Helluva Family (18+)

Ch. 8: A Promise to Cover a Weakness (Part 1)

*Thirty minutes earlier*

A mysterious demon sat inside a local coffee shop, his eyes scouring the area under his sunglasses. He has a hat over his head to make him look discreet. He checked his watch to check the time... which he's done constantly since he got there. His hand went to the backpack on the seat next to him, making sure it hadn't moved anywhere.

No one.

No one had suspicions, no one questioned him, no one knew. Just the way he liked it. He pulled the brim of his black cowboy hat down to better cover his face. His striped horns poked out from the holes in the hat on top of his head. He checked his watch one more time before a slight ding was heard from the front of the shop. His eyes followed the sound to the front door, where two people had entered. One male, one female. The male had a mask covering his face and a hoodie to cover his head. He assumed the character to be his target. What came with the target surprised him. He recognized her almost immediately as the daughter of the Goetia prince Stolas, Octavia. Why would the target be involved with Goetia? Questions and curiosities he would bring up later.

The target and Octavia both made their way to the front counter, the target being more fidgety than the Goetia princess. He observed them carefully, examining their every move. It looked to him like they hadn't noticed his presence whatsoever. He reached for the briefcase next to him and opened it. The contents were unseen under the table as he pulled a phone from the shadows of the briefcase. After flipping it open he dialed a few times until a ring was heard. The noise of the shop concealed the sound from the call.

The phone clicked virtually immediately, with him bringing the receiver to his ear. A dark and bold voice came from the other side.

???: (I'm assuming if your calling me this is important? I don't have not the time to waste.)

Suspicious stranger: "Of course. I have the target in sight, but might have come crossed a complication..."

???: (Well if so, uncomplicate it! You are the best I could find, you better not fail!)

He felt his anger rise with each word the voice spoke, but took it and muzzled it. He brought the receiver back to his ear.

Suspicious stranger: "I understand that. The complication is an additional individual. The Goetia princess."

There was a slight pause in the response. He wasn't sure how much of a setback she would be in the operation unless he was informed.

???: (Grab only the target, not the Goetia. The target should be your only concern, and make sure the Goetia is unharmed. We don't want any unnecessary accidents...)

The phone was hung up before he could respond. His gaze went back to the target which had sat down and was conversing with the Goetia princess. The interaction alone puzzled him on how casual they appeared to be. It wouldn't take them long to finish their interaction and would sit up to leave. He took this as his cue to do the same. But why? Why was the target some fidgety kid who covered himself from head to toe? Clearly, there was something he was missing. He would have to ask his employer later.

They exited the shop while he waited slightly before following, grabbing his suitcase beforehand. He was an expert on these things. Undetected, a shadow, irresistibly handso- uh, his mind was getting off track. He followed the couple a little farther to a local taxidermy shop. Weird choice, something he would note. They entered the shop while he looked for an alternative entrance. He set down the suitcase behind a nearby dumpster as he thought it wouldn't be necessary.