Task Orientated

Part 1.2

The dilapidated mansion stood in the centre of the property, surrounded by reclaimed fields of a mixture of long dead cash crops and wild growth. It eclipsed the setting sun, masking its details in a colossal looming shadow.

"Hey there," Vanessa called out.

The old man's bushy grey bows wrinkled in bemusement, as he quietly remarked, "Oh, you're a... well, it explains all the clicking sounds over the phone... Good to see you both!"

Vanessa clutches her beak, almost flustered I'd call her. But her horned brow quickly furrowed, she was clearly insulted. There would be no time to stretch out the ache in my legs, I'm going to have to keep Vanessa from coming to bear.

"Evening!" I call out, quickly hurrying over to the older man.

I outstretch my gloved palm introducing myself, "Audax Aquilla."

He met my hand shake but didn't return the favour on an introduction. "So," I began, "what exactly are we doing?"

"Aside from dealing with ghosts..." Vanessa muttered.

The old man spoke in a gruff voice, "I'm sure the chimera...."

"Vanessa," Vanessa interrupted.

"...told you on the way over... There's a ghost.... Yes... I want it gone."

"Sure?" I said, "any details you can give us about the... ghost?"

"I don't know much," he said, running his fingers through his greying beard, "I saw it a week ago, the lady, who sold me the property, saw it as well. Except, she wasn't as lucky to escape it... I also saw it shortly before you arrived, lurking about on the top floor... it'd peer outside occasionally, as it were studying its surroundings."

"So, why?" Vanessa interjected.

The old man turned his gaze towards the field, "It's been here for years, Audax. Back when I wore the commonwealth's red, we were called to the property. There were thirteen bodies, I'd guess the residing family were its first victims..."

I paused a moment, sensing a long feeling from the old man, "there's more, isn't there?"

"The first-time round," the man said, "we removed the bodies, buried them in a plot around the back, with other previously deceased relatives... then we were tasked to check the property, splitting up..." he trailed off quietly, stopping to sadly sigh.

"...only to get picked off one by one," I said, finishing the thought.

"I survived," the old man said quietly, "and did my duty reporting it to command... they did little more than close the property, and hand it off to an agent in the bank."

"So," said Vanessa, "why are we here?"

"After some under the table dealings, Audax. I got it off that agent, aside from recovering my fallen comrades' bodies..."

I feel Vanessa tug my arm. I prompt the old man to pause, gesturing with a single finger held aloft.

She quietly and irately says, "Audax, ask why we're here... please..."

"You're going to take all you can, and sell the land?" I ask, repeating the gesture to Vanessa

"Not exactly," the old man says, "once the ghost is gone, there's a safe tucked away in that house and..."

"We'll get a cut of what's insider... of-fucking-course..." Vanessa exclaimed turning away.

"Why yes," the old man said, stepping forward, "Chimera."