Farmer's Market

we're done!

The air was cold, the dark gray sky signalling a serious storm incoming. Ichabod's instructions still echoed in Toby's head as he looked around, at the field that his group landed into, at the trees and bushes surrounding them. But more importantly, at the road on which a car, driven by Monday (well, past-Monday, to be more exact) had to appear in less than a few minutes.
   -What we are about to see here, solemnly stated Ichabod, is the death of a human being. Remember, you are unable to interact with this memory in any way. Changing what happens is impossible, but extracting certain items in a way that won't damage the memory is something only I can do.
   His face fell as he continued, thinking outloud more than actually speaking.
   -Poor girl. How old was she, even? Couldn't be older than 18. Such a shame, he sighed, shaking his head. Such a shame.
   What happened next felt almost unreal. First came a rusty little car, presumably Monday's. Then another one, right behind it. Before anyone figured out what happened, it moved next to Monday's, and- shoved it straight off the road.
   Toby winced as the car toppled over, crashing and crumbling and very abruptly hitting a tree.
   Ichabod tried to get closer, in a clear morbid curiosity, but was stopped by the Lady, who pointed a finger at the other car.
   -Watch.
   A hooded figure got out, approaching not the crashed car but a nearby hole, freshly dug. It carried a square metal case, which was then thrown into the hole and covered with dirt.
   The figure then took off its hood, exposing the face of a tired old woman.
   Lady Alligator gasped.
   -That's the farmer's wife! Something has to be in that box.
   -Why would she do this to Monday? asked Toby. There has to be a reason.
   -I remember Monday telling me she might have found out something about the cult that killed you, replied the Lady. The Lichens, I think. I just- I didn't know if she was… trustworthy. The only witness I didn't listen to, she sighed. It was late, and I was tired, and we didn't even open any papers about the case. I couldn't- I didn't put anyone as protection with her. And the next day…
   Lady Alligator shivered, taking off her hat and dropping her eyes to the ground.
   -Her face was all over the news. The second possible death from Next Over. All thanks to me.
   Salvador tried to put his arm around her, but got quickly brushed off.
   -She was a kid. Recently turned 18, I doubt she was even good at driving. A kid, who died because I was careless. And the Lichens? Hah!
   She threw her head back, and laughed. A shrill, forced laugh that drilled in the skulls of those around her, a forced, sad laugh that was only there to replace the awful sobs that would soon come after.
   And so, as the hooded figures sped off, she knelt before the wreck of the car. Her hair a red fog around her, a dead woman mourning for the death of a girl for which no one else mourned except for her own self.
   -And you know what happened afterwards? she asked, jumping back on her feet and glaring at those around her. We got them. We got the Lichens. Just a few hours too late. A few hours. Do you know how much that is when you know you could've saved someone in that time? Those hours hang on you. They weigh you down like disgusting, toxic waste. And you look back on those hours, and everything you did in them seems to be the most insignificant shit.
   -What happened to the Lichens? asked Griffin.
   -We busted them. I could tell you they went to prison if it'd help you, but the truth is we killed most of them in some sort of self defence after they started coming after my group one by one. These freaks were obsessed with the weirdest things, like "living forever". They got what was coming to them. But you know what? I'm tired of being pinned to the ground by the memory of those disgusting hours.
   She put a hand on the underside of the car, patting it gently.
   -I'm gonna make it up to you, Monday. Whatever freaks this town spawns next, and I know for sure it'll spawn a lot of them, they'll never lay a hand on you. Or you, she added, pointing at Toby. Or any kid who has the misfortune of getting caught in the middle of the town when Hell's raising. And you know why? she asked, her eyes wide open and her face lit up.
   Salvador smiled warmly.
   -'Cause I'm Lady Alligator, and I'm doing all I can to be the best damn investigator you'll ever see. And I, she sighed, her tone softening, I want the best for you guys too. And you're gonna help me with it, because you're my friends. So c'mon, Ichabod, steal those damn papers already.
***
   In the blink of an eye, they were back home. Unexpectedly, no longer in Ichabod's house. Which startled Monday in particular, as she fell from the chair on which she was resting, to the hard wooden floor of Salvador's house.
   -What happened? she asked. Did you find anything important?
   -Oh, nothing much, grinned Phillip. Just, y'know, the infamous -he gestured towards Ichabod, who took out the documents from his pocket- farm papers?
   Monday's eyes widened as she got pulled into such a strong hug that it lifted her off the ground.
   -That's incredible! Jesus Christ, what even happened there?
   -We'll... we'll tell you later.
   -So, what are we still here for, huh? laughed Griffin. The legal fancy-talk can wait. Let's go see this farm of yours!
   What followed next was… a pretty great car ride, which Ichabod wasn't so pleased about, as he insisted he could've just teleported everyone there. The only way to describe the warmth of the scene, as they all stood in front of the little house and its barn, peeking around it and looking through the windows, before finally going in, was one that you've surely heard once already.
  
   Imagine being in a field. Next to you, is a scarecrow. A young man, who we have long ago found out is named Terrible Toby. This time, he's quite happy, and so are the people around him. For one successful adventure always leads to another, and they're all looking forward to what the future holds.