You're just about to pick up the phone and call when it occurs to you that it's about 3 AM, and that literally nobody in the world wants to be called at 3 AM to talk about vampires. Or anything at all, for that matter. Also, your phone is in the car and there's a dead body. You grab him by the leg and heft, then start spinning like you're doing the hammer throw. After a few revolutions, you let go, and the body goes flying off into the ocean. With the evidence (presumably) dealt with, faintly justified by thoughts of sunlight burning the body or something, you return to the car, dress, and check the phone anyway. You flick through your texts - your datemate increasingly worried about you, one text from your little brother Dylan asking "wut th. E fuck is gong on" (verbatim), and a few from the best friend.
Tomorrow. Bed.
You return to the hotel, and watch TV until sleep and until sunset, not having had the bathroom visit you expected. Will and Ruth are waiting for you, and as you squint from the last rays of the sun, he tosses a black gym bag at you. You catch it by reflex.
"So, you're officially a missing person," Will tell you, grinning. "And a certain boss of yours is being held on suspicion of murdering you."
You blink.
"Open up the bag, eh?"
You do so. Inside are candles, incense, chalk, assorted stones, a bronze bowl, a knife that looks like it came out of a magic shop, sage, a deck of tarot cards, a notepad, and a few other miscellaneous items.
"Look, I've really got to get going..." you tell them, and they both shake their heads.
"One hour. Then you can go. You paid for it, after all."
The hour goes by rather quickly, as it involves a quick rundown of ritual. It seems to you that you did the lab before the lecture, and after asking, Ruth tells you that's how it's supposed to go.
"Oh."
Will and Ruth exchange glances, and then look at you. You feel vaguely uncomfortable.
"We have three questions for you. The first is if you'd care to be initiated as a member of the Coven, California branch. Think of it as a magical fraternity or honor society combined with AAA and a community service club and you've got the general idea. Certain stores will give you a discount, there's services available, etc etc. Won't take but a minute. We'll ask the rest after you let us know."
You ask for a moment, and send a few texts - specifically, to Dylan and Frank he mechanic, who you trust enough to keep their mouths shut. You return and look at the couple, not at all surprised to see Gleeson stretched across both of their laps and purring as they pet him.
"So how about it?"
[We'll get to the mechanic, don't you worry. Next two questions in the next post.]
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Topic: Urban Vampire in Encinitas (Read 9017 times)