Chapter 10: A Brush With Death

Cole is judged by Justice, then meets Death. He is initiated into the NGP and is given a task to collect black crystals.

The brick building stands two stories high with a large wooden door at its base. Two more large ogres stand guarding the entrance. They look just like the guards at the main entrance but with different clothes and armor. Just big ugly creatures covered in scrap metal armor. They stand unmovable like gargoyle statues. The two men stop arriving at the top of the stairs.

The ogre on the right speaks pointing to Cole, “You wait here. Blazer, come inside.”

Blazer calls to Cole while entering the building, “I’ll be right back.”

Cole sits anxiously for a moment, then starts asking the ogres questions, “So, what’s this Death guy like?”

No response.

“Umm ok. So are you guys Ultrasapiens too?”

Again the guards remain silent and motionless with their arms folded. Their brows furrowed in concentration. Finally a sound behind the door breaks the silence. The large wooden door opens allowing for a beautiful young girl to step out. The ogres quickly jump out of her way. She is not tall by any means, wearing black upon black, with pale white skin. She removes a black blindfold covering her eyes. A necklace with a pure white cross dangling around her neck is the only contrast to the black. She stands a little more than half the size of Cole. Her straight black hair falls just past her shoulders. The only thing that could possibly take attention away from the necklace is her dark brown eyes in black mascara. Cole can’t help but stare as the hair on his arms stand up. Her eyes consume him, piercing into his soul. Cole has felt this sensation before, reality fading away.

Blazer’s incoherent words chime in the background causing Cole to come to. He didn’t even notice that Blazer came through the door with her. The girl glides towards Cole with grace. She pulls a black glove off her right hand, then holds it out beckoning Cole. He reaches out clasping onto her hand. His trance becomes amplified, consuming him. He can feel the girl entering into his mind. Her voice echoes in his mind, “Only God and I can judge you.”

Images feel like they are being pulled from the depths of his soul. His hopes, his thoughts, his secrets, especially his secrets. They are all up for grabs without his permission.

This girl… She has control of me. I can feel it. I can feel her presence all around me.

She’s magnetized to the first powerful emotion presented to her. Intense emotions of guilt and loss of Cole’s nephew. Visions materialize of Cole doing everything he can to save his nephew, then the solar flare hits. Cole dies helpless, holding onto his nephew with a handprint glowing on his face.

The girl's voice echoes in Cole’s mind again, “It’s not your fault… Your guilt is unwarranted. I sense your pain, yes. You needed to do more to help your nephew, but it’s not your fault. I cannot judge you for this.”

Cole feels comforted by this message. His guard loosens allowing her to move deeper into his psyche. They fall deeper into Cole’s past. A convenient store. Cole storms inside with a bandana over his face. He holds a gun to the cashier, “Give me the money!”

He grabs the bag of money running out of the store. After dodging police he removes his bandana entering the next closest store. His destination, the pharmacy. He uses the money to buy medicine for his sick nephew. Before he can get out of the store he’s confronted by armed policemen.

The girl’s thoughts flow through Cole’s mind, “Yes this is something, but also not something I can judge you on. What else do you have?”

She pushes harder to find something worthy of her, but only finds blurred colors and incoherent images.

“I can see your emotions surrounding your nephew, but nothing past that. You’re not hiding anything that I can sense, and you are just as confused about these blurred images as I am. There is something else buried deep inside of you. Something more to you it seems...”

The trance lifts, letting Cole to come to his senses. His eyes focus on Blazer standing silently with a look of relief.

Cole questions Blazer, “What? What just happened?”

“Well my friend, you just met Justice.”

The girl puts on her glove and blindfold, then shakes Cole’s hand smiling, “Nice to meet you Cole. I have to say this is the first time I haven’t been able to get a full reading. Although I can say positively you did just wake up.”

She turns to Blazer, “He’s alright. He’s telling the truth.”

She puts her arms over Cole’s shoulders bringing his ear close. She whispers, “We should do this again. Maybe we can do another reading and figure out what's going on inside you. I believe I’ll be able to help you more than anyone else here. Seek me out when you get settled in.”

She calls out to the ogre guards, “I’m ready to go home.”

The guard takes her by her arm guiding her down the stairs until they are out of sight. Blazer sighs in relief, “Man I’m glad you came out of that one.”

“Huh? What do you mean?”

“That girl... That’s Justice, blind Justice literally. She’s an Ultra too. Her power allows her to judge you by looking into your soul. You’re lucky, I’ve seen men die after an encounter with her. If you were hiding anything she would have found it and used it against you.”

“She could have killed me?! What the hell man! That shit was crazy!”

“We had to know you weren’t lying first. Nobody has woken up as late as you. You can’t blame us for checking before sending you in to see the boss alone, can you?”

“Wait, you aren’t coming in with me?”

“Naw man I’m heading home. If you’re still here, I’ll see you in the morning.”

The remaining ogre opens the door, “Death will see you now.”

Cole enters the dark entrance alone.

If I’m still here… Death will see you now… Ah what did I get myself into?!

The door shuts with a loud clunk behind him. The room opens to a large, dimly lit chamber. The walls are made of stone. The ceiling is big and domed. In the center, a lone wooden desk. A small reading lamp is the sole light in the room. Red curtains can just barely be made out covering the windows. A man wearing a black hooded cloak sits at the desk. He breaks the silence, “Welcome, please take a seat.”

Cole cautiously moves to the desk. He sits in the chair across from the hooded figure. The desk is covered with scattered papers. The cloaked man rapidly finishes signing some documents with an old style fountain pen. He puts down the pen glancing up at Cole, then gathers the papers putting them in a stack. His black hood still conceals his face giving Cole an ominous feeling. Sitting nervously in his chair Cole waits for a response. Strangely, a sympathetic voice begins, “My apologies we try to save electricity around here. I have gotten so used to sitting in the dark I forgot how eerie this must seem to you.”

The cloaked man gets up from the desk moving over to the light switch. The lights illuminate displaying a visually pleasant room. The room is littered with Victorian style furniture, impressionist paintings, and modern commodities. Tall standing potted plants stand next to the windows in contrast to the hanging red drapes. A few white roman statues stand awkwardly in the center of the room. They could have been stolen from a museum, but most likely they are just recreations. A feeling of relief comes to Cole. He tries to lighten the mood with small talk, “Those statues, are they stolen or just recreations?”

The man removes his hood then speaks in a disarming voice, “Oh yes they are definitely stolen. We are after all, the New Generation Pirates. We take what we want and leave nothing behind. Although I don’t know if you could consider it stealing since there’s nobody around to claim it anymore. My name is Ashtaroth, and who do I have the pleasure of speaking to?”

Cole is taken off guard because the man actually looks normal. A white male in his mid-thirties and quite pleasant to look at with a clean-shaven face and long brown hair. He seems harmless wearing a necklace encrusted with a black gem.

Cole stutters, “My- My name is Cole. Nice to meet you. I’m here to meet eh, Master Death?”

“Yes, well you have come to the right place. It’s ok I get it, you don’t trust me. Why should you? You know nothing about me or this place. I’d be suspicious too if I were you, but please don’t be afraid. May I offer you something to drink? You must be parched from your travels.”

“Uh, yes, yes please. Thank you sir. So you are Master, eh, Death, then?”

Ashtaroth collects a water pitcher with a couple of glasses. He sits down in his chair and pours Cole a glass, then slides it across the desk to him. Cole downs the whole glass in one go. Feeling comfortable he works up the courage to speak up, “I was a little freaked out for a moment there.”

“Oh why is that?”

“Well, first of all this has been a crazy day for me.”

“Yes I’m quite sure of that.”

“As the day went on I saw more and more crazy things. I’m quickly learning that this world is capable of anything. Then I was talking with the guys who brought me here, and they made you sound so powerful. They kept calling you Master Death. Next thing I know I’m walking into a pitch dark room staring down the grim reaper himself! When you took your hood off I full on expected to see a skull looking back at me.”

“Haha! A skull? No nothing of the sort as you can tell. As for the nickname, it just stuck. I have no control over that mind you. I guess it comes from the rules we have here.”

“Rules?”

“Yes, the first rule of our code, absolute loyalty. Loyalty to me, loyalty to the New Generation Pirates. That loyalty is to your death. To me, so to speak, hence the nickname. I must also apologize about my overzealous companions. They’re good men, but sometimes we have to resort to less than civilized means. We live in a less than civilized world after all. At least here at the New Generation Pirates we strive for it. When we encounter strangers you can understand why we have to take precautions.

“Ya, so what is this place, the New Generation Pirates?”

“The NGP as we call it, is our home, it’s my family. It’s a place where humans and Ultras can coexist. Not like those filthy humans leaving us outside to rot.”

With Death’s pronunciation of ‘filthy’ and the lines in his face, Cole has a first realization that there’s some hidden anger behind the pleasant face of Ashtaroth. He listens intently as Death continues his speech, “Once you are accepted into my family, there is no other family. Here, each member was found lost and abandoned in this world. Ultras such as yourself, waking up lost and confused, or humans no longer allowed to stay in their bunker. I’m offering you a different path. I’m offering a place where Ultras can train their powers and rise in the ranks. So yes, that is the first rule, unyielding loyalty to me. In return you will get the best of everything. Protection, food, clothes, crystals, and even women. Though you don’t need food, it’s still nice to have. I’m told that you were born today. Is this true?”

“Ya, I guess if that's what you call it.”

“My my, you must be in quite a shock right now. You are very lucky that you were picked up so early. Many tortured Ultras wandered alone for years before we found them. Here let me show you something.”

Ashtaroth stands removing his robe revealing his shirtless body. He’s in great physical shape, but more importantly his body from the neck down is covered in various black tattoos. He points, speaking, “Each one of these tattoos represents a life I found naked and shivering in the world. Each one a life I saved. Each one a life that has devoted themselves to me. Each one has decided to make a pact with the NGP.”

Cole recognizes the same tattoo design that Blazer had on his arms, two black lines coiling up the arms.

Ashtaroth steps closer raising his voice as he becomes a bit more emotional, “You don’t have to be alone, you can be with me, with us. Prove yourself and you can rise in my ranks. Prove yourself to me and join my family. Now do you want to be a part of this family? Do you want to be part of the New Generation Pirates? Do you want to lavish in the spoils? Do you want the protection that only I can offer from the harsh outside world?”

“Yes! Thank you for taking me in!” cries Cole, afraid to say anything else other than yes.

Ashtaroth’s tone turns slightly more ominous, “Not so quickly now. I haven’t decided to let you stay with us just yet.”

In response Cole feels as though he just entered an interview. He sits up proper in his chair with his hands on his lap. He replies in his best interview voice, “I was told you were going to have some questions for me?”

“Yes yes I would like to get to know you before accepting you in.”

“First of all I’m a very hard worker. I’m determined to get the job done correctly and on time. I’m very honest and I’m sure I can contribute to this community. Second, I'm a fast learner. All of my past employers would tell you this.”

“Ha! This isn’t a job interview! You definitely talk like you just arrived. That world is gone. I don’t care about who you were, I care about who you are now…”

Pondering what was just said, Cole remains silent for a moment. He crosses his arms trying to focus, “I’m sorry I’m confused. What is it exactly you are looking for to let me join you?”

“Why don’t you start by telling me about your power?”

“My power? What do you mean?”

“Well how does it work?”

“I, I’m not exactly sure.”

Ashtaroth looks down at the desk frowning. His demeanor slowly changes from comforting to intimidating.

“Oh yes indeed you did just wake up. You are by far the latest Ultra we’ve seen. The dream must be very cloudy for you. Do you even remember your dream?”

“Yes. Well, parts and pieces of it? There was a man, wearing a cloak like you actually… Umm, then at the gate something about compressing air. I really don’t remember much sorry.”

“Maybe we're going about this the wrong way. How did you use it before?”

“When I first woke up I was attacked by the drones.”

Ashtaroth, becoming eager, quickly replies, “Yes the drones, continue.”

“Then the next thing I knew they were in my face. I threw up my arm to protect myself.”

“Yes yes?”

“Then for no reason the thing fell to the ground with a huge slice taken out of it.”

“Good now we're getting somewhere. Here, let's try this.”

Ashtaroth stands up from the desk leading Cole over to one of the statues standing in the middle of the room. He positions Cole eye to eye with the statue.

“Now, just do the same thing to this statute.”

Cole stares blankly at it for a moment. He commences by swinging his right arm violently at the statue. No effect. Next he tries his left arm. Nothing. Aggravated, he swings both of his arms in a pinwheel fashion. Still nothing.

Ashtaroth questions, “Is that it?”

“I really am sorry. I told you I don’t know how I did it before.”

Ashtaroth obviously becomes frustrated hearing this. His eyebrows furll letting anger radiate from his face. He barks, “How did you even get in here? This simply won’t do. You need to leave!”

Ashtaroth pushes Cole towards the entrance. Cole knows he needs to calm him down.

“Hey hey I know I have powers. I just need some time to figure them out.”

Again but with more force Cole is pushed towards the exit. Cole throws his arms up in reaction. Ashtaroth screams, “Who do you think you are coming in here with nothing!”

Cole tries to not fight back thinking back to what Blazer said warning him not to piss off Master Death. He has a sliver of an idea to defuse the situation.

He yells out, “When I did it before my life was on the line!”

Ashtaroth instantly pauses his assault. Cole continues, “They were coming at me quick. It was like it was instinct, I did it because I had to.”

Ashtaroth intrigued questions, “We have rules where you have to prove you’re an Ultrasapien before you are allowed entrance. How did you show your power to the guards?”

“I couldn’t do it then either. All of a sudden they started yelling at me saying they were going to take me into custody as a spy or something.”

Ashtaroth’s eyes grow wide like a greedy kid eyeing down a piece of cake.

“Yes and then…?”

“Then they grabbed me and everything faded away. My vision went black. I went into some weird trance and had a vision. When I came out of it I knew I was about to blow everyone away. The man in the vision was saying something about, building the pressure...”

Still aggressive with his responses Ashtaroth quickly replies, “Yes yes that is your dream. Continue.”

“I had to pull it back or else I was going to hurt them. I… I think my power has something to do with control over the air. As the words left Cole’s lips he was discovering this new found knowledge also. Ashtaroth rubbing his hands together continues his questions, “What makes you think it’s control over the air?”

“Well first when I was fighting the drones I moved my arms and I could feel the air condensing around them into like a blade. Then… Then again when I was running I could feel the air under my feet pushing me to move faster. Then again right before I got here when the guards came at me I was compressing all the air in the area.”

“I think we are finally stumbling onto what your power is. It also seems that whenever you used your power you were under attack. Yes?”

“Ya I guess so! With the drones chasing me, and then again with the guards threatening me.”

“Good, now show me your power!”

“I told you I can’t! I don’t know how!”

“Come now. We know your power manifests itself when you are in danger. So then why don’t you just show me your power?”

“But I’m not in danger, it won’t work that way. Right?”

Again Ashtaroth’s demeanor becomes threatening as a creepy smile inches over his face. He whispers, “But you are in danger.”

Ashtaroth walks over to his desk pushing a button from underneath. A loud mechanical clank chimes from the door. Ashtaroth charges right up to Cole’s face. He’s so close Cole can feel his breath. Cole tries to counter by gently pushing him out of the way.

“Hey back up man.”

“Or what? What exactly are you going to do?!”

Cole turns to the door, but it is locked firmly. Ashtaroth, not missing a beat, steps right behind him. Cole turns to face the enraged man.

Ashtaroth whispers, “If you don’t show me your power then you are worthless to me.”

He reaches into his pocket pulling out a couple of gold rings encrusted with black gems. He slowly puts one on each hand before screaming, “Now fight me, for your life is on the line!”

With his left hand Ashtaroth pushes against Cole’s shoulder, pinning him to the wall. His lips coil exposing his pearly white teeth. Cole struggles but the strength of his foe is overwhelming. Ashtaroth reaches back with his right hand clasping the air. He opens his hand allowing a small suspended flame to illuminate, then squeezes around it making a fist. Light rays shoot from between the seams of his fingers. He lets out a high pitched scream laugh combo. His fist soars towards Cole’s face. Cole moves his head just in time so Ashtaroth’s fist hits the wall. The spot where the fist hit now glows red with molten heat. Ashtaroth growls, “Show me you’re worthy or die!”

Cole uses both of his hands to push against Ashtaroth’s chest. He reaches down deep using any energy he can muster. An intense reverberation of wind amplifies his push. Ashtaroth is forced back sliding across the floor. A wicked smile and excitement comes over his face. Again, he makes a fist causing light beams to shoot from his fist. He throws his fist towards Cole, opening his hand. Flames shoot from his hand with flamethrower levels of heat. Cole focuses the wind beneath his feet allowing him to dodge the flames with incredible speed.

Ashtaroth releases another powerful flamethrower attack. With not enough time to dodge Cole raises his hand shooting another wind blade just as he did before with the drones. It cuts through the center of the flame hitting Ashtaroth, leaving a large laceration. The concentrated oxygen causes huge flames to ignite in opposite directions. The red curtains covering the windows catch fire.

Ashtaroth looks down at his wound. His chest is cut exposing a deep laceration. It covers from the top of his leg, across to his shoulder. The separated skin stretches closing the wound, healing instantly. He pants loudly with a look of pleasure on his face. He attacks again but with both hands this time. Double flames chase down Cole. The flames bend through the air with a mind of their own.

Cole forces the air under his feet accelerating him to a much faster speed. He instinctively fights back with slashing wind blade attacks. Ashtaroth somehow increases to match Cole’s speed. Cole’s attacks have no accuracy allowing Ashtaroth to avoid them easily. With each wind blade the flames react explosively. Cole continues his assault while running from the fire in a circle around Ashtaroth. Everything but the stone walls have been ignited.

One of the poorly aimed wind blades flies past Ashtaroth and hits the stone statue behind him. It separates in half, crumbling when hitting the ground. Ashtaroth immediately stops his assault. The flames in his hands have extinguished. His posture changes so he is standing straight, relaxed, allowing his arms to fall to his side. His sights are no longer on Cole. Instead he stares intensely at the broken statue. Ashtaroth exclaims, “There it is! I see it, yes, I understand it now!”

He raises his right arm to the flames then they extinguish throughout the room. The smoke left in the room sucks into his hand disappearing. He continues with a strangely gentle tone, “Yes yes I think you can join us now. Please, come join me at the desk.”

Cole stops his attack although still leary of what ‘Death’ is planning. Ashtaroth navigates back to his chair behind his desk. He picks up his robe, dusts it off and slides it back on. He sits at his desk beckoning Cole to sit.

“What is this, a trick?” asks Cole.

“Ha! No my boy this is not a trick. You have passed my test.”

“I think I’m starting to understand why they call you Death. I don’t believe you!”

“Good! You should never trust anyone except yourself. You will do well in this world if you remember that. Although if I wanted you dead you would be already. Surely you see this?”

Ashtaroth speaks commandingly now, “Now I ask again, come sit!”

Cole hesitantly walks over pulling the chair back a couple feet. He sits staring attentively.

Ashtaroth beckons again, “You will have to move closer. Hold out your arm into the light of the lamp.”

“What? So that’s it? All of a sudden I can join now?”

“Yes you have proven your worth to me, uh I mean, you have proven you can take care of yourself.”

“You mean to tell me that was the initiation? All I had to do was show you my power?”

“Yes you have proven your power, and no that was not the initiation ritual. This is the initiation. Now that I’m accepting you into the NGP I’m going to give you a mark proving your loyalty. Just a simple tattoo. It’s a mark signifying that you are part of this clan, this family, forever.”

“A tattoo? Hey man I just got here. I’m not sure if I want a tattoo.”

“If you are going to live here with us then you have to prove your loyalty to us. This tattoo displays to everyone that you belong to this clan. With it comes my protection from the outside world, and your undying loyalty to me. Through this mark my power will protect you. Protection from other clans, and if you’re in danger I’ll be able to sense it and come to your aid.”

“Look I’m more than willing to join, but I just don’t like the idea of tats. I’ve already made my mistakes joining a gang.”

Cole rolls up his left sleeve exposing a previously burned off tattoo on his shoulder, “I just don’t want to make that mistake again.”

“Fair enough. Regardless, I have some paperwork for you to sign.”

Ashtaroth pulls out a paper and pen, then places them on the desk. Cole scoots his chair closer while questioning, “Paperwork? Post apocalyptic world and there is still paperwork?”

He reaches for the pen then without warning Ashtaroth reaches out with lightning speed. He forcefully latches onto Cole’s forearm. His eyes are wide and furious. Cole struggles but Ashtaroth won’t let go with surprising strength.

Ashtaroth exclaims, “If you don't take the tattoo willingly then I will have to force it on you! I want that power!”

Cole yells, “Stop!”

Ashtaroth becomes surprised, rigid, overwhelmed, stuck. What could only be explained as a nervous tick causes his right eye to twitch. He loosens his grip on Cole’s arm. Cole quickly retracts, rubbing his arm tenderly. Ashtaroth’s eyes are dazed, spaced apart, like he’s daydreaming.

Cole speaks while continuing to rub his hand, “Thank you. I have an idea. Let’s just pretend you gave me the tattoo. If anyone asks, we will say you already gave me one. Then to anyone who cares they will think I went through the initiation ritual. Nobody has to know. Sound good?”

Ashtaroth, still stunned in his chair, simply sits quietly. It’s as if he is waiting for something more to be said. Cole doesn’t speak, he sits sweating thinking Ashtaroth is not taking this comment well. Ashtaroth remains silent for thirty long seconds before any sign of life arrives. His eyes become focused allowing his eyebrows to wiggle. It’s as if he was a robot receiving new programming. He stares Cole in the eyes, then smiles. Pearly white teeth flash beneath his lips. Cole’s surprise by his creepy smile is eclipsed by his giggling. Ashtaroth’s giggles turn into all out bellowing laughter. A burst of deep, psychotic laughter. After his laughing fit Ashtaroth cries, “Welcome my brother! You are one of us now! I’ve always wanted a wind ability, in my, uh, in my ranks.”

“Uhh… Thanks?”

“Now you have the protection of the New Generation Pirates and I. But! Before you can be truly welcomed to our society I want you to do something for me.”

“Uhhh something for you? What do you mean?”

“Not to worry, it's just a simple task. As you might have noticed, I have an appreciation for these black gems I’m wearing. I want you to collect some for me.”

“And if I say no?”

“Then that is your wish. Although I’m sure you would do anything I ask. Now part of proving yourself with this task is doing it alone. If you do this for me then I will give you a rank in the New Generation Pirates. Depending on how many crystals you bring me, I could even grant you great power.”

“Black gems? I think I know what you are talking about. I saw some of those today when I was fighting the drones. They came out of their stomach. It was weird.”

“You probably did. We have found that the drones tend to have black crystals in their stomachs. Although we don’t know why yet. Do they eat them? Are they created in their body? We haven’t figured that out yet. Now, you must be tired. I will arrange a room for you tonight.”

Ashtaroth walks over to the door knocking three times. The sound of locks clank from outside. A large ogre opens the door leaning over allowing Ashtaroth to whisper in his ear, “Get him cleaned up. Give this youngling some food, water, and some clothes. When he’s ready show him to his room. Make sure to give him the nice room too.”

Ashtaroth turns motioning for Cole to leave, “Blazer will pick you up in the morning. I’m sure you have many questions. We will do our best to answer them. Tomorrow is the start of a great adventure for you.”

Cole cautiously passes Ashtaroth out the door. He spurts out with a quick nod, “Thank you for your time.”

He follows the two giant ogres heading down the steps. They lead him down a trail through the village. It seems the town is shutting down. Each time Cole passes a building the lights go out. The residents inside close their window shutters. After a short walk Cole is presented with a small shack. One of the ogres double the size of the door has to reach down for the handle. He pushes open the door while muttering in a deep voice, “Home sweet home.”

Cole walks into the dim room. A window allows the moonlight to easily light the area. A lone light bulb with a string dangles from the ceiling. He pulls the string to illuminate the room. A wooden chair sits in the corner. The floor is level but is nothing more than dirt. Hanging on the wall are a couple pieced together shelves made from scrap metal. One small bed sits in the corner with a spring exposed. On the bed is a dirty worn out blanket, no pillow.

Cole turns to look at the ogres giving a face that would say, Is this really it?

The other ogre opens a satchel from his belt. He pulls out a water bottle and a loaf of bread then hands them to Cole.

“Thank you for, uh, this.”

“It’s a damn waste to give it to you if you ask me.”

“Why? You don’t think I will make it through the night?”

“That too I guess. It’s just that Ultras don’t have the need for food or water. Giving it to you is just a waste of bartering material. Death likes to give the newbies food. He says it helps with the transition.”

“Ah I see.”

The ogre who opened the door unties a pair of black combat boots hanging off of his belt then hands it to Cole, “You are probably still used to the hotels from ten years ago. Realize now you must have really made an impression on Death. Normally newcomers don’t get the room with the light bulb.”

“Hey didn’t Death say I got some clothes too?”

“I just handed them to you.”

“That’s it? Just these boots?”

“Look at this hotshot.” says the ogre while elbowing his partner. “Look here if you don’t want the boots then hand them over. A good pair of boots is worth a pretty penny around here.”

Cole quickly retracts, “No no the boots are great thanks for everything!”

The ogre guards turn to leave. Cole calls out, “Hey uhh, one last question. Where is the bathroom?”

Still walking away they reply in synchronization, “Outhouse is behind your shed.”

Cole watches the ogres disappear into the night before closing his door.