"Your real name is Cherisa?" Angel asked.
"Hey I thought we agreed you wouldn't call me that in public!"
"But I like your name, it's so pretty." The voice continued.
Cherri's blush deepened and Angel had to force another laugh down his throat.
"Well I don't like it!"
She went upstairs to continue the conversation. Angel then went to look around the store, searching for the horror section. He was sure that old or not, there were definitely some good movies available. He wondered if Vaggie would watch a movie with him tonight if he asked her.
"Help me!"
Angel suddenly heard a man crying out. He left the store and followed the scream to around a corner, that's where he discovered the man lying on the ground. His entire body was dreadfully thin. Almost decayed like. He looked as if he had been drained of everything. He looked up and when he saw Angel, he started screaming again.
"Help me! Please help me! Call the police! Call somebody!"
But before Angel could react, something seized old of the man by his leg and dragged him screaming into the shadows. Angel was horrified.
"What the fu-"
But his curse was interrupted by something or someone hitting him on the back of the head so hard, that he lost all consciousness