Hello Darkness

Chapter Twenty-Four

"What are we doing here?" Talum asks as he brushes a plume of jasmine incense from his face. It wasn't easy making him agree to let me come here, but when I started walking the two blocks to Mystic, Mystery and Mayhem, he followed.

A counter holding an old-fashioned bronze register lines one side of the small room. The shelves behind it overflow with candles, gems and crystals of every shade and color. On the opposite wall, medieval axes, knives and swords encrusted with jewels and elegant markings adorn peeling ivory wallpaper.

"Getting information," I hiss, searching for anyone who might work here, but the only person I can find is a man wearing a plaid shirt browsing the shelves on the back wall. He ignores us entirely and picks up a strange brown and gold bird mask.

"What kind of answers are you going to get from this place?" He surveys the room, lingering on the weapons.

"The owner knows something about my parents' murder. He believed my story and seemed to know more—" A door opens in the back corner of the room. I pull the sleeves of my sweater down to cover my tattoo.

A man with a three-day old shave strolls from the back room, whistling. Dashes of grey infuse his sandy hair nearly dangling in his eyes. He pauses his meandering tune when he sees us, surely looking out of place. This kind of shop certainly doesn't get many new customers, at least any with the intent of purchasing. "Can I help you?"

Talum's jaw flexes as I step toward the man. "I'm looking for Joe Ellsworth."

The man lifts his head and studies me, a hint of recognition glints in his hazel eyes. "You're Charley Beckett."

I look around, afraid someone might have heard. The man in the back sits down the bird mask and only glances in our direction before moving to another shelf. I move closer, pulling Joe to the side. "Yes" I whisper.

"It's a downright pleasure." His volume doesn't change, clearly not catching my hint. He extends his hand to me. "I'm Joe."

I give him a small smile.

"What can I do for you? You're kind of a legend around here. No one is going to believe me when I say you stopped in."

"I would appreciate it, if it didn't get out that I was here."

He pauses, surveying Talum for the first time. His body grows tense.

"I have a few questions—" I lower my voice even more, "about the night my parents died."

His eyes don't waver from Talum. "I'd be happy to speak with you, but he has to leave."

My eyes flick from Talum to Joe and back. Neither man moves, their eyes locked.

"I'll be staying with her," Talum says stepping closer to me.

"Talum, it's fine." I place a hand on his chest. His eyes break from Joe's for a split second to meet mine. "I need to do this. Please, wait outside."

By the way he works his jaw I know he wants to argue, but my eyes plead with him and he withholds. "I'll get the car and if you're not done by the time I'm back, I'm coming in."

"It shouldn't take long." I assure him letting my hand fall from his chest.

Heavy hollow footsteps echo against the worn floorboards as he makes his way to the door.

Joe's face brightens as the door closed behind Talum. "Please, have a seat." He gestures to a tiny table in the corner. "Can I get you some herbal tea?"

"No." I take a seat. "Thank you."

"I can't believe you're sitting here. The last time I saw you, you were a little girl, at the press meeting."

"That's actually what I wanted to talk to you about."

He pauses stirring the tea he grabbed from behind the counter.

"I read an article on your website. You seemed to know a lot about my father and what happened. Did you know him?"

"I knew of your father, but we never formally met."

I shift placing my hands in my lap. "How did you know all of that about him?"

"We would be foolish to think we are the only intelligent beings to walk this earth. Don't you think?" I wait for him to go on. "I've been studying the vampire culture for decades. There are many phonies, but what brought me here was the same thing that brought your father's company here. A thriving active community that they could test on."

I sit up straighter. "Where?"

"The thing with vampires is that they are excellent predators. You don't find them unless they want you to. And even then, they can wipe your memory and make you forget."

Then why didn't they do that to me? "If what you said is true, about my father experimenting on them. Then how did they capture them to test on them?"

"Ahh. They are not keen to give their secrets, but when I was able to get close I could assume it has to do with those large goggles they wear and silver. I haven't been able to—"

"Silver?"

"Yes. Vampire's aren't keen on silver. It downright debilitates them."

I swallow. "What else? If I needed protection—"

"Then I'd stay away from that boy."

The knot tightens in my gut. "Why?"

"Just a bad feeling." He scans my face. "Why all of a sudden are you curious about this? Has something happened?"

Was there really a point in hiding it from him? He already believed crazier things. "I think whoever—or whatever—killed my parents is back."

His eyes widen. "Your story was the reason I moved here. I thought for sure I'd find proof. Have you seen him?" His voice is full of excitement.

He doesn't want to help me. I am nothing more than a story to him—proof of what he believes exists. "No. He's been... threatening me." I stand, why did I think this nut-job would have any answers? "I just thought you might have some answers, but this was a mistake."

"No, Charley please stay." He stands, reaching for my arm. Right as his fingers brush my bicep, the door opens and Talum steps inside.

Talum monitors his outstretched arm and my clear attempt to leave. Joe drops his hand.

"Wait, please Charley. Take these with you. They'll protect you against this evil." He glares at Talum and moves to the shelves on the wall. Reaching into a box he pulls out a handful of purple crystals and deposited them into a red velvet bag.

Talum scoffs as Joe pulls the drawstring tight then hands it to me. I nearly scoff with him.

"Do you have a problem?" Joe's eyes narrow on Talum.

"This place is a joke. You don't know the first thing about what she's dealing with. And if you did you wouldn't hand her a bag of god-damned rocks. If you truly cared about her safety you'd be throwing her one of those weapons." He gestures a hand toward the wall. "And then you'd show her where to aim it." Talum's lips form a straight line, every one of his words laced with viper's poison.

My heart swells at his admission. He saw the marks on Eve—heard the way her voice growled. Did he believe that this could be something more?

Joe, to his credit, steps toward Talum. "Do not question my methods. They sent you running out of here."

Talum shakes his head, scoffing again. A smirk emerges on his face as he stares into Joe's eyes, leaning closer. "Charley asked me to leave and I did. Absolutely nothing in this room would make me run." He pulls back. "However, the amount of incense you use in this place is probably what's scaring all your customers away."

"Get out." Joe says through his teeth, pointingtowards the door. "Now."