Salem Massachusetts; a town known for its rich history on anything involving dread. The Salem Witch trials, Lizzie Borden, and plenty of famous film locations. The streets were usually a sea of tourists, making it nearly impossible to explore everything in a day. Even when Autumn isn’t in season, businesses still seem to thrive throughout the year with some help from social media advertisements. One tacky gift shop, however, stood out from the rest. The owners Camila Rodriguez and Tae Boo; both graduated with business degrees and successfully running it for almost ten years. They both had unique backgrounds with Camila being of Dominican descent and Tae being Asian American. You’ll find goofy netknacks and typical tourist attire, however, there was one other attraction that brought many into this particular shop. “Vampire, Werewolf, and supernatural bounty hunter for hire”; this was Camila’s “claim to fame.” One of the many reasons people went into this store in the first place was Camila’s obscure belief in the paranormal. Customers would arrive and purchase items and inquire about the “bounty hunting”, most just wanting to mock her.

“Camila, can you come downstairs for a moment?” Tae yelled from downstairs. Their shop was converted into a multi-family duplex, making it easier for both of them to run their store.

Camila begrudgingly rolled out of bed, rubbing her eyes furiously, and slowly making her way down the squeaky stairs. Her curly black hair was askew and bags slapped under her eyes. She stretched, her body crunching and cracking every which way. At the bottom of the steps, Camila is greeted by their fluffy black Maine coon cat Lucky; which they rescued from being abandoned in the streets a few years ago.

“What is it, Tae?” she uttered, grogginess lingering in her voice.

“Those nasty kids left poster paper all over our storefront again. I can’t believe this, we seriously need to call someone about this!”

Without a second thought, Camila opened the shop door and noted all the signs. All of them were either labeled “this store owner crazy bitch” or a poorly drawn Camila who is supposed to look crazy. She grabbed every poster, ripping them off the door and the huge pane glass window that jutted out of the building. She took the pile of them and crumpled them into the trash.

“Tae, I am the town’s pariah. You think they would take us seriously?”

“I know, but I hate that they bully you like this…I wish I could do more besides...” Tae opened his arms wide for a tight embrace.

“I’m going to shower before we open up…” Ignoring his invitation for any sort of affection. With a sigh, Tae began his tasks in preparation for opening the store. Lucky finds his way on his cat perch on the counter and settles into his area.

The heat from the shower flowing off Camila's body always relaxed her. Mist began to form and arise out of the shower as she scrubbed away the night scum. Tae heard a knock on their door and curiosity struck him while he was setting up. Lucky began to hiss as Tae opened the door. Three teens pushed him aside, wearing ghoulish masks.

“You know we’re not open yet, so can you three please leave until we open…”

“Where’s the looney, we may have a vampire in our midst!” One of the teens made stereotypical vampire noises with their tongues and laughter echoed throughout the store.

“Can you kindly just go? We really would rather not have trouble in the morning.”

One of the teens rummaged through the store, making a mess on purpose and harassing Tae. Camila heard a loud crash and soon wrapped a towel around her, almost slipping as she made her way down the stairs. Tae was on the floor, shoved by one of the obnoxious teens who came in.

“Oh, we're starting this already I see!? Well, werewolves and vampires always look better with… SILVER!!!” Under the counter, Camila kept a shotgun loaded with silver bullets just in case something supernatural ever came face to face with her or…to scare off stupid delinquents.

As she cocked the gun, the three teens ran out laughing, flipping her off as they left. Slamming their shop door and the bell echoing above the door. She rolled her eyes as the group left and assisted Tae off the floor.

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“What would you do without me seriously?” Camila said as she stared at Tae’s disheveled appearance.

Tae chuckled a bit as he used the end of his shirt to wipe the smudges off his glasses and blushed slightly at Camila’s appearance.

“What’s your issue? You have seen me parade around like this plenty.”

Tae continues to adjust his glasses and quickly clears his throat, he had a difficult time seeing his best friend this way. Her beauty and sheer confidence are what had him burning red. He hoped one day he could admit his feelings but the time wasn’t right. Lucky meowed at Tae, his fuzzy steps going toward his empty food dish. Tae appreciated this subtle distraction.

“You should get dressed while I feed Lucky here!” Tae said in a nervous tone.

Camila playfully decided she wanted to entertain a flustered Tae for a bit more.

“Such a bore. Guess I’ll change all by myself ... without an audience.” Camila said mockingly.

Tae, avoided eye contact knowing his friend only wanted to torture him. He watched Lucky consume his food quickly and pet their cat to merely distract himself. Camila changed into her outfit for the day, something that was comfortable was her preferred style. Ripped jeans, a white tank top, and her favorite green jacket. The sound of someone coming into the store so early put Camila on edge and she rushed down the steps once more.

“Listen punks, Don’t make me ta-...!” shocked by what was before her, she was unable to finish her sentence.

A handsome man with a dark complexion walks in, he is muscular and his deep brown eyes tantalize Camila. His height was another notable feature and his scent was that of a bouquet of roses. Tae seemed slightly upset by Camila’s reaction toward this admittedly good-looking man.

“Can we help you?” Tae asked slight annoyance in his voice.

The man chuckled and licked his lips, still maintaining his stare. His gaze seemed to wander and Camila became irritated with his wandering eyes. Something about it pissed her off.

“Can you quit lookin' at me like I’m some cheap piece of ass?” Tae, shocked by Camila’s blunt response, tried to quickly change the subject.

“Sir, I apologize, my friend here gets nervous when folks pop in sometimes…we get a lot of..how should I say…'' artistically inclined” clientele. May I ask, are you familiar with the area? I always like to ask unfamiliar faces. ”

When the man spoke, his voice was deep, velvety, and sensual.

“My friend and I just moved in down the street from you guys. I noticed one of you is advertising as a bounty hunter for…the paranormal. So I figured I’d scope it out.”

Camila refused to respond, a look of disgust spread across her face. This guy for whatever reason got under her skin.

“Uhhh…yes, that is my friend's side business. She believes that vampires, werewolves, and other beings exist out there. And why not start such a business in the most “haunted” area in Massachusetts? I believe she may be onto something to be quite honest with you.”

The man began to laugh abruptly and both Camila and Tae were left in silence. They were used to this kind of treatment and they were not going to succumb to some newbie in town.

“Well, well…you may be right on the money there. What are your names? You both are quite the funny pair. You might see me pop in more often if you keep this up.”

“Camila Rodgriuez…and this is my friend; Tae Boo.” Camila said with very little emotion, it was as if she froze the room with her tone.

“Ahhh, a spicy Latina and…well…a pair of skinny chopsticks.”

Tae simply sighed with disbelief and Camila scrunched up her face, what a foul human being spewing such dribble and finding it amusing.

“Excuse me? Who gives you the right to talk to either one of us that way?”

Approaching Camila until they were close enough to hear one another’s breaths, he grinned devilishly at Camila, a gleam present in his eyes. Camila refused to budge, arms crossed and eyebrows furrowed. Awaiting for one of them to make a move, Tae shifted his eyes between the two.

“Mmmm, you may be onto something Camila the bounty hunter. Maybe there are some horrifyingly putrid creatures closer than you think.” The man teased and Camila remained in her same pose, not willing to back down.

Laughing as he made his way back to the front door, he shouted something before he left.

“Mackenson…Mackenson Baptise. I doubt you will forget it. Well, until next time Cammy and Table.”

As Mackenson was leaving, a fair-skinned woman with bright red hair in a ponytail and glasses accidentally crashed into the force that was Mackenson. Assisting her back up immediately, he leaned over and kissed her hand. The woman quickly began to panic, averting her gaze, and her face soon a bright scarlet. With this, the woman rushed into the store nearly tripping over her own feet. Before they knew it, Mackenson was gone and both remained bewildered by his mere presence.

“Did he call me Table on purpose to make fun of me or did he genuinely forget my name? Either way, what a weirdo, huh Camila?”

“Yeah…I don’t like him. Something about him ticks me off.”

The woman who was approached by Mackenson, made her way to the two store owners. She was a bit out of breath and needed a moment to collect herself. She inhaled and exhaled slowly but she spoke with a burst of sudden energy which surprised the two.

“Hi, excu-...excuse me! Are you guys hiring?”

Both Camila and Tae looked at one another; Lucky meowed at the woman and rubbed up against her legs. Ecstatic, the woman immediately returned the favor and petted the huge fluffy cat.

“Are you new here too? You know this store gets vandalized consistently and is always the talk of the town…and not in a good way.” Tae explained with hesitation in his voice.

“Really? Honestly, I don’t pay much attention to that kinda stuff, I am usually at my college’s library buried in my studies or a good book. I just need a job to pay off some of my semester’s books and…genuinely need to survive as a college kid in general.” the woman said with passion which took Tae aback.

“Go ahead and interview her.” Camila said in a direct tone.

Tae looked at Camila with an unclear expression but she nodded signaling that this was okay. Tae, without questioning, led the woman to the back of the store where their office was to conduct a proper interview.

Camila stood behind the counter, finding today’s events very unusual and out of place. A new neighbor who seemed like a complete jerk-off? Then this girl showed up to apply for a position without any prior knowledge of their reputation? Something wasn’t adding up and what Mackenson said before he left, made Camila truly wonder…who exactly was he?

“It seems I have a bit of investigating to do…and I think I know where to begin,” Camila said to Lucky as he approached her for some attention. As she stroked the cat's body, she began to construct a plan to get more information on these recent and unusual events.