DAN #2
“Our witches have put up extra wards to complement the ones that are always in place around Fox Hollow to discourage ‘undesirables’ like monster hunters and the media. They’ll help, but nothing’s foolproof.
” Jeffries sipped his coffee. “The seers are following the energy trails they can pick up, not just for the wurm but for the psychic stench that someone like a bounty hunter leaves behind. And our mediums are networking with the ghosts about all of these issues, not just searching for the hikers. The closer the hunter gets to Fox Hollow, the more likely he is to get noticed by one or more of the folks with special abilities looking for him.”
“A bounty hunter and that awful podcast are a threat to all people with special abilities, whether they’re cryptids or something else entirely,” Liam said, and Jeffries hummed his agreement.
“It’s a danger to the whole community. We all have a stake in shutting this nonsense down before anyone else gets hurt. ”
“Thank you.” Dan appreciated that Quinn gave his hand a reassuring squeeze. “It’s overwhelming. But I’m grateful to all of you.” He made eye contact with each of his companions in turn.
“That’s one of the things that makes Fox Hollow so special,” Quinn said. “We’re stronger together.”
They agreed to meet again when new information surfaced and promised to stay in touch. Quinn kept hold of Dan’s hand as they left the building.
“Feel any better?” Quinn asked.
Dan shrugged. “Some. It’s fantastic to have friends and know that so many people are trying to stop the hunter and find the wurm. But it’s still frightening to know that a stranger out there wants to kill me.”
“We aren’t going to let that happen,” Quinn said staunchly. “Now, what are you doing the rest of the day?”
“Work,” Dan replied with a sigh. “I can’t afford to get behind. My boss gave me leeway because I moved, but I don’t want to take advantage. After that, I’ll probably check in with the Network and then—”
“Then come stay the night with me, and we’ll cook dinner together,” Quinn offered. “I’d just ask you to move in if I thought you’d do it. I like knowing you’re safe.”
Quinn’s protective tone and his words warmed Dan deep inside. “I like being with you, and I’m sure we’ll get to that point,” Dan replied. “It’s just a lot all at once, even the good parts.”
Quinn leaned in to kiss him on the cheek. “I know. And I’m not pressuring you. But you’re the best thing I’ve ever found, and I want to keep you and Wally forever.”
Aw. He really does like us, Wally chimed in silently.
Told you so, Dan replied.
Quinn drove Dan back to the hotel, and they shared a long, lingering kiss to say a proper goodbye before Dan got out of the truck. “See you tonight.” He was surprised by how quickly he had gotten used to the comfort of Quinn’s company.
“See you. I’ll look in the freezer and get some ideas for what to have for dinner,” Quinn said. “Call if you need me.”
Once Dan got into the hotel, he asked room service to send up a fresh pot of coffee and fired up his computer, checking for messages.
His meteorology team seemed to have avoided any emergencies in the day he was gone and had been great at covering for him.
He checked the computer models he’d been running and uploaded his analysis along with some photos and maps before downloading the latest data and got down to business.
Usually, Dan found the challenge of analysis and interpretation to be like a fun puzzle, and confidence in his abilities was soothing. Wally generally stayed quiet, and Dan suspected that his job bored his cryptid side.
Today, even after having a short break from his long-term climate study project, Dan felt jittery.
Not exactly a portent of looming disaster, but a restlessness that distracted his attention.
After he had to back up to fix errors he’d made for the third time that afternoon, Dan swore under his breath, saved his work, and opened up a new screen.
He logged into the Monster Network and scanned the most recent posts. One message from Calder, otherwise known as the Beast of Bray Road, simply read: If you wish to talk, I am here, and Dan clicked on the contact, hoping his fellow cryptid would be available.
“Dan? You sound troubled.” Calder’s voice fit the mental picture Dan had for him, like the growl of a wolf.
“Thanks for reaching out,” Dan replied. “Honestly, I’m a bit of a mess even though the hunter hasn’t shown up again, the podcast hasn’t done a follow-up, and I’ve got a great new partner.”
“Tell me,” Calder said. “You moved. How has it gone?”
Dan told him the newest details about the move to Fox Hollow, relieved that his network friend already knew about the shifters.
“And the man?” Calder asked.
Dan talked about Quinn and how supportive Liam, the sheriff, and Dr. Jeffries had been, and where their defensive plans stood. He tossed in the wurm almost as an afterthought.
“You have endured much in a short time,” Calder replied. “That is a heavy burden.”
“Moving to a new place is bad enough, even though I work from home, although I’m still in a hotel because the rental I thought I lined up got delayed,” Dan agreed. “But trying to outrun a hitman adds a whole new layer.”
“What do you need from me?” his friend asked.
“Just hearing me out helps,” Dan confessed. “Quinn and the folks here have been wonderful, but you’ve got a bit more distance, physically and emotionally, than they do. Maybe you’ll see something we missed. And even if you don’t, it’s just good to be heard.”
Calder was quiet for a moment. “You are fortunate,” Calder replied at last. “Most of us have only a few who know the truth. You have more than most. That is no small thing.”
“I’m very grateful,” Dan said. “It’s more than I ever dared to hope for. But I don’t want to live in fear forever.”
Calder considered that. “There is one advantage you have. The Dover Demon has not become widely known. Once people begin telling stories, someone eventually decides to prove them true.”
“You’re right. I’m sorry. I never really made that connection, but that’s got to be hard,” Dan replied, upset at himself.
“There is nothing to apologize for,” Calder said in a gentle tone. “I meant only to offer perspective. What you are facing is real. But you are not facing it alone.”
“How do you, and they, deal with it?” Dan asked, “the ones who have been in hiding for decades or longer?”
“We go where people seldom do,” Calder replied. “Deep forests. Difficult ground. Places that discourage curiosity.”
“But the isolation—” Dan started, imagining himself going into lifelong exile alone.
“Not everyone sees it as isolation.” Calder’s voice was thoughtful rather than dismissive. “Some seek companionship. Others prefer solitude. Neither way is wrong.”
“It’s all a lot to absorb,” Dan replied. “My grandfather tried to prepare me, but it was only a start.”
Calder was silent for a moment. “Preparation only takes you so far,” he said. “The rest comes only with experience.”
“Yeah. I should let you go. You’ve helped a lot. Thank you.”
“If you need me again,” Calder replied, “ask.”
Dan logged out and stared at his screen for a few minutes, processing what Calder had told him. The perspective helped him reframe his own difficulties, and he tried to avoid feeling bad about not coming to the insights on his own.
Then again, I’ve only been a cryptid since grandpa died, so I’m sorta new at it.
He poured himself a fresh cup of coffee, turned up the music, and plunged back into his analysis.
Once he got immersed in the challenge of the project, the time flew by, and before he knew it, his alarm reminded him to close down and meet Quinn for supper.
When he got to Quinn’s place, the smell of pizza made his stomach rumble.
“Hey there.” Quinn greeted him with a kiss. “I picked up a pizza to eat here since you’re dodging the paparazzi.”
“Let’s hope I don’t end up on the cover of the tabloids again.” Dan wrinkled his nose. “Been there, done that. It’s not what it’s cracked up to be. Didn’t even get a product sponsorship out of my five minutes of fame.”
The pizza had all of Dan’s favorite toppings, and Quinn had ordered fried mushrooms on the side.
Conversation waited until they poured drinks and filled their plates.
They settled at the kitchen table to eat, and Dan didn’t realize just how hungry he was until the first few bites. “Good stuff,” he said.
“It’s some of the best pizza I’ve ever had,” Quinn agreed. “We’re lucky the owner is local. It’s a Fox Hollow institution.”
Quinn filled Dan in on what happened during his day after their morning appointment, recounting encounters with confused tourists, an indignant raccoon, and backed-up campground bathroom facilities.
“Just another day in paradise,” Quinn said, but his smile made it clear that, despite the frustrations, he loved his job.
“I turned in the work that was due, and made sure my team is covering the rest.” Dan skipped the intricate details. “Now we’ll see if my predictions are right.” He wiped pizza sauce from his lips. “And I spent some time talking to Calder on the Network.”
“Oh?” Quinn left the question open.
“He was sympathetic but reminded me that some cryptids have become so well-known people actually go looking for them,” Dan said. “Which I should have realized, and now I feel like a self-centered prick for not thinking of it.”
Quinn took his hand across the table. “You’re not self-centered, and I happen to like your prick,” he added with a smirk.
“The other cryptids you talk to, they’ve always been their creature, right?” Quinn went on. Dan nodded.
“Yours is different being passed down from one host to another,” Quinn said. “Every generation has to learn to deal with it all over again, with the challenges of their own times. That’s a big difference.”
“I guess,” Dan allowed.