Death's Trials (An Original Superhero Story)

3•Kove's Guide to Criminal Activity•3

•Dani•

Monday. 11:33. Downtown Ember Valley.

The neon sign blinked above me. Well, what was left of it, anyway. There was a time, many, many years ago, when the sign over the doors would've spelled out 'Coco's Coffee Pot'.

But now, all that welcomed you were eight glowing pink letters that spelled out 'C  o s   f e Pot'.

Now, the place was already strange. The outside looked like some bar you would find at the side of a motel, and the inside resembled a retro diner. But it was, in fact, a Coffee shop.

Stepping up on the platform, I carefully avoided the holes in the rotting wood planks. I glanced over my shoulder and kicked the wall next to the door twice.

When nothing happened I sighed and kicked again, but this time on the door itself.

"Coco! Open u-" Turning my head forward, I stopped talking when I saw the door swing open and slam against the wall.

"Door's broken!" A rough voice called out.

I blew a tendril of hair out of my face and sighed.

"Yeah, I can see that." I muttered, walking into the building. It looked old and abandoned, just as I remembered. An old man came out from under the counter. He was short with a shriveled up face and sunken eyes. Black circles were prominent on his face and his darkened green eyes darted around, quick and calculating.

Coco was balding, his faded dark grey hair only grew on the rounded sides of his head, causing his hairline to be non-existent. His gaze soon landed on me and the corner of his mouth curled, causing his face to wrinkle up.

Most people would be afraid of that face, thinking he looked deranged or insane, however I knew he was nothing more than a harmless angry man who had forgotten how to smile.

"Well if it isn't my favorite regular." He chuckled, but it came out like a dry cough. "Good to see ya', lil' Red."

I smiled at the nickname, remembering how when I first met him he always made comments about my fiery hair. Barely anybody in Ember Valley had natural red hair. It was even rarer than normal compared to other cities.

"Right back at you, Coco." I grinned at him. "Matilda in, yet?" I had always liked Matilda- his wife -she was a kind lady who always had time to help someone out. It's a wonder how the two of them ended up together.

"Nah, she's at her sister's." He shrugged. "You here for a drink or you in for business?" Blunt. He knows something's up.

"Co, who's been in tonight?" I leaned forward with my elbows on the counter.

"The ones who got business with ya'? The Devils- you did quite a number on the little one by the way -that's pretty much it." Coco paused, deep in thought. "It's been quiet today, but I tell you what I saw. Some guy came in here, suit and all, not even caring who saw 'im. He just waltzed in, asked where the entrance was and was on his way."

At the description I silently gulped, feeling my nerves acting up again.

"That's what I needed to know. Thanks, Co." I nodded at him and moved around the counter to get to the kitchen. The building was a Diner before Coco bought it, but since he didn't want to renovate anything, the kitchen remained. Of course, it wasn't needed in a Coffee shop, so he turned it into a store room.