Chapter 25 Cal

Fear

The idea or feeling of fear is caused by the belief that something dangerous is likely to damage or inflict pain. I felt fear before. We all have. But never have i felt the fear of death. Not pain, but the idea that my existence is being threatened by an unknown to which needs to be known. But here's the thing...I fear that if I learn anymore about this unknown thing...my life would change. A change in which I can never turn back. Life is an interesting force. For we live it and yet we do not understand the full intention behind it. Fear, Life, the idea that there is something more....What is it that lies beyond the void of nothingness that we live in?

Well...whatever it is...I fear that my brothers and I are in for a truly terrifying ordeal.

...

Luca and I had arrived back in Seyuta. The ride back was just as gorgeous as the ride to New Seyuta. "Enjoy the trip?" Luca smiled as he must've seen the near satisfied look on my face. The thing is im not exactly okay with what we found. There are alot of obvious files here. Honestly I'm surprised its readable.

"Its not over yet." I flip through the files. Strange how I can't seem to find what I'm looking for, which has something to do with the missing children and the mystery of this town. Though my brain seems tired. So ill stop looking for....huh. Its already night.

BOOM!! A bright flash of light rushes across the sky as if the sun decided to peep into view for a split second. Lightning. It was close. The storm seemed to be centered over the mountain behind Seyuta. It was a bit unnatural. The clouds seemed to have circled the mountain or at least focused on it.

"Crazy storm" Luca caressed his chin. "Let's hurry this on ay" I nod and continue to analyze the information that lie before me in the letters of the files.

As I dig deeper into the mystery I find that there was a doctor who headed that wing in the hospital. His name was Rictor Vice.

"Rictor Vice huh. I think that's that old drunk that's always in the bar here." Luca had already stopped the car. We were deciding whether or not to leave the rest of this for tomorrow but Luca says that he has a feeling that it can't wait till tomorrow. So we agreed to at least find the doctor. Looks like we have a lead. This lead led us to the bar and grill. A nice but old hole in the war. I believe the towns folk occasionally have gatherings here once or twice a month or to celebrate something. In any case we walk in the bar.

The place seems empty saving the bartender and one guy who looks like everyday is a bad day. He's leaning against the bar holding onto a glass cup for dear life. He dawns a dark green coat and his shoes look worn. His hair is unkempt and he from what I can see from the side his eyes look haunted by something from his past. This must be the guy. Rictor Vice. Though I'm not going to lie he might as well be holding up a sign next to that near empty cup of liquor saying "town drunk". I look at Luca and he looks at me and nods.

"What was that?" I ask

"What was what?" He looks confused

"That nod you just did what was that?"

"That was me yknow like 'you ready for this' you know."

"Oh yeah"

"Yeah you get it it's like a silent 'let's move in'" he shifts facing me

"Yeah but I think it'd be better if you kind of nodded towards him and not me. Cause with me it'd be more like 'wassup' rather than 'let's get this shit' see what I'm saying?" I face him as well

"Yeah but like if I nod towards you-"

"You men gonna order" the bartender cuts him off

"Yea yea yea" he looks at me.

"Go on" I tell him

He looks at me and nods towards Rictor.

"See" I start "that's what I'm talking about baby"

"Damn straight" he daps me up and we walk towards Rictor. We get on either side of him and Luca orders a glass of whiskey.

"Nah none for you Luca" the bartender holds up his hand.

"Cut off already?" Luca looks offended

"Your on the job and your brother would have my ass if he found out I was selling his on-duty brother alcohol "

"Well damn!" Luca looked hurt.

I shake my head at him giving him a disappointed look.

I look to Rictor and I look at his cup. I see a book in front of him. It was open like he was reading but for now he seems out of it.

"How long has Rictor been like this Tony?" Luca ask the barkeep.

"That's actually his first cup. Came in like twenty minutes ago."

"Where's everyone else?" I ask. Curious as to where the normally busy bars customers left off to.

Tony merely shook his head.

"Hey there Rictor " Luca speaks up. "What you reading there?" Rictor doesn't react. He doesn't seem to notice us. Luca gives me a concerned look. "Mind if I take a look at that book you're reading?" Wasn't exactly an invasive question but it was enough to cause Rictor to stir. His eyes darted to Luca in the most creepy way possible.

He turns and say "I was tricked"

Luca backed up. So did I. His aura just changed. Not only does he seem coherent but he seems a lil dangerous too. Almost feral.

"Who tricked you doctor?" Luca stands up straight.

"He came in the night. No IT!" The angry looking doctor stood up away from the bar

"It lied to me. Came and said it'd help them. SAVE! THEM! They all died of heart attacks the next morning! He made them suffer he laughed at me!"

He stormed towards Luca

Luca pulled his gun "stop where you are Rictor calm yourself " the barkeep walked in and as he saw the situation grabbed the trash and walked right out.

"You wanna shoot me?!" Rictor looks down as he stopped, "but I'm the only one he told about it. That creature! It's an abomination! A plague on this world!"

"What the hell are you talking about?!" Luca shouts. Gun still trained on Rictor. "Might wanna go back in the car buddy" Luca calls towards me.

I back up towards the door "good idea"

"Hey don't touch my red bull "

"I don't give a damn about your Red Bull Luca!"

Rictor turns towards me. Oh great he saw me. His eyes widened and he ran to me.

"Whoa whoa whoa!" Luca moves towards me.

"Whoa whoa whoa!" I back up faster

"Aha! You know my pain. You e been through it too!" He gives me a look of crazed sympathy "the pain the someone feels after losing a loved one you know what he did to you! Take control!!" He practically screams at me. But what does he mean? What who did to me? This person he speaks of. The only connection I can make is the my parents died the same way around the same time as those people in the hospital.

His eyes drift above my head and fear engulfs him. He almost shrinks to the ground.

"What the hell" Luca shouted confused. Then he looks above and his eyes show a more fearful kind of surprise."WHAT THE HELL!"

I turn around and see a hovering dark shadow and darkness in the form of a maiden behind me and both Luca and I scream in unison.

The entire bar transforms as if the dark maiden corrupted the reality inside and the paint peels off the walls and the flooring darkens and light dims in the presence of this dark thing.

Now my thoughts drift to how I could've been at home and watching some soap operas. But no! I had to feed my curiosity. Then again shitting my pants due to swap people at home compared to shitting my pant in a run down bar…I think I prefer this venue much better. So I'll just continue to scream. And back away from this thing while I do it.

"Luca puts his gun back in its holster. I stop screaming and give him a look.

"Dont give me that look"

"Why the hell did you put the gun away?!"

"It ain't gonna work and I have to write reports when I fire my handgun"

"Luca!"

"Chill I got something that'll actually work" he gets in a wide stance and before my eyes, a ghostly staff materializes in his hand.

"See. Told ya" a grin formed on his face.

I could only stare. He just created a ghost staff in his hands. In this situation where all this crazy shit is happening the only words that came to thought was "I knew I wasn't crazy!"

Thinking on it…those aren't very good last words.