Melody of the Holoverse

Episode 6: Once a Bumpkin, Always a Bumpkin

The next day . . .

Similar to yesterday, the streets of Blue Bark were nearly barren. And those who did hang around kept their sights glued to me, analyzing my every move.

Why do I get the feeling they're gonna rush me any second now?

*  *  *

"Night watch?"

"That's the plan," Pluto said. "I'll watch over the town for half of the night, then you switch with me for the rest. Not the beauty sleep we'd prefer, but this is the most sensible avenue."

"How do you know someone won't get taken in the day?"

"If the kidnappings had just started happening, I wouldn't rule out that possibility, but since they've been going on for a while, everyone here is now on their toes. Hell, they're giving even us the stink eye. The only time to snatch now would be when the majority of the town—"

"—is sleeping," I finished. "Their guard will be down."

My partner nodded to confirm.

"But while Blue Bark is snoozing," she said, "we'll be on high alert. As suspicious as it'll make us look, we'll walk around the town at night with our eyes peeled."

"What makes you think the kidnapper will act with us out?" I asked. "I mean, I have a gun, and you have a sword."

"That's very true. But you have to remember that we're both just girls. Not saying we're weak, but to some people, we may not look all that intimidating. If we're on the right track, the kidnapper will underestimate us; might even try to take us down." Pluto hardened her glare. "When that happens, we'll kick their teeth in and put an end to Blue Bark's nightmare."

*  *  *

Really, the meat of the plan wouldn't start until later tonight. Till then, Pluto suggested we try not to stand out too much. If we became too trustworthy to the townspeople, the kidnapper might find it harder to pin the problem on us.

Only issue: I was too nice for my own good. Leave it to Grandpa to teach me right about good morals and the like. Pair that with the nostalgia this town lent me and needless to say, I was sticking my nose any- and everywhere.

Case in point: an elderly woman struggling to lift some crates for her small shop. With frail bones, she had no choice but to weakly slide the boxes across the dirt, and even then, she barely made any progress.

"At this rate, I won't finish till daybreak," she groaned. "My back can't take much more of this."

I slowly scooted forth. "U-Um . . ."

The woman raised an eyebrow at me.

"The outsider," she said sternly.

"R-Right. I can help you move those if you'd like."

"Help me!? You think 'cause I'm old I need some charity!? Is that it!?"

"N-No! Not at all!"

This may have been a mistake.

The woman looked me up and down.

"I doubt you could do much anyhow," she spat. "These things weigh a ton, and you look like a wood pole. Probably some basic city gal."

. . .

Calling me thin is one thing, but questioning my status as "country bumpkin" is just insulting!