The Moonlight Town

Chapter 3 - The Bizarre Family

The next day, Dev and Bit woke up to a bright red and pink sunrise, and a smell of bacon. As they walked down the stairs, they saw Jean cooking. "Good mornin," said Jean, without turning her back. "Hey, what are you making," asked Dev. "Just some bacon and toast, as well as some tea," said Jean, "there'll be some for y'all." "All right," said Dev. "Um, I have a question," asked Bit, "why are you doing all this?"

"Just call it basic hospitality," said Jean.

"It's just, you really don't need to do all of this," said Bit.

"I know, I know, it's just really important to me."

"Alright then," said Bit.

Jean then turned her music up. The song was a classical piece. It had been commonly used in times of peace before war, as such, it had a light melody but a hard bass line. Eventually she brought out the plates of food. The two quickly ate then said, "We'll see you around, we've got to do some investigation."

Once outside Dev started walking. "Where are we going," asked Bit. "We are chasing the first lead. We are going to go ask Bif some questions about his kids," said Dev with a light smile on his face. "Ah I see," said Bit, "Do you think he'll have any information."

"Well, even if he doesn't it will still prove worthwhile to get a read on other townspeople."

"I guess you have a good point."

"If talking with him doesn't take too long, we should head into town and talk with the librarian."

"Well I would like to see the town," said Bit.

"Of course, as do I, but we should try to follow the lead first. Anyways, when we get there, I'll talk to the father while you talk to the kids. Try to get a good read on their magic."

"Oh, but I'm not a big fan of kids."

"I know, it's just that, I want to know if the kids have the ability to break the barrier."

"She seemed pretty sure that the kids could do it."

"Well, if they did, I would still like to know which one of them."

"Ugh, I guess I'll try."

"Thank you," said Dev, with a sympathetic look in his eye.

At their destination, they noticed that the family lived in a fairly large house, especially compared to the cottage that they were staying at. Dev pranced up and knocked on the door that was twice his size. A man opened the door. He was 6 ft 5 with a long face. He wore a suit and small glasses. He had bright blonde hair, but his eyes looked dead tired. His body, contrary to his face, appeared to be fairly strong. "Hello, I'm Bif, what is your business on this fine morning," he said, sounding exhausted.

"Hi, my name is Dev and I'm a detective, this here is my partner Bit, we would like to ask you a few questions."

He sighed loudly.

"Alright then," he said as he opened the door.

He led them through the big house until they got to the study. In the other room were the kids, some of which were playing with toys, two others were reading, and one was playing a piano. They all seemed interested in the visitors that just arrived. "If you don't mind, I would like my friend here to ask your kids some questions," said Dev. "That'll be fine, they should be open to answering them," said Bif. Bit walked out of the room glancing at Dev with anxiety in her eyes.

"So, what is it this time," asked Bif.

"Well your neighbor, Jean, you know her?"

"Indeed I do."

"Well, some of her livestock have been going missing. Would you know anything about it?"

"No, but I would not be surprised if my kids know something."

"Do your kids get up to a lot of trouble?"

"Well yes, but most of the time it is just harmless pranks. They do not act maliciously."

"What about their mother?"

"She died 8 years ago."

"Can you describe your kids?"

"Well, going down by age is Marc, Genna, John, Ann, and my youngest Daniel. Respectively they are 16, 15, 13, 10, 8. "

"Oh, did she die in childbirth?"

"Yes."

"I'm sorry for your loss."

"It's quite alright we've been doing fine."

"Were you born here?"

"No, but my parents moved here when I was quite young, maybe 3 or 4. Anyways, is this relevant, I thought this case was about my kids."

"Sorry, um, how would you describe you and Jean's relationship."

"We don't talk much, but she helps out with fixing things if I ask her, and my kids almost treat her like an auntie. I also heard she is teaching them some magic, which is nice because I was never  the best at explaining it."

Dev smiled, satisfied, "I think that's it for me, where do you work in case I need to get into contact with you?"

"I work from home, collecting data on local flora and gathering it. If you need me just come back here."

Dev rose up, gave thanks, and went to see Bit. At that point, all of the kids were outside watching Bit as she gave them a fireworks show. Upon going outside, Dev said, "Hey, what are you doing?"

"Oh, I'm just showing the kids what mastery over magic looks like," said Bit.

Dev looked at all the kids, all of them had bright faces, big smiles, and dirty blond hair. Except for the youngest, who had jet black hair. "Ah cool, anyways, are you finished, Bit?"

"Oh, yes I'm ready to leave, and if we hurry I believe we can get to the library by noon."

"Well then, see ya kids, hope you have a good day," said Bit.

Upon leaving the manor, the kids all gathered around a window and watched as the investigators walked down towards the town. "None of those kids could have POSSIBLY taken down a barrier created by a trained bard. While the kids have some ability, they do not have the training to get rid of one. The only one with enough energy to take down the barrier without training is the youngest but I can NOT believe that he was there that night. Maybe the oldest but not him. All the other kids swear he was in bed that night. They do not even have the motive to do so," said Bit.

"Something is suspicious about the youngest and the father, but I can't quite figure it out," said Bit

"Eh, maybe. I'm thinking we should work on another lead," said Dev, thinking.

"Yea, you might be right. It's probably just a hunch. Anyhow did you talk to Jean about the library?"

"Yes it is apparently very old. As old as the town according to the librarian.

"How curious," said Bit.