The failed slayer drove down ninety-nine with a visible glare. He fiddled with his Bluetooth headset, taking it off and putting it back on again repeatedly. Not once did it feel comfortable, and adjusting it was only worsening the problem. It began to vibrate as the call started, making him tighten his grip on the steering wheel.

“Hey, I’m on the freeway now. I can swing by to pick you up…” The voice began to buzz angrily at the other end. “No. It’s fine that you’re already there…” Adi gritted his teeth. “Halfway through the appetizer... Right… I’ll make it there in fifteen. Go ahead and order a bottle of merlot… Fine. Order a second bottle. Yes, love, I know white goes better with fish. Of course, dear. I’ll see you soon.”

He ripped the headset out and tossed it in the backseat before the voice in his ear had a chance to stopped chattering. Janice was neither known for her patience or her ability to keep quiet when upset. She was the biggest expense in his life, and needed constant doting on in order to keep her happy.

But she was hot.

Really smoking hot.

Ah, the pleasure of being young. Knowing that your relationship can fall apart at any minute due to the larger problems, but being too immature to admit that you have problems. As long as you’re young, they say you’ll be alright.

The sex was good, and so were the dates they used to go on. Adi mentally chanted that he would be alright. Janice was there to chip away everything that was bad in his life. Especially the embarrassments that he had faced not even an hour ago.

Nearly thirty minutes after he called her, Adi pulled into the parking lot of a seafood restaurant located inside Seattle. He stepped out of the car and took off his trenchcoat, revealing a black button up shirt overlapped by a grey vest. Dress shoes replaced war boots, and deodorant covered the smell of adrenaline brought forth by battle.

A bit of hair wax to smooth out his beanie head, and he double checked his reflection in the mirror to see if his nose was okay. It was a tad swollen, and the bruise had spread towards the tear ducts of his eyes. He still thought himself handsome regardless of his appearance. Janice wouldn’t care as long as he paid for the meal.

Whatever that girl was mad about, she’ll just forgive him once he gave her his patented green-eyed stare of seduction. He even thought his bruising accenting their emerald color. Good, good. He’d keep telling himself that as he headed inside.

“Wulfert. Party of two.”

The host nodded and pointed at a table in the back. Adi’s appetite was rejuvenated by the scents of shellfish and fresh breadsticks. Hopefully, Janice would still be waiting for him. He would smile, have a nice dinner, and go back to her place. There was still time to salvage the night.

She was still waiting. As always, her dress was both too tight and too short for the fall weather, but that’s the way she preferred it. The fabric a dark red hue, just like the curls that tumbled about her shoulders and her lucky shade of lipstick. Janice was always bathed in red.

Red. Just like the fury in her glare as she snapped a crab leg in half. “Your salmon is getting cold.” That tone was still sexy to him, even when it was flared with rage. It reminded him of how crazy she could get in bed.

Adi managed to restrain his urge to admire her as he sat down and smoothed a napkin over his lap. “Our reservation was at six-thirty because you said you wanted an early dinner. It would still be warm if we had come together. I did tell you I would be picking you up because I was working late tonight.” His response was calm with a hint of chill.

“Your wine is also getting warm.” Janice took a long sip from her glass of chardonnay.

He sneered. “Perhaps I prefer it that way.” Her snide attitude was making him enjoy snapping back. That and he had to make sure to give themselves a reason to make up later.

“I think...” She took a moment to lightly dab at her lips with a napkin. “I think it’s time you got a real job.”

“I just said that I have a job. I’m late because of it.”

“That’s not a job. You’re carrying on your uncle’s hobby and living off of your inheritance.” Janice moved her hands about while she spoke. “I understand that you two had fun together with your old timey architecture studies or whatever it was, but you have to look into doing something that can earn enough money for both of us.”

He knew very well what she meant by “both of us.” She had a bank account that he funneled an amount of cash into every month. Whenever she implied that she wanted him looking out for their future, it meant that she needed an increase to her allowance. He wouldn’t allow her to get away with it this time. Vampires would be the least of his problems if his family found out how much it cost him to keep her around.

Adi massaged the bridge of his nose. “This was something that Uncle Wenzel was really passionate about. It’s what kept me going ever since he passed away.” Uncle Wenzel had been eaten by werewolves. “I’ve had to clean up since Robbie decided to up and leave.” Robbie had vanished mysteriously. Probably also eaten by werewolves.

“But at what cost? Ever since you moved out of Seattle, it’s been harder for me to see you. Did you really have to leave everything behind just to carry on a dead man’s dream?”

Adi had moved away from Seattle because it was infested with werewolves. Currently, he was living alone in his deceased grandfather’s house in Tacoma. His uncle had been using it as an outpost, so it had his hunting supplies, and it also meant that Adi could keep up his habit of not being devoured during a full moon.

“Give me another year. I’ve already talked to my step-dad, and he says he can get me a job at his office when I’m ready to move on. Desk work. It won’t pay well, but it’ll be a start.”

Janice sat there, opening and closing the claw of the crab as she bit onto her lower lip. “I just want to see you more, you know?”

“This is just how it’s going to be for a little while. I’ll come up and see you as often as I can.” He did his best to give her that classic emerald eye smolder while swishing his wine about.

“I think we should move in together.” She returned his look with a pleading stare.

Adi nearly dropped his glass. “Well… Hold on…”

“What’s there to hold on about? We’ve been together for a while now, haven’t we?”

How long was it? Seven months? No, they had had their year anniversary… A year and a half? Shit, no, wait. There was a reason why they were having a special dinner tonight, wasn’t there? No, no. Stop fretting about why today was important. Forget the date. Concentrate on the recovery.

“It has been a long time.” His eyes narrowed slightly. “And I’ve enjoyed it,” he nodded and continued to speak slowly. “Immensely.”

“After two years, most girls would expect an engagement ring on their birthday, or the bare minimum of some flowers, but all I’m asking is for you to place a little more trust in our relationship.”

This was suddenly much worse than forgetting their anniversary. Adi failed at hiding the panic on his face. “It’s not that I don’t want to... Just… From what I’ve learned from my parents, who happen to be divorced, is that... A good relationship should have a strong foundation. I just don’t know how healthy our foundation is at the moment.”

His dad advised him to never let a gold digger get into his wallet, heart, or home. Spoken with experience, considering how quickly his mother had moved on to someone with money. Adi’s father certainly knew what he was talking about and Adi wasn’t going to repeat that mistake.

Janice stared at him, a long stare where it seemed like her brown eyes had taken on a slight reddish hue. The look she gave him was stern and struck a note of fear within him. Obviously, the recovery plan wasn’t working.

“Annnd of course our foundation is strong enough to carry any burden we face! It’s just that I feel that I’m not… I’m just so emotionally scarred from my parent’s divorce. Childhood trauma, blah, blah.

I’m going to stress that I do love you, but it’s hard for me to mentally grasp onto things within a relationship.” He stared back at her in an attempt to figure out if any of this was working. “I want to be a good enough man for you.” He wrung his hands together under the table. “In a way… That would allow me to treasure you… Uh, treasure you to the fullest..?”

“I’ve been sleeping with Desmond.”

“Wha-”

“This was all a test, Adi!” She stood up and straightened out her skirt. “I’m lonely! I need company! You make all these claims, but you’re only saying them to keep me around!” That was true. She had him there. “All I asked was for the chance to make you happy. If you had accepted me, I would’ve ended it with Desmond! But now I just…” Her expression shifted between pain and anger. “Call me when you’re ready to mature, or whatever shit this is. We’ll have a cup of coffee and catch up.”

Adi sat there dumbfounded as she stormed away. Maybe he had misunderstood the terms of their relationship. Maybe… He chewed thoughtfully on his salmon. His eyes stared ahead, fighting the temptation to watch that sweet ass at it swayed back and forth and out of his life forever.

“Your check, sir.”

The waiter quietly placed the bill on the table. He then briskly walked away from the scene as quickly as his little waiter legs could carry him. Adi didn’t judge him. That guy didn’t get enough pay to deal with this. But since Adi was paying for this meal, he was going to eat it. He flaked off another bit of fish and stuffed it into his mouth.

“... The salmon is cold,” he muttered to himself. Still, cold fish was better than cold company.

❅❅❅

The night dragged on, as all time within the basement of Beauregarde Real Estate Solutions. Especially so after the others had left for the evening. Humidity did not allow Duke to venture out into the world. Rain was the bane of his existence. His dehumidifying could only do so much, even in a basement.

Being undead wasn’t easy. His curse came with a cost, just like any other mithryn. Like most vampires, he fed off of life energy. Unlike the lot he had been grouped up with, what he needed didn’t come from blood. Duke had to draw out their qi directly in the form of pure energy.

Nowadays, he sourced his energy from the other vampires after they had fallen asleep. His days and nights were spent reading whatever the others had brought him. Books, magazines, or anything else of interest. The rest of his time was spent tending to his body, which was in a constant state of rot from not feeding enough.

It would be better if they could get a TV or an internet connection, but the government stipend that kept the place running only paid for property tax and minor electrical needs. Being registered with SIA wasn’t what most vampires would consider being real freedom.

One had to wear a tracking anklet, make weekly check-ins, and see a mental evaluation expert once a month. Therapy to see that they weren’t going wild. One could also be conscripted at any point in the event that they needed a vampire working on a case.

That’s why Duke hadn’t bothered to register himself. This whole not being able to drink blood thing really put a damper on his ability to receive any form of government support. At least Bernie and the other guys understood that and let him crash at their place.

They didn’t know that he was stealing their spare life essence and Duke was going to keep it that way. He had told them he could survive on moonlight as long as he didn’t move around too much. Somehow they bought that. Exposure to the world of the supernatural didn’t make people smarter. Just gullible.

He could hear a car pulling up to the building above. Unlike the others, his senses were almost the same as humans. Although his sight was steadily getting worse, leading him to wear tinted glasses that also hid the fact his eyes were starting to cloud over. It wouldn’t be long until he needed a new prescription.

Much of what he did was taking care to not damage his skin. Leather gloves with moistened insides helped his fingers. Soft clothing was essential for his existence. Cotton pants, long-sleeved button-up silk shirts, socks made of angora wool. Luckily he had been on a trip when this whole vampire curse happened and had a suitcase full of clothes. Otherwise, he would be out of luck. Unfortunately, he only had the one suitcase.

The long scarf he always wore covered his cracking neck, and he had been putting together a collection of weather friendly gear. Two umbrellas, a clear one shaped like a bell that covered him down past his shoulders, and a brown one with a black lace pattern that helped block out the sun. Looks aside, he had to keep himself dry at all costs.

There were strangers moving about upstairs. Two set of footsteps. A high pitched clicking of a woman’s shoes, and the heavier steps of possibly a man with a limp. Hopefully no one who would dump vials of liquid on him like his last guest. Duke preemptively fetched the SIA paperwork and put it on top of the filing cabinet.

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By the time he sat down again, the two had made it downstairs. A short, middle aged black man in a long tan coat entered past the curtain. Behind him was a young tall woman with tan colored skin, pale blue eyes, and a hooked nose.

“Agent Pastor,” the man tilted his head back as a gesture to the woman, “Windi.” Not once did he take his eyes off of Duke as he spoke. “Your door is in need of repair.”

The woman sharply inhaled a whiff of air. “The meat in here is stale.” She turned to the man, “Ten people today. Human, hopper, and the rest were European vampires.” Pastor pulled out his phone and typed the information in.

“Registration papers are on the filing cabinet.” Duke said as he picked up a book. He read it as non-suspiciously as possible. This time it was Mark Twain’s autobiography.

Agent Pastor held up a silver badge with a black feather on it. DH Inc.“We’re here to investigate the report of human male trespassing in an attempt to murder the group of you.” 

Duke calmly closed his book and set it down on his lap. Blood and damnation.

“Of course, Agent Pastor. I was the one that spoke to him directly. My name is Bernie Howell.” He stood up and offered a hand, but Pastor ignored it. “The gentleman came in, flashed a big light at us, and threw a knife at my book. I was able to convince him to leave without any form of conflict. He was new to the business. I doubt he will return or tell anyone about us.”

The agent picked up the floodlight that Adi had left behind. “Bernard is the one who called in to report the issue. Wanted to make sure there weren’t more going to be more problems.” He began to type into his phone again as Duke’s eye twitched.

Windi picked up Adi’s knife. No one had bothered to move it after Duke had thrown it to the floor. “Low-grade sterling silver.” She twirled the knife about her fingers. “Poor balance.”

“Report that it was a human to the office. I’ll deal with the hopper,” replied Pastor. Windi gave a nod and pulled out her own phone. “Now that that’s settled, I am going to need to know who you really are.” 

“Duke.” No sense in lying now. He will have to have a lengthy discussion with the others later about calling in assistance on already settled issues. Duke thought he did a fine job handling it on his own.

“Right.” The agent fiddled with his phone. He had pulled up a file on it. "You should know that you have a destroy on sight order placed on your head.” Pastor began to walk around the room, examining every inch and detail. He nodded as Windi placed a hand on his shoulder. She leaned in to whisper something in his ear.

Duke remained calm. Annoyed, but calm. “I would imagine so.” He had known for some time now that he wasn’t worth saving.

“You’ve been feeding safely?” Pastor glanced at his phone again.

“Yes. Residual life force from the other’s feasts.”

The agent trailed off in thought before replying. “That can’t be enough for you.”

“There are seven residents with occasional stragglers. I do not move around much. There is plenty of energy for me here.”

Duke considered his options. He was certain the agent was human, thus an easy target. Windi seemed more dangerous. Considering the fragile state of his body, fighting wasn’t something he could afford to do.

Pastor nodded to himself again. “If that’s what you believe.” He pulled out a business card and held it out for Duke to take. “I’m willing to make you an offer.”

“I do not have anything to offer you in return, unless you consider dying a favor.” Duke took the card. All it said was “Windi,” with a phone number and email address.

“No one likes the mithryn snark,” replied Pastor with disdain. “Don’t start.”

Duke shrugged. “Might I have this one since recent events haven’t been rolling in my favor?”

“No.” Pastor flipped through his phone again, ever attentive to it. “But you’ve been trying your best to be on good behavior I believe that should be rewarded,” he said with a hint of a grin. “I won’t ask for much.

All I need is for everyone here to find a new place to live. SIA will help the vamps, but you can’t go with them. Set up someplace where Windi can contact you. If I find a job that needs your skills, I’ll know who to call.”

Duke’s gaze flicked over to Windi for a moment. “That partner of yours seems more useful than I.” Her energy had a hint of saltiness, like licking one’s own skin. He had the feeling that he didn’t want to know exactly what she was.

“She’s with me under the condition that she doesn’t harm anyone innocent. You have the luxury of taking out anyone I point you at,” replied Pastor. “Start packing your things. You’re out tonight.”

Duke grimaced at the thought of being someone’s hitman. “The rain has made the precipitation quite high. Surely it can wait.”

Pastor began to poke at his phone again. “Tonight. Otherwise, my incident report is going to have your name on it, and I doubt you want that. So, do we have an understanding?” Duke nodded. Pastor then tapped his foot against Adi’s floodlight. “I believe you already know what direction I’m pointing you  in. Take care of it.”

Pastor started to walk up the stairs with Windi following closely behind. He didn’t bother to wait for Duke’s answer. Sounds of the door being fumbled with before falling on the floor again could be heard. This, followed by some cursing and then the notion that someone else would handle it.

The vampire stood there dumbfounded. His options for remaining “alive” were becoming worse and worse, and this new deal was more rotten than his body.

❅❅❅

Adi found himself clinging a pillow to his chest while he laid in bed. He stared at the rain through his window. Next to him was an alarm clock that gave the room a faint red glow. It was nearly two, and he still couldn't bring himself to sleep. His brain kept scolding him about this or that whenever he closed his eyes.

In the morning he would have to call his step-dad to see if he had a desk job open at his advertising firm. What he would miss most about his current lifestyle. No more sitting around pantless all day while playing video games.

But it was also a little liberating to know that the world wouldn’t suddenly have an apocalypse he neglected the family duty. A duty that he failed to start. The vampire raid was his first and final operation. Adi wasn’t cut out for this. That vampire knew it, he knew it, even Janice knew it, and she was clueless about everything.

He shut his eyes against the thoughts, ignoring that knocking feeling coming from within. What would the rest of the family think? Wouldn’t it be better to live a happy and healthy life? Yet that feeling was ever lingering. Knocking louder and louder, followed by a doorbell, then more knocking.

Wait, the doorbell?

With a groan, he rolled out of the bed and fell hard against the floor. Adi then crawled to a stand. Whatever jerk was her eat this hour would just have to deal with the sight of a man in his boxers. Pants were not worth the effort. The failed hunter dragged his ass through to the living room with a series of low curses. As he stopped to rub his eyes, he could feel the swollen bags underneath them growing larger with every passing second.

“Salutations. Your door happened to be unlocked. It’s refreshing to see that you approach every aspect of your life with a complete disregard towards your own safety.”

There stood a tall presence in the doorway, dripping from the rain. He was wearing an oversized raincoat, rain boots, and a bell-shaped umbrella that covered most of his frame. Adi was only able to recognize him from the glint of his rectangular glasses.

“... Are you here to kill me?” Although maybe that wasn’t such a bad thing. It wasn’t like Adi had much going for him at the moment.

“Hmm.” Duke put down his suitcase and shook the water off of himself before removing his rain gear. It was a lengthy process involving the peeling of many layers. “It has certainly has crossed my mind, but not today.”

Adi glanced between the still open door and Duke. The vampire had managed to enter without receiving an invitation. Just how wrong was that book he had? “Did you do some creepy vampire voodoo thing and followed my scent here ?”

“A strange deduction, but no. It was as simple as following the massive trail of foul-ups you leave in your wake.” He opened the suitcase and pulled out the floodlight. This was flipped over so that Adi could see the bottom. “Your name and address are stamped here.”

In retrospect, it was a dumb idea to put that there. “It was expensive. I would want it returned if lost.” Even if he had left it behind accidently. And what was so bad about putting his name on things? He had a label printer for a reason.

“Honestly, it astounds me could be so foolish.” Duke pointed at each word and number as he read them out loud. “Atticus Wulfert, thirty-six fourty-”

“Yeah, I get it.” Adi clasped his arms around his torso to stop himself from shivering. His defiant nature was taking a back seat to weariness. It was cold and he wanted to get back to bed.

“One should take more care when going out on a hunt. Have you bothered to label every murder weapon at your disposal?” He tapped on the printed out name and address again. “My goodness, officer, who do you think the killer is? Willikers! Someone seems to have left behind a loaded gun. Must’ve been valuable, or something. This Atticus fellow had it engraved with his name right here!”

“I get it!” Adi began to rapidly gesture between the vampire and the door. “Thank you for returning it! Goodnight and get out.”

Duke shook out the rain gear, folded it up, and set it on the back of the couch. “It was rather difficult for me to get a ride at this hour, and the buses haven’t begun running yet. I do believe that I will be staying here for the time being.”

“Then wait until sunrise before you be a complete dick,” muttered Adi. He debated ordering an Uber to take the creature away but didn’t want to risk anything happening to the driver. “You better figure out a way to leave on your own.”

The vampire sat down on the couch in a manner that befitted a gentleman. “There are multiple issues to be addressed first before we discuss my departure. I was evicted from my home recently. Rather troublesome, really. Reflecting upon recent events, I do believe that we hit it off quite well yesterday, so I’ve decided that I’m going to live here now on.”

Adi rubbed his eyes again. “I don’t really know what to make of any of that,” he replied with a shiver. He went to close the door and made certain that it was locked.

“That is the spirit, my laughably foolish new roommate! No need to give up that vacant mind of yours now simply because there is someone here who is capable of thinking.” Duke looked about the room. “Do you have a computer that I may borrow?”

“No.”

“Ah, come on now Atticus.” Duke gave Adi his best puppy dog look. The skin of his lip cracking open as it jutted out in the form of a pout. His throat rumbled as he emitted a high pitched whine.

“Yeah, okay. Fine. Just never do that again. I have an office.” He gestured to its general direction. “Down the hall and second door to the left.” Adi let out a heavy sigh. He shoved everything he was feeling at that moment deep down within. “I don’t want to deal with this now. I’m going to bed.”

“Have a relaxing repose.”

“Don’t eat me.”

That plan is currently not within my agenda.” Duke grinned as he stood. As Adi turned away, he began to rub his hands together in a hungry manner.

Ignoring him, Adi flopped down on his bed. He felt around for a notepad that he kept on his nightstand. He wrote down some information in case Duke changed his mind about the whole not killing him thing. Not like the police would understand, but maybe that info would get to someone who would. No dreams would reveal themselves to him that night, only darkness and the subtle hum of a dehumidifier.

❅❅❅

The day was all too quick to show it’s head again. There was a smell of cooking wafting into his room by the time his wits started to return to him. His eyes opened slightly to stare at the blonde Asian man looming above him with some eggs and bacon.

“I have concocted morning vitals for you, house comrade.”

“Is that pig bacon or people bacon?” He stared at the plate suspiciously.

Duke put the plate on the nightstand. “Bacon comes from pigs. Any other version is simply lies and slander.” He folded his arms in thought. “Though I had heard that humans are white meat. Hrm, no... Their belly meat simply wouldn’t do. Perhaps the thigh. Now that I think about it, I did have a duck prosciutto salad at a restaurant once. It was rather pleasant.”

Adi sat up and sniffed the air cautiously. “And eggs come from chickens?”

“People do not lay eggs. Your suspicions of surprise cannibalism may be put to ease. That is, unless you do believe people lay eggs. If that is the case, there are other issues you have that I should be more concerned about.”

Adi glared at him.

“Those are chicken eggs,” replied Duke. “The majority of American citizens eat chicken eggs for breakfast, you dolt. I’m not going to poison you on our first day living together.”

Adi picked up the fork and began to stuff his face while muttering, “That’s good,” over and over again.

“You will have to do the dishes, as I do not like getting wet. It is also almost evening. There are some tasks we should consider accomplishing today so endeavor to finish your meal quickly.” Duke flattened a map of Washington on the dresser and began to examine it closely.

“Mhm…”

“You slept quite heavily. You failed to notice me taking the wallet so I could do some shopping. Thankfully for both of us, your pants were on the floor.”

Adi groaned in mild annoyance but kept eating.

Duke looked over his shoulder. Disgust crossed his features. “It’s not a good trait for an aspiring hunter. We should work on you becoming a light sleeper so people that cannot sneak up on you. You should also consider keeping your fridge better stocked. I may not eat, but you cannot survive on only frozen meals and protein drinks.”

Adi bit off a piece of bacon and spoke while chewing, “You leaving yet?”

“Not at all. We still have a great deal to discuss. It will go quite smoothly as long as you do not interrupt with pointless questions.” He lifted the map up so that Adi could see it. “Now then, in regards to your monster killing career, I have decided that I am going to become your mentor. It is my role to ensure that you are properly prepared for the supernatural world.”

“Seriously, can you get out of my house?”

Duke shook the map. “I am aware that you were severely under qualified for this role not more than twenty-four hours ago, but I have reconsidered my evaluation. Organizations such as the SIA and DH have regulations. Restrictions on how they can operate. Occasionally they need people, such as us, who are not agents and capable of acting outside of those boundaries. I assure you that it is in your best interests for us to work as a team.”

Adi continued to glare in Duke’s direction. The vampire continued to fidget with the map and mutter to himself. “You’re dumb. Your plan is dumb. Everything about this is dumb. Get out of my house.”

“It would be a problem for me if you decide to go against the plan.” Duke had a hint of something nefarious glint in the corner of his eyes. “My only choice now is to eviscerate you, dine upon your entrails, and sew you up into a nice suit for me to wear. I do like suits. As I’ve mentioned before, I don’t own much clothing.”

“At first glance, your proposal was idiotic in conception, but I have since reconsidered my position,” muttered Adi quickly.

Duke immediately lit up. “A proper evaluation of the situation will always shed light upon new ideas. My tutelage has certainly been working out!” A wide smile appeared, the skin creasing in a disturbing manner around the edges of his lips. “Here is what I have on the agenda this evening. I was glancing through the web pages of local small-town newspapers and stumbled upon a gem.

Two employees of a lumber company have disappeared while surveying one of their properties. A timber farm that is open for public recreation during its growth seasons. What peaked my interest is that the employees were investigating mysterious footprints in the area. They believed that someone local may have been attempting a bigfoot prank.”

Adi set the plate down and began to look for some clothes. “So you think some sort of creature got them or something?”

“Possibly. One might suspect werewolves, but the park is located near Centralia. Werewolves rarely travel south of Seattle. They much prefer Canada because of the better health care system. The only other suspect is that it is either somehow a sasquatch, or someone hoping to draw in a cryptozoologist.” Either way, it was a good opportunity to satisfy his hunger for a while.

“You want to go investigate a hoax?”

“Yes. I have good reason to do so immediately. They’re scheduled to have a search party show up there at seven am tomorrow. Any danger present may choose to select its next meal from some stragglers. If we reveal it to be a hoax, I may be able to track down a deer to sate my hunger. Any concerns?”

Adi nodded several times before answering. On one hand, he didn’t want to travel out to wherever Centralia was in the middle of the night, but he also didn’t want Duke to eat him. “None at all. You’re right. I like this plan. Somehow it makes sense. Let me double check my gear, I’d want to bring some chains and rope in case we have to tie something up. Be ready in twenty?”

Duke smiled again. This human was certainly malleable. It was the one trait that benefited him the most. “Forty minutes. You should shower first. I will need my partner to be in the best shape possible before we set forth.”