Woven Spectacles

Wraith March

The wooden stairs groaned in protest under his light weight as the middle aged man bounced down them. Nimble hands lifting to the crown of his head to check the pins holding down his ears. The man didn't mind his inhuman ancestry but he already planned to be leaving the safety of the building he nearly lived in. Few knew of the existence of anything stuffed away in the dark but those that did weren't always the most sane of people.
A home was on the countryside about an hour away, with seven magnificent children and a family that was refreshing, a polite way he had taken to describing them, but that was a rare gift never bestowed upon him with so few workers these days.
Hunters of Supernatural was created back in the sixteenth century to protect towns, as the name states, from 'Supernaturals' or nonhuman species. It was for mercenaries to have as many connections as one could need. If a werewolf specialst ran into a worg all he had to do was send a letter to the correlating specialst.
These days it was far less glorified.
As Adam's foot hit the last step into sight came to a beauty that was well past her prime, aging between her late forties and early fifties, but had yet to loose the luster of youth. Her eyes were a magnificent emerald and hair the color of gold hung loosely about her shoulders. The human was an orphan, living out of one of the cells downstairs but she never complained. Drinking in the stories that the workers told her as they came to receive a file or to report an occurrence.
In her younger years she had found more than a few able bodies willing to help her pass the tedious hours together as well. Slinking off when the boss wasn't looking to go do whatever they wished.
Now she sat only as his. They would never legally wed as it was instead from an old promise that he planned to keep with the woman. He was one of the men to share her bed, one of the few that managed to sweet talk the business woman early on. Deciding from not only his visits but the meaningful conversations they shared that she was too precious to not have one love her some day.
One of her unique smiles graced him upon meeting his gaze. "I see that you have finally got around to picking up a new file." Her hand went for a small stack of files baring green, red, and the rare orange folder instinctually.
"Jewels." Groaned Adam, stopping in front of her desk to lean heavily across. "You know how I am with all of the grunts that Silver keeps trying to get me to train. I end up getting hurt so that I can wheel their rears back here and run home." His voice dropped low, baring a spine chilling, thickly honeyed voice that could remind one just from what blood line he came from. Part of the Tainted's tail had became paralyzed and one of Adam's ears had once been partially nailed into his head to bring back two people that the owner of HS had paired him with. That and despite what the creature said he had a stripe of pride that could rival a gods. As the so called 'head fieldsman' he made sure that he kept his title in fine light.
Her hand went to the top of the stack where a thin manilla file rested, a light chuckle bubbling up from the back of her throat. "You don't need to be at your max potential to check out this file cranky." Out went the file, brushing against his hooked nose with a flick of her wrist. "The sooner you get back the sooner you can sit in my seat."
The excitment was clear in the man's eyes before he even managed to find the words to express his gratitude. "I will be back as soon as this permits my Jewel."He leaned forward to kiss her forehead. Gently taking the file from her hand and twisting to walk down the hall that would lead him through the glassdoors and outside.
"Be careful. Don't do anything that would get you killed."
The corner of his lips turned up but he didn't bring himself to respond. He let the door slam closed behind him, stopping in his tracks to open the file. It was rare for Adam to stop inside to look over a file, too excited to get outside and explore something new. Unwilling to stay inside the ratchet building longer than needed.
From the outside it looked as plain as any building could be, if not a bit short for so many workers, and once someone was to draw close to the paved road all of the creatures rushing to and fro would be replaced with the illusion of normal buisness men. It was a handy trick that Amun, a friend of the owners, had come up with years earlier.
He looked from the building to the top paper, taking a moment to note Jewels' beautiful scrawl. It had matured along with her and every time he looked upon a line of words from a pencil she held he took a moment to remember the file he had snatched from when she was barely twelve. More stains than words present on what had been white paper but was often stained some other color.
Adam laughed, now focusing on the words as he walked for the edge of the complex. It was mere blocks away, at some railroad from what he understood, but that didn't help as there was a side note of being around at dusk. Considering the sun was already lowering he only had a few to read the report and find the place. Without running into something. On his first job he had broke his nose by walking into a pole and still had to handle his once aristocratic point becoming a beak.
Since the early 1960's an average of twenty people a year are killed on a stretch of trains tracks that run diagonlly across Georgia. Conductors dread to travel at night in fear of adding to the numbers as all but a select few have been smashed (Adam had to take a moment to chuckle at the women's choice of words.) under the trains. More often than not these people can appear out of thin air leaving there no time for them to be warned. It has became a weekly habit for police to check their local stretch of track for any bodies that may not have been noticed for.
Upon walking past Sandy Creek Plaza one will come upon a a railroad track that will appear ordinary in appearance if not a bit under loved. One is unable to view the supposed occurrence from any main streets and must walk along the track in either direction until they are not only secluded but must not be on the track at the time of this occurrence if they wish to view it.
Side note: One can be caught in the middle of this lore if walking along the railroad at dusk but will be unaware of the situation if approached. Adamantly believing they are the only one that is walking along the tracks save for you. As noted before this is also cause death. This is believed to be the spirits surrounding the poor soul that leaves them unable to see any coming trains and vice versa.
They can be next to the track but it is advisable to stay at the maximum distance allowed in an area. Just as the moon begins to greet the viewable sky a hoard of spirits will come into view. Walking the direction the last person had gone.
Other than that, dearest, it varies. You will simply have to look into it. Love Jewels.
The Tainted snapped the paper closed, refusing to look into the cases labeled 'Suicide' attached to the paper as he took a moment to focus on where he was and an estimated time. Thirty minutes to try and go three blocks, a simple task. One that was full of semi useless thoughts that brightened his mood.
Shrugging off his blazer Adam took a moment to remove the pins from his ears. Dropping them into a pants pocket before moving to message the lanky fluff balls. His mother had been a pure blood neko leaving him with the standard ears but his had ended up being elongated because of his elven father. Neither side managed to explain his brown hair either as his father's ancestry was black and his mother's blonde. Just like his ears Adam's hair was considerably bouncy and more often than not getting in his way of seeing if it wasn't tied back. That was another thing that seemed to run through his paternal side for the men. Most of them had longer hair that they indeed tied back on a daily basis. His was probably on the shorter end though for he got tired of most of the other men in HS pestering him.
In comparison to the rest of the men, all of which appeared powerful and well put together, he was sickly thin and more often than not had to play it smart as to keep his frail appearance.
The Tainted settled himself at the edge of the track just before the sun began to crest the buildings across from him. Sitting in a half dead patch of grass he tore open the bag of chips to wait. Glancing to the left before the right and then back to the plastic bag full of snacks. Wishing that he had gotten something to drink as well while he waited. As he thought about it he glanced to his watch in contemplation of running to get something before the supposed ghosts made their appearance. As he noted the time, which might have been more than enough if he jogged, he noted the distant sound of someone walking. Doubting that he would hear ghosts walking Adam retrieved another handful of chips to shove into his mouth before rolling the top down and returning it to the bag to stand. If someone was coming he didn't plan to tempt them with his own goodies.
Brushing off his pants the man headed back for the street. Offering a tiny smile and nod to a young man that couldn't be more than twenty years of age as he passed. Releasing a pent up breath when the man returned a friendly smile. Appearing to deem him one of the strange children that wore the cat ears. Adam didn't think anything of it until he went to cast his eyes over his shoulder for one final look when he saw the first of them tailing the boy.
He had seen plenty of spirits in his years working for HS and these were no different. They made no noise and more than a few of them were still in their death state. Dragging themselves along on their arms while their legs walked casually along behind them. When he was younger it would have made his spine tingle in a certain fear but now they only made him curious. The tainted quickly returned his attention to the man that he had just passed. Turning to face him directly and call out. "Hey, where are you going?"
The man paused, looking over his shoulder. Unaware of the spirits that were beginning to swarm him as he looked over Adam. "I was walking home from work." He motions to the backpack slung over a shoulder. "Is there something I can help you with?"
He did his best to ignore the man stepping on one of the entrails of a spirit as he turned sideways. "Yeah, I was wondering if you had a few dollars to spare for something to drink. I wasn't thinking and spent all I had on snacks. "To his annoyance the man rolled his eyes and joined in walking with the ghosts, glancing back once his way before appearing to forget all about him. Glancing the way the man had came Adam noted the tens if not hundreds more of spirits that was swarming the tracks. How a pair seemed to be walking next to the tracks but unwilling to touch them. He hated what he may see but forced himself to walk parallel to the man, as far away as possible from the tracks but still trying to watch for an oncoming train.
Instead of trying to save the man the Tainted committed what he could to memory. Finding a better estimation of a hundred and fifty spirits and the way that all of theirs eyes seemed to be a glittery silver. Lighting up the night as the sun sank lower. It wasn't until he felt a tap on his shoulder that he thought to look behind.
Adam let out a startled cry, stumbling forward at the sight. A full bodied entity held up a headless, legless thing. Its hand still outstretched from touching his shoulder. The hand jerked towards the tracks with the man and the rest of the spirits.
He wisely took steps back, slipping on his blazer and stuffing away his precious bag of treats in a magic imbued pocket before shaking his head. Hardly noting the way that the things eyes flashed a blood red as it dropped it's partner as he spun to take off. He had already given up on the man, deciding to forfeit his life for the better of others but now that he had something intelligent chasing him he debated running across. This little idea came from having noted the pair moments ago as they avoided the track. He doubted that they were like the headless horseman but more times than not his gut had been what had saved him. It wouldn't do much good and for all he knew it might take away his life as well.
At that moment Adam wished he had taken the extra time to kiss Jewels cheek again and tell her that he loved her before having walked out. The wisdom that his father had taught him did little to calm his nerves and as he inched closer to the railroad he closed his eyes to picture his children. Imagining all seven of them from his copy cat Iticho all the way down to thoughtful Oli. His eyes snapped open at the sound of a train horn, seeing the brilliant yellow light less than a mile away. Gritting his teeth Adam bounded across. Wincing at the chill of entering the ghosts and then the pain of slamming into another hard body. They both went tumbling and for many moments he believed himself to be with the spirits. Waiting for their next unsuspecting victim.
"Thanks for saving me man."
Adam groaned, lifting himself from the gravel onto his knees. Already smelling his own blood from his hands and knees but his cheek as well. If he was to lift a hand it was raw to the touch, gravel dust buried deep into the torn folds. He didn't get the chance to answer, watching the now red eyed spirit release a screech at the sight of the train that quickly collided with the thing. The rest froze in their spot, the train gliding through them without a problem. Afterwards they began to glow, lifting theirs hands to look at them as if they had never seen them before. Those that were severed or missing pieces fussing back together when they managed to find them. Many began crying, laughing joyously as they looked at those around them. As much as the tainted willed them to become human again they slowly but surely began to disappear. It was then he remembered to answer the man he had unintentionally saved. "I was saving my own tail. I didn't plan to save you."
The man arched an eyebrow, picking himself up as he refused to break eye contact with the remaining spirits. "Sure you didn't. Why else would you have run across the tracks."
"To save myself from being one of the undead. I didn't expect it to... It must have been the original." Adam laughs, running a hand through his hair as he breathed a sigh of relief. "I can return to my family. I hope I don't see you again." He stood, brushing off his pants before turning to cross back over the tracks. Watching the last of the wraiths disappear. Adam heard the man grunt and say some things that would have made a sailor blush before he continued down the track.
Adam was disappointed to discover that his pocket was full of chip crumbs as the bag had been more than smashed and torn but he was glad to be returning to Jewels. As soon as he settled her into bed he would have to make the night long trek back to his house to at least see his children. It was long overdue anyways.
As he shoved open the door the tired man decided to forego standing in the line that was now present as people rushed to report things before they went to sleep. He gave the bird to one when they said something and others he merely snorted as he shoved past them to the front. Pulling the file out of it's hidey hole and laying it down in front of the human. "Discovered and resolved."
"How did you manage that?" A male voice over rode the feimine one he was hoping for. One that made the Tainted curse under his breath before turning to face his boss. The man's eyes creased with fine lines and his cheeks were sunken further than was generally found handsome by slight age. Barely passing his shoulders his hair was a stark white mess topped with two fine fox like ears twitching towards the smallest and newest noise constantly. Adam was sure more than a few tails twitched about under the cloak buckled around his shoulders and partialls down his chest.
"Easy bossy man." Adam's right ear flicked in dismissal. "It was a simple ghost story. I even managed to save one of your precious innocents." Ignoring the scowl already on the Kitsune's face he moved to stand behind Jewel's chair.
"Mr.Kattington. That is why we were created. You know that! For many years I have let you murder many people, all while listening to those higher up yell at me for the severe numbers, but my ears grow weary of hearing the same thing." Despite the expected shout Silver could only pinch the bridge of his nose, deciding to not ask whether the man was intact or missing a limb. It would be easier for him to get it past if he wasn't aware. "Can you try saving more from now on?"
Adam pretended to think it over, slipping into the rolly chair when the woman took a moment to stand. Wrapping his arms around her hips and jerking her back down into her lap despite having an honest reason she had stood. Caring little for the way that the woman she was helping glared at his antics. Or was she perhaps glaring at Jewels in jealousy. That had happened more often than one could imagine and even Silver managed to crack a pitiful smile at the sight. "I think I prefer sticking to my normal ritual. I hadn't planned to save him as I bowled him over when I was in the middle of rushing through all of the ghosts.
"If you had a partner-"
"Don't even Silver. I would prefer to keep him in a good mood." The elderly lady snuggled back into the man's chest, coaxing his hand to rest a top hers by grabbing at the fingers of his hand until he took note. It was a way for him to cling to her without disrupting the last of her work and assured her that nothing had happened physically to him. As hesitant as she had been with connecting herself so intamitely to a drow Jewels much preferred him over the others that had tried to tie themselves to her. More so after the years they had spent together.
Even as the displeased kitsune made his way for the stairs Adam began trying to dig through the pocket on the inside of his blazer. "While I was out I got you something to eat." He went to pull his other hand away, chuckling lightly when her own tightened around his in resistance.
"Whatever it is can wait until I'm done cuddling you." It was a tone she only ever used on those that had caused some sort of displeasure with her strong morals. Though they were honestly few and in between if one was to ask about it.
Adam rolled his eyes, rotating his hand to grab at her fingers to convince her he had dropped the idea. "What if I bought some cinnamon candy canes?" Expecting her to hide her reaction behind her curtain of hair the Tainted leaned forward, glancing over her shoulder to see that her eyes had indeed lit up with her childish excitement. Her hold on his hand only tightened though and she pressed back against him more. A sideways glare being produced from the gentle being at the woman now ogling Adam.
"I'll have a few candy canes before I go to bed and I'm sure I'll be out like a light." Her reddened cheeks only worsened with the Tainted's chuckle.
"We'll see my love. We'll see." He kissed her head, settling into the back of the seat.

2017 August