The town of Mawe before their serial killer case was said to have lacked all forms of crime. This wasn’t so far from the truth. Snake Blind formerly known as Snake Eye’s was the most famous criminal in town. Rumors abounded about the rough looking man. All of which were blown out of proportion by some contingent of school children.

  Snake Blind had been a gang member in New New York city. It wasn’t a particularly hard nor large gang. Not by the standards of the city at least. Still he was a criminal with connections and had been in shootouts. How his name was changed was completely outside of his criminal activity.

  Roa’s Café and diner was a staple in town. Large arched doors and a Paris theme that looked nothing like it did currently. Red and white patterns, large hatted chefs, and fancily dressed waiters bustled within. Snake Blind sat at his normal spot. The back most corner was ready and able to see whenever someone entered.

  He was a short squat man with a small flat head swollen with fat. His body clashed with his puffy head being of a skinny muscular build. A generous portion of stew sat steaming in a bowl in front of him. Two scared hands rubbed happily together, one missing a little finger.

  *RING*

  Just as he’d brought the first bite of food to his lips a man of generous size entered the building. It was someone that he’d grown used to seeing as the two shared a love of food. Catching his eyes the man gave him a slight nod and headed over to sit at Snake Blinds table.

  Jeb sat his displeasing figure down across from his dinner partner. The two had dined at every restaurant within town, two of which were kept a float seemingly by their service alone. Giving what to him seemed a charming smile he ordered a small bowl of the same warm concoction.

  The two would sometimes converse and others just keep to themselves. Jeb would delve into stories of military life and Snake Blind would counter with his criminal history. It was these encounters that brought the two into a small amount of business. Snake Blind eyed Jeb, though one wouldn’t be able to tell with the small slits that allowed light to reach his retina. The larger man was obviously acting odd.

  “We weren’t supposed to meet for lunch. What brings you here so urgently?”

  Dabbing at his slightly perspiring head Jeb took a moment to answer. Fussing over an invisible crumb that was ruining where his own bowl would go. Snake Blind let him fuss being simi-retired meant getting angry over the little things was beneath the man.

  “Old Blind, do you remember that contact you brought to me?”

  “Depends. Which one?”

  “The one that gave me the list.”

  Jeb placed the slip of paper with street addresses on the table. If Nate saw it he’d recognize the homes that were being cleared. Snake Blind didn’t answer right away instead taking a long satisfying bite of food. Age was kind to few, this went double for those who abused their bodies. The constant chill in the man’s body was only ever removed when he ate something nice and warm.

  “Say I do remember. Thought you’d turned the man down?”

  “Well, yes, but then I happened upon another opportunity.”

  The Snake Blind frowned deeply. He had warned Jeb of being too greedy especially when it came to that side of the world. Anyone who spent nearly twenty years in the game would know about what went bump in the night. The cross section of places filled with monsters, the undead, and criminals was larger than one would think. Snake Blind’s old gang had been run by a Necromancer.

  The truth hadn’t come out until five years into his work with the man. A rival gang had pulled a drive by on their meeting, the return fire had killed one of the men. With luck he’d fallen from the top of the van. Snake Blind still remembered the sounds of his screams when he was brought back to life just to be tortured for information.

  In his capacity as the only real criminal in town he knew the in’s and out’s of most of the paranormal in town. So when one such newcomer came looking to make some money off the haunted buildings in town a connection was made to Jeb. From the large man’s own words their meeting did not go well. He was honestly surprised that Jeb had it in him to backstab someone like that.

  “If you betrayed the man I can’t do anything for you.”

  “That’s not it. That person doesn’t have a problem with my side hustle. He found an alternate way of making money over a year ago.”

  “You're still in contact? It’s not something I would recommend.”

  “Yes, I’m starting to get the sense I messed up. Look at what happened to the lad.”

  “Lad?”

  “No, nevermind about him. The point is do you know anyone that could count as a supervisor?”

  Snake Blind gave the man a long silent look. A supervisor, for someone steeped in death magic? He had to remind himself that the man in question wasn’t part of his world. Though if something was happening there were people he could reach out too.

  “Look, Jeb. You already hurt me by in and arounding my business. I’m willing to overlook that as I was just a go between. This extra matter… Well, let's just cut to the chase or I won’t be nice anymore.”

  There was an edge to his words that Jeb felt instantly. He had felt it on the battlefield there really was no beating around the bush. His breath quaked as he took in the air from the room.

  “That man is a monster. I thought it was fine at first, just a coincidence. Now, they aren’t even trying to hide it. Before it seemed normal but now I’m certain. Did you see the destruction in town? It was his fault, I might want money but I can’t sell a house if no one wants to live here.”

  This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

  “Cheshire.”

  The word hung in the air. A waiter brought Jeb’s food. The bowl felt cold as Jeb cupped his hands around it, in spite of the curling steam. Snake Blind rubbed at his temples. Some level of death was inevitable with these Necromancer’s, but if it was truly them what could he really do. Tipping off the police was not beyond the man. Learning to bend the rules was how a sharp man stayed alive. Would they even believe him?

  “So what do we do? I have another meeting today. If I go, what if he kills me? I just won’t go.”

  “Old Orc, listen well. You have to go. I don’t know the guy very well, but I can reach out to a local contact. The Doctor should be able to do something. In the meantime don’t let anything slip.”

  “Thank you friend. Also Orc is a bit too cruel , don't you think? I look more like an elf or a strapping rugged warrior.”

  Old Blind cracked a smile. He wasn’t truly cut out for being a criminal neither were but it was the hand life had dealt them. It was only in the company of those who were similar to you that one could find respite.

  “No, Orc definitely fits you.”

  As the two ate they let the matter fall to the wayside. Neither could do anything about it right away so they didn’t dwell on the matter. Warm stew and full bellies awaited at the bottom of the bowls. Jeb was half-way through a second bowl when his phone rang. An old song about trucks played for a second before he answered.

  “What do you mean the worksite is destroyed?”

  ***

  Thick clouds of dust were launched into the air. Swirling and dancing with the lone spirit in the space. Renee had to admit that the numerous titles were impressive. After living so many times she truly still could be amazed. Teddy had located a spot under a window. A long cushioned bench perfect for reading while reclined or taking a nap.

  He had attempted to read the singular reference book that Renee had compiled about magic. The endeavor was a short lived one. His soul knew she was there for him, to protect him. They’d been bound together since the fifth or sixth reincarnation.

  She could still remember the man who she had dragged into all of this. Being her knight in shining armor was out of the cards at the time. In fact he was around the age she should have been. Early sixties with a missing eye. It had been lost during the war. It raged outside their home.

  It was the first time that her memories had returned so early. The crushing fact she was to die nearly led her to end it all. Teddy, or as he was known then William Abernath. It was an unusually old name but seemed to fit him. A school teacher by trade, when the war came to them in a small hamlet in the English countryside. Renee had been the only child left in the entire town.

  For safety the scant number that lived there had been moved into bunkers. It was just her luck or laughably her fate that kept her tied back. An “accidental” mix up of paper work. Once the memories had been awakened she knew it was his doing. The Necromancer.

  William had taken her in once her family died. A tragic affair of bombs hitting their home but only killing her parents. Now it was obvious it wasn’t his doing, at least not enough of his doing. So much of herself was tied up in the Necromancer. William had been kind, and most importantly a pseudo-Necromancer. It’s why she was certain that Teddy could help and learn the magic properly.

  Fate.

  Brushing the hair from his face. So peaceful, innocent, nothing like the tortured pain he had suffered. That kindly old man had thrown himself at the Necromancer. Resulting in the essence of his soul being torn into small pieces. Scatter through time and space. The Necromancer had been kind enough to tell her what would come of those who assisted her.

  He hadn’t been particularly upset, no, it was much worse. Amusement and intrigue always filled him. Every part of her lives became a plaything. What her parents' attitudes were, her friends, and even her growth rate. It was during the ninth time that he only started to seem bored. The most terrible thing for her was how that boredom had made her feel.

  Indifference that's what he came to feel about her. Nothing more than a nuisance. Yet, she was like a child born from his own blood. The responsibility he held toward her was abandoned on that tenth run.

  The spirit floated down to the two of them. Reaching out a gentle hand it brushed his face. Still wordless. The two women stared at one another for a long time. Renee studied her face closely. The resemblance to Mandy was undeniable. Another tragedy that was spun into the wool of their sad lives.

  Teddy stirred looking up with sleep still in his eyes. Renee dabbed at the small amount of drool he’d let out as he slept. He had always been older when they met, always a caretaker for her. Each time he’d grown younger. The last time he had been twenty and before that thirty. If the pattern didn’t reset, she knew what would become of his soul. It would be all her fault. If he had just killed her then it might have broken the cycle. Uncertainty bubbled inside her as the doors swung wide open.

  Mandy came in still dressed for dinner. Her energy had been greatly improved. The information she had gleaned was miniscule but they had a starting point. Now they just needed a plan. Before she could begin Renee held her hand up. What she was doing was selfish, she knew it, but didn’t care. That discomfort that she could only find in Teddy was threatened by keeping him here and they had to address it.

  “What is it Renee?”

  “Mandy, is it true your mother left you? Without a word she took off on her own?”

  The teen’s mood cooled instantly. She didn’t blame her mother for leaving, but still a bitter face took root. The sore subject being so directly poked hurt, just as the day it happened. Renee in her eyes was still just a child so she quelled her frustration.

  “That is correct. Why do you ask?”

  “I would like you to describe her for me. Details from that day would be helpful.”

  “Really, what is this all about?”

  Teddy’s newly awake eyes shot wide at Renee’s line of questioning. Pupils shaking they landed on the floating figure that stood just behind Mandy hands resting lovingly on her shoulders. Her form shimmered in the soft lights of the library.

  “There is only one ghost in this library. In fact there is only one ghost on this whole compound.”

  The words lingered in the air light a rotten stench attempting to desperately cling to one's tongue. Mandy wind snatched from her sails slumped against the table. There was no tremble of anger or fear. Just a frozen over body stuck to the table a single clenched fist tore at the page of a book laid open.

  “That woman looks just like you.”

  Something in Mandy snapped. Rage, anger, sorrow, desperation. The narrowly could encompass the totality of what she had heard. One part of her had whispered to her. That she had known all along. Only a fool wouldn’t have seen the writing on the wall. It was all so clear, the way her father acted since she left. He was upset but always spoke of her in the past tense. He had known this whole time.

  “Big sis you Ok?”

  Teddy brought her focus down upon him. For a moment that intense glare landed upon his body. He shrank back a scolded child. Then realization flowed through Mandy. Her face softened and went to the two of them. She grabbed the both of them into a tight hug.

  They weren’t safe. Prisoners to a killer, and the world coming after Nate. She held them tight as much for their sake as her own. She didn’t let them see the tears running down her face and there just for a moment something truly wonderful happened.

  As she gripped the two of them. Above smiling kindly at her was a woman whose face was similar to her own. Older, wiser, and brutalized. She could see her mother standing there caressing the children's heads.

  “I will protect them, I promise mom.”