Inner Demons

Chapter Five: New People New Places

 The car slid to a stop at a warehouse. Nothing special, just some sort of abandoned warehouse in the middle of who-knows-where. 

Vanth leaned over the seat at the two bored teenagers. "Follow me, keep close. Watch your pockets." was all he said before he slid out of the car, Quinn stepped out. 

A huge salty breeze blew by, that was when she realized they were by the ocean. She strained her neck to see through the maze of buildings, but she couldn't quite see. She turned and followed after Vanth. His long trench coat near brushed the pavement, hiding his legs quite adequately, but his horns stuck out like a sore thumb. Quinn's hand unconsciously gravitated to her head as she felt her budding horns, they seemed to have felt more pronounced then when Jamie pointed them out the week before. Perhaps it was her imagination? Either way they were there, and would only get bigger. 

Vanth opened the door to one of the warehouses, it was unlocked. He slid in, passing the door down to Jamie who held it open for her. They walked down a dark hallway before coming to a door, it's single tiny window spreading light into the corridor. Vanth once again pushed through. Quinn almost forgot to catch the door when she saw who...or what was inside. It looked like a dog fighting ring, but with some major, impossible-to-miss differences. The dogs in the ring looked more like massive wolves than dogs, some rising four or five feet off the floor. Most of them were wolfish colors, but several looked like they got a very impressive dye job. One was neon green for example. But the wolves weren't the only thing off about the whole scenario. The people watching had either normal colored hair with impressive muscles or were small bodied and had bright, seemingly dyed hair. 

Jamie seemed surprised, almost like he knew something but kept his mouth shut. At the noise of the door opening, one of the wolves outside the ring charged over, teeth bared as it looked the three demons over. 

Quinn shrank back in fear from the snarling wolf as a man walked over with a woman. The woman had bright orange and yellow hair, eyes just as bright. She had a warm smile and generally looked like a kind person. The man was a little more...well young. His hair was split down the middle, one half blue one half red. His eyes were the opposite color based on his hair, he couldn't have been older than twenty. He wore a casual expression as he regarded Vanth and his party. 

"It's been a while." even his voice was young as he spoke up. 

"It has. Who's this?" Vanth nodded at the woman.

"This is my wife, Saura." the man nodded. 

Whoa wife? This guy was probably no older than Jamie and he was married? Quinn was in minor shock as she watched the taller woman put an arm on the shorter man's shoulder. 

"I've heard about you, Vanth is it? A pleasure." she nodded, shaking the demon's hand.

"Same here." Vanth added. Pleasantries out of the way, the two men got down to business. 

"Is our ride secured?" Vanth asked quietly, the colorful man nodded. 

"Should be here within the hour." he answered. Vanth chuckled. 

"You have quite the little gathering here don't you Typhonix?" Vanth asked, Typhonix...an odd name. Typhonix chuckled.

"This place is just what the underground world needs. A place to hang out and have a few before they catch their boat to wherever they may be going. It's good for both me and the public you see." he explained. 

Saura spoke up, "Who do we have here?" she asked, looking down at Quinn and Jamie. Typhonix seemed to notice them for the first time. 

"You're doing Nova's dirty work huh? I swear she takes on too much to handle." he remarked. Quinn perked up, so did Jamie. 

"She has a lot on her plate. I'm sure you've heard the rumors?" Vanth asked, Typhonix nodded. 

"We can talk another time. This is Quinn and Jamie. Nova's taking custody of them." he answered. 

"My name is Typhonix. I'm a Morpher. Although i'm sure you've realized that by now." Typhonix said to the two of them. Jamie took a step forwards. 

"No offence, It's kinda hard to miss." he said. Typhonix chuckled. 

"I like this kid. Anyway come on in. I don't have much but enjoy." he gestured inside. Vanth strolled inside. Saura put a hand on Quinn's shoulder. 

"Don't worry dear. All of us here are your friends." she said, trying to relax Quinn's nerves. She saw Vanth pick up a beer from the bar, Jamie wandered over towards the dog fight. Not wanting anything to do with either, Quinn looked up at Saura.

"Um...if it's no trouble could you answer a few questions for me?" she asked timidly. Saura flashed her signature smile.

 "Of course dear, come to the dining room. I'll make us some tea and we'll have a chat...honestly these men are a little too much for me some times." she chuckled as she led Quinn off to the other side of the room. 

The main room of the warehouse had wooden floors and paneling walls, a dog fighting arena was near where they entered. A small wall separated it from the restaurant and bar. Quinn was passing through the bar when Saura led her through a door along the far wall. Inside was a lavish dining room. She sat Quinn down.

"Fire away dearie. I have time to spare." she said as she put on a pot of water. 

"...I don't mean to be rude...but what are you?" she asked. Saura smiled happily as she answered. 

"I'm a morpher. I don't reckon you've ever heard of my kind before. In essence, we're shapeshifters. We can change into other forms at will. Like those colorful wolves in the ring? Not wolves at all. Morphers actually. Much like myself. It's a way to get stress out, my husband's idea." she said, her southern accent really becoming apparent as she dug through a cupboard.

"...I've never heard of them before." Quinn muttered, unsure whether to fully believe the woman yet. 

"We're very secretive. That's why we run a bar in a warehouse hun. Once you get around and actually look for one of us, you'll realize just how hard we are to uncover. Take Vanth here. He only knows about this place because another morpher trusted him enough to tell him." Saura explained as she finally found what she was looking for. 

"...Do you know anything...about Vanth?" Quinn asked, Saura leaned against the counter and put a finger to her lip. 

"All I really know is his name. You're better off asking Typhon about him." she remarked, the kettle started making loud noises as they talked. Typhonix came up in their conversation a few times, that was when Quinn learned he was actually an immortal, Saura refused to tell her his actual age, she just winked and said 'it's a sensitive topic dearie'. More information on morphers filled most of their short talk, Quinn quickly found herself fascinated. 

"...So you see that's why morphers are so colorful." she finished. Quinn nodded eagerly. 

"Just one more question if you don't mind..." she started. "What do you know about Nov..." 

"Hey Quinn! It's time to go!" Jamie exclaimed, throwing the door wide. Saura giggled as Quinn lowered her head, embarrassed. 

"I'll be right there..." Quinn said as he skipped off, why was he so giddy? she wondered. 

"Oh! Here dear. Take these." Saura placed a small paper bag in her hands. "They're chocolate chip cookies! Share them with Vanth, he could use a little sweetness...and don't forget your little boyfriend too." she giggled, winking. 

"W-Wait n-no he's not..." Quinn felt her face explode red as Saura ushered her out the door. 

"You'd better hurry or you'll miss your boat! Safe travels!" she exclaimed as Quinn sprinted off after Jamie, face still red. She waved back. 

"Thanks for the tea!" she added as she ran out of sight. Saura chuckled lightly. 

"Ah...young love. Right hun?" Saura asked Typhonix as he waltzed over, a drink in hand. He flushed a bit as she kissed his cheek. 

"Right?" she repeated. 

"Yes dear..."