Suburban Vampire Ragnarok

Chapter 36

After they left the Hibbert's Corner area, Dawn and Scott bade goodnight to Bernie and the other sasquatches then headed back to the motel in Yachats. Dawn suggested that they return to the town of Hibbert's Corner the next day, prior to returning home, and have a look around, possibly even talk to some townsfolk or find some sort of archives and find out more about the area. She was thinking that perhaps someone might possibly be open about the odd goings-on in the area, and would provide more information. Scott agreed, impressed by Dawn's suggestion, and even started to think that maybe bringing Dawn along wasn't such a bad idea. Besides, he had to admit, he liked her company. He really liked her company, so much so that he had to remind himself of his vow not to pursue a romantic relationship with the lovely young woman. But even though his desire was tempered it still remained, which he found both annoying and depressing.

The next morning, Dawn rose first. She had to bang loudly on Scott's door to get his attention. He took Dawn to breakfast and whined that he wasn't able to enjoy his favorite breakfast items, while Dawn consumed a short stack of strawberry pancakes, making a point to frequently mention how much she enjoyed them.

They then drove back up Route 34 to Hibbert's Corner. Driving off the route then into the town itself, Scott thought that this would have been a charming small town to raise a family in, if it weren't for the fact that every other storefront in the town was boarded over, with whitewashed windows and "property for sale" signs everywhere. He mentioned that since it was Sunday, the local library, a potentially great source of information, wouldn't be open. In fact, the Hibbert's Corner branch of the Lincoln County Library System had been vacant for several years.

"Maybe there's a community newspaper here," Dawn said as they drove down the main street of town.

"In this town? I highly doubt it. What would they have to report on? 'Yep, we're still here'? Sorry, Dawn, this doesn't look like the most exciting town I've ever—"

"There it is!" Dawn pointed to a small brick building with a sign indicating that it was the main office of the Hibbert's Corner Community Newspaper. "I told you there was a newspaper in town! And you didn't believe me. In your face, Scott Campbell!"

Chastened, Scott pulled the Mach I to the curb across the street from the newspaper office. "Well, anyway, it's closed. I really don't think we'll be able to—"

Dawn pointed at a woman who had just arrived at the front door, keys in hand. "Closed, you say?"

"I don't think she's working now, and anyway, I doubt she'd want to be bothered—"

"You never know unless you try," Dawn said as she stepped out of the car and headed across the quiet street.

"'You never know unless you try'," Scott mocked before he got out of the car and followed Dawn across the street.

"Excuse me, ma'am?" Dawn called to the attractive lady with the shoulder-length brown hair and grey sweater. "Do you work here?"

"Why, yes," the lady answered. "How may I help you?"

Scott stepped up from behind Dawn. "We're looking for information on the town here, you know, anything you can tell us."

"Okay, why?"

Scott put his left arm around Dawn's shoulders. "Well, we're looking to move in down here! Together! Yeah, me and her, we're together."

"Fine," the lady said. "Come inside. I'll make us up a pot of coffee while we're at it."

As the lady turned to open the door, Dawn glared at Scott. "Together? Really, Scott?"