Find Us in the Shivering - Chapter 16

Once again, Josh ventured into the desert town alone and hoping he would go unrecognized as people went about their daily routines and tasks.  The wind still blew, never seeming to go away completely.  While just a breeze, people did walk about with head and face coverings as if always ready to protect themselves like others would have an umbrella handy for a sporadic downpour.

Josh took in his surroundings.  The houses were boxy, looking similar in design and making Josh think the insides were the same layout.  As far as he could tell, nothing made the town stick out.  There was no character.  Residential areas consisted of normal cross pattern streets while they eventually shifted to businesses like Syd's.  

The extra weight of the water pouch underneath his shirt made moving on foot somewhat uncomfortable and the material made him sweat.  He felt eyes each time he passed a house or a car drove by.  The thought came all of a sudden.  If Anson's words were to be believed and Josh could not leave the town, then was he an automatic citizen?  How would he be treated by everyone?  Was there trust or at least a shade of disinterest?  He had to put it to test.  

Josh eventually found himself out of the residential streets and near some larger buildings though he could not tell what service they provided.  He thought he heard the loud whirring of a pneumatic socket wrench close by, guessing a garage but as he turned in that direction, a familiar foe drove by.  Dee on her dirt bike casually rolled down a cross street.

Syd.  It was perhaps too risky but Josh had to take a chance even if it meant the smoker and his niece were just as likely to leave him out in the desert to be fed on by the jacks.

Josh hurried in the direction she drove, still taking notice of the streets and their names as well as any memorable landmarks.  He needed to learn the town.  Stuck or not, navigating his mission required more than flippant observation.  He lost sight of Dee but he did see some things he recognized from before.  He turned a corner and then another and found Syd's pawn shop.

Rather than going through the back door like he did his first night with Dee, Josh entered through the front, bell announcing his arrival.

Syd stood behind his display case, bifocals on while he examined old coins now.  Dee had a bottle of water to her mouth, stopping and eyeing him sideways.

"Brave or stupid," Syd said, placing the coin in his hand on a clean cloth.  

"A bit of both I think," Josh admitted.  "I just need to know where I can find Cannon.  Wait!"  The demeanors of both shifted to frustration.  "I'm only looking to get my grandfather's walking stick back.  That's it."

Syd exhaled loudly, reaching for a steaming cup of coffee, and sipping.  "I'll offer you help, stray, for a price."

Josh considered stepping closer but Dee's body language reeked of wanting to hurt him and he had no idea if the water vest would be effective against a smoker.  "Go ahead."

"What is it?" Syd asked.

"What's what?  After the days I've just had, I have no idea what 'it' is?"  Josh wanted to show them his bandaged ribs but knew he could not.

"Dee," Syd said, "stop with your fidgeting.  I can see and hear your fingers rubbing against each other from here."  She stopped but it took obvious effort.  "The walking stick.  I saw how you were willing to abandon everything except that stick.  Dee noticed too.  So, what is it?"

"Just the only thing I have left of him."

Syd's brows furrowed.  "Not a lie."  He took another drink, noticed something on the case top and stared at it for awhile.  His attention came back to Josh.  "But not the whole truth.  Absolute honesty, stray, or I give you nothing except Dee's permission to put you on your back in the street... burned and smoldering."

Josh tried to relax, letting the tension out of his shoulders and neck.  "It will help me find the kids."

Both Syd and Dee exchanged looks but it was the former that spoke.  "How?"

Josh shook his head.  "I can't explain that because I don't know how it works."

"Meaning," Dee said.

"Meaning it was my grandfather's and I saw him do things with it--amazing things--but he never told me how.  He died, I took it, and I hoped it would help me.  That's the honest truth.  I came here, knowing I could find the kids with it."  It felt freeing to finally say it all out loud but Josh could not read Syd after the confession.

Syd studied Josh a long time.  "You're an odd one and I can tell you Dee would love nothing more than to do what Cannon couldn't.  However, your tenacity and truthfulness buy you something with me.  Lies get you nothing.  Remember that."  He adjusted his bifocals and began examining the coins again.  

Dee continued to watch Josh and he felt the awkwardness of it all settling in.  

Syd whistled to gain Josh's attention.  The pawn broker pointed over to Josh's left.  There it was: his grandfather's walking stick stood in a large urn with other walking sticks, a broom, and pool cues.  "Cannon brought it and everything he took off of you.  It cost me more than you'd expect."  Josh reached for his wallet.  "Eh, eh, eh.  Your truthfulness bought you something.  I'm a man of my word."