Hog's Town is a strange mix of old western buildings and typical west texas styles. Marie gazes at the small groupings of people, the first she's seen in some time. They stare back, wearing all manner of clothing. She doesn't mind. There are recognizable traces of civilization around the town, and this comforts Marie.
Two men seeking shade under an awning draw her gaze. They have a strange demonor about them, as if they were vultures. They watch the girls and Sword Prince, then one leans over to the other and whispers. They both come off the porch and circle around the building, walking into an alley. Marie pulls Anna onward.
A man and woman cross the street ahead of the girls. The woman holds a baby, and Marie feels comfortable enough to catch their attention with a wave. She jogs up to them, Anna and Sword Prince right behind her.
"Hey," Marie says, coming up to a stop in front of the couple.
"Hello," The man says, a hint of caution in his voice.
"We're new in town, and were told we might need to check in with some wild people?"
"Oh," The woman says. "The Wild N' Wicked, they run the water pump and security around town,"
"Security," Marie repeats. "Good, that's a good word. Like when things were normal,"
The man and woman share a pained look.
"Yes," The woman says. "Well, that building across the street is their office, if you wanted to pop in,"
"Thank you," Marie says, a genuine smile of relief on her face. "That's a huge help. And Josie's Bed and Breakfast?"
It's the woman's turn to smile.
"Aw, Josie, of course. She'd love two young girls like you staying with her,"
The woman's eyes flicker to Sword Prince, wearing his strange robe and entangled in small grape vines.
"And...your friend,"
"Hm," Marie says, casting a glance back at Sword Prince. He seems oblivious to the conversation, his eyes staring straight ahead.
"Thank you!" Anna says, smiling. The woman beams back, and her husband urges her onward.
"We should get moving," Sword Prince says, still staring ahead.
Marie looks to where he's staring. A large truck, almost as big as a garbage truck, is pulling into town. Men with gas masks and guns start to get out, checking out the truck and spreading out.
"Yeah, okay," Marie says, taking Anna's hand and hurrying across the road.
The trio reaches the office, Marie jogging up the steps and rushing with Anna to the front door. It swings open wide, and a massive, massive man in dreadlocks and a mask fills its frame.
"oh," Marie says, looking up at him. He gazes back down.
"Excuse me," He says, stepping to the side. Marie takes Anna and walks briskly past him. Sword Prince follows.
Inside the office is spacious and bare. There's a single desk, with a skittish man sitting behind it wearing a gas mask.
"People really like to wear masks!," Anna says, peering at him.
The large man in the doorway ducks through it, walking outside. Another man in a trenchcoat and gas mask follows. The skittish man behind the desk slips his mask up, peering a dirt smeared face at the girl's.
"What do you want," He says, his eyes darting to all three.
"Uh," Marie says, slowly. "We're....new in town, and were told we needed to check in,"
This seems to calm the man, and he nods. A small grows on his face.
"Why, yes," He says, leaning back in the chair and threading his hands behind his head. "I am the man in charge. Rufus....the uh, great. Rufus the Great,"
"Well...Rufus the Great," Marie says. "We just wanted to make sure it was alright to be here,"
"Hmmmmm," Rufus says, putting a finger to his chin. "Alright, it's fine,"
"Thank you," Marie says, ducking her head in thanks. "We'll...be going now,"
"Mhm Hm," Rufus says, nodding. "See that you do, I've got important work to do after all,"
Marie and Anna leave the office, with Anna waving goodbye. Sword Prince brings up the rear.
Outside, the men in masks are hanging around their truck, talking to a woman. Marie leads the other two along the buildings, keeping to the side of the road and away from the exchange. It's not that the men look dangerous. Just...weird....
After walking down the tight row of buildings, Marie comes across a house with it's own yard. It's a large, ancient gothic house, with sagging shutters and peeling paint. Someone has made an effort to grow flowers in the yard, and they look beautiful. Marie opens the small iron gate, letting herself and the others inside. She walks up the path, past the flowers, and steps onto a creaking porch. Before Marie can knock, the door opens.
"Oh hello!" The woman says, smiling. "I'm Josie, Leah told me you were coming!"
"Oh," Marie says, caught off guard. "Uh, good,"
"Come in, come in," Josie says, turning into the house and gesturing for them to follow. "I've already got rooms ready for the three of you,"
Marie watches, then turns back and smiles at her companions.
"See?" She says, looking at Sword Prince. "This town isn't bad,"
"Hm," He says, following her inside.
.
