Farmer's Market

Let's get some things straight

The man sat perched on the edge of the table. Blue, mesmerising flames circled his head like a halo, but left no burn. Despite all that, he was still considerably smaller and less intimidating than Salvador. Didn't make him any less of a threat.
   -Let's see what we got here, he cooed.
   In one swift motion, Bones raised his hand to quickly touch the other man's forehead, who was then filled by a soft, buzzing feeling.
   -So, he began, making motions with his hand as if flipping the pages of an imaginary book. You had a fight.
   -Get out of my memories! hissed Salvador.
   -Relax. And, Vincent, if you're wondering, that fella Griffin- not that I know who he is, he's not mad at you. He thinks it's his fault, he condescendingly continued. And he'd be righ-
   Salvador felt like his blood was boiling.
   -You're a coward, you know that? he spat. You're sitting here, with probably 2 or 3 of your minions at the door, ready to bust in if I attack you, and you think that because I'm tied up I'm not gonna do anything.
   -I'll have you know, sighed the other, none of my men are eavesdropping at the door. And I'm not going to fight you. I have important matters to talk to you about.
   -Like what?
   -You'll figure.
   From his pockets, Bones retrieved a small black box, and took out what looked like a cigarette. It was also black, with a blue sort of ash inside it.
   -You smoke? he asked Salvador.
   -No.
   Bones grinned.
   -Liar.
   Salvador picked blindly at the rope around his hands, trying to find a knot. No luck.
   -Let me help you with that, offered Bones.
   -You think I'm stupid enough to turn my back on you?
   -Then who do you think is gonna help you, huh? Come on, humor me.
   The other man begrudgingly let him go around him, trying to follow his movements with his eyes.
   Two strong cuts, and he was done. Salvador rolled his wrists for a second, before abruptly pinning Bones to the wall by his neck. Rudely causing his cigarette to fall out too.
   The smaller man raised his arms, and made an indifferent expression.
   -Come on, go ahead, he hissed. Squeeze harder, see if it does anything. It's not my time to die, Vincent. It ain't happening yet.
   Yet. Yet. That word echoed in Salvador's head as he suddenly gasped and let Bones fall to the floor.
   -You're about to leave soon!
   -Exactly. Why else would I bring you here, huh? To watch a movie? Shoot the breeze? I told you I just want to talk.
   His tone seemed to soften a bit.
   -You know the drill, he sighed. 30 years livin' time, 30 sleepin', rinse and repeat. That's the Grim Reaper cycle.
   -And? What do you have to talk about? If you're thinking of asking, no, I'm not taking over the mafia again.
   -I don't want to ask for anything! he cried out. I just- There's some things I've been meaning to ask you.
   And even though Salvador wouldn't admit it, he did feel a bit sorry for how the other's voice trembled just a little at the end. He lowered himself to where he was sitting.
   -About what?
   Bones rested his head on the wall behind him.
   -Why did you leave me behind?
   -I didn't leave you behind, Bones. You refused to go forward. That's what you didn't understand.
   -Oh.
   Bones looked like a train ran him over.
   -Oh God, he continued. I'm a creep. That's why you kept avoiding me!
   -I didn't leave because I was tired of you, I was tired of this whole thing. I don't want death at my heels anymore.
   He swallowed dryly.
   -And, when you left… hesitated Bones, you got exactly that.
   -I didn't resent you when I left, sighed Salvador. I just wanted you to respect my decision.
   -When you left, I still waited for you outside, sadly smiled the other. It was raining, and I just hoped you'd come back, he choked up. I think I called you, too. I don't even remember who came after me. I just felt two arms guiding me back inside, and the rest is a blur. It was… real pathetic, wasn't it?
   -I wish we'd kept in touch. Not in… the way we really did. I wish you knew I'm not mad at you.
   -Don't blame yourself. I wish I talked to you sooner. Now look at me! One foot in the grave, and 10 hours left at best.
   Salvador smiled as Bones placed his hand on his shoulder.
   -There's some other stuff I think I need to apologise for too, he remarked. I think I was just plain creepy throughout all of… this. I don't even know how to begin it.
   -I understand you, sighed Salvador. It's ok.
   Just for a split second, the other man's eyes went pure white.
   He slumped forward, hunched as if in pain.
   -I think this whole "hibernation" thing might be starting sooner that I thought, he winced.
   -Now?
   He shook his head.
   -Maybe we could talk for a bit, suggested Salvador. I mean… there's probably been some stuff going on around here. Bones, who's gonna lead these guys after you leave 'em?
   Bones smiled a bit.
   -Remember Kreutz?
   -That weird guy, with the- he made gestures with his hands above his head, making Bones laugh- horns and all?
   -Exactly. We got closer after you left. He's good, he'll manage just fine.
   Oh, he remembered him alright. He was… very well mannered. A mix of shyness and a strong desire to be loud and speak out, no wonder he managed to make himself second to the throne.
   -If you say so.
   -How about you, huh, Vincent? How's it going, with the big house and all? I heard you turned it into a hotel of sorts.
   -Eh, somewhere along those lines. It's like having roommates! Still have a part of it to myself though.
   -And? You got, you know- Bones nudged Salvador and made a face- anyone to "share" it with?
   Salvador felt like he just turned 3 shades redder, which he probably did.
   -Couldn't you figure it out just from going through my head? No, I don't, thanks for rubbing salt in the wound. But...it's good. I'm happy.
   -I'm- I'm glad you left. It did you good. You're softer. And I'm glad you're finally happy.
   Salvador smiled. It felt nice to have this sort of weight lifted off his shoulders.
   -I wish I changed my approach sooner, murmured the other, suddenly turning the tone of the conversation around. My time's running out, and I don't think I'm ready.
   -Don't worry. I promise, it's going to be ok.
   -You always promised that.
   -And you believed me, because at least half the time I was right.
   ***
   In a living room next town over, Monday put her hand on Griffin's back.
   -Mr Griffin, she sighed, why would you mourn over a possibly living body?
   -It's not- I'm not mourning. I'm perfectly rational. He could be dead! Do you realise how that feels? My best friend might be dying and I'm just- I'm just sitting here and not doing anything! I just don't know what to do, he groaned, muffling his own words by leaning on Lady Alligator, who has the misfortune of sitting next to him on the couch.
   The Lady wrapped an arm around him and didn't say a word. She wasn't worried, and she told them that. She trusted Salvador to get himself out of there alive. What she was occupying herself with were the papers from the library.
   -Griffin, she asked, do you know in loosely what direction they took him? Or how their car looked?
   -I told you that I don't.
   -Well then- she squinted her eyes at the documents in front of her- what in the world could we do? You've done all that you could. Now all you can do is wait. And stop chewing on those damn bandages! At least take them off, Salvador put them on your hands when when you- oh. Her face fell. Never mind, I'm sorry.
   Griffin hesitantly let his hand fall from his mouth and ran his fingers over the strips of gauze and bandaids on it. He instinctively reached over to the glass jar resting on the table, pulling it in his arms.
   -It's just hard to tell how I feel. I know there's not much to do, yet I still want to do something about this situation, but I don't know what! I feel like it's my fault without knowing why.
   -It's not, and you can't do anything more about it. If you'd want to distract yourself though, you could help me with deciphering these papers instead.
   From the other side of the room, Monday grabbed Toby by the arm and got up, leading them both in the yard. With the sound of a clink, she plopped down next to a nearby tree.
   -I've gotten tired of listening to them. All that's been talked and whined about is Salvador. Do you think he's always like that?
   -You're very rude. Mr Griffin's just… going through a weird patch.
   -He might as well be going through not only a patch, but a whole weird field! she shrugged, gesturing for Toby to sit next to her. We aren't even sure Salvador's dead yet!
   -But he might be.
   -So? Being dead's not as bad as you think. Which you should already know.
   -If this tree had any fruit in it, I'd hope for one to fall and hit you, replied Toby quite dryly.
   Monday smiled. She got up, her dress swishing around her.
   Lady Alligator opened the front door and stepped outside.
   -Kids, you're just not gonna believe this!
   They both got up and hurried inside, curious about what might have happened.
   -I think, she began, we just might have figured what's the deal with these papers. You see a few letters are just a tiny, little bit lower than the others?
   They hovered over the documents, passing them from hand to hand, and she sure was right. Just a few letters, too precise to be accidental.
   -And? asked Toby. Do they spell anything?
   -Yes, actually.
   Griffin showed him a small paper, with a few letters scribbled on it.
   -I'm afraid they can't be read, though. It doesn't make any sense.
   On the paper were scribbled "L, F, K, D, E, R, G". In a very messy handwriting, mind you.
   -Maybe it's coded? suggested Toby.
   -I'll get Marlene to help us, stated the Lady as she got up. She's the code nerd, she'll have an idea.
   And with that she was headed upstairs, from which she returned with the girl, who didn't look very pleased to have been disturbed from her own bussiness.
   -Looks like a buncha' trash to me, she said, barely glancing at the paper.
   -Come on! At least think about it.
   She squinted at the paper.
   -Might be the Caesar Code. Swap every letter with the one 3 places ahead in the alphabet.
   Toby tried calculate the letters in his head, and so did the others.
   -It says "Ichabod", blurted out Griffin.
   -Like in The Headless Horseman?
   He glared at Lady Alligator.
   -I think Salvador knew a guy, she said. Total weirdo. Don't know anything more though.
   -Well, Marlene rolled her eyes, let me wip out the Ouija Board and ask him!
   Griffin glared at her too.
   -Well, I'm done here, he sighed as he got up. I'm gonna go lay down, I feel sick.