“Hey. So am I done here or what? The place is pretty clean of infected at the moment. Also, I keep having to go back and forth; it's starting to get annoying.” Taylor says with a sigh. Work, work, work. One day, then the next, then the next… He thinks with heavy eyes.
“Yeah, come back. The infected seem to be evolving pretty quickly in Oceanview. I think the association has a few requests involving some cultivator disappearances; they suspect that a Naturalist is on a murder-spree.” Johan says, casually giving Taylor his next task.
Taylor groans at the mere hint of work. “Alright. So what’s a Naturalist? Is that what we’re calling the infected these days?” Taylor asks with his eyes closed, savoring what rest he could.
“Yes. Hanz coined the term. He seems to think that the world is growing people like plants, and removing the choices from their lives. Apparently they can only evolve in one direction and whatever form they take as they grow and evolve is completely natural. So people have started calling them Naturalists. Their kind needed a name anyway; I was tired of calling them infected.” Johan explains. “Anyways, give the association a call when you come back. It should be fun for you. Since all hell broke loose, the masquerade is over. You can just go crazy on the streets, out in the open, if you want.” He says with a laugh.
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“Great. Awesome.” Taylor says with a monotone voice. “I guess I’m making the move back. Also, Johan, if there are any more jobs, please don’t call me.” He says before ending the call. Taylor takes a moment and lets out a breath, before calling out, “Sylvie! We’re heading back! Tell the kid to pack his shit!”
…
…
“Taylor! My good friend! About that favor you owe me…” Hanz says over the phone, sounding pleased.
“Favor?” Taylor exclaims with wide eyes. Damn. And I thought I would be able to get some rest. He thinks begrudgingly. He had just arrived back in Oceanview and he hasn’t even had time to arrange his things.
“Yes. I saved your little girlfriend. I did something for you, now you have to do something for me. You should be aware of how things work, Taylor. Quid pro quo, Taylor. And if you’re not paying something back, you’re paying it forward. In this case, I want a little something back.” Hanz says before letting out a laugh.
Taylor feels his face becomes hot, becoming a little wet with sweat. “Wh-what do you want me to do?” He asks cautiously.
“A while back you sent me the location of a demon. When I approached him previously, he agreed to work for me, but it seems it was just a façade. He was just buying time for his escape. Now I have no choice but to end him. I have my ways of tracking him and finishing the job, but I thought this would be a good time for a vacation. So I thought we could go on a road trip? Finish the job together?” Hanz says with a light voice and a hint of expectation.
Taylor blankly looks forward with a deadpan expression and sighs. “Sounds great, Hanz. I’ll pack my shit now.” He says, trying to sound happy.
“Great! Let me know when you’re here. We’ll take your car.” Hanz says, sounding a little excited.