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"Here There Be Vampires" A Promise City, Arizona Story Hour
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<blockquote data-quote="orchid blossom" data-source="post: 2819546" data-attributes="member: 12815"><p>A sweet female voice responds. "Just a second, I'll be right there." </p><p></p><p>A few moments later, Colleen answers the door looking much more refreshed and aware than she did the night before. She looks quite confused to see Ruby and Jake but then smiles warmly. "You're the folks from last night, wasn't expecting you. Greely is sleeping, is there something I can help you with?"</p><p></p><p>"Yes,” Ruby says. “Actually we came by to see you and see how you were feeling. May we come in?"</p><p></p><p>"Well, I'm not sure that is the best idea, this isn't my place after all. I was getting ready to leave anyways, just being lazy I suppose. Give me a couple minutes and I will gather my things." </p><p></p><p>Colleen turns around and heads back into the house. She comes back out carrying a few personal items and says "Not sure if you were looking for someplace private to talk? Other wise we could just stroll around or find someplace to sit for a while."</p><p></p><p>"Well, my husband and I do have some private matters to discuss. If you can think of somewhere to go that might be best. Even if we just find a spot to sit, as long as it's out of earshot of others, that is fine."</p><p></p><p>"Well there are a couple of benches out by the statue on the west end of town, there is usually nobody out there. Let's head that way and see what we find. Thanks for your help last night by the way, I never expect the kindness of a stranger. Odd, but I almost feel as though I know you from somewhere."</p><p></p><p>"Oh, you're welcome, it's my pleasure." She pauses, "You feel like you know me?" Ruby asks curiously. "That is odd, I don't think we've met before last night." </p><p></p><p>"Yes, it seems strange, but I feel as though we have some sort of odd connection, not sure where that comes from. If you know Colin as well then I suppose it could be through him, he likes to talk alot about people he meets on the road."</p><p></p><p>The trio wanders out to the west end of the town and take seats on one of the benches that are placed near the old lichen encrusted statue of the towns founder Thomas Wilkes. The statue depicts the man standing with his arms crossed, his head angles slightly in a pose. It stands on a stone platform that rises about 3 feet from the ground before the statue begins. </p><p></p><p>Beyond the statue, which is pretty much located at the west end of town there is a new "road" that has been constructed. It leads up a small hill about 150 yards away and ends at a large house which also appears to be new. The house however appears to be closed up, all shutters and shades drawn closed. </p><p></p><p>Ruby notes the statue and house, and puts returning to investigate on her to do list.</p><p></p><p>They walk over to the benches and take a seat. Ruby sits between Colleen and Jake. </p><p></p><p>"So, I'd like to know what you know about Colin Turner. Seems he's been a problem for you as well as me."</p><p></p><p>"Colin, a problem? I wouldn't say he has been a problem. He is a regular customer, I suppose I am his favorite of all the girls. He treats me OK, gives me gifts and treats me pretty well. What do I know about him? Well I know he travels quite a bit, salesman of some sort I guess. I must admit that I don't listen much when he talks. I will say though that over the past couple of months he has been acting a little weird. Coming in late at night, sleeping all day, and just acting strangely. Less shy and definitely more confident. I am not sure what happened last night but he got spooked by something downstairs... and well after that it is kind of a blur. I don't even remember him leaving."</p><p></p><p>"I have a theory about what he was spooked about, but we don't need to get into that now. Have you ever been back to his room before?" Ruby asks.</p><p></p><p>"His room in that old run down boarding house? No! I don't make it a practice to go back to customer's houses. Just upstairs at Greely's or the Gordon Hotel."</p><p></p><p>"That's a good practice, if you ask me. Hmmm..." Ruby taps her lips, "A couple of months you say? Yes, I noticed him changed too. You mentioned last night that you knew where he was. Do you remember?"</p><p></p><p>Colleen blinks a few times and brushes the hair out of her face. She looks as though she is thinking deeply and is puzzled. "You know, I think I do know. The boarding house, that old dumpy place. He was there, after he left me he was there last night."</p><p></p><p>Ruby glances at Jake with a "next stop boarding house" look. "I think something befell Mr. Turner last night. I'm not sure he'll be back to visit you again. While we're talking about it, have you ever seen Mr. Greely walking around in the daylight?"</p><p></p><p>Colleen gasps at Ruby's news and puts her hand to her mouth. "What happened to Colin? Is he hurt?" She stands up and looks at both of them "Did you do something to him? Did you hurt him? He was not a bad man, he treated me good!"</p><p></p><p>"No, not us." Ruby stands and puts her hand on Colleen's arm. "I don't know exactly what happened. But Sheriff Wilson is looking into it and hopefully he'll find out what happened. But keep in mind, I don't think Colin was himself any longer. Don't you remember feeling <em>off</em> last night? I think he put a spell on you."</p><p></p><p>"I know last night was strange, I know things were not right, but still..." Colleen begins to cry lightly, then wipes the tears from her eyes and sniffles. "I... I... I don't know about Greely. I usually sleep most of the day too, you know just the ways of the business. I guess I've seen him about during the day, but why does that matter. Seems like an odd question."</p><p></p><p>"I know it seems like an odd question but odd things are going on. And I'm sorry to be the bearer of bad news. But nothing is definite, have to wait to see what the Sheriff finds out." </p><p></p><p>Ruby stands and nods for Jake to follow. "Thank you for you time Colleen." </p><p></p><p>She starts turning, then faces the girl. "Oh, something else. That room we were in, is there something special about it?"</p><p></p><p>Again Collen takes some time to sort out her thoughts. "You mean the room we were in last night at the saloon? I can't think of anything special about it. I think Colin might use that room exclusively, but I can't say for sure."</p><p></p><p>"Oh, so he gets that room all to himself, huh? I'm curious... Mr. Greely wears a pendant around his neck. I really like it. Do you know what it's for?" Ruby asks.</p><p></p><p>"He's always had it, I think he got it from and old girlfriend or something. It's pretty nice, but I always thought it was weird for him to wear jewelry."</p><p></p><p>"Yes, sometimes it's odd for men to wear jewelry. But I can understand if it's something special. Well, thank you again for your help. Tell Mr. Greely we stopped by."</p><p></p><p>"Next time I see him I will. Thanks for helping me out again last night. I think I'll check around to see about Colin, I hope he's OK."</p><p></p><p>Ruby nods, "Anytime. Have a good day." She takes Jake by the hand and walks off. </p><p></p><p>"So Mr. Jacobs, to the boarding house? I think meeting with Colleen was good indication that the spell of Colin Turner has been broken," Ruby says with a wide smile. </p><p></p><p>"Yes Mrs. Jacobs, that sounds like a good idea." Jake seems a bit more convinced about the fate of Colin Turner and a little more lively, even through his exhaustion. </p><p></p><p>They head over to the boarding house and check the front door.</p><p></p><p>* * *</p><p></p><p>Nanuet takes Minerva's hand as they leave the priest’s and wander about the town, no real destination in mind. </p><p></p><p>"Well you got some information, not sure if that is what you were looking for or not. Now what? Any more ideas? Go back to the boarding house again, check to see if the old man saw Turner come or go?"</p><p></p><p>"It doesn't appear that the Padre is going to much help in this matter. </p><p>The boarding house? Yes, I was thinking that myself. I would like to find a way to get into his room.</p><p></p><p>"Yes, I think that priest is over his head when it comes to vampires and the like, but I think he still has his duties to the community to perform. Let's head over to the boarding house again and see what we can find, hopefully we can convince that man to let us into the room." Minerva takes his hand and they walk over to the boarding house and knock on the door.</p><p></p><p>Henry Smythe answers the door with a smile on his face. "Welcome back friends. Not finding the hotel to your liking? Looking for more reasonably priced rooming perhaps, I only charge $5 for the week." </p><p></p><p>Nanuet smiles back and says. "Actually we are still trying to find our friend, Mr. Turner. We haven't found him yet and we are concerned about him, it is important that we meet with him, have you seen him?" </p><p></p><p>Henry Smythe scratches his head. "Well, I thought I heard him in his room this morning, real early. Don't sleep to well any more you know." he says with a chuckle. "Between things going bump in the night and my advanced age... well you don't need to hear that. C'mon in, let's go see if he is home." </p><p></p><p>Henry leads them to the back hallway and begins knocking on the door. The old man is shocked when the door swings inward and he realizes it was forced open. The room is a shambles and there are the definite signs of a struggle. </p><p></p><p>"Oh my, what has happened here. Guess my hearing is as good as my eyesight!" the old man exclaims.</p><p></p><p>Minerva brushes by Senor Smythe and makes her way into the room, where she begins looking around.</p><p></p><p>The first thing that Minerva notices is an overturned coffin, the lid appears to have been broken into several pieces. There is no bed in the room. The dresser has also been pulled over, as if someone might have been holding on to it and then pulled away from it. A bookshelf has been disturbed, several of the volumes lying on the floor. The curtains have been fastened tightly to the walls where hey overlapped the window frame, except one window, the eastern facing one. The curtain has been separated from the wall there. There is a face down picture frame with glass shards around it that is lying on the floor. A large trunk is against the wall, it remains unopened.</p><p></p><p>Minerva walks over to the picture frame and picks it up off the floor. She turns it over and at looks at it. "Senor Smythe, did you see or hear anyone come in at all?" </p><p>She walks over to the window and examines the sill and outside the window, before making her way back to the old man. "Perhaps it would be best if you went downstairs. There is a lot of glass in here, Senor Smythe. I would not want you to get hurt. If you can find me a broom I will clean this up for you," she says ushering him out the door. </p><p></p><p>Once he leaves the room she closes the door of the room and examines the trunk, using a detect magic spell.</p><p></p><p>"Oh... well I knew I heard something but the hearing is not too good, I was upstairs last night early. It sounded like it was coming from his room but he can be a bit noisy sometimes, I never complained because he is my only boarder. What? A broom? I can do that, thanks for helping clean up. Not sure what you mean about downstairs though, this is the ground floor and there is no basement." </p><p></p><p>The picture is a framed picture of none other than Miss Constance Grace West. The window is closed completely. The trunk does not radiate any magic.</p><p></p><p>Nanuet stands in the hallway looking for more clues. He tries the back door which is unlocked. He begins looking outside for tracks.</p><p></p><p>Outside Ruby tries the door of the boarding house and finds it unlocked. They walk inside. She whispers to Jake, "Let's see if we can convince the owner to let us in first." </p><p></p><p>Jake nods tiredly and rubs his eyes. "I'm following you." </p><p></p><p>Ruby calls out, "Hello, Mr. Smyth? It's Ja.. the Jacobs. Hello?"</p><p></p><p>"The old man comes out to the front of the building. "Oh, hello. Your other friends are in the back. Looks like Mr. Turner had an accident, I was just getting a broom. They're already back there so you might as well go too."</p><p></p><p>"Other friends?" Ruby wipes the surprised look off her face, "Oh yes, right. Thank you sir, we'll just go right back." Ruby nods and starts heading that way. </p><p></p><p>Jake's hand brushes his trusty Colt as the near the room. </p><p></p><p>While Senor Smythe is getting the broom, Minerva attempts to open the trunk and look through it's contents before searching the rest of the room. When she hears Jake and Ruby's voices she quickly removes the picture from the frame and hides it in the folds of her skirt.</p><p></p><p>Ruby peeks in to see Minerva rifling though Colin Turner's belongings. </p><p></p><p>"Find anything good?" Ruby asks as she steps into the room with a smile. "Besides the fact that Colin Turner is dead?" She peers around curiously, running her fingers lightly over random items. "Where is Nanuet?"</p><p></p><p>Nanuet pokes his head in from outside. "Right here Ruby. What did I just hear you say? Turner is dead? I figured something must have happened when we say his room in shambles. Some turn of events. I found 3 or 4 sets of tracks out here. A couple of big men were here for sure."</p><p></p><p>"Yes, he's dead!" Ruby looks around the destroyed room. "Big men, huh? I wonder what happened here..." </p><p></p><p>She details the events of the morning, hearing the scream, finding the pile of ash and discovering the cufflink, talking to the Sheriff. She skips over her and Jake fighting and ends with their discussion with Colleen and how the spell over her has been broken. </p><p></p><p>"So, I say he's dead and we get the hell out of this crap town as soon as we can. Just in case." </p><p></p><p>"In case of what?" Nanuet asks curiously. </p><p></p><p>"In case there are others," Ruby responds bluntly, "Others like him."</p><p></p><p>"But if there are other's like him shouldn't we do something about it? How are we leaving anyways, is the stage coming back soon?" Nanuet asks.</p><p></p><p>"I don't know when the stage is coming back. As for your other question... I don't know who died and made us monster hunters but I'm more than willing to just get the heck out of here. I've had as close a brush with living forever as I'd like. As long as Colin Turner is taken care of that is," Ruby says.</p><p></p><p>"Nobody died and made us monster hunters, but I for one would want to do what I could to make sure there are no more of those things around here. I'm just saying that if something comes up between now and between the time the stage shows up that we shouldn't ignore it just because Colin may be gone."</p><p></p><p>"That's because you are kind and caring Nanuet. But I've spent the last week absolutely terrified one of those things would get me. I don't know that I want to go out of my way to find more like him." She keeps her fears about Greely and O'Neil to herself. "Why do you think there are more of them around? And," she glances about the room, kicking a pile of clothes on the floor with her toe, "Have you found anything interesting in here?"</p><p></p><p>"I didn't get a chance to look in the room before Minerva closed herself in there. I told you what I found outside. As far as being terrified, you don't think I have been concerned about your safety, Minerva's safety, everybody's safety too? That is why I don't want to just run away because Turner might be dead, what if there are more, what if they come after us because they think we killed him?" </p><p></p><p>First Ruby looks to Minerva, "Did you find anything?" </p><p></p><p>She bites her lips as she tries to process what Nanuet is saying and finally she blurts out, "Might be dead? You don't think he's dead?" She turns to Jake, "Do YOU think he's dead?"</p><p></p><p>Mr. Smythe returns with the broom and makes his way into the room handing it to Minerva. "Here you are ma'am, I really do appreciate helping to clean up. I suppose I should go let the sheriff know what happened here, he is going to want to have a look. Might take me a while with these old legs, anybody willing to go fetch him for me?"</p><p></p><p>Ruby fakes a sad look. "I'd like to look through my friends things first, to see of I can find a clue as to what happened. I'll go after that if you'd like."</p><p></p><p>Minerva takes the broom from Senor Smythe , "Gracias senor, I will clean this up" she says briskly sweeping up the broken glass and the frame into a sheet and wrapping it up into a bundle. "I am sure that this is upsetting to you Senor. Why do you not go and make yourself a cup of tea. We will be out shortly." </p><p></p><p>"Don't you be worrying old timer, I'll take a walk and tell the lawman. Go ahead and make that tea," Jake says.</p><p></p><p>Jake waits until the old man leaves the room before answering. "I was pretty sure he was NOT until I saw this room. Now I am not so sure. What Colleen told us was very strange. If he was really dead would all her memories of him be that pleasant? She was ready to kill herself last night and today he is a pleasant memory?" He can see Ruby does not like his walking around the answer. "I am not sure. If you want my best guess right now? I would say he is not destroyed. Let us go about proving me wrong shall we?" He walks over to Ruby gives her a gentle hug and a kiss on the forehead. "I will go get the lawman to keep Smythe from being suspicious. Take your time though, I am tired and will be walking very slow." Jake gives them a wink.</p><p></p><p>When Jake leaves the room Minerva looks squarely at Ruby. "You may go back to Promise City if you wish. I can see that this does not concern you, but I will not abandon these people to evil. The Padre has told me that there are others of Colin's kind and I fully intend to hunt them down and destroy them all."</p><p></p><p>"That's easy for you to say. You didn't have a creature 10 seconds away from whisking you away from the life you love. You didn't have him come into your room and your bed while you were sleeping or force his way into your mind. I count myself one of the innocent people who doesn't want to get killed or unkilled or whatever it is either! If the priest knows about others, why doesn't he do something about it? And how does he know anyway? Or maybe he is one too and is trying to trap you!"</p><p></p><p>"No Ruby it is NOT easy to say. I looked into his evil eyes and felt his vile touch also, but I will not succumb to fear. It it because of the possiblility that others can be whisked away from the lives that they love that I must stand and fight. I did not turn my back on you and I will not turn away from the other innocent victims either." She says more gently, "I do not blame you for being afraid and I will understand if you decide to return home, but I cannot."</p><p></p><p>Ruby raises an eyebrow but says nothing. <em>Have fun,</em> she thinks. Since Jake hadn't commented she assumed he agreed with her. </p><p></p><p>She walks over to the chest and stands behind Minerva. "What's in there?" she asks while Minerva is staring at it. When she gets no answer she says, "Alright, let me know when it's my turn at it." Ruby heads out the door and downstairs, leaving Minerva and Nanuet to continue their search.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="orchid blossom, post: 2819546, member: 12815"] A sweet female voice responds. "Just a second, I'll be right there." A few moments later, Colleen answers the door looking much more refreshed and aware than she did the night before. She looks quite confused to see Ruby and Jake but then smiles warmly. "You're the folks from last night, wasn't expecting you. Greely is sleeping, is there something I can help you with?" "Yes,” Ruby says. “Actually we came by to see you and see how you were feeling. May we come in?" "Well, I'm not sure that is the best idea, this isn't my place after all. I was getting ready to leave anyways, just being lazy I suppose. Give me a couple minutes and I will gather my things." Colleen turns around and heads back into the house. She comes back out carrying a few personal items and says "Not sure if you were looking for someplace private to talk? Other wise we could just stroll around or find someplace to sit for a while." "Well, my husband and I do have some private matters to discuss. If you can think of somewhere to go that might be best. Even if we just find a spot to sit, as long as it's out of earshot of others, that is fine." "Well there are a couple of benches out by the statue on the west end of town, there is usually nobody out there. Let's head that way and see what we find. Thanks for your help last night by the way, I never expect the kindness of a stranger. Odd, but I almost feel as though I know you from somewhere." "Oh, you're welcome, it's my pleasure." She pauses, "You feel like you know me?" Ruby asks curiously. "That is odd, I don't think we've met before last night." "Yes, it seems strange, but I feel as though we have some sort of odd connection, not sure where that comes from. If you know Colin as well then I suppose it could be through him, he likes to talk alot about people he meets on the road." The trio wanders out to the west end of the town and take seats on one of the benches that are placed near the old lichen encrusted statue of the towns founder Thomas Wilkes. The statue depicts the man standing with his arms crossed, his head angles slightly in a pose. It stands on a stone platform that rises about 3 feet from the ground before the statue begins. Beyond the statue, which is pretty much located at the west end of town there is a new "road" that has been constructed. It leads up a small hill about 150 yards away and ends at a large house which also appears to be new. The house however appears to be closed up, all shutters and shades drawn closed. Ruby notes the statue and house, and puts returning to investigate on her to do list. They walk over to the benches and take a seat. Ruby sits between Colleen and Jake. "So, I'd like to know what you know about Colin Turner. Seems he's been a problem for you as well as me." "Colin, a problem? I wouldn't say he has been a problem. He is a regular customer, I suppose I am his favorite of all the girls. He treats me OK, gives me gifts and treats me pretty well. What do I know about him? Well I know he travels quite a bit, salesman of some sort I guess. I must admit that I don't listen much when he talks. I will say though that over the past couple of months he has been acting a little weird. Coming in late at night, sleeping all day, and just acting strangely. Less shy and definitely more confident. I am not sure what happened last night but he got spooked by something downstairs... and well after that it is kind of a blur. I don't even remember him leaving." "I have a theory about what he was spooked about, but we don't need to get into that now. Have you ever been back to his room before?" Ruby asks. "His room in that old run down boarding house? No! I don't make it a practice to go back to customer's houses. Just upstairs at Greely's or the Gordon Hotel." "That's a good practice, if you ask me. Hmmm..." Ruby taps her lips, "A couple of months you say? Yes, I noticed him changed too. You mentioned last night that you knew where he was. Do you remember?" Colleen blinks a few times and brushes the hair out of her face. She looks as though she is thinking deeply and is puzzled. "You know, I think I do know. The boarding house, that old dumpy place. He was there, after he left me he was there last night." Ruby glances at Jake with a "next stop boarding house" look. "I think something befell Mr. Turner last night. I'm not sure he'll be back to visit you again. While we're talking about it, have you ever seen Mr. Greely walking around in the daylight?" Colleen gasps at Ruby's news and puts her hand to her mouth. "What happened to Colin? Is he hurt?" She stands up and looks at both of them "Did you do something to him? Did you hurt him? He was not a bad man, he treated me good!" "No, not us." Ruby stands and puts her hand on Colleen's arm. "I don't know exactly what happened. But Sheriff Wilson is looking into it and hopefully he'll find out what happened. But keep in mind, I don't think Colin was himself any longer. Don't you remember feeling [i]off[/i] last night? I think he put a spell on you." "I know last night was strange, I know things were not right, but still..." Colleen begins to cry lightly, then wipes the tears from her eyes and sniffles. "I... I... I don't know about Greely. I usually sleep most of the day too, you know just the ways of the business. I guess I've seen him about during the day, but why does that matter. Seems like an odd question." "I know it seems like an odd question but odd things are going on. And I'm sorry to be the bearer of bad news. But nothing is definite, have to wait to see what the Sheriff finds out." Ruby stands and nods for Jake to follow. "Thank you for you time Colleen." She starts turning, then faces the girl. "Oh, something else. That room we were in, is there something special about it?" Again Collen takes some time to sort out her thoughts. "You mean the room we were in last night at the saloon? I can't think of anything special about it. I think Colin might use that room exclusively, but I can't say for sure." "Oh, so he gets that room all to himself, huh? I'm curious... Mr. Greely wears a pendant around his neck. I really like it. Do you know what it's for?" Ruby asks. "He's always had it, I think he got it from and old girlfriend or something. It's pretty nice, but I always thought it was weird for him to wear jewelry." "Yes, sometimes it's odd for men to wear jewelry. But I can understand if it's something special. Well, thank you again for your help. Tell Mr. Greely we stopped by." "Next time I see him I will. Thanks for helping me out again last night. I think I'll check around to see about Colin, I hope he's OK." Ruby nods, "Anytime. Have a good day." She takes Jake by the hand and walks off. "So Mr. Jacobs, to the boarding house? I think meeting with Colleen was good indication that the spell of Colin Turner has been broken," Ruby says with a wide smile. "Yes Mrs. Jacobs, that sounds like a good idea." Jake seems a bit more convinced about the fate of Colin Turner and a little more lively, even through his exhaustion. They head over to the boarding house and check the front door. * * * Nanuet takes Minerva's hand as they leave the priest’s and wander about the town, no real destination in mind. "Well you got some information, not sure if that is what you were looking for or not. Now what? Any more ideas? Go back to the boarding house again, check to see if the old man saw Turner come or go?" "It doesn't appear that the Padre is going to much help in this matter. The boarding house? Yes, I was thinking that myself. I would like to find a way to get into his room. "Yes, I think that priest is over his head when it comes to vampires and the like, but I think he still has his duties to the community to perform. Let's head over to the boarding house again and see what we can find, hopefully we can convince that man to let us into the room." Minerva takes his hand and they walk over to the boarding house and knock on the door. Henry Smythe answers the door with a smile on his face. "Welcome back friends. Not finding the hotel to your liking? Looking for more reasonably priced rooming perhaps, I only charge $5 for the week." Nanuet smiles back and says. "Actually we are still trying to find our friend, Mr. Turner. We haven't found him yet and we are concerned about him, it is important that we meet with him, have you seen him?" Henry Smythe scratches his head. "Well, I thought I heard him in his room this morning, real early. Don't sleep to well any more you know." he says with a chuckle. "Between things going bump in the night and my advanced age... well you don't need to hear that. C'mon in, let's go see if he is home." Henry leads them to the back hallway and begins knocking on the door. The old man is shocked when the door swings inward and he realizes it was forced open. The room is a shambles and there are the definite signs of a struggle. "Oh my, what has happened here. Guess my hearing is as good as my eyesight!" the old man exclaims. Minerva brushes by Senor Smythe and makes her way into the room, where she begins looking around. The first thing that Minerva notices is an overturned coffin, the lid appears to have been broken into several pieces. There is no bed in the room. The dresser has also been pulled over, as if someone might have been holding on to it and then pulled away from it. A bookshelf has been disturbed, several of the volumes lying on the floor. The curtains have been fastened tightly to the walls where hey overlapped the window frame, except one window, the eastern facing one. The curtain has been separated from the wall there. There is a face down picture frame with glass shards around it that is lying on the floor. A large trunk is against the wall, it remains unopened. Minerva walks over to the picture frame and picks it up off the floor. She turns it over and at looks at it. "Senor Smythe, did you see or hear anyone come in at all?" She walks over to the window and examines the sill and outside the window, before making her way back to the old man. "Perhaps it would be best if you went downstairs. There is a lot of glass in here, Senor Smythe. I would not want you to get hurt. If you can find me a broom I will clean this up for you," she says ushering him out the door. Once he leaves the room she closes the door of the room and examines the trunk, using a detect magic spell. "Oh... well I knew I heard something but the hearing is not too good, I was upstairs last night early. It sounded like it was coming from his room but he can be a bit noisy sometimes, I never complained because he is my only boarder. What? A broom? I can do that, thanks for helping clean up. Not sure what you mean about downstairs though, this is the ground floor and there is no basement." The picture is a framed picture of none other than Miss Constance Grace West. The window is closed completely. The trunk does not radiate any magic. Nanuet stands in the hallway looking for more clues. He tries the back door which is unlocked. He begins looking outside for tracks. Outside Ruby tries the door of the boarding house and finds it unlocked. They walk inside. She whispers to Jake, "Let's see if we can convince the owner to let us in first." Jake nods tiredly and rubs his eyes. "I'm following you." Ruby calls out, "Hello, Mr. Smyth? It's Ja.. the Jacobs. Hello?" "The old man comes out to the front of the building. "Oh, hello. Your other friends are in the back. Looks like Mr. Turner had an accident, I was just getting a broom. They're already back there so you might as well go too." "Other friends?" Ruby wipes the surprised look off her face, "Oh yes, right. Thank you sir, we'll just go right back." Ruby nods and starts heading that way. Jake's hand brushes his trusty Colt as the near the room. While Senor Smythe is getting the broom, Minerva attempts to open the trunk and look through it's contents before searching the rest of the room. When she hears Jake and Ruby's voices she quickly removes the picture from the frame and hides it in the folds of her skirt. Ruby peeks in to see Minerva rifling though Colin Turner's belongings. "Find anything good?" Ruby asks as she steps into the room with a smile. "Besides the fact that Colin Turner is dead?" She peers around curiously, running her fingers lightly over random items. "Where is Nanuet?" Nanuet pokes his head in from outside. "Right here Ruby. What did I just hear you say? Turner is dead? I figured something must have happened when we say his room in shambles. Some turn of events. I found 3 or 4 sets of tracks out here. A couple of big men were here for sure." "Yes, he's dead!" Ruby looks around the destroyed room. "Big men, huh? I wonder what happened here..." She details the events of the morning, hearing the scream, finding the pile of ash and discovering the cufflink, talking to the Sheriff. She skips over her and Jake fighting and ends with their discussion with Colleen and how the spell over her has been broken. "So, I say he's dead and we get the hell out of this crap town as soon as we can. Just in case." "In case of what?" Nanuet asks curiously. "In case there are others," Ruby responds bluntly, "Others like him." "But if there are other's like him shouldn't we do something about it? How are we leaving anyways, is the stage coming back soon?" Nanuet asks. "I don't know when the stage is coming back. As for your other question... I don't know who died and made us monster hunters but I'm more than willing to just get the heck out of here. I've had as close a brush with living forever as I'd like. As long as Colin Turner is taken care of that is," Ruby says. "Nobody died and made us monster hunters, but I for one would want to do what I could to make sure there are no more of those things around here. I'm just saying that if something comes up between now and between the time the stage shows up that we shouldn't ignore it just because Colin may be gone." "That's because you are kind and caring Nanuet. But I've spent the last week absolutely terrified one of those things would get me. I don't know that I want to go out of my way to find more like him." She keeps her fears about Greely and O'Neil to herself. "Why do you think there are more of them around? And," she glances about the room, kicking a pile of clothes on the floor with her toe, "Have you found anything interesting in here?" "I didn't get a chance to look in the room before Minerva closed herself in there. I told you what I found outside. As far as being terrified, you don't think I have been concerned about your safety, Minerva's safety, everybody's safety too? That is why I don't want to just run away because Turner might be dead, what if there are more, what if they come after us because they think we killed him?" First Ruby looks to Minerva, "Did you find anything?" She bites her lips as she tries to process what Nanuet is saying and finally she blurts out, "Might be dead? You don't think he's dead?" She turns to Jake, "Do YOU think he's dead?" Mr. Smythe returns with the broom and makes his way into the room handing it to Minerva. "Here you are ma'am, I really do appreciate helping to clean up. I suppose I should go let the sheriff know what happened here, he is going to want to have a look. Might take me a while with these old legs, anybody willing to go fetch him for me?" Ruby fakes a sad look. "I'd like to look through my friends things first, to see of I can find a clue as to what happened. I'll go after that if you'd like." Minerva takes the broom from Senor Smythe , "Gracias senor, I will clean this up" she says briskly sweeping up the broken glass and the frame into a sheet and wrapping it up into a bundle. "I am sure that this is upsetting to you Senor. Why do you not go and make yourself a cup of tea. We will be out shortly." "Don't you be worrying old timer, I'll take a walk and tell the lawman. Go ahead and make that tea," Jake says. Jake waits until the old man leaves the room before answering. "I was pretty sure he was NOT until I saw this room. Now I am not so sure. What Colleen told us was very strange. If he was really dead would all her memories of him be that pleasant? She was ready to kill herself last night and today he is a pleasant memory?" He can see Ruby does not like his walking around the answer. "I am not sure. If you want my best guess right now? I would say he is not destroyed. Let us go about proving me wrong shall we?" He walks over to Ruby gives her a gentle hug and a kiss on the forehead. "I will go get the lawman to keep Smythe from being suspicious. Take your time though, I am tired and will be walking very slow." Jake gives them a wink. When Jake leaves the room Minerva looks squarely at Ruby. "You may go back to Promise City if you wish. I can see that this does not concern you, but I will not abandon these people to evil. The Padre has told me that there are others of Colin's kind and I fully intend to hunt them down and destroy them all." "That's easy for you to say. You didn't have a creature 10 seconds away from whisking you away from the life you love. You didn't have him come into your room and your bed while you were sleeping or force his way into your mind. I count myself one of the innocent people who doesn't want to get killed or unkilled or whatever it is either! If the priest knows about others, why doesn't he do something about it? And how does he know anyway? Or maybe he is one too and is trying to trap you!" "No Ruby it is NOT easy to say. I looked into his evil eyes and felt his vile touch also, but I will not succumb to fear. It it because of the possiblility that others can be whisked away from the lives that they love that I must stand and fight. I did not turn my back on you and I will not turn away from the other innocent victims either." She says more gently, "I do not blame you for being afraid and I will understand if you decide to return home, but I cannot." Ruby raises an eyebrow but says nothing. [i]Have fun,[/i] she thinks. Since Jake hadn't commented she assumed he agreed with her. She walks over to the chest and stands behind Minerva. "What's in there?" she asks while Minerva is staring at it. When she gets no answer she says, "Alright, let me know when it's my turn at it." Ruby heads out the door and downstairs, leaving Minerva and Nanuet to continue their search. [/QUOTE]
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"Here There Be Vampires" A Promise City, Arizona Story Hour
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