The Arrival of Nightroad

Year: 1928

“You cannot just barge in here and act like you run the place!”

“Sweetheart have you forgotten that i helped found this place? Half of everything here is mine by technicality.”

A man in a long black trench coat was gliding down the halls, Mary storming close behind him. She looked rather frazzled and upset with the man.

“That is horse folly! If Alistair did not insist, then I myself would--”

“You’d what? Kick me out? You could try toots.”

Anyone who saw him coming down the halls pressed themselves as far into the walls as they could. Many even went so far as to leap out of his way and hide in a nearby room, as if they would face his wrath if they did so much as brush against him. Doors opened so people could look out of their rooms but they quickly disappeared again once they saw his face.

“I most certainly would!”

“Sure you would. Now where in the sam hell is Alistair?”

“As I tried to tell you before you so rudely shoved your way into here, he is busy…!”

“He can’t be that busy if he had the time to call me here.”

“That letter was sent over a week ago!!”

“Whatever kid, just tell me where he is.”

“Excuse me?! I am FAR from a child!”

“You sure as hell don’t act like it.”

“How dare you--”

Just down the hall a door opened, and Alistair’s head of bright red-orange hair poked out from behind it.

“That sounds an awful like--”

“THERE YOU ARE, OLD MAN!”

“...Yep. That’s him.”

The dark haired man glided right up to Alistair, and gestured his arm in an annoyed manner.

“Why the hell did you call me here if you weren’t going to be ready for me?”

“It’s good to see you too, Cain.”

“Piss off.”

“I expected you here two days from now.”

“Have you learned anything in all these years we’ve known each other?”

“Only that you show up whenever you please.”

“Precisely. Now where is the--”

“Mr. Alistair? Who is there?”

Alistair turned back towards the door. “Perfect timing, Anastasia! Why don’t you come on out?”

Ana peeked out from behind the door, her hair back to a more controlled short, curly bob. After it had re-sprouted down past her rear when Matthias showed himself, Mary was able to neatly trim it just below her chin--a welcomed change compared to the incredibly short cut she’d had when she was first brought there and cleaned up. Mary had found her some more casual wear, sweater blouses and knee-lengthed pleated skirts, but she still refused to wear panty hoes, or evern shoes for that matter. The man next to Alistair looked her up and down, and looked cross.

“You said she was--”

“Cain, just listen to me,”

“I told you, i do not work with children.”

That stung her ego quite a bit. Ana narrowed her eyes at him.

“I am not a child.”

“Really? That’s just what this one said.” He jutted a thumb out to Mary, who scoffed at him. “If you two are much more alike than this, I’m going to turn right the hell around and go back home.”

“You are no easier to work with yourself!”

“Good, because I don’t try to be.”

“This is the friend of mine I told you about, Ana.” He quickly changed the focus of the conversation. “His name is Cain Nightroad.”

“You will refer to me as nothing except Sir, Mister Nightroad, Professor or Doctor, you understand?”

Ana visibly flinched, looking up to Alistair with concern. “....Doctor….?”

“Not of medicine, Ana. He’s a college psychology professor downstate.”

“...He is a teacher?”

“Professor.” He sternly corrected.

“Cain is rather proud of his extensive schoolwork and certificates. But essentially yes, he’s a teacher.”

“Why is he called a doctor?”

“Why does it matter?”

Ana glared up at him again, and Alistair put up his hands to keep the situation calm.

“It is a title given to people who have gotten a doctorate diploma in college. It takes a very long time to earn one.”

“Oh.” Ana looked down at the floor. “I was only taught up to the ninth grade.”

Mary and Alistair exchanged looks, while Cain just stared down at her.

“...Alistair you know that i don’t work with--”

“I know Cain, but I don’t have anyone else to turn to.”

“Ask that upitty priest to help you. He just loves the young ones.”

Everyone went dead silent. Mary and Alistair looked between each other and Ana, while she just stared down at her feet. Cain looked around at them all, waiting for an explanation.

“What? Cat got your tongues? Whats wrong?”

“...Father Brennan has…”

“He’s dead, Cain.” Mary finished. He quirked a brow at her.

“Really? Finally kicked the bucket did he?”

“Well, you see--”

“I killed him, sir.”

They all looked at Ana, who’d lifted her head to meet their eyes. “He tried to exorcise me. And I killed him.”

There was a stunned silence from Cain before he just laughed. Mary was in angry disbelief while Alistair gave him a disappointed, stern look.

“I knew that’s how he’d go out. Messing with things he couldn’t control. Dumb bastard.”

“You insensitive mule!”

“What? Everyone saw it coming. Am I wrong?”

“Cain, now is not the time.”

“I think it is the PERFECT time! I’m just now learning this, I need to know--”

“Would you all excuse me?”

Before anyone could answer her, Ana turned back to Alistair’s office and closed the door behind her. Alistair sighed and ran a hand through his hair.

“It is a sensitive subject for her, Cain.”

“The poor thing wakes up in the night screaming! It’s positively dreadful…”

Cain dismissed what Mary said, and pulled Alistair to the side, dropping his voice to a whisper.

“When you wrote to me about this girl, you did not tell me that she was infantile.”

“I know.”

“...You did that on purpose didn’t you?”

“Would you have come if i was completely honest?”

Cain searched his face for a moment, before cracking a small smile. “No, You’re right. I wouldn’t. But that doesn't mean I’m going to stay either.”

“Will you at least try to work with her? Please.”

“....Wow. This one is really special to you, isn’t she?”

“I do not pick favorites.”

“That’s bullshit. Or did you already forget about--”

“Don’t, say it.”

Cain raised his hands in a defensive manner. “You’re the one who made the first move, old man. You brought all of tat heartache onto yourself.”

Alistair gave him a look, but Cain was already walking away. “I’m taking my usual room and having a nap. I’ll fetch the girl when i wake up. Make sure she’s ready.”

“Sure, Cain.”

He waved a hand as we walked away, before rounding the corner and disappearing. Mary and Alistair both exchanged exasperated looks, but Mary’s expression was far more so.

“I still can’t stand him, Alistair.”

“That much is obvious. Please, do try to get along with him for Ana’s sake.”

“And by extension, yours?”

“What is that supposed to mean?” He joked.

“Oh, nothing. Don’t think we all can’t see what’s going on here.”

He sighed through his nose, messing with his hair again. “This is not like last time, Mary. Not at all.”

“We know, Alistair.” She gave him a cheeky smile, and turned to walk in the opposite direction that Cain had gone. He shook his head with a small smile, before returning to his office where Ana had retreated.

She was laid out on the sofa, seemingly asleep. But Alistair knew better.

“Cain can be a little insensitive. Don’t take too much of he says to heart.”

“....He smells funny.”

He chuckled. “Yes, he smokes often.”

“No, It is not that. He smells…I do not know, familiar?”

...Alistair smiled, and gently patted the top of her head. Oh he was going to enjoy hearing about this.

“Don’t worry about it. You rest up.”

“But I have not done anything strenuous.”

“That doesn’t mean energy wasn’t spent. Emotions are just as hard on the body as physical labor is.” He pulled his hand away. “Rest up. Cain will want to see you in a little bit.”