The Untitled Story

Chapter 3:"The Town"

The next time that Matt sees Kole, they’re in a nearby town that bustles with activity. The latter leans over Matt and pokes him in the head.

“Wake up,” he says. Matt slaps his hand away and stands up on shaky legs. “Did you run after me when I left?”

“Yeah! What was I supposed to do?” Matt asks. Kole shrugs and starts walking toward a plaza in the town.

“Wait for me to come back, obviously.” he answers.

“But...you just ran off without saying anything!” Matt shouts.

“Correction--before I left you alone I said ‘Let’s get the hell out of here’.”

“Exactly! Why’d you leave me alone?”

“Okay--you’re shouting so much your voice is starting to crack and you sound like a little girl on steroids,” Kole turns around and puts his hands up in a defensive stance. “And two, I was gonna scout out the area and see if there was anywhere for us to flee. But then again I forgot that you’re some plucky commoner that got kidnapped by a pirate and her ninja friend so...I’m not sure what I was expecting.”

“Uh….” Matt starts to choke up, but doesn’t say anything because he’s self-conscious about his cracking voice.

“Exactly. Now, I know a guy that works closely with Maddi and Jackie. Let me do the talking, okay?” Kole says, once again starting in the direction of the plaza.

“Hey! I never agreed to anything. Especially being a Bounty Hunter with you.” Matt says. Kole scoffs.

“We kind of became a team when you were helplessly tied up during a party,” he argues. “Do you remember the six-zero fine on Maddi’s head?”

“Yeah…”

“Precisely. I’m willing to share 5% of it with you.” Kole adds.

“What?! FIVE PERCENT?!” Matt shouts. His voice comically cracks once more, making Kole turn around and smirk mockingly.

“Yes. Five percent. That’s around 50 grand. Now lets go.” Much to Matt’s chagrin, he follows after Kole. He walks into an empty bazaar and makes a beeline for the polished wooden counter. He rings a rusted silver bell, and a strange man bursts in from the back room. He sprints into the store and slams his fists onto the counter.

“Hell-ooooooo fine customers. Speaking of fine….” he says, pointing to Kole.

“I’m….flattered?” the latter adds. The shopkeep shrugs.

“I don’t know. I don’t believe that. Maddi says I have to act like her in order to get by in this world.”

“She’d call you ‘fine’?” Matt asks, alluding to the shopkeepers comment.

“She’s....like that. Anyway,” Kole rubs his face. “We’re here to find out about Jackie’s and Maddi’s location. Actually, any information you have is valuable.”

“Hmm,” the shopkeeper rubs his chin thoughtfully. “Maddi comes by around ten o'clock to buy alcohol and...illegal things.”

“Ten o’clock at night?” Matt asks. The shopkeep nods.

“What about Jackie?” Kole asks.

“She swings by at around 9 in the afternoon.” the shopkeep answers.

“Perfect. That’s like, 30 minutes from now!” Matt adds enthusiastically. “Do they both come?”

“Sometimes. Maddi thinks that Jackie isn’t safe every time she goes outside...so, I dunno.” the shopkeep answers.