Feral Folk Finds

He finds his way to the same library as before. The librarian seems too busy putting away a set of books to notice him enter. Cole heads over to the computers and starts searching for anything talking about cryptids.

Just typing in the first letter pops up the search instantly. There's various sites on the cryptids of Wicketwoods. One of the first lists them all with images. There's reports of nonferal like beings with strange features, large monsters with odd limbs, and even smaller anomalies like weird objects or behaviors. He recognizes many of the photos from the ones on the bulletin board of the watchtower. Most of them seem fake or blurry.

Cole shakes his head in disappointment as he scrubs through making sure he isn't in any of the images. He doesn't seem to find himself anywhere as an ad for another site pops up related to his search. It's the secret of Wicketwoods kid's book for sale on a discounted price.

Cole raises an eyebrow, and hesitantly clicks on the ad hoping that it isn't just a virus. It opens an online store showing the book. The reviews for the book itself however are 2.5 stars. Cole looks curious and looks at the reviews. The reviews seem completely split between 5 stars and 0. Cole looks at the 0 star reviews with an even more curious look.

The most liked review is from an anonymous account, "This is horrific and sickening. NEVER buy this for your kids."

Just under it is another 0 star review, "Early DIY trauma starter kit."

Cole's curiosity is swapped for concern as he searches for some kind of explanation

He finds more reviews, "My grandson loved it but his parents were upset and said I was insensitive. Not a smart purchase."

"Don't buy. Poor quality pages. Ripped easily. Came stained."

"Bought this to have a little piece of history but it made my girlfriend cry. Not a good idea."

Cole scrolls back up to see what company is selling this book. The company is Feral Folk Finds with a link to other items they sell. Cole checks what other items they sell. There's other kids books and history books as well as antique styled furniture that look straight from an old cabin. All of their other goods have nearly 5 stars.

Cole sighs and gets up from the computer and looks for a way to get an ID. Luckily he finds where to file for one and puts in a form with his information. After filing for the ID and putting in the address of the watchtower, he makes his way back to the pretzel store.

He had lost track of time. Despite wanting to speak with Wendell an hour later during his break, It's already late at night at this point. As he steps out it's as if the whole town had shut down with the sun. Every window is shut with curtains drawn and next to nothing is left outside any of the shops. There isn't even anyone walking around either. Though as he gets closer to the bakery he sees the lights are still on and the low beat of music breaking the silence.

Cole sighs as he realizes that he's been gone longer than an hour, he continues approaching as he tries to sneakily peer in through the windows.

It looks like a small party is being held in the bakery. With the amount of nonferals crammed inside it no longer looks as spacious as it did in the morning. Everyone is laughing and talking over drinks and music. He can spot Wendell sitting on a chair behind the counter checking his phone with a drink in his other hand. Cole sighs as he heads inside, hoping that he doesn't get pushed around. He manages to get through without being bothered. Wendell doesn't look up yet as he scoffs at something he read.

Cole clears his throat, "Hey Wendell, I know it's like way past an hour...kinda forgot but if it isn't too much of a bother I still wanna have that talk."

He looks up from his phone, "Oh yeah! Oh yeah! We can go back here real quick." He gets up and sets the drink down as he heads for the backroom, holding the door open for Cole.

Cole heads into the backroom as he puts his hands in his pockets. The backroom has several racks filled with bags of flour and supplies. Along with some boxes and a few ovens, there's also a door to a walk-in freezer. The entire room is filled with the scent of bread dough. Wendell closes the door, only partly blocking out the loud party just outside, "So what's up?"

Cole sighs and takes a moment to start talking, "I didn't trigger something by bleeding on the floor, right? I mean I know it's none of my business but Rosey kinda just mentioned that someone bled out and died on the floor one time so I wanted to make sure you were alright."

Wendell looks off to the side a moment as he sighs, "Yeah. You pretty much got the idea. I'll be fine though so don't worry too much about it."

Cole nods, "I'm pretty good at the whole forgetting something you don't wanna remember thing so, if you ever need any help just try to catch me when I'm in the bakery."

Wendell nods, "I'll keep that in mind... oh also. I had something to say as well."

Cole's head tilts slightly, "What's up?"

"You mentioned that brown fox you met at the tower. I think I know who that is."

Cole's head tilts back to normal as he nods, "I'll take any information I can get."

"I think she's a friend of Rosey's. Sometimes after lunch they show up and stand outside. Rosey will finish up her food and go walk with her. There was one time I was outside fixing the door when she showed up. I tried to say hi but she wouldn't even look at me."

Cole's eyes narrow as his fists clench and unclench as he huffs, "Right."

Wendell tilts his head slightly as he folds his arms, "Is there something wrong?"

Cole sighs and shakes his head, "No, everything is fine" Cole waves his hand dismissively and hides his angry expression behind a neutral one.

Wendell seems more concerned, "They aren't dangerous are they? Should I tell them to not stand around out there?"

Cole groans and puts his hands in his pockets, "No, no, it's...it's a really long story and I'm sure you wanna get back to your party."

"You could join us if you wanted. I'm sure everyone's drunk enough they won't really question the face."

Cole thinks about it for a moment then shrugs, "Sure, I've got nothin better to do."

"Hope you're not a lightweight. They don't call me the king of the night for nothing," Wendell heads out the door into the loud room again.

Cole snickers as he follows.