The library, now deserted. The town itself, not deserted. Sam and Dilan, gathered. They and Sindra, gathered at the town center, mere seconds after meeting, finally speaking...
“Well you kids are pretty lucky I gotta tell yee.”
“What do you mean Mr. Sindra?”
“Most folks new around here don’t typically escape the Spotted Dragon.”
“Well it wasn’t that difficult.”
“Still yee all got lucky with the powers you were dealt but you won’t be able to take it down like that, trust me. I knew a lad once who tried to set it on fire by throwing gas on it and it just became a Fire Spotted Dragon.”
“Why burn a dragon?”
“Eh, can’t really tell ya, not very smart though I can tell ya that.”
“So how did you and Ms. Victoria meet anyway Mr. Sindra?”
“Why, I don’t really recall, memory not as good as it used to be, sorry to say.”
“Oh well, that’s fine but… we were wondering if you could help us. ONUS, like you guessed, wants us to take care of that thing.”
“Ah, heh heh, alright young lady. I admittedly don’t know as much as I should just yet, been explorin’ this town.”
“Have you asked any of the townspeople about it?”
“Townspeople? I’m afraid I don’t know any townspeople.”
“Uh… the people that live here?”
“Young man, there haven’t been any inhabitants here for over forty years.”
Both Sam and Dilan would look to each other, then back to Sindra.
“Heh, swamp gas might be playin’ tricks on ya kids. All five of ya should be a little careful ‘round here.”
Dilan, glancing at Sindra, then back to Sam, “Ah… well, Sindra, it’s been nice talking to you but we need to go find our friends.”
“Dilan, shouldn’t we find out more?”
“Oh uh, right-e-o, heh heh, I need ta go myself. Ta-ta for now kiddos,” he’d chuckle taking a walk away, Sam and Dilan doing the same back towards the bus stop.
“Why did we have to stop Dilan, we could’ve asked him more.”
“Didn’t you notice it? He said five of us… we never said anything about the five of us.”
“Maybe he met the others or saw us arrive?”
“Then why wait so long to approach us… and acting like he has no memory of Ms. Victoria? I could tell that was a lie.”
“What are you saying?”
“I don’t think the old timer is what he claims to be… something IS going on and I am determined to find out what.”
“Hmm… now that you mention it...”
“Hey, Sam, Dilan!”
Running up to them from behind, their backs turning, were the others.
“Oh, you guys!”
“Did you find anything out?”
“Did you guys meet anyone by chance?”
“No, why?”
“Sam and I met some guy claiming to be Sindra but he lied about not knowing who Ms. Victoria was… and he let slip that he knew there were five of us.”
“We also were jumped by the Dragon.”
“You found the Dragon!?”
“Like, what old guy could that’ve been?”
“Why wasn’t I told about this, I could’ve punched him!”
“We found out that there is a lot of history to this town… apparently this swamp is holy and people kept disappearing inside. We also found out that there is a treasure in the swamp somewhere.”
“And you both think that the strange activities around here are connected to that?”
“Oh without question.”
“Hmm… I suppose it’s worth looking into...”
“Like, Derrick, you want us to like, go out into the swamp? Gross!”
“We’ve got a lead and now we need to go out and check out the swamp.”
“Mmm.”
“Right!”
“Sounds good.”
“Like… whatever.”
“Alright, let’s get to it then.”
“How do we do this?”
“I’d say we need to act based on powers… none of us are really solo players so, I’d say Amber and Monte. With Monte’s speed, you could easily hit while he distracts. Dilan is similar to Amber so him and I guess Sam again. Mine are the most balanced so I can go solo… we’ll use our phones to contact one another.”
CRASH!!!
Creaking!!
EXPLOSION!!!
Crashing through the wall of a nearby building, howling like a shrieking wolf crossed with a monster of some sort, The Spotted Dragon Monster.
“Karabast!” Dilan spat.
“Wait what?”
“Something off of Star Wars Rebels, I just like the phrase Monte.”
“Like, nerrrrd!”
“Focus!”
“Run!”
Breaking apart as the creature began to charge, Dilan and Monte going right, Derrick and Sam left, Amber straight ahead, all scattering quickly into the swamp as the Dragon hauled itself to a halt, looking both ways, howling, two other figures bolting from the rubble however, covered in smoke, one darting after Dilan and Monte, one for Sam and Derrick, then the first right after Amber, all three howling the same way.
ns 18.68.41.141da2
