“The Grimms…” Filbert mulled over the name that Polly had just brought up. “That’s a name I surprisingly haven’t heard in a while.”

  “So you do know about them?” Polly asked.

  “Of course,” Filbert confirmed with a nod. “They are one of the founding families of this town, Polly.”

  “Me and Dolly were doing some research and town history and learned the whole family disappeared,” Polly said. “We couldn’t find anything on how. I wanted to see if you knew.”

  “If you couldn’t find it at the library I don’t think you’re going to get very much out of me,” Filbert sighed.

  “But you love history,” Polly said. “It’s one of your favorite things besides cooking. You don’t remember every being into the mystery of the Grimms?”

  “Well actually…” Filbert started.

  “Yes?” Polly asked.

  “Remember that month back in high school when I stayed locked in my room?” Filbert asked. “That was because you’re right. I was kind of obsessed with the Grimms. How could one of the town’s founding families just vanish out of nowhere like that? It’s be one thing if it was one or two members but every single one of them? That’s definitely a mysterious piece of history to crack.”

  “You’re the smartest guy I know so I assume you did some cracking?” Polly replied with a giggle.

  “Well…” Fibert rubbed his chin in thought before getting up and heading over to the bookshelf. He looked through the books before finding the one he was looking for and grabbing it. He walked back over to Polly as he opened it. “I didn’t think I’d ever look back on this stuff for something like this but knock yourself out.” He handed her the book after flipping to the back he was looking for. “That’s all I managed to find.”

  “Thank you so much,” Polly smiled. She looked at the book, with something in particular catching her eye. “Rituals?”

  Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

  “Seems that the family guy into some kind of undead witchcraft,” Filbert told her. “The way they disappeared without a trace I thought it could be a possibility but after a while… I began to think I was as crazy as I was thinking them to be. I mean, come on. It sounded like nonsense, right? But from the things we’ve been seeing… you actually fighting a big pumpkin monster, I don’t know what to believe now.” He looked down around the book again. “Who knows… maybe it is time someone looked into this again.

  “Which is exactly what we’re going to do,” Polly nodded. “Thanks again, Filbert. I’ll be in my room if you need me.”

  “Alright,” Filbert nodded as well. “I think I’ll make something. Food always helps the brain and such.”

  Polly smiled at him. “Great. Let me know when it’s done and I’ll be out.” She walked away from him and headed upstairs to her room.

  A founding family who was into the undead and witchcraft that mysteriously disappeared? That was definitely worth looking into.

  ——

  The room was mostly dark with only a dimly lit light. The occasional sounds of someone walking by the door hadn’t gained any reaction from the woman waiting inside the room.

  Laura stayed where she was, her hands together as she hummed peacefully in thought. She knew what awaited her. This was her own arrangement after all. It was why she wore the sleeveless white t-shirt she had on. The day had arrived.

  Now the moment was here. A man in a suit walked into the room. By his side was a scientist had laid the stuff he brought with him on the table.

  The scientist looked at Laura and nodded. “Ms. Cortez. It’s always a pleasure to see you.”

  “And it’s always of pleasure of mine to see the work your group presents to me,” Laura replied, getting up with her hands behind her back, her eyes going to the guy in the suit. “I take it my friend here has treated you well?”

  The science nodded his head. “Oh yes, he was not a problem at all. He was very helpful.”

  Laura nodded, content with his answer. “Good, good. I would’ve hated for someone providing me with what I’m assuming to be excellent service to be in the presence of rude company.” She patted the suited man’s shoulder. “You understand. You can be a bit rough sometimes.”

  When she turned back to the scientist, she would see he had what she had been waiting for. The needle that would give her what she desired.

  “I have to be honest, Ms. Cortez,” The scientist said. “The others are sure about the results of this, but I have my concerns.”

  “What’s there to be concerned about?” Laura titled her head with a smile. “My friend, I’m already locked away, in a place that, I’m sure you can tell, is not the most pleasant in the world.” She chuckled a bit. “The fights I’ve seen here are some of the most barbaric I’ve ever laid eyes on.” She shook her head. “You’d think even inmates would have some manners.” She gave what seemed to be a disappointed sigh. “Oh well. It’s been an interesting time observing it all, but I really should be going. But I’m afraid I don’t want to leave without that.”

  “I’d ask what you need it for but I think I got some pretty good ideas,” The scientist chuckled himself.

  A smirk came across the face of the mob boss. “The one that has been in my head since I finally encountered her. The hero who put me here. The partner I seek for my legacy.”

  Her eyes went behind her back as she hummed once again, this time after she had closed her eyes. “Polly Everwood. I really thought then I could convince her of the future we could create together. But I realize I was going about it all wrong. Now…”

  She held her arm out to the scientist.

  “It’s time for the sands of fate to help me.”

  She would be poked with the needle moments after.