“The death of Doctor Arthur Fletch is continuing to bring countless questions.”

Bzzt zzt.

“As you can see behind me, there is no longer any doubt about his state. Still, some call it a conspiracy.”

Gzzt bzt.

“Others still doubt that Doctor Fletch is dead. However his body is now on display throughout tonight's service, he will be buried after…”

Krkrkrkrkrkrkr.

“Ah, come on… Sis is going to be pissed if the lights go out.”

Tnk

“Shiiii…”

Barry knew what sound would come next, he covered his ears early.

The door was like thunder in sound, and lightning in speed. The doorknob caught just a little of the crescent moon's light from the window as it swung.

“Barry, in the name of the wings, get a candle.”

“Gaz, stop slamming the door.”

“Don’t call me Gaz, I’m your big sister, call me by my name Giselle. You wouldn’t call me Gaz with the lights on, hurry. I need to find the Gas torch.”

Barry clambered around, if he remembered right there was a candle on the coffee stand just in front of him.

He found it in the dark, a little melted. It was a cheap candle, and just holding it wax started to get on his hands.

“There is no lighter over here,” Barry said.

“Do you not keep a few matches on you?”

Barry only had a few; matches weren’t cheap on the turn of fall.

“Hurry up, Grifter is going to go nuts if he wakes up in the dark,” Giselle said.

Barry sighed, sparking the match, on his thumbnail.

The candle was lit and Barry could see his sister, she was overly tanned as always trying to make someone point.

You don’t have money for a real vacation because you spend it on fake tans. Barry thought in silence of course, he didn't want a beating.

Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

He held the candle up and it was snatched quickly from his hand.

Oversized fake nails catching his wrist.

His big sister marched off like there was a mission around the corner.

“Wait, wait. What do you need the Gas torch for?” Barry asked.

“I’m going to go speak to the neighbors. This was never a problem till the new Blue-Gas system was built alongside the Steam pipes.” Giselle said.

“That isn’t the neighbor's fault… Blue Gas…”

“How do you know that?” She said,

Tnk. unnnk.

The Blue-Gas picture box took a little longer than the lights, it came back on just in time for Giselle to see the news her brother was watching.

“I will have to sign off for the night as I am attending tonight's event and tomorrow's burial. I have to say it's a privilege to be welcomed to take part, as I was a fan like many others. I will see you guys tomorrow night. I’m sure there will be a lot more to say about Dr. Fletch.”

The one hosting the news was Barry’s fast female news anchor, famed for her assets.

“You are still watching that stuff…” Giselle asked.

“Well, it's about Dr. Fletch…”

Giselle turned to the back of the room placing the candle on the nightstand. The only piece of furniture their leaf-dog had yet to rip apart.

“What about Dr. Fletch… He is dead, you already know.”

“Sis, don’t you want to know what happened to him.” Barry asked.

It was a question that haunted him, it was more personal than their neighbors would ever know.

“Stop going on about it, people more qualified than us have been all over the case for weeks.”

“But, sis, you worked with Dr. Fletch, we both learned from him. Do you think something like this could just… Happen, why would the Doctor… Die like that.”

Giselle lifted her hand from the candle, knocking it to the, the clattering sound was high-pitched in its ring.

A barking started, if there was one thing a leaf-dog didn’t like it was high pitches.

It came running, the pooch with wooden paws, green ears, and a mouth just for show and sound.

It barked and bounced around, tracking mud with its feet.

“What do you think we should do then, collect new reports; or break into the police station? Find out what we can before getting arrested.” Giselle said.

Picking up the candle as Barry tended to the pup.

“We know where his house is, I think we should go in. Nothing bad will come of it, after all, we knew the man well. Right?”

“What would we do with Grifter, take him along.” Giselle asked her brother who held the leaf-dog.

“Yeah. It should be fine. It's been a while since Grift went out at night.”

“Fine, but you don’t need Blue-Gas running to the box, aye,” Giselle said.

Showing her brother she still had prowess. Her bleached hair was a flag as she leaped over the couch, where Barry spent most of his time.

Her feet slid across the coffee table that was stained and chewed. Her toes in her bright green socks pushing against the lever of the pipe that connected to the screen.

The Blue-Gas faded and the screen grew dimmer, till it died; no fuzz or flicker.

“What’d you do that for? I could have turned it off if you asked.” Barry asked.

“Hm, I studied Steam and Gas under Dr. Fletch while you pick at your fingers in class. I pay for the rent; I'm the one that turns the levers.”

She was at the door, ushering Barry along before he could respond, but he did let the chance go by as they passed under blue street lights.

“You could get a better job if you stopped dyeing your hair,” Barry said.

His words in a mumble while he was crouched, pulling Grifter away from dirt; Other than the sun and liquid meat it was a leaf-dog's favorite snack.

“I like my look more than cash. Besides I have the job I want, what more could I ask? If you want more money I hear Taleahase is hiring.” Gisselle said with a laugh.

“The candy shop? Why would I work at a candy shop?”

“Well, all you do right now is eat candy and sit on your ass.”

The night was silent but their banter and laughs.

Occasionally a blue light would flicker, a problem that was far from being solved.

Their walk was not long, the moon did not move.

The little town had less space than people, and more people than they knew what to do.

There was only one place of pride, it had been that way for thirty years.

The manor of Arthur Fletch, despite his fame it was bare.

It was reversed in decoration from how his parents had it, as it was Dr Fletch’s strange taste.

The outside walls were painted like Shingle and tile, while the shingle and tiles were painted like a fence.

The fence around the property was not the properties but the authorities.

Linked and locked and caged away.

“Well, shall we go in?” Barry asked.

“It’s your feet that are moving slowly, make sure to grab Grift, don’t let him bark. And move quiet.”