The Dark Path: Stygian Days

No Place Among Them

[Archer’s POV]

“Alright guys, we’re here.” Enzo said to us from the driver’s seat. Sierra and Miles had slept the entire trip and had only just woken up. I, on the other hand, had so many questions I wanted to ask. If what Enzo said was true, that Mother Nature wasn’t going to react very well with my presence, then I wouldn’t be able to get answers out of her very easily.

“Drop us off here. We’ll continue on by ourselves on foot.” I told him. Enzo knew better than to argue with me so he let us off. “Be careful in this town, kids. I don’t want something like what happened back at my place happen here as well.” Enzo said to us.

“Don’t worry, I’ll be ready.” I told him.

“That’s what I’m worried about,” he mumbled to himself. I watched as he drove off to park his car.

“Alright, we’re here.” Miles said to me.

“Right, time to get some answers. Come on, guys.”

“It’s that building, right?” Sierra said as she pointed towards a building that had a statue of a bearded man in front of it.

“It should be, if Enzo is correct.”

Miles grabbed my shoulder. “Wait a minute, Archer. Didn’t Enzo tell us to wait for him?”

“And what will we do while we wait for him? Twiddle our thumbs? We’re not going to get anything just by standing out here in the street.” I said to him.

People walked by us as we headed to the building. Most of them were too busy with their errands and destinations to be bothered about us. It wasn’t as cold as it was in Enzo’s town. It was a good thing as I didn’t need to wear a thick coat.

We walked through the front doors and into the clean but empty lobby. It was grand-looking with sofas lining the sides and large potted plants between each sofa. Soft music played throughout the place. At the opposite side of the room, was a young woman in her 20s, who looked like she was of Chinese descent, sitting behind a reception desk.

As we walked towards her, our footsteps echoed throughout the lobby. Halfway through the lobby, I heard branches rustling and before any of us could do anything, the large potted plants which had been still before, were now stretching their branches at us and wrapping around us.

“What is this?” I said to the receptionist.

She took off the glasses that she was wearing and looked at me with cold eyes. “She has been expecting you, Dark Lord. She knows you need answers and it was only a matter of time before you came to her. You will come with me quietly or you will serve as nourishment for my children.”

Just then, Enzo came in. “Whoa, whoa, whoa! Stop everything! They’re with me! Damn it, Jamie, if this is how you treat guests, it’s no wonder this place is always empty!”

“Security measures, Enzo. I assumed you knew.” Jamie said to him.

“Not even a ‘How may I help you?’ Let them go Jamie. This is ridiculous. I’ll bring them up to Mom myself.”

The trees released us and went back to their stationary positions in their pots.

Jamie stood up from behind the reception desk. “You are overdue with the delivery, Enzo. Mother Nature is most upset and she expects your presence immediately.”

“Fine, fine.”

“And no. You will not be escorting them by yourself. I will be coming along with you.”

“What about the lobby? Are you just going to leave the place unattended? What if salesmen come in?”

“My children will take care of any salespeople who prove to be troublesome. In case you’ve forgotten, I’d be happy to do a redemonstration.”