I stayed for the dance. And the whole weekend for the fair, which was a whirlwind of small-town charm, meeting new people and a genuine sweetness that soothed my soul and gave me cavities.
Sunday night, I checked my email. There was no response from the mysterious individual that had sent me here. But there was several job offers from all over the country. I sat on the hotel bed, debating between a well-paying gig in California and one down in Arizona, when I got a new message notification.
The subject was "Help".
The message read : My wife and small daughter have gone missing, and crazy as it seems, I think it was the creatures that everyone says lives underground. I know it sounds crazy, but someone told me that you do this kind of thing. I never believed the stories until... well... it's much easier to explain in person.
I'll mortgage my house, but I need help quick. Please come to Texas. Tell me what I need to pay to get you here.
I frowned at the screen, before turning to the internet to try and search out the supposed stories of subterranean creatures. I knew in all likelihood it would be a human story, of cartels, human trafficking or a drug debt. But there was enough lore about monsters that pulled people into a network of ancient caves, human sacrifice and death.
I typed a one line affirmation that I would be there in a couple days and we would talk about price then, then I started packing. I left a note at the front desk when I checked out, as a goodbye, though I had no idea who and why I was writing it to.
Did I even need to?
Mawaska was in my rearview mirror by the time the sun rose.
End of Mawaska.
YOU ARE READING
Mystery Noir
Mystery / ThrillerAs an private investigator that follows where the cases lead her, Nina Westin spells off the monotony of investigating infidelity by dipping into the cases that investigate what goes bump in the night. Party Mystery, Party Horror, Part Supernatura...
