#toguideadevil

Kent’s face contorted to hide his frustration. He stood smiling before the client who was asking for a trip outside of the city. The job that Pollock had offered him was none other than a driving gig and he wasn’t sure how to feel about it.

“I know that our services are quite lenient, but even we remain within the bounds of the city,” he said, maintaining his reluctant smile.

“I need to visit my family, and none of the other services are willing to accept,” continued the client. “Won’t you have it in your heart to drive me there, I’ll even pay extra.”

Another employee walked behind Kent. He was a slim man with long hair who had a recognizable metallic scar by his eye. Having listened to the whole situation, he had a general grasp of the situation.

“What is it, Lyon?” asked Kent.

“You haven’t been with us for long, so just let me handle the case,” said Lyon. “Tell Warren that I’ll be gone for a couple of hours.”

Kent walked behind the counter and waited for another customer to roll by. He watched as Lyon took the client into the company car and drove off.

“That frivolous asshole actually took the request.”

Seeing as no one else was coming for a bit, Kent took the moment to adjust the military bracelet he had on. It was still in good condition, but he had a habit of messing with it regardless. He was so absorbed in his tinkering that he didn’t notice when Warren walked up to him.

“What’s got you in a twist?” asked Warren. She tapped his shoulder, making Kent jump slightly.

“Do you all have to sneak up on me?”

“We did no such thing,” said Warren, whistling away.

Kent sighed. He had noticed that Warren in particular rarely ever made a sound when walking up to someone. It had brought him many frights by now and he saw no end to them in the coming days.

Is it a feline trait?

“More importantly, have you seen Lyon?” she asked.

“You just missed him; he took a client’s request for a drive outside of the city.”

“That little…” cursed Warren. Her expression clouded as she thought of a way to get him back. “He told me he would help with the other worker’s information update sheets. Their due dates are getting close and I need a hand. Since you’re here I may as well make you do it in his place.”

“Is it really wise to make a new worker do this?” said Kent.

“Maybe not, but you’ll have to eventually.”

“Alright, I’ll call someone to cover the front.”

Kent spent a lot of time ensuring that the papers were accurate, and when the two finished, he was handed a silver case with multiple layers.

“Here you go,” said Warren. “Just deliver them right into the municipal office.”

“Is there a need for the case?”

Warren stood shocked for a moment. “Right you haven’t lived here long. Vampires tend to be an annoying bunch, so most government related matters are handled with silver suitcases to prevent losses of valuable information.”

Kent grabbed the suitcase and turned on a car. Suitcase at his side, he went on his way to the office. The dark road gave him an eerie feeling, but he pressed on.

“It should be right around here,” he muttered.

His sideview mirror suddenly showed a trailing car behind him. Its high beams nearly blinded him, and he had to switch lane only for the car to follow suit.

“No mistaking it now, I suppose,” yelled Kent, a grin of excitement growing across his face.

He stopped the car. The other did the same. Both got out to stare each other down.

“You’ve got guts for a human,” said the girl who came out. Her long fingernails gave Kent a bit of worry, but they confirmed his suspicions. This woman was a vampire.

“What about you? Quite classy, driving a car despite being a vampire,” said Kent.

“O ho, you’re quite cheeky.”

“It runs in the family.”

A silence grew between them. It was an unnerving stillness that Kent was all too used to. He touched his bracelet and it transformed into a gun.

“Neat little thing you got,” she said, her nails growing longer. “But it won’t save you.”

Kent fired a shot into her arm. She recoiled but brushed it off. Charging in, she slashed at him and Kent rolled back. He tackled her, firing a shot right at her heart. Her movements stopped and he stood back up, turning the bracelet back.

“A lower vampire shouldn’t try and fight me. I’ve killed more of your kind than I can count.”

Going on about his way he delivered the papers and returned to his spot in front of the counter. As he waited for any stragglers to come in a final customer walked, but he felt different than the rest. For one, he was a dragonnewt, and his golden scales made him out to be a major bloodline.

“That was quite the show you put on back there,” said the dragon.

“I aim to please,” said Kent. “What may I help you with today?”

“I’d like a little escort.”

“Where to?”

He smiled.

As the sounds of trolleys and vehicles roared behind, Kent walked up the steps of a decaying porch, hesitating to open the door before him. He took a deep breath, smiled, and knocked loudly. He heard a squeak behind the door along with some shuffling. The door opened to reveal a middle-aged woman of the vulpos race. Her bright orange ears twitched at the sight of him, but what caught Kent’s attention the most was her legs and the wheelchair they were on.

“It’s been quite a few years,” said the woman.

“So it has, Elma.”

“Please come inside,” said Elma.

Kent entered the house, met by a surprising mess. He knew she had never been one to clean, but the amount was shocking even by her standards. Shoving aside stacks of papers, Kent managed to find a chair in the dimly lit room.

“How has work treated you?”

“It has been less entertaining ever since you left, but otherwise it’s been a nice —” Kent caught Elma. “Need help with that?” said Kent. He reached for the bowl of sweets Elma had tried to reach.

“Would you like one?” offered Elma.

“No, thanks,” said Kent.

“Still don’t like sweets, huh? Well, I’ll get to the point about why I wanted you to come here.” Her voice became softer. “I am dying.”

“Never been one for subtlety, have you?” said Kent, his voice quivering.

“As you know, my whole life I’ve lived with little Abner here in my soul as my contract. But they take your life slowly and if I don’t transfer him to someone else, then I myself will fall in a matter of months, maybe even less time.”

Elma reached for her chest and a wisp of black smoke emerged. It twisted itself until a little flaming bear cub appeared in its place.

“He’s quite the devil, but I think you would be able to handle him,” said Elma. She petted the cubs head, unaffected by the fire.

“Elma—”

She raised a finger, silencing him.

“I know we’ve had this conversation before, but for your job…”

“This is what I was trying to tell you about,” said Kent, “I quit the job.”

“My… I didn’t think you would,” she chuckled. “What am I to do now? No, before that, what are you going to do?”

“I’ll try and find a more down to earth job here,” said Kent.

“I bid you luck, but do you know how difficult it is to get a job here? Even my dear genius brother has had a tough time,” said Elma. “My goodness, if you wanted to leave the business Santa Monica would have been a better city.”

“Nothing I can do now, the money’s spent and I can’t afford a trip that far.”

Elma was shocked at his brazenness. She let out a hearty laugh.

“You never cease to amaze me Kent,” said Elma, trying to stifle her laughter. When she finally settled down, she continued. “I guess for now my proposal has been turned down.”

“Sorry to turn you down even if the contract is reaching its limit, but there are still things I want to do and a spirit taking my life isn’t exactly on that list,” said Kent. He tried to touch the cub, but the heat quickly made him retract his hand. “Still, I really do want to help you.”

The door opened from behind them and Pollock walked into the room. Without noticing either of the two, he walked over to the fridge and grabbed a half-eaten sandwich. It wasn’t until he felt a pair of eyes on him that he turned and realized that there was a guest. He hurriedly downed the sandwich and walked over to Elma.

“My apologies, I hadn’t noticed anyone,” he said. “The name is Pollock. I take it you’re Kent.”

“That’s me alright,” said Kent.

He reached for a handshake, and Pollock quickly took the hand and just as quickly vanished. Moments later he returned without a case at his side.

“Will he be taking the spirit?” asked Pollock.

“No, he won’t,” said Elma.

“That’s to be expected, but what will happen to you? We can’t afford to wait, and I’ve told you before that I could take it,” said Pollock.

“You will not. The spirit needs a strong will and I’m afraid that you can’t yet,” said Elma sternly. “Instead lead him around, he’s going to be needing a job soon anyways.”

“I got it.”

He stood up to stretch and put on a white coat accented with a light blue. He motioned for Kent to follow. Kent turned to Elma.

“I’ll see you later.”

“Come by any time,” she replied. “Before you leave, whatever it is you’re after, don’t forget what’s at your side.”

Kent smiled bitterly at that. He walked out and followed Pollock through the streets still bumbling with activity.

“You two met through your years in service, right?” asked Pollock.

“Yup, Elma was my commander, and she was one hell of a fighter,” said Kent.

“Hard to see my sister that way, when she’s so peaceful at home.”

A kid passed by bumping into Kent. Kent was about to turn when pollock grabbed his collar from behind and forced to go forward.

“Don’t bother with him. If you’re going to be living here then you need to know who’s a pick pocketer and who’s safe,” said Pollock. “The city is full of life so don’t be surprised by any strange eve—”

A resounding explosion sounded behind them.

“Looks like it’s the merchant district this time around,” muttered the people around them.

“Would you look at that,” said Pollock. “I’m sure Gilgamesh will deal with them soon.”

“Mind explaining what’s going on?” said Kent.

“Like I was saying, the city is full of life. Events like this are nothing uncommon so it’s best to get used to it,” replied Pollock.

“A city fitting for the two of you, isn’t it?” mumbled Kent.

“Maybe so,” said Pollock to the shocked Kent. He pointed to his ears and moved it around. “Come on let’s find you a job. I might know a place.”

In the far reaches of a dark underground facility, a humanoid man with a fox tail stood monitoring a sample he had prepared. It was a warm orange liquid that exuded a strange sense of comfort. 

“Yes!” jumped the man excitedly.

He packed the sample tightly, writing some notes hastily as his other arm picked up a suitcase. Setting down the pen, he brought up the suitcase to his face, as a blinding smile spread across his face. Hopping out of the lab, he made his way to the upper floors of the building.

The building was a large complex housing many different research facilities. All of the rooms were monitored to allow only the specified personnel at all times. Who monitored, no one knew, but thanks to the uptight security, companies and certain individuals loved to use its services. No competition could happen there, and when someone tried to get through, they were unlikely to be seen again. 

A bright sky met the man’s eyes once he had exited the facility, a jarring contrast that momentarily blinded him. When he could see again, he started to walk down the streets of the populated city. The sounds of many kinds of intelligent creatures abounded, and the chaos they brought with them occasionally flooded the city as well. 

“Hey, Pollock, over here!” yelled a scaly kid from across the street. 

Pollock walked over, curious to what the kid wanted to show him.

“We found a couple of grubs, you want one?” asked the kid.

“I’ll be alright,” said Pollock. “Is Elma doing okay?” 

“She is getting better, said somethin’ about an old friend coming over,” said the kid.

“That’s good to hear,” said Pollock. “Well, I’ll be on my way.”

Pollock waved the kid goodbye and continued down the street. A trolley rolled down the street, and without stopping people boarded and jumped off. Pollock jumped on and grabbed on tightly to a handrail on the trolley. After roughly 10 minutes, Pollock jumped off in a nicer street. He walked over to a mansion that rivaled the size of the facility. 

“What business do you have?” asked a guard.

“Tell L’ Man that I’ve brought a successful sample,” said Pollock. “He’ll know what I’m referring to.”

After some minutes Pollock was let through. He entered the mansion, the bright interior showing the riches of L’ Man. Pollock stopped for a moment before the office’s door. He gathered his nerves and let himself in. 

“Well, let me see the sample,” said L’ Man, his fangs bared in anticipation. 

Pollock opened the case. Lifting the orange sample, he handed the vial over to L’ Man, who promptly drank it. His wolf-like face contorted into a smile.

“The rumors about you ring true. A genius who can create any medicine,” said L’ Man. “I can feel that vampiric bastard’s blood slowly receding. As promised, I will offer you protection. But, I can not secure you forever, specially when you continue to house Elma.”

“That’ll be more than enough,” said Pollock.