Chapter 07-03

The small town of Ridgecreek had a population of two thousand people according to the sign that they passed as they drove towards the center of town. From the map view of the town Alex noticed that the main highway curved as it passed through the town center crossing paths with another road that came down from the north which curved in the opposite direction. The two roads loosely made the outline of an eye. At the center where the pupil would be sat their town hall.

To the north of the town following the curve of the road, there were five businesses, a hotel, two convenience stores, a grocery store, and a hardware store. To the south of the town hall also following the curve of the road were six identical looking apartment complexes that only differed in height. They looked as if they were dropped on site completely constructed. North beyond the town were a couple sets of housing. To Alex it looked like there was plenty of housing for the population of two thousand if not way too much.

As the duo drove through town there was a distinct lack of activity in the streets. It was night, well early morning, and the streetlights were on, but that was the extent. That was until they neared the front of the town hall. There was a crowd of a few dozen people, but as Alex parked the truck they were in the process of dispersing in all directions.

“Looks like we might have arrived just in time.” Obsidian said taking off her seatbelt once the truck was in park.

“That’s what I was thinking.” Alex said doing the same.

They got out of the truck and walked towards the front moving their way through the crowd. Near the front Alex spotted a man who was standing at the door to the town hall with his head in his hand. He wore a light blue button-down shirt that was untucked on one side and a pair of charcoal dress pants. His sleeves were rolled up to his elbows and his collar was unbuttoned a couple of buttons. His long hair moved when he shifted. It was clear that it had been affixed by product at one point in the day. His five o’clock shadow and stance screamed that his was having a bad day, perhaps week.

The man noticed Alex and Obsidian approaching and looked up straightening his back. He adopted a very official and professional bravado.

“What’s going on here?” Alex asked.

“As I’ve told your fellow citizens we are working hard to get to the bottom of what is going on. I can’t speak any more about an active investigation.” The man said.

“I am here in response to a mission request.” Alex said.

At that the man’s phone chimed. He pulled it out of his pocket and a smile almost cracked, but he was quick to squash it before it spread across his face.

“I just received the notification of your acceptance. Please, come with me.” He ushered them all into the building.

The town hall had clearly at one time been a large house. Alex marveled at the large staircase in the entrance that went up and curved to each side. The walls had old, but well cared for wallpaper that was an off white. The trim was whitewashed, and doors were a stained dark wood. Their steps echoed on the hard wood but became muffled as they climbed to the top of the steps where they took a left and then were led into a side room.

“Please, sit down.” The man indicated elaborate chairs that were positioned in front of a huge oak desk. He walked around to the back and dissolved into his own oversized chair.

Alex and Obsidian looked at each other before they crossed the room, and each sat down in one of the large chairs.

“I’ve been awake for three days straight so forgive me if I’m a little scatter brained.” The man said.

“Understandable, Mister?” Alex asked.

“Eric Johndale. Just call me Eric.” He said rubbing his face.

“Alright, Eric. Can you give us a rundown of what is going on here? The mission indicated that there are children missing?” Alex asked.

“Yes, um well,” He started taking a deep breath, “Most of the people who live in this town work in the mines. For a couple of months there were reports of strange noises and occurrences in the mineshafts. About a month ago two miners went missing. After that the town’s people wouldn’t go back to work until we figured out what happened to the missing people. Two weeks ago, children began to disappear, some snatched right off the street.”

“You’re thinking the two are connected?” Alex asked.

“God, I hope so. I don’t want to have two problems like this to deal with.” Eric said running his fingers through his hair.

“Is there anything else that you could tell us that might help?” Obsidian asked.

“That’s all I’ve got.” He shook his head, “Oh here.” He dug into his pocket and removed a small key card that was about as wide as Alex’s thumb.

“What’s this?” Alex asked looking the object over.

“That is a master key for the mine. It won’t get you into every door down there, but anywhere that I was given permission to access it will open for you.” Eric explained.

“Well that will be helpful.” Alex said putting the key in his pocket.

“I want this problem solved and I will turn over my resources to do so. I want those children home. I will also give you the location of the mine where people went missing.” Eric said. His exhausted posture driving home the truth in his words.

“Alright, well we are here to help. We will do our best.” Alex said standing up from the huge chair. Obsidian stood as well.

“Thank you so much from coming.” Eric said standing with the duo.

“Don’t thank us yet.” Alex said. He and Obsidian left the man to manage the problems that were crushing him.

Standing outside the town hall Alex and Obsidian got a good look at the small town. It was empty. Everyone had retreated into their homes.

“We should get a room and try and catch a few minutes of shut eye. We can hit the mine in a few hours.” Alex suggested looking at the hotel. It was a two-story building in which the rooms were accessible from the outside. It was designed like old motels on Earth, but this one was in far better shape and the work that went into the façade made it look much more comfortable and inviting.

The parking in the town shared many spaces between the buildings. They didn’t have to move the SUV for the night as it was already in the hotel’s lot. They walked inside the main building. There was a small café style restaurant and the counter for registration. A man was sitting behind the counter and gave a forced smile when he noticed Alex and Obsidian.

The man was older with a balding head and a woolen sweater vest. He sat up straight when Alex approached the counter.

“Good evening, or should I say good morning.” The man said still maintaining his forced smile.

“Good day.” Alex said with a nod, “We would like to rent a room for a few days.”

“Excellent! What brings you into our neck of the woods?” The man said.

“We are here on business.” Alex said.

“Interesting.” The man said. He took Alex’s phone and tapped it onto a small plate that was attached to his computer. There was a ding and a flash from the screen before he returned the phone, “It looks like Mr. Johndale has you set up to get a thirty percent discount for your stay. That will bring the room up to one hundred and thirty thread per night.”

“Book us for four nights.” Alex said with a nod.

“Right away sir.” He tapped on the screen.

-520t charged.

“Your phone will act as your key. There is also a guest code that you can send to any other phones that might need access.” The man said.

“Thank you.” Alex said and thought for a moment, “Do you get a lot of guests up here?”

“We get a fair share. Most of the people who stay here are testing the waters for a career in the mines whichever route they may be pursuing.” The man explained.

“Interesting,” Alex said with a nod. He crossed his arms, “Is there anything that you can tell me about the disappearances? A man of your position has to hear things.”

“I don’t know much. Sometimes people come in here for a late-night drink,” He said indicating the small restaurant like area, “I hear some things. Most notably they say that when a child is found missing there is bright green light coming from the mines. Take that for whatever it might mean.”

Alex pondered for a moment and finally smiled at the man. He tapped his phone on the counter a couple of times and turned to walk back out of the front door. According to the key on his phone they were in room two-thirty. He went ahead and sent the guest key to Obsidian.

“Bright green light, huh?” Obsidian asked as they walked up the stairs to the second story.

“Yeah, something fishy is going on.” Alex said tapping his phone on the door handle. There was an electronic click and the door opened right up.

The hotel room was nothing to slouch at. It was three rooms. The main room right inside the door was a living room/kitchenette area that was actually stocked with food. Beyond that there was a bedroom with two queen size beds each on opposite walls leaving a huge walkway between them. The bathroom at the far back was sink in the back wall with a door on either side. The left was the toilet and the right was the shower/bath combo.

“Can we live here?” Obsidian asked dropping down onto the bed.

“I know right?” Alex said pulling off his boots and sitting down on his own bed.

“God, I need a shower.” Obsidian said sitting up sharply. She stood up from the bed pulling her top off over her head walking towards the shower side of the bathroom. Alex was kind of taken aback by the fact that she would expose her chest in just a bra to him, but he was not complaining. She didn’t even bother making sure the door was all the way shut before the water turned on. As hard as he craned his neck though he couldn’t see anything.

Alex sighed and laid back to patiently wait for his turn in the shower.