Page 6 of Only Human in Strangeville

“Say what?” I turned and studied the man next to me. He looked fit, well-muscled, and, like everyone else in this town, he was attractive. His reddish-brown hair was a little longer with a curl to it, and he had green eyes. If I had to guess, standing, he’d be about six foot tall, maybe just a hair over.

He pointed at the folks I recognized from the grocery store. “Werewolves. Most of the people you see during the day are werewolves. The vampires come out at night, of course. Except the few that got stuck with the day shift at the coffee shop. You been there?”

“Uh, yeah.” I thought back to Jaz. Vampire did kind of fit her, but seriously? I knew the town had a reputation for strange, but vampires and werewolves were a little out there.

“Bridger Sullivan, do not spread your conspiracy theories at my counter.” May came back with my food and a frown for my companion.

“It’s not a conspiracy and you know it, May.” He turned to me. “She’s the only normal one in Beechworth.”

May snorted. “Don’t listen to his nonsense.”

I took a drink of my water and nodded. “Sure.”

When May turned away to get Bridger a coffee, he returned his attention to me. “Haven’t figured out what they all are of course, and they’re careful, so I can’t prove it yet, but if you find anything out, be sure to tell me. Don’t go out after dark.” He slid me a card, downed his coffee in a gulp, though it had to be steaming hot still, and left.

I glanced at the card. “Bridger Sullivan, Vampire Hunter,” it said. And in smaller letters was a phone number and words about being willing to tackle werewolf problems and other supernatural creatures.

Just in case I needed to do novel research, I slipped it into my pocket before May returned.

“Now, hun, don’t listen to Bridger. He’s got a few screws loose. Just let me know if you have any problems with him.”

“Thanks, May. I’m Hannah, by the way. I just moved here.”

“Ahh, Oliver mentioned you. Welcome. Always nice to see a new face around here.”

I wasn’t sure, but I detected a hint of caution behind her cheerful words. Was Bridger on to something? Or was it just more of the wariness of newcomers that everyone had warned me of?

I could see why he thought the other occupants of the diner might be werewolves. I watched as they paid and filed out, their plates nearly licked clean from what I could see from the bar. Maybe I’d hit the coffeeshop tonight and check things out. Just to see. There was no such thing as vampires and werewolves, but the rumors about this town had to come from somewhere.

If nothing else, I now had two men’s phone numbers. Not that I was attracted to either of them. No. Not at all.

That night, back in my apartment and ready to visit the coffee shop, I hesitated with my hand on the knob, remembering what Bridger, the so-called hunter, had said about not going out after dark. To be honest, I was far more afraid of the human variety of predator than anything supernatural. Even wolves in the forest scared me less than humans did. At worst, the wolves would just kill me. Humans… I shied away from the things I’d learned toward the end of my old life.

The government had declared Beechworth safe, as far as they could tell. That didn’t mean it was, or that there weren’t run-of-the-mill bad guys around, but I couldn’t let fear rule my life completely. A draft of cool air swirled around me. It had happened once or twice before, but I had no idea where the draft was coming from. I might mention it to Oliver when I saw him next.

Resolved, I opened the door and headed out into the hallway, my computer bag looped over one shoulder. I used a tablet when I was out and about for portability, but I only had one bag right now. Eventually, I’d buy more things, but not yet. Not until I’d settled into my new home for good. If I had to move quickly, I didn’t want to lug a lot of things around.

I hurried down the stairs and almost plowed into Oliver at the bottom. He caught my arm as I did awkward gymnastics to avoid knocking him over, and I almost fell on my ass.

“I’m so sorry,” I blurted out. “I was just heading out and I didn’t see you.”

He made sure I was steady before releasing me. Pleasant heat burned through my skin where he’d touched me and settled deep inside my stomach, warming me and reminding me of my daydream in the shower. There was no stopping the heat in my cheeks.

“No trouble. I really should improve the lighting in these stairwells. It always slips my mind.” He glanced up at the light fixture before looking back at me.

Something else struck me then. “Oliver, I haven’t seen any of the other tenants. Is that normal?”

“Yes.”

I pushed my glasses back up my nose and considered how to ask for more information without being rude.

“Are you going out?” It was almost as if he were changing the subject.

It wasn’t any of his business, but he’d been so nice, and it was possible he’d have more suggestions, like the car dealership, so I answered instead of pressing for more details. “Just over to the coffee shop.”

Oliver studied me for a moment, tilting his head, before nodding slightly. “Take care.”

There was far more caution in his voice than a simple trip a block over should warrant. He was gone before I could question him, muttering softly about increasing the brightness in the stairwells.

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