Lola dragged her last suitcase to the entrance, casting one final glance around the living room to make sure she wasn't forgetting anything. It was the day of her departure for the city, and although she was excited for the new challenge that awaited, she couldn't help but feel a lump in her throat at leaving her lifelong home behind.

Shaking her head to dispel the melancholy, she stepped outside and took the path leading to the town center. She still had time for one last stop before leaving.

The bell tinkled merrily as she pushed open the door of the corner store. Behind the counter, kind Mrs. Juana looked up and gave her a warm smile.

"Lola, dear! I thought you'd already left," she greeted in her usual affable tone.

The young officer returned the smile and approached the counter, leaning her elbows on the worn wooden surface.

"I was missing one last supply purchase for the road, Juanita. And of course, I couldn't leave without saying goodbye to you," she replied affectionately.

The older woman chuckled and shook her head.

"Aye, darling, you'll make me cry. But you're right, this shop won't be the same without you helping here every week."

As Mrs. Juana prepared a small package of snacks for the journey, they fell into a pleasant chat, reminiscing about old times and joking like old friends. Finally, Lola paid and took the package, ready to depart.

"Well, I think that's everything for now. Best get a move on if I want to reach the city before nightfall," she announced with a sad smile.

Mrs. Juana nodded and came around the counter to envelop her in a warm hug.

"Take care of yourself, dear. And don't forget to come visit us now and then, eh? This town will get awfully boring without you."

Lola laughed and kissed the wrinkled cheek.

"I promise. Although I may want to forget last night..." she joked with a wink.

The old woman blinked, confused.

"Last night? What happened last night, dear?"

Lola shrugged mysteriously.

"Oh, nothing really. Just thought I saw the...chupacabras prowling around my house," she let out a laugh at her own joke.

However, Mrs. Juana's expression suddenly turned grave.

"The chupacabras...Aye, Lola, you don't want to say that in jest. The neighbor swears he saw something last night," she muttered, shuddering.

The young officer blinked, feeling a chill run down her spine as she recalled the terrifying events of the previous night. The gaze and fangs of that creature came back to her with chilling clarity.

"I-I...well, it was probably just some vagrant or junkie who broke into my place," she stammered, trying to downplay it. "You know how rumors spread in small towns."

But Mrs. Juana shook her head, her expression somber. She tried to say something but seemed to think better of it a moment later. Finally, she sighed and forced a reassuring smile.

"Well, no need to worry about that now, dear. You're about to start a whole new life in the city, aren't you? Forget this old town's silly legends."

She placed a wrinkled hand on Lola's arm and looked her in the eye.

"But be careful out there, alright? You never know what kind of monsters lurk in the dark. Sometimes humans are the worst."

With one last embrace, she finally bid her farewell. Lola exited the store, her mind reeling.

The chupacabras? No, surely just delirious from the previous night's fright. She hurried down the street, determined to leave it all behind as she began her new city life.

Still...she couldn't help but glance furtively over her shoulder, searching for any lurking dark shapes. A shiver went through her at the memory of that raspy voice.

This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

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The afternoon fell peacefully over the small town as Arturo wandered out into the streets. The clothes Arnaud had procured put him in a good mood.

With a beaming smile, he gazed in fascination at every detail of the town: the house facades, the bustling comings and goings of people, the shops with their enticing window displays.

It was all new and exciting for the child, accustomed until then to the stillness of the forest and the small, dark cave that had been his home. In a carefree manner, he continued strolling until a tantalizing aroma reached his nose. Freshly baked pastries.

Almost by instinct, his feet led him toward the corner store from where that delicious scent wafted. The wooden sign hanging above the entrance proclaimed in weathered letters:

Juana's Store - Everything for the Home and More.

Arturo paused in front of the window display, pressing his nose to the glass to better observe the appetizing merchandise exhibited on the other side. Rolls, cookies, cereal bars... It all looked so delicious that his mouth watered.

Suddenly, the door's bell tinkled as a customer exited, and the child seized the chance to slip inside the store. Once indoors, his eyes went wide with wonder at the variety of products lining the shelves and counters.

"Wow! What an amazing place!" he exclaimed, spinning on his heels as he tried to take it all in at once.

A soft clearing of the throat made him start and turn towards the counter. A kindly old woman observed him with twinkling eyes over her spectacles.

"Welcome to my store, young man. Can I help you with anything?" she greeted in a gentle voice.

Arturo swallowed hard, suddenly feeling shy in the presence of this stranger. He opened his mouth to reply, but then recalled his situation and closed it again.

"I-I...No, ma'am. Just looking," he stammered finally, lowering his gaze.

The woman cocked her head, studying him with shrewd eyes.

"Are you alone, child? Where are your parents?"

Arturo shook his head, his small shoulders hunching.

"I don't have parents, ma'am. I'm an orphan," he confessed softly.

An expression of pity crossed Juana's face, and she hurried around the counter with open arms.

"Oh, you poor thing...Come here, darling."

She enveloped the little one in a warm embrace, stroking his hair with maternal tenderness. Arturo went still for a moment, surprised by the gesture, but slowly relaxed and let himself be comforted.

When the woman pulled back, she smiled sweetly and took his little hand in her own wrinkled but firm ones.

"I'm Mrs. Juana, owner of this humble store. Tell me, do you have someone caring for you, child?"

Arturo nodded, shyly returning her smile.

"Yes, I have my brother Ar..." Suddenly, he seemed to remember something and looked back, searching the shadows near the door. "Ar, come here! Don't be afraid!"

For a moment there was only silence, but then a tall, hooded figure slowly emerged from the shadows. Mrs. Juana let out a muffled start, taking a cautious step back as she eyed the newcomer warily.

"D-don't be scared, Mrs. Juana," Arturo was quick to reassure her, taking the old woman's hand. "It's just my brother, Ar is a hunter. He...doesn't like to be out in the sun much."

The woman frowned slightly, staring hard at the mysterious hooded figure standing silently by the child's side. Finally, she seemed to decide he posed no threat, for her expression softened.

"I see, child. Well, it's a pleasure to meet you both," she said with a slight nod toward Ar. "Tell me one thing, treasure - do you have somewhere to stay? Money or a place to bathe? The truth is you both reek."

"Ar gets us food and though we don't have a home, you needn't worry about us," the child said proudly.

However, Juana nodded slowly, regarding the odd pair with renewed interest.

"I see...And tell me then, young man - would you like to have a place to stay? Because if you need work, perhaps I could help with that."

Arnaud remained silent, letting Arturo decide before responding for them.

Arturo thought for a while and after glancing at Arnaud for a moment, he nodded.

"Very well, listen closely. I've been looking for someone to handle the storage room at nights. Unloading cargo trucks, organizing inventory, things like that. It's hard work, but if you're willing, I won't have to hire anyone else."

She gave Arnaud a meaningful look.

"It'll be a night job, of course. So the...sun won't be a problem. And with the rumors, I could use someone big and strong watching over the supplies."

A tense silence followed her words as the pair of enigmatic brothers seemed to consider it. Arturo glanced at his companion, who gave a slight nod.

"We'll take it, Mrs. Juana. Thank you very much," Arturo responded with a beaming smile.

Juana smiled back and nodded.

"Excellent. You can set yourselves up in the small dwelling behind the store. It's humble, but at least you'll have a roof over your heads." She made a face. "Though you'll have to be careful, as I said strange things have been happening. Rumors of a creature prowling around at night. Some even say it's the...chupacabras."

Arturo laughed that off, dismissing her words. Arnaud, however, went rigid under his hood, silent and still as a statue. He had heard that word before.

Mrs. Juana shook her head.

"Small town talk, I suppose. But still...Well, enough of that, come this way."