Embers of the Dead-tective

I found it much easier to maintain my superhuman speed on smooth, clean, even surfaces, rather than maneuvering through the trash-strewn, uneven streets riddled with enormous potholes. Balancing my speed with caution, I clutched onto the book tightly, refusing to let it slip from my grasp and potentially bring doom upon an unsuspecting passerby. Victor, our leader, guided us back towards the dreaded Compound of Doom, but he deviated onto different streets, distancing ourselves from the river. Eventually, we arrived at an empty lot, its towering heap of trash surpassing my own height. Within that mess, Victor uncovered the wrapped body of Ben, hidden beneath a mound of clothes.

Lifting Ben effortlessly onto his shoulder, Victor's strength seemed to have thawed the previously stiff and frozen body. "We must address this tonight, don't we?" I inquired, anticipating the answer.

"It cannot be postponed," Victor responded, casting a critical glance in my direction. "Are you capable of running for long distances?"

I shrugged, uncertainty filling my expression. "I'm not entirely sure. Does this ring also grant me enhanced strength?"

"Yes."

"Then I suppose we'll find out the limits of my endurance," I responded with determination.

Victor pivoted swiftly and accelerated along the streets, and I trailed closely behind. Our path weaved through bustling commercial areas, industrial districts, residential neighborhoods, and eventually ventured beyond the city limits. The smooth pavement gave way to a rugged road, and the urban landscape gradually transformed into open cornfields, replacing parking lots and retail stores with picturesque barns. Although I had only experienced these outskirts during joyrides, I appreciated the beauty illuminated by the shimmering stars above.

Just as I felt the strain of my exertion, Victor veered onto a dirt road. It led us to an abandoned barn, with stacks of dry hay arranged before its grand entrance. Carefully, Victor placed Ben's body atop one of the stacks, and then he disappeared inside the barn. I noticed a few weathered planks peeking out from the straw, and as Victor emerged with a box of matches in his hand, I couldn't help but whisper, "You all had this planned, didn't you?"

"Yes." Victor struck a match and tossed it onto the pile.

As the flames engulfed the dry hay, we both stepped back, allowing the fire to consume its fuel. Within moments, a towering inferno illuminated the night sky. I briefly glanced at the book cradled in my arms and then turned to Victor. "Should I burn this too?" I inquired, seeking his guidance.

He met my gaze and reached for the book, relieving me of the responsibility. I felt a sense of relief, yet curiosity stirred within me as he concealed it within his coat. "Bat will be intrigued to examine this," he explained to me.

"Oh, I see," I responded, not entirely certain if I wanted to delve any deeper into the matter, especially if it meant inviting trouble upon myself.

Mindful of the nauseating stench often portrayed in movies when bodies were set ablaze, I positioned myself upwind, ensuring the smoke wouldn't assault my senses. Standing silently beside Victor, we observed as the flames voraciously devoured Ben's remains. It was a harrowing and sorrowful sight, but I couldn't tear my eyes away. With each flicker of fire, cherished memories of our camaraderie, jokes, laughter, and playful teasing disintegrated into the smoke. A profound ache gripped my heart as I bid a silent farewell to my dear old friend. Unbeknownst to me, tears streamed down my face, the droplets silently cascading off my chin.

In an effort to halt the flow of tears, I rubbed my eyes, and Victor glanced down at me, his own countenance devoid of moisture. "Having problems?" he wondered.

I let out a snort and mustered a small smile. "Yeah, I'm human, and these darn emotions are getting to me."

"Emotions serve as a reminder that you're alive," he countered, offering his perspective.

Ceasing my futile attempts to wipe away my tears, I lifted my gaze to meet Victor's with a quizzical eyebrow raised. "That was unexpectedly emotional coming from someone undead," I remarked, unable to suppress my curiosity. Victor shrugged nonchalantly and averted his gaze. Intrigued, I studied his features more closely, illuminated by the dancing flames. The firelight accentuated his striking handsomeness, and within the gentle contours of his face, I discerned a trace, a mere suggestion of sorrow. A surge of courage propelled me to voice my inquiry. "May I ask you…"

"Yes," he interrupted me.

"Yes what?" I returned.

"Yes to your question."

Leaning in, I narrowed my eyes suspiciously. "You didn't happen to read my mind, did you?" I asked.

Victor shook his head, his expression firm. "That's neither within my capabilities nor something I would ever attempt," he assured me.

Curiosity piqued, I pressed further. "Then what was I going to ask?"

He firmly said, "Uh...You were going ask if I have a soul right?"

I blinked, taken aback by his accurate insight. "How did you know?"

"It was the very first question Ben posed to me," Victor explained, his gaze focused on me. "Perhaps he must have seen a little bit of himself in you."

My mind swirled with contemplation. "If you indeed have a soul, how do you reconcile that with... well, with the act of killing?" I questioned, seeking clarity.

"My soul is unlike that of a human," Victor asserted, his eyes closing momentarily before a chuckle escaped his lips. "Sometimes, I even bring it forth and examine it."

An uneasy shiver coursed through me, prompting a step backward. "Okay, that's undeniably creepy," I remarked, my voice tinged with apprehension.

Victor's lips curled into a knowing smile. "Precisely what Ben used to say," he replied.

"And he was absolutely right," I muttered, glancing back at the consuming flames that reduced Ben's body to mere ashes. The intensity of the fire prevented me from staring directly into it.

Lost in contemplation, I turned back to face Victor. "So, uh, what am I supposed to do now?" I inquired, seeking guidance.

"You survive," Victor responded simply.

A tinge of skepticism colored my tone as I probed further. "Will that truly keep me occupied for long?"

"What do you mean?"

"I suppose merely surviving does sound rather mundane. Wasn't there something intriguing that Ben used to do? Something to keep himself occupied?" I inquired, hoping for a glimmer of excitement.

Victor nodded, acknowledging my question. "Well...He had his own Job," he said.

A realization struck me, and I uncrossed my arms, furrowing my brow in contemplation. "Ah, yes, the business," I muttered. My curiosity grew, and I leaned in closer. It couldn't possibly be any more dangerous than what we experienced tonight, can it?" I asked, a hint of anticipation in my voice.

"Not often."

"And it pays decently?"

"Quite often."

"And it'll keep me out of trouble?"

"Not likely."

Clapping my hands together, I playfully nudged my shoulder into Victor, causing him to sway slightly as he raised an eyebrow. "Well, why the hell not?" I pondered aloud. "I have plenty of time on my hands, so I might as well take over Ben's business. Besides, with you as my trusty employee, someone needs to play the role of the friendly face for our customers; otherwise, they'll all be frightened away," I joked. Victor cracked a smile, and I wiggled my eyebrows mischievously. So...Um, what exactly did I just inherit, anyway?" I asked.

Victor's expression turned grave, and he looked at me with an exasperated gaze. I shrugged sheepishly, attempting to rectify my ignorance. "Ben merely talked about his role as a consultant", I must admit.

"Private detective," Victor responded in a monotone voice, providing the correct information.

I blinked, taken aback by the revelation. "Private detective? So, that's what led him into all those bizarre and peculiar situations?" I queried.

Victor nodded, his expression solemn. "A paranormal private detective," he clarified.

Ah, the missing puzzle piece fell into place. "Well, that certainly explains your presence and, well, everything else," I remarked, a sense of understanding dawning upon me.

"Yes."

"What's the name of this business?"

"Dead-tective Agency."

"Um…Catchy."

"It was Ben's idea."

"So, is this sleuthing business challenging? Are there any particular skills I must master?" I asked.

"Yes."

Anticipation weighed heavily in the air as I waited for Victor's response. The suspense nearly suffocated me, leaving me gasping for air. "Please," I pleaded, my voice strained. "Can you at least give me a hint?"

Victor's eyes sparkled with a hint of amusement. "Experience is the most valuable teacher," he replied cryptically.

Frustration tinged my voice as I threatened, "If you don't offer some useful information, I'll resort to sticking voodoo pins in my own crotch." Although the pain would ultimately affect both of us due to our connection, I hoped the threat would prompt him to share some valuable insights.

A moment of consideration passed before Victor spoke up again. "Diplomacy can be a useful skill," he suggested.

I scoffed, my preference for a more direct approach evident in my response. "I tend to favor the more straightforward path of threats," I remarked, emphasizing my inclination for less subtle methods.

"So I noticed."

"It gets results."

"I'm starting to realize that," I said with a sigh, but a mischievous smile played on my lips. "Looks like we're in for a long, enduring relationship."

Victor nodded in agreement. "Very long indeed," he concurred.

And oh boy, it was indeed a long journey ahead, especially when we got entangled in that early adventure with the cult…