Monsterhearts:The Witch Hunt Continues

**There's a sudden pounding on the door that jars Liam from his sleep.**

**Otis**: Liam! Get your ass out of bed and ready for school! **He pounds on the door again.**

**Liam**: **He let's out a long grumbling sigh.**

**There's another loud pounding on the door.**

**Otis**: LIAM... I... SA... i... d... G... e... t... d... r... **His voice echoes off into nothing.**

**Liam**: **He sits up, he tries to open his eyes a few times, and then quickly remembers that he's blind. He solemnly calls out.** Dad?

**Liam's voice jars Chris from his sleep. As he opens his eyes he sees that the room he's in looks like a medieval dungeon, and not his room at all. His bed is simply on the stone floor next to the couch Liam is sleeping in. The room is lit by a dim orange sky, far above them, and it's uncomfortably warm. Ahead of them there's a huge hole that's been blasted through the wall, beyond it is darkness.**

**Chris**: **He sits up and looks around at the strange room.** What the hell...? **He looks over at Liam.** ...Liam?

**Liam**: **He pauses in confusion.** ...Chris? **He looks down, distraught.** I ...I must've been dreaming...

**Chris**: I think I'm still dreaming... **He raises an eyebrow, slowly getting out of bed. He's in black sweat pants and a grey tank top. He looks around.** Something isn't right here...

**Liam suddenly begins to see a dim orange light, within a few seconds it comes into focus, and he can see a very blurry vision of his surroundings.**

**Liam**: I think I can see! **Against his better judgement he rubs his eyes for a moment and then looks up. The image is still blurry, but it's gotten slightly better.**

**Chris**: **He looks at Liam.** Yeah? ...Can you see that this is definitely *not* my room? **He walks around his bed towards the large hole in the wall, but stops halfway.**

**Liam**: **He looks around.** ...Yeah... Kinda... **He gets off of the couch and walks up next to Chris.** ...Where the hell are we?

**Chris**: This reminds me of that time we woke up in the hospital. **He takes a deep breath and then shakes his head slightly. He exhales and bites his lower lip.** I'll check it out. **He takes a few steps towards the hole in the wall and looks through.**

**The hole opens up into a familiar room. A decrepit old shop with empty, dusty shelves.**

**Chris**: **He looks back at Liam.** I was right. This *is* like that time we "woke up" in the hospital. It looks like we're back at that bizarre shop. **He shakes his head.**

**Liam**: We can buy more junk? **He says it with a tinge of excitement. He quickly, but carefully makes his way over to Chris, still having trouble seeing.**

**Chris**: Suppose so. **He walks into the shop and murmurs to Liam.** So how do we know this guy isn't another demon?

**Liam**: ...Guess we don't. **He runs into the side of one of the shelves, but quickly recovers. He looks back and forth and then walks around it, following after the blurry outline of Chris.**

**Chris**: **He looks back at Liam.** You alright man?

**Liam**: Y-yeah... I'm good. **He rubs his shoulder a little.**

**Chris**: **He shakes his head.** Last time we were here things were a lot simpler, and I just recklessly drank that crap down without even thinking.

**Liam**: It's ok Chris... I bought a *literal* blob of dark matter...

**As they reach the front counter there's a withered old body hanging from the ceiling with a noose around its neck. The skin is pale and dry, and its eyes are empty. It's mouth hangs slack-jawed.**

**Chris**: **He looks up at the hanging body.** ...Oh shit... **He looks around.** I think the shop keep hung himself...

**Liam**: ...Umm... **He squints at the hanging body.** ...Ugh... **He takes a few steps back.**

**The rope suddenly snaps and the body falls to the floor. A withered bony hand slams on the counter and the corpse pulls itself up, standing shakily.**

**Keeper**: **He lets out a horse voice.** A... Customer? **He coughs several times and then his empty eye-sockets go wide.** A customer! **His hands scramble across the counter before his finds the cash register. He pounds the side of it with a fist and it opens. He pulls out a pair of large gold coins and shoves them into his eyes and blinks several times. He suddenly shifts in appearance and looks like he did when they first met him. He smiles a wide smile.** Oh, it's you two! **He looks back and forth between Chris and Liam a few times. He then notices the counter is empty and suddenly dashes out of sigh, immediately reappearing and sliding back into view, setting several objects on the counter. Two pairs of green sneakers, a small pipe keychain, and a bundle of needles.** There we are! How can I help you today? **He smiles again.**

**Liam**: **He blinks several times to clear his vision.** ...Were you just dead?

**Keeper**: I'm *still* dead, actually. **He looks at them nervously.**

**Chris**: ...Why were you hanging from the ceiling?

**Keeper**: I was sleeping, you two have any idea what time it is? **The edge of his smile twitches slightly.**

**Liam**: Oh... **He looks a little uncomfortable.** ...Kay...

**Keeper**: I'll throw in a special *fifth* item as a bonus, how about that? **He pulls a small crumpled piece of paper from his pocket and uncrumples it, then flattens it out on the table. It looks really old.**

**Chris**: **He looks at each of the items.** You know these had tags on them before. **He picks up the green sneakers.** How are we supposed to know what they do?

**Keeper**: Oh... Well all you have to do is ask. **He looks at the shoes.** For instance, that item in your hand there, if you wear them you'll never lose your balance! And as long as you land on your feet, you can leap from any height without suffering injury! And for this *one time only*, the two of you can purchase a matching pair!

**Liam**: **He walks up to the counter and picks up the other pair of green shoes.** ...I'm not sure I like the green... They don't come in any other color do they?

**Keeper**: Uh... Heh... Heh... **He scratches the inside of his collar.** ...Not in any multiverse that I know of... Heh... **He looks at Chris.**

**Chris**: Well I like the green. **He lifts his barefoot and presses it to the bottom of one of the shoes.** Can I try them on to make sure they fight?

**Keeper**: Oh! They perfectly mold to fit your foot, I guarantee that they will be the most *comfortable* pair of sabatons you'll *ever* wear.

**Liam**: **He raises an eyebrow and puts the pair he was holding back onto the counter.** Sabatons?

**Keeper**: Boots... Shoes... Sneakers... Same thing... Heh... Heh...

**Chris**: **He puts his foot inside and puts his weight on it. The shoe is surprisingly comfortable.** ...Well I'll be... They are comfy, even without socks. **He looks up at Liam.** You don't want 'em?

**Liam**: I'll buy them... It's not as if I'll actually be able to *see* the color anyway...**He picks up the shoes again and takes a deep breath.** It'll also be nice if I'm not tripping and falling all over the place while I'm walking down the street. **He bends down to put them on.**

**Chris**: **He puts the other shoe on his foot and looks up at the Keeper.** I'll take this pair then.

**Keeper**: **He's at the cash register. It makes a dinging "cha-ching" sound.** Sold! *Keep your feet on the ground!*

**Liam**: **He picks up the little keychain and squints at it.** ...What's this do?

**Keeper**: Don't hold it so close to your face! **He grabs Liam's hand and pulls it away. The keychain suddenly forms into a three-and-a-half foot lead pipe. He breaths a sigh of relief.** Close one... **He lets go of Liam's hand.**

**Liam**: **He grabs it with his other hand, as the pipe is pretty heavy.** What the hell?

**Keeper**: It's a little pipe keychain, that turns into an actual pipe! Convenient for self-defense *and* self-offense... Or... Other... Not-self offense... You know what I mean...? **He smiles nervously.**

**Chris**: So it's a keychain that turns into a weapon... That's pretty useful.

**Liam**: Hmm... **He looks it over.** Well... I could use something like this... And it's easy to carry around... **He nods and then turns away, swinging it a few times.** It's kinda heavy.

**Chris**: **He looks at the bundle of needles.** I hesitate to ask... But what are those?

**Keeper**: They're adrenaline shots. Inject them, and you get a real *rush*. Limited three shots, three uses.

**Chris**: **He raises an eyebrow at them, then looks to the end of the counter with the old slip of paper.** What about that... "Bonus" crumpled up piece of paper?

**Keeper**: When you're under direct starlight, your supernatural powers become stronger! **He nods several times.**

**Chris**: I think I'll buy that too. You don't mind, do you Liam? **He looks over at Liam.**

**Liam**: **He swings the lead pipe like a bat. His stance sucks since he's never really played baseball.** Nope. Can't see the stars.

**Keeper**: **The register rings.** Thank you very much. Just pick up the paper and read what's written on it, out loud, and you'll permanently gain the effect!

**Chris**: **He walks over and picks up the paper.** ...Among the sleep she sends her few?

**The writing glows white for a moment, and then the paper suddenly falls apart into dust. Chris feels a strange tingling sensation.**

**Liam**: **He looks at the keeper. Holding the large pipe in front of him.** So how do I shrink this thing?

**Keeper**: You just have to *want* to. Simple as that. **He nods.**

**Liam**: **The pipe instantly shrinks back to a keychain.** ...Huh. I'll take it.

**Keeper**: **The sound of the cash register rings out.** *The most powerful weapon in video games.*

**Liam**: **He looks to the Keeper.** ...What?

**Keeper**: Congratulations on your purchase! **He smiles.** Only one item left... **He looks at it.**

**Liam**: I don't think I can afford it... Actually... **He scratches the back of his head.** I'm not even sure how I know I can't afford it, now that I think about it.

**Chris**: I'll pass... Drinking rainbow moonshine is one thing... But needles... Think'n that's where I draw the line...

**Keeper**: Well then, I'll have another shipment of items coming in on Monday! Until then, thank you for your patronage! **He smiles a wide smile.**

**Chris**: **He looks over at Liam and shrugs.** Let's go I guess.

**Liam**: **He nods, the pipe springs to normal size in his hand as he turns. He swings it once and then shrinks it to a keychain.** Cool.

Saturday August 23rd, 5:15 PM
Slaughterhouse Canyon, Chris's Room.

**Chris hears a voice speaking to him, it slowly wakes him from sleep.**

**Agatha**: **She shakes him lightly.** Master Chris... It's time to wake up.

**Chris**: **He yawns and sits up slightly. After a moment he looks over at Agatha.** ...Agatha?

**Agatha**: You've been sleeping for some time now. **She's standing over him.**

**Chris**: **He sighs and puts the back of his forearm over his eyes.** What time is it?

**Agatha**: You slept for nearly thirty-six hours... It's five in the afternoon, Saturday.

**Chris**: **He pulls his hand away and immediately sits up.** What?!

**Agatha**: Calm down, Master Chris... After what you've been through, you needed the rest. **She nods slightly.** How are you feeling?

**Chris**: ...Pretty good actually... **He looks around his room, seeing that it's normal.** ...I've been asleep for almost two days? **He pauses, the events of that night rushing back to him.** ...Nemo... What... Was that thing? The huge thing that attacked that... Fire demon... Or whatever the hell it was...

**Agatha**: **She looks down.** I'm sure you have a great deal more questions, Master Chris... **She looks back to him.** Lady Natalya told me to keep my distance while you went through these... Changes. She wished you to find your own way.

**Chris**: **He looks away from her.** Are you supposed to be telling me this?

**Agatha**: Oh yes, it's quite all-right. Lady Natalya... So far as I can tell, seems... *Pleased* with you after what happened that night.

**Chris**: Really? **He looks back to her, almost with a stunned look in his eyes.** She seemed really... Pissed... That night...

**Agatha**: She wishes to speak with you, so go on and get dressed and head to your mother's room.

**Chris**: **He looks down, wondering what she wants to speak about.** ...Where's Liam?

**Agatha**: I set up one of the guest rooms for him. I watched what he did that night. He saved your life. So far as I'm concerned, that's enough to earn his place here. Now get dressed, your mother has been waiting for some time, don't waste her good conscious. **She turns and heads for the stairs.**

***A few minutes later...***

**Chris**: **He knocks on his mother's bedroom door several times.**

**Natalya**: **Her voice slithers through the door, only slightly muffled.** It is open.

**Chris**: **He gulps with anticipation, then grabs the doorknob. He opens the door and walks into the room, shutting the door behind him quietly.** ...Mother? **He looks for her as he walks in.**

**Natalya**: **She's standing at the back of the large room, looking out a pair of large glass doors that lead out onto a balcony. A dim pinkish-orange light shines in from the setting sun. She turns and looks at him, she's wearing a simple long black dress.** ...You've undergone your second shedding.

**Chris**: **He looks at her strangely and looks himself over, making sure that he doesn't have a bunch of dead skin hanging from him again. When he sees that isn't the case he looks back to his mother.** ...I don't understand.

**Natalya**: Orion already cleaned you of your old skin, while you slept. **She looks Chris up and down.** So few go through the second change...

**Chris**: **He feels a little uncomfortable, thinking of Orion pulling off all his skin and cleaning him while he was asleep. He scratches his arm and bites his lip.** ...You're not mad at me anymore?

**Natalya**: My disappointment has abated, if that's what you mean. However you must still complete your trail, should you wish to save your friend, and if you fail that trial... **She narrows her eyes.** My generosity will wear.. *Thin*.

**Chris**: ...Is... That why you wanted to talk to me? Because... Of the change?

**Natalya**: No. I invited you into this place, because you are becoming ever-more a part of this family. As such, you may ask of me three questions, and I will answer all three truthfully.

**Chris**: **He looks at her strangely.** ...Any three... **He looks down. This has obvious caught him off guard and he gulps a little, feeling unnerved. After a moment of thought he looks back up to her.** What are you going to do with the Gates on the land you're buying?

**Natalya**: **She looks to Chris staring at him.** You know of that?

**Chris**: **He looks down as she looks to him, so that he doesn't meet her stunning gaze, and he nods slowly.**

**Natalya**: You are learning quickly then... **She turns and looks outside.** ...I seek to buy them all, and control them. Keep them under my supervision. This place is a wilderness of supernatural influence. I will make sure that it doesn't stay that way. Someone needs to bring control to this chaos, this is a good place to start.

**Chris**: **He takes a deep breath. He wants to ask more about the gates and what she means, but he doesn't want to waste another question. After a moment he looks to her again.** What was that... Giant snake that I saw last- The other night, in the rain.

**Natalya**: The summoned a hell-spawn incurred my ire and appetite. So I went forth to aid you... To put it more concisely... The creature was *me*.

**Chris**: **His eyes go wide and he takes a step back.** So that really was you then...

**Natalya**: Our family is capable of feats that mortal men can hardly comprehend, nor should they have to. In the days of old, mankind was steeped in superstitious belief and religion. They feared what went bump in the night and they raised arms against it... However modern humanity is comfortable living in ignorance and I've come to believe that they should remain in their obliviousness. So I keep my nature secret from them, as should you. Not out of fear, but out of power. Knowledge is strength, and what they don't know, makes them *weak*... Do you understand?

**Chris**: **He looks down. On some level he knew that the creature he saw was his mother. Though he feels ever more unsettled, he smiles a little. His mother protected him from harm.** I understand... Thanks... For saving me.

**Natalya**: **She continues to stare out the window.** ...Your final question?

**Chris**: **He asks this one without thinking much, it just kind of slips out.** Do you love me? **He looks up at her.**

**Natalya**: **The question catches her ear and she turns to look at him. It almost seems as if she's caught off guard.**

**Chris**: **He defiantly stares at her, standing his ground and doing his best not to wither under her gaze.**

**Natalya**: **She looks away from him, and looks down at the floor. She seems genuinely conflicted by the question. She responds with an uncharacteristically warm, soft, tone.** ...I am unsure what I feel... **She narrows her eyes and looks back to him.** I do not want you to be harmed or killed. I have a need to protect you... **Her voice turns dark again.** -but that doesn't mean I have a need to keep you safe from *me*. **Her voice returns soft and almost motherly once more.** Everything I've done was to help you become stronger. To help you stand on your own against the horrors you have, and will continue, to face. **She looks away from Chris.** I am... Happy, to see that even in your human weaknesses, you are becoming strong. I am unsure if it is love that I feel... Though watching you fight against that warlock... It filled me with... Pride. Even in the face of death you were willing to stand defiant...

**Chris**: **He smiles a little. Her response was better than what he expected.** I'm sorry for making a deal with Nemo... I was just... Scared.

**Natalya**: Your apology isn't needed. I suggest you get back to what you've been doing. The clock still runs against you, and you've not much more time. Pride or not, we had an agreement. Fail your trial and you fail me. **She looks back outside.** Don't disappoint me, my son.

**Chris**: **He nods quickly and walks out of his mother's room without wasting another moment, shutting the door behind him. He moves quickly, feeling like he's wasted far too much time sleeping, he scrambles down the stairs and heads for the guest rooms to find Liam.**

**On his way across the foyer Chris notices that the front door has been partially repaired, but looks like it's still going to need more work to get it looking like it was before. As Chris enters the ballroom on the way to the guest rooms he can hear Orion and Liam talking.**

**Orion**: **He's sitting at one of the tables eating dinner with Liam and Agatha.** So they keep you from losing your balance? **They're eating corn-beef sandwiches with some mashed potatoes.**

**Liam**: **He's he nods as he eats.** And supposedly if I fall from any height, they'll keep me from being hurt if I land on my feet. **His bandages have been removed from his eyes, and has really dark sunglasses on instead. He sounds solemn, but at the same time like he's trying not to be sad.**

**Agatha**: I once knew a boy in grade school that swore he had a pair of boots that let him walk without ever becoming tired. **She's eating her sandwich with a fork.** He ended up running away from home, so perhaps it wasn't a total fabrication...

**Liam**: Is that Chris? **He looks in Chris's direction, hearing his footsteps.**

**Chris**: How'd you know it was me? **He smirks slightly as he walks up to the trio.**

**Liam**: Agatha and Orion are here already, and today I realized that your mom doesn't make any noise when she walks... It's kinda scary.

**Agatha**: I'll prepare you a plate, Master Chris. **She wipes the edge of her mouth and stands up, making her way out of the ballroom.**

**Chris**: Thanks Agatha. **He looks back at her for a moment before looking back to Orion and Liam.** How are you two doing?

**Orion**: Well enough. Me and Liam have been working out the layout of the house so he can walk around unassisted.

**Liam**: I've got the path down between my room and your room well enough... **He nods slowly.** The stairs are difficult though. I'm still trying to memorize how many there are...

**Chris**: How are you feeling Liam?

**Liam**: The police finished their inspection at my house, so they said I could go back... Agatha took me home today, and I got some of my things... She said it was alright if I brought Sunny back here. Agatha seems nice...

**Chris**: Sunny? **He looks to Orion in slight confusion.**

**Liam**: My cat... She keeps me company sometimes.

**Chris**: **He scratches the back of his head.** Oh.

**Liam**: She's friendly... But really fat. **He smirks.** So she doesn't move much... I'll look after her.

**Agatha**: **She walks in with a small plate of food, setting it on the table.** Sit, eat. You haven't eaten in more than a day. **She sits back down and goes back to eating.**

**Chris**: Thanks Agatha... **He sits down and grabs half of the sandwich, taking a bite from it.**

**Orion**: The police were here. That woman from the hospital. Bishop, was investigating the "Explosion" that took place here Saturday night. Natalya managed to convince the lot of them that it was a liquid propane tank that burst. No one intimidates like your mother... **He shakes his head.**

**Chris**: So the cops bought that? **He takes another bite. He's actually starving.**

**Orion**: I think they were just happy enough to get *away* from her by the end of the night.

**Liam**: I think I know that feeling. She scares me... At least she can't paralyze me with that terrifying stare anymore... That must be the single benefit of being blind... **He lightly taps his fork over his plate a few times before he finds another piece of food and eats it. After a moment he pauses and listens.** Wait, she's not here is she? **He says it with obvious worry.**

**Orion**: Heh... **He shakes his head.** She's up in her room...

**Liam**: The Detective called earlier, said he wanted to talk with us. **He nods.** Now that you're awake maybe we can head down there? Maybe he found us a witch... Or... I should say *another* witch I guess...

**Chris**: What? We need to go talk to him now, we're running out of time. **He takes a few more quick bites, stuffing his face. He stands up, speaking with his mouth full.** Let'ths guoh! **He turns and runs for the stairs to head up to his room and get his keys.**

**Liam**: **He tilts his head and listens to Chris run off.** ...Did he just leave me?

**Agatha**: I'll help you to his car. **She stands up and walks around the table to Liam, she puts her hand on his shoulder.** Ready?

**Liam**: **He stands up and grabs her hand.** Yeah.

***About twenty minutes later, at Murdoc's...***

**As Chris and Liam walk into the office, they can hear yelling from down the hall.**

**Odie**: Absolutely *not*!

**Murdoc**: Well you guys are running outta options Odie, I don't know what else to tell you.

**Odie**: Even if he is, you're insane if you think I'm going to put him in that kind of danger after what happened to Leena! I'm not pulling him into this. Find someone else!

**Liam**: **He's listening intently as they walk in.** Who is that? Sounds familiar... Odie?

**Chris**: I think so. **He walks ahead, making sure Liam is following behind him ok.**

**Liam**: **He follows the sound of Chris's footsteps.** Don't let me tri-**The edge of his foot catches between the floor boards and he nearly falls forward, but suddenly stops, instantly catching his balance somehow.** ...Alright these shoes were a good investment.

**Chris**: **He smirks, looking at Liam.** You alright?

**Liam**: Yes. **He starts walking normally.** Yes I am.

**Odie**: **He peaks out into the hall, having heard Chris and Liam.** Hey, you're here. **He doesn't sound as up-beat and friendly as he normally does.** We were just discussing your witch... **He goes back into the office.**

**Chris**: **He and Liam reach the office.** ...And? Any luck?

**Murdoc**: **He taps a cigar against the top of his desk.** Depends on your definition.

**Odie**: What happened to the other one, the one that was with us at Pinesview.

**Murdoc**: Earliest she can get out here is sometime next weekend.

**Chris**: That's too late. *Way* too late.

**Liam**: Did you tell her what the situation was? **He just stands there, looking down at the floor as he speaks.**

**Murdoc**: I tried to convey it as best I could, but she's unable to make the trip due to rather *unique* circumstances.

**Chris**: There's no one else?

**Murdoc**: Well there's-

**Odie**: No. Not anyone that I would want to bring in, and I'm going to put my foot down on this one. Which is something I've *never* done before. **He looks at Murdoc sternly, then looks back to Chris.** We'll find someone else.

**Liam**: We have like... Three days Odie... If even that... Nemo said we had less.

**Chris**: I don't understand... What's going here?

**Murdoc**: We have a possible candidate, but Odie doesn't want him included in this due to past... Tragedy.

**Chris**: Leena? **He heard her name when they were coming in.**

**Odie**: You've heard of her? **He looks to Chris.**

**Liam**: **He murmurs to himself.** Leena... Leena... **The name sounds familiar but he doesn't know if he knows who she is.**

**Chris**: I saw a picture of her in Leo's wallet.

**Murdoc**: She was Leo's girlfriend, and she was murdered a little over a year ago.

**Odie**: She wasn't just murdered, she was *sacrificed*, to bring back another witch from the dead. **He looks from Murdoc with annoyance.** So we're only going to bring in this other kid as a last resort. Understand? Once we've dried up all *possible* leads. **He looks back to Murdoc.** I'll speak with him.

**Murdoc**: **He shakes his head.**

**Chris**: Well who else could we ask? What about the twins? Have you contacted them yet? Maybe they know someone.

**Odie**: They wouldn't know anyone we don't.

**Liam**: They're not witches? What are *they*?

**Odie**: Marked Ones, like me. That's what people who have demonic powers are called.

**Chris**: What about their family? Their parents? None of them know anyone?

**Odie**: **He looks over at Murdoc.** ...Well...

**Murdoc**: **He shakes his head and lights his cigar.** Well I need a drink. **He pulls out a bottle of scotch from behind his desk and undoes the cap. He pours a little of it into the cap and takes a quick swig before screwing it back on.**

**Odie**: The Twin's grandmother is worth a shot! We have to try!

**Liam**: Wait, the Twin's grandmother is a witch?

**Odie**: I'm not sure if she is, but she's... Something. It's worth talking to her.

**Murdoc**: She's locked up tight in an asylum Odie.

**Chris**: **He looks down, thinking for a moment.** Well... Asylum or not... I'll do whatever it takes to speak to her. If Odie doesn't want to bring in this other guy, I'll respect that for now. Last time I didn't listen to him I almost got my arm burned off.

**Liam**: Why is she in an asylum?

**Odie**: ...Uhh... She's had some problems... Integrating with normal... Society, so she checked back into the Riverside Asylum about a year or so ago.

**Chris**: ...Wait, she checked *back* in? As in, she was in the Asylum *before*?

**Murdoc**: She's a spooky old woman. Only spoke to her once, but she chilled me to the bone.

**Liam**: Did she check herself in?

**Odie**: Yeah, I think so.

**Liam**: Completely insane people don't usually do that... She must not be too bad off then... Right? **He sounds a little hopeful.**

**Odie**: She was weird... But... **He shrugs.** ...She's always been nice to me and my brother.

**Chris**: Just keep in mind Odie... We're running out of time here. If this woman doesn't want to help us... We're going to need anyone we can get.

**Odie**: **He looks down and sighs.** ...I know...

**Murdoc**: Well if you're really going to go through with this, you're going to have to wait until tomorrow. That's almost an hour's drive, and there's no way they'd let in visitors this late...

**Chris**: **He sighs.** Well... Give me your address and I'll drop by and pick you up in the morning Odie, we'll head there first thing.

**Odie**: **He smiles a little, obviously glad that Chris isn't mad with him about this.** Actually, can you give me a ride home? I think the buses stopped running, and you'll be able to see where I live.

**Chris**: Yeah... Maybe you can tell me more about this old woman on the way... **He bites the inside of his lip.**

**Murdoc**: Before you go, Chris... A heads up, try to steer clear of Officer Bishop from now on, alright? I spoke with her this morning, and it's obvious that you're on her bad side, which is somethin you just don't want.

**Chris**: **He lets out a bit of a groan.** Yeah... I figured she didn't like me. I kind of mouthed off to her back at the hospital... **He shakes his head.** I figured that'd come back to bit me in the ass... Seems like she's looking for excuses to arrest me.

**Murdoc**: Well I gotta say, you're makin it *real* easy for her, from what I've heard.

**Chris**: Thanks Detective Murdoc... I'll try to keep a lower profile.

**Murdoc**: Well good luck kids. Meet up back here after you speak with the asylum inmate... Maybe we can set up a game plan depending on the outcome... **He shakes his head.** And when you meet her, play nice, alright? ...Odie'll give you the rundown as to why she's not someone you wanna threaten or piss off.

**Liam**: Man... Can't we just catch a break for once and meet a really powerful *nice* person?

**Chris**: I don't think it works that way... **He waves at Murdoc.** Thanks again Detective. **He heads out.**

**Murdoc**: I'll pull an all-nighter, make some calls to Vegas, see if I can't get a witch from Nevada down here. Until then, seeya.

**Liam**: Seeya Detective. **He pauses, then says solemnly.** ...Or... Not... Bye... I guess. **He turns and walks out of the office.**