The Traveler

By Mike Simpson

Ashleigh loved her small town life working in the bar. But she never thought meeting one man would change how she sees the world. Or how she could have ever existed in it. Enter a world where there is more to it than than anyone could have ever imagined. And hopefully you realize that it's never easy to travel alone.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Page Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Jul 18, 2019
• ISBN: 9781645441335

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The Traveler

Jon Sanders and Mike Simpson

Copyright © 2019 Jon Sanders and Mike Simpson

All rights reserved

First Edition

PAGE PUBLISHING, INC.

New York, NY

First originally published by Page Publishing, Inc. 2019

ISBN 978-1-64544-132-8 (Paperback)

ISBN 978-1-64544-133-5 (Digital)

Printed in the United States of America

Part I

A Chance Meeting

Chapter 1

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Ashleigh! a patron yelled across the bar. Two more glasses for my friend and I. I’ll put it on my tab.

A girl looked at him and smirked. First off, you don’t have a tab, Major, she said. Second, are you that drunk that you seriously think someone’s next to you?

The drunk fool looked to his side believing his arm was wrapped around another person rather than an empty chair. He’s quite offended that you’d say something like that, he scolded her. Now as I said. Two more!

She smiled. All right, I’ll get you your drinks. But then you go home. Got it? He looked and gave her a foolish smile. As she went to get his drinks, she looked around the tavern that she called home.

It was a rather large tavern, although by most Irish standards, it was rather small when compared to other taverns nearby. Size aside, it was a homey place. She looked around at all the friendly faces in the bar waiting for the drinks. When she retrieved them, she returned to the happy drunkard, although now he had a sadder look on his face. What’s wrong? You were so happy a minute ago.

The old man looked up at her from his chair. My dear friend left early. Said he had to return to the missus. Who am I to have this drink with now? He looked at her pleadingly, showing a face like a sad hound.

She looked at him and smiled. All right, I’ll sit with you, she said. Although you could’ve just asked me to sit with you. You know that old fart of a bar owner Eren doesn’t mind if I sit with you.

The old man gave her a smirk. Yes, you’re right, I suppose. But it is fun to act like a stupid drunkard at times. But I only acted drunk to give you a personal message. Ashleigh grew concerned. The old man was usually laid back, considering that he was the head officer of the town. He usually only acted drunk like this to get information from the barkeeper Eren Collins, usually about anything black-market related. For him to have an important message to her first, of all people, was different.

What is it? she said. It’s not like there’s any black marketing of late, nor anything else we deal with. What’s so bad that you came here to bring a personal message? I can get Eren if you— He grabbed her wrist. She looked at him and saw a face of concern that worried her more than anything—a face that the major never showed.

It’s more of a warning for you and the girls. But don’t tell them. I don’t want a panic.

Ashleigh nodded.

With a heavy sigh, the major said, Look, there’s been a string of attacks of late. A lot of them have been attacks on women. All gruesome murders. I’m guessing you’ve heard? She nodded again. She had heard that in a few towns nearby, there had been a string of attacks. No one knew what they were. There were too many stories and rumors to get a good idea of anything. Yeah, I’ve heard. I don’t know much, but I’ve heard. Why?

He looked down at the table. Well, you see, I received letters from the officers in each town that say these murders are too gruesome to be done by a person. Maybe a large wolf. But the way they’re laid out, the way they die…there’s a pattern to it. I don’t know how to explain it, but if it’s an animal, then it’s a damn smart one.

Ashleigh looked confused. What do you mean pattern? she asked.

He looked back up. I mean whatever this is, it’s going from town to town, almost as if it has some sort of plan. And it only attacks specific women, like it has specific tastes. They’re all young women, more attractive than the rest. And they all died the same way. They had their throats torn out. Torn out in a way that doesn’t seem humanly possible. Then the body is just left to rot in an alley for someone to find.

Ashleigh was both confused and sickened, trying to hold her last meal down. I still don’t understand, she said. Why are you telling me this so privately?

It’s because if I say it openly, people are gonna go hunt this thing like the drunken baboons they are. And besides, this whole bar is filled with beautiful women. Just like the victims. Also, you and I both know that if Eren found out about this, he’d bring an army to protect this bar and the girls inside its walls. We don’t even know what this thing is or if we can handle it, and I don’t want any more bodies to worry about. Especially those I know. He placed his hands around Ashleigh’s. And it’s because I trust you more. You’re the sanest person in this country. You think before you act and won’t jump the gun. But the overall point of this conversation is that I need you to promise me something. Promise you won’t do anything stupid. Just try to be careful at night. And keep an eye on the girls. For me. He looked at her with such worry and concern, it was hard to believe he was at times a drunken brute who peeked up women’s skirts at times.

Ashleigh smiled. All right, she said. I’ll be careful. And I’ll keep an eye on the girls. I promise.

The old man smiled. Thank you, he said. And if you choose to go out, here. I want you to carry this. The major pulled out something small from his coat pocket and handed it to Ashleigh. It was a small canister. It had two sides to it filled with different powders—one powder an old yellow, the other a dark gray.

What exactly is this? she asked, staring at the strange object.

The old man smiled. It’s a project I’ve been working on. Something to scare off pesky predators. And the animals too, I suppose. He gave her a smirk. It’s supposed to create a loud noise and a bright light. Think of a toddler screaming while holding the sun in your face. It’s only a prototype, but I want you to have it. In case you run into something bad.

She smiled. Thank you. I’ll keep it on me.

The old man gave her one last smile. Well, I should be heading off, I suppose, he said. I’m expecting another letter from one of the officers of the nearest town. They were the last ones attacked, so I’m hoping that he may know something useful. He stood up and walked to the door. See you at a later time then. And with a tip of his hat, he was off.

Ashleigh sat in thought, staring at the canister. W hat kind of animal attacks with a pattern? There isn’t any animal smart enough to do that. Not one except— Her thoughts were interrupted