John B. West's Story

John browsed through the books in As The Page Turns. Nothing he saw really interested him. It was all books about rabbits and steel for some reason. He was curious as to why this store seemed to lack books that that came out after the mid-eighties. He wondered if they just hadn't been able to restock since then.

John was here to simply blow off some steam. He had spent the last couple of days focusing the majority of his attention on gathering information about the recent death of Elizabeth Ruddwell. Unfortunately, he hadn't been able to break any new ground and it was beginning to get on his nerves. He had only been given minimum access to the crime scene and Elizabeth's parent's refused an interview. Even the reporter for the town's half-rate newspaper The Gennstown Owl was getting more information than John was. John knew he had to get more dirt on this case or else he may be out of a job. John was no stranger to playing by your own rules to get the information you need. John slowly pushed thoughts of news and truth to the back of his mind. Right now, he needed to relax.

John continued browsing through books when a girl slightly younger than himself walked into the store. John ignored her for the most part. She seemed to be working in the store. She began peeking down the aisles looking for someone named Arturo. John continued to browse for a while before something caught his eye. The book was about myths and legends of the area. It was buried behind three books about the importance of the proper diet for a rabbit, but it was there. John happily grabbed it and brought it to the counter. Neither the young girl nor her boss were at the register. There a bell on the counter. John ringed it and patiently waited for service.

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Arturo picked up the last of the boxes filled with books that had been delivered to the store, putting the boxes on the floor he rested on the boxes as he looked over the new stock list. It was always good to have new books, but the older books had much more character even if they had no interest in this modern world.

He shook hand with the driver placing a ten dollar bill in his pocket, " Thank you very much, see you soon" he flashed a smile and checked his watch. Bianca should have been back from her lunch now, that girl was always trying to investigate something or learn new facts from books. Arturo couldn't help but smile, she was a lovely girl and a hard worker even if business was slow some days she was great to talk too.

His sensitive hearing picked up the high pitched ring of the store's bell, so either a new customer had entered or Bianca had returned. Looking around he picked up the large boxes with ease setting them down at the back of the store, where new books were stored and antique books were kept since they had value.

Brushing down his shirt he entered the store, sniffing he picked up Bianca's scent as well a customer who had been looking around for about ten minutes while Arturo was sorting out the delivery.

"Bianca, dove sei stato? Ti ho dato un'ora per il pranzo. non sei stato dal sito di nuovo vero? Consegna sul retro, vuoi organizzare i nuovi libri per me mentre io vedo a questo signore?"
(Bianca, where have you been? I gave you an hour for lunch. you haven't been by the site again have you? Delivery out back, would you organise the new books for me while I see to this gentleman?)

He smiled at the man " Good Afternoon Sir, How are you?. Anything else I can help you with today?" He looked down at the book that he had selected, his face ever so slightly confused where did he find that boo? it must have been in the wrong section. Picking up the book he checked the price and added " That will be $3 please." He smiled again.

John smiled with surprise and delight. A book this size in Alansburg would cost at least 40 dollars. I guess it must've been preowed. He thought to himself. John reached into the back of his pocket and pulled out his wallet. As he began to supply the man with the money, John started talking to the him. "Sir, may I ask you about something slightly controversial?"

"Ya see my name is John. I'm a journalist from Alansburg and I'm currently investigating the recent death of Elizabeth Rudwell. I was just wondering if you knew her or know anything about her recent passing." John said upon the man's response. The man talked to John for a short amount of time about the recent tragedy. John thanked the man, then grabbed his business card and handed it to the man. "And, hey, if you know anyone who would be willing to help me out anymore than you have give me a buzz."

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Arturo listened to the man as he explained what he was doing around the town, yet another investigator to the town why don't they just leave the poor girl alone. Arturo wouldn't get involved with the werewolf responsible if he found out, unless he or she was going to harm the people he cared about. Although anybody could be next and if it was a Vargulf then no one was really safe, Vargulfs could not be controlled or reasoned with.

When he was asked about the young girls passing. Arturo shrugged lightly " I'm afraid I only hear what people tell me, most people are saying that it is a wolf, there are a few in the area because of the woods surrounding the town. But wolves are pack animals, most won't attack humans unless they step on the packs territory or if they are provoked. So a lone wolf attack in certainly strange. I did hear a rumour of a really wealthy scientist who injected a wolf with a powerful steriod and the wolf got out killing the scientist and escaping out into the woods and ended up mating with other wolves and made a powerful mix. But of course it's just a rumour, but we all have to start somewhere. Good luck with investigating sir and have a good day" Arturo smiled " perhaps you will find an answer in your book, you never know" he handed the book back to the man.

Looking over to Bianca as she called him over to the book she had begun to unpack, walking over to her he looked at the book set.

"sì, è l'ordine giusto, perché non dare un'occhiata a quelli?, ottenere la vostra mente di cercare di assassini e mascalzoni, sì?"
(Yeah, it's the right order, why don't you take a look at those? Get your mind of looking for the assasins and the murders, yeah?)

He chuckled softly and looked through the books, picking up the list he looked at the rest of the boxes taking off the tape he found another set of fantasy books. People were certainly strange when it came to books choices, there was a few factual books too.

" People don't really read romances or adventures any more do they? It's all girly vampires and super buff werewolves." Arturo laughed softly and sat down flicking through one of the books.

John West
John smiled as the man explained his knowledge of the situation. John smiled then thanked the man. He grabbed his book and walked outside. He walked down the quiet streets towards his cousin's house. What a piece of work! I haven't heard a story so full of bologna since I talked to that butcher in town. I can buy a lot, but I tend to draw the line between fact and fiction when people start bringing mad doctors experimenting on animals in on it.

John smiled to himself. Well, I guess it's no harm done. Though I do have to get a game plan together soon. He passed a small cafe. Several patrons sat inside and chatted. I need to drop by Anna's to grab Brian. He has some sound equipment that we can use to record our discoveries more efficiently than writing them down. After a couple of blocks, John found himself in front of a small Victorian house. The house had recently been painted dark red. The color was complimented nicely by the burgundy trim. John walked to the front door and rang the bell.

Frank Lieberman
Frank walked into the dusty old bookshop. The building was drab and gross. He knocked on the desk. These yokels are can hardly even keep their place of business clean. Frank wore a sinister face. He wipe the imaginary filth from his grey suit's shoulder. "These people better be grateful for what I'm about to do for them." He whispered to himself. After a few minutes of waiting, Frank began pounding on the desk. "Come on! Can't I get some service here?" He yelled to the back.