Eldric was still reeling with the news he received from his informant. His suspicions had been correct. Soon, he would have The Unseen’s hideout. Then ‘him.’

“What should we do with the mayor?” Tim asked as they walked briskly on the way back to the town.

The Unseen’s connection spanned the widest of the underground dealings. But ‘he’ would not be happy with just that. He would make sure to string along as many people as possible to do his bidding while he remained in his hideout, cozy and safe.

“Why do the dirty work when there are a lot of willing people to do things for you?” He once told Eldric. “Remember that because that’s what you would do once you take over.”

Along with the information he received was another piece of information he had long suspected — someone was backing up the organization and acting as the middle man for all the dealings of the group. Eldric knew many men who came knocking on the secret doors just to get a glimpse of this mysterious group. These were the men who were backed to a corner and would do anything for money and power.

If The Unseen had rooted and solidified their spot in this town, then someone let them come here. There was only one person who fitted the bill.

“We will interrogate him.”

“If he denied?”

“He can deny all he wants. We have our means,” Eldric gave Tim a sideways glance. “But I imagine we won’t come to that.” He can already think of a lot of things that would make the mayor eager to talk.

As they strode across the town, the full moon shone above, casting shadows over them. The town was quiet save from the sound of cicada. But instead of relaxing into the embrace of the stillness of the night, the two of them became even more vigilant.

“It’s eerie,” Tim noted.

And that was what he noticed too. It was eerily quiet. At this time of the day, every inn and pub they passed by should be overflowing with patrons. Weary or drunk townsfolks would be returning to their houses. Ever since the deal with the gin, he ordered to have a curfew in the town. No one should be found outside their houses and on the streets after ten in the evening. Anyone who would be found not following would be penalized. But even that did not stop people from relieving their stress for the day.

This was not good. Eldric had a foreboding feeling in this atmosphere. It was like that night when they hunted the so-called witch. It was too quiet back then too. Too calm on the surface yet something sinister brewed underneath that facade.

He sped up his steps and arrived at the house of the mayor where the only people around were the guards he installed. The townfolks were nowhere to be seen as if the whole town became a ghost town. But this kind of silence was unnerving. It was as if no one was really in the town tonight and it was not because of the curfew. He approached the gates as the guards saluted at him.