Darksun - Volume 1: Neco'ma

Chapter 15: The Gravekeeper Trials

The next day...
After a few hours of rest, Phantom took Eddie towards the coastal district known as Venice Beach, as most of the residents were still sound asleep.

 'Ugh Phantom, what are we doing all the way here in Venice at three in the morning?' asked a curious Eddie.

 Phantom was busy focusing on heading towards a particular building, 'truth is Eddie that before we begin your training, I need to see how far along your powers have developed. There's a person I helped out that can examine you with discretion. She usually works at the Venice Hotel, so that's where we're going.'

 As Phantom finally located the hotel, they headed straight towards it. The hotel in question was originally built in the mid nineteenth century. During the prohibition era of the roaring twenties, the tavern area served as a popular speakeasy. In more recent years it was the one place in LA that served as a safe refuge for those in hiding.

 Arriving very early before sunrise, Phantom knocked on the front door in a way that the person on the other end would recognise. A young woman in her late teens arrived to open the locked door. The girl had wavy light brunette hair, wore short jeans, a black singlet top, sandals, had a fully tattooed left arm and a shell necklace around her neck.

 'Hey there, I had hoped you would be here. I need a little favour from you,' asked Phantom.

 The girl was relieved to see Phantom. She then took one look at Eddie and realised what he was really asking for, 'sure, you can come in the both of you.'

 They quickly entered the tavern area and Phantom made the proper introductions, 'ah... where were my manners? Eddie this is Meyra Ruto, her family's been running this hotel since the sixties. Meyra this is Eddie Castillo, he has just become my new apprentice as of last night.'

 Meyra sincerely approached Eddie and shook his hand, 'it's a pleasure to meet you Eddie, welcome to the Venice Hotel.'

 Phantom immediately told the young waitress, 'I brought him here for you to examine him.' 

 Meyra was unsure at first but then trusted him, 'ah sure, give me ten minutes with him while you make yourself at home.'

 Eddie observed her but his attention shifted towards what appeared to be a surfboard perched near one of the doors. He curiously asked Meyra, 'so do you by any chance surf any waves?'

 As she brought out her medical kit, Meyra responded immediately, 'yeah I do surf during the summer and when I need to get away from work,' pulling out her stethoscope to listen to his heartbeat.

 To her surprise and shock, Eddie's heartbeat was at a slow and steady pace, 'did you ever have any anxiety spells growing up?' asked Meyra.

 'Yes, I did, when the bullies would deliberately tell the bus to leave before I could get on and that forced me to take the public bus. But after last night I haven't been as anxious as I used to,' Eddie answered truthfully.

 Meyra continued her examination, prodding the muscles on his arms and legs, 'well after checking your vitals, your heartbeat is steady as normal, your muscles are expanding and tensing up so this could be a sign that your strength and speed are about to increase.'

 Phantom then handed Meyra a glass of alcohol to test Eddie, 'okay Eddie, based on smell what kind of alcohol is this drink?'

 Eddie moved closer, he began to detect a familiar scent from home, 'is this rum? I kind of remember my mum getting a bottle of this rum from a relative of hers for Christmas.'

 Both Phantom and Meyra looked at each other and turned to Eddie, 'that's correct kid, it's not just any kind of rum, it's vintage-brewed rum imported from New Orleans,' answered Meyra.