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Sandy walked next to the Kwello. The beast had walked far today, and Sandy patted its back to let it know that she was proud. They were starting to enter the town, and the Kwello could sense this was the last push before the wagon was removed, and it could relax in a stable for the night. It sniffed the air, with its small trunk in anticipation of the oats it knew were waiting for it.

Sandy could feel it too, although for her it was less about oats and more about getting off her feet. She had worn practical, walking shoes, remembering that the next town over from Oakhaven was far, but she had forgotten just how far. Many of the others who left at the same time had taken side roads, or turned off. There were only a couple of others that were going the same way she was, and she was concerned that the Inn was going to struggle with the sudden influx. But she was pleased to see that the small town of Willow Creek had turned a little larger in her absence. The Inn, appropriately named The Mill, due to the large windmill and wheat farm next door, had also enlarged its dwelling to keep up with the larger population.

A few boys were eagerly jumping from foot to foot as they approached, ready to guide the Kwellos and wagons to safe areas, while they stayed. Obviously, the Inn had been alerted that a large party was coming, or perhaps the villagers that had left earlier than Sandy and her group had already blubbered their story.

Sandy saw that the whole place was already in the midst of celebrations when she entered the door. A large fireplace lit the room in a rainbow of oranges and yellows as a fiddler played to the crowd’s clapping. Clinks of mugs could be heard, followed by a “Rarr!” from happy, well-fed groups.

A happy Inn owner was at the front, ready to sign Sandy and the others in. He was going to turn a pretty profit from all the new travelers. Their fear of the monster was his good fortune. He twisted his mustache as he asked for a name and duration. Sandy smiled and gave him the information, but she was a little uncertain about the time she needed the room for.

On the one hand, she had no intention of staying in this town for the long term, but on the other hand, the whole story and Tobias’s thoughts didn’t sit right with her. The room was full of cheer and banging mugs of cider and beer, with music playing and raucous dancing attempts. Sandy leaned over the wooden counter and gestured for the Innkeeper to do the same. He obliged.

“You might know we come from Oakhaven,” she said, smiling.

He nodded eagerly.

“Aye, word has gotten round,” he said, with a twinkle in his eye. His face then turned dark as he leaned in further.

“We’ve known for some time the harsh way of life you folks have to endure closer to the waterfall. There is a level of beauty there that cannot be matched here, but I assure you, our lives are easier and more certain. Are you looking for more permanent lodgings? My brother could show you a good spot or two tomorrow if you would like me to send a message.”

Sandy shook her head.

“No, no, thank you,” Sandy said, keeping her smile. “It’s just… well. Often there are visitors to our town. You know. Researchers, scholars, interesting folk who want to know more about the monster. We have a hall of records that is full of notes and books. But I wondered if any of those researchers ever go up the mountain and then come back here? A friend of mine is in the other party that is heading East… towards the falls.”

The Innkeeper’s face darkened at the thought.

“I understand,” he whispered.

He looked around the room before leaning back to Sandy.

“I think I might be able to point you in the right direction,” he said. “But not now. There are too many people, and each person has two ears.”

Sandy nodded.

“Only the Toshi’s know,” she said. The Innkeeper tapped his nose and nodded.

“You come back in the morning, when this lot is sleeping it off, and I’ll give you coffee on the house, and point you in the direction.”

Sandy nodded.

The Innkeeper slid keys over the counter, and she grabbed them.

“Can you send supper to my room?” she asked over her shoulder.

“It’s good stew tonight,” he yelled as she wound her way up the stairs. “I’ll make sure to send it.”

The heavy lock was a bit of a push to turn in the door, but Sandy was happy to be in the room. Although the noise downstairs was ridiculous for the hour, the walls and floors were thick lumber that did a good job of dampening it. She kicked her shoes off and went to the bed. It was soft and melted under her. She let go of any interior structure she had and flopped backwards. She would love a bath before bed. She wondered if there were such facilities in the small space and was pleasantly surprised by a small wooden tub behind a room divider. She would have to pop a good few kettles of water on to fill up, but she had time. There was a warming stove in the corner for such a purpose. She made herself a cup of tea as she waited for the water to boil.

Soon she was in the bath with her feet soaking. She had to pour in a decent amount of cold to counter the hot and managed to get it just right. All of the day’s strain seemed to wash away in the heat.

She thought about Tobias and where he might be. Far from the luxury of a bath, she was sure. He was probably held up in some tent, at the base of the mountain. She wondered what was going through his mind right now. Was he thinking about her? Revenge for his son? Maybe thoughts about his wife?

She plunged her head into the water, and as she submerged, she let the thoughts drip off her, like the water droplets. There was no point in wasting time trying to think of a man’s thoughts before his death. All she could do now was think about her own curiosity. There had to be some knowledge around the monster more than what she had found in the archive. Someone else must have come to the same conclusion as Tobias had… that the creature works off emotion rather than bloodlines. The Inn Keeper seemed to know more than what he was willing to share. All she could do now was wait for the morning.

There was a thump at her door.

She pulled herself out of the warm water. It was already losing most of its heat.

“Coming!” she yelled, as she patted herself dry and reached for a gown.

The door was heavy to open, and as she did, the volume downstairs blasted through.

“They get rowdy down there, aren’t they?” she said to the girl. She smiled politely and passed Sandy a board with a bowl of stew and bread on it.

Sandy was thankful to close the door to the noise. She placed her food down on the table and sat to eat. Of course they were rowdy. For years, her acquaintances and fellow villagers had all lived in a suppressed fear. It was never ‘enough’ for them to move on, but they were never completely free either. It was the mild stress equivalent of having a passive-aggressive boss who snipped at your ankles randomly. It didn’t feel that bad when you were there, as a single person sacrifice every two and a half years doesn’t seem much. More lives are lost collectively to teapot mishandles every year. But it was the suspense of it coming, then the relief, only for the anxiety to build up again. You just never knew if this was it. If this year was the year your ticket was up.

Sandy put the warm, hearty stew in her mouth. She knew the party downstairs was going to continue until the morning, when they would finally burn off their nerves, release their anxiety, and let the stress out. But then… in the first ray of light, hers would start.

It was time for her to find out the truth and perhaps help Tobias.