BURDEN OF AN ANCIENT OATH by Joshua Brown (early reader books TXT) 📕

she shook her head and shrugged her shoulders. “I just want to know that you’re okay. You’re a good man, Jack, and I don’t want to see the world lose a good man because he throws himself into his work head-on. I guess I’m just looking out for you, like you’ve always looked out for us.”

“This is a big break, Lauren,” I tried easing her mind. “This might even be our final push to put down a case that’s been sitting for over three decades. Whoever the Order of the Phoenix is, whatever evil they want to bring on this world, we’re going to end it.”

Lauren nodded, pulling herself out of the chair. “I trust you, Jack. I know I always can. As long as you’re standing up and fighting the good fight, there’s nothing I’d rather see.”

I let her walk out. I knew she just wanted the best for me, and I wanted the same for all of them. But the only way to make sure that happened was by ridding the world of the scum that dwelled in it.

~

Gwen arrived a few hours later, while I was in the midst of researching the Salty Oyster. It was designed with hoodlums and criminals in mind—men and women who did gun-for-hire work or drug trafficking. The place seemed fitting for a man like the Witchfinder General, someone looking to build an army of monsters who cared about nothing but coin.

After the usual questions of how I was feeling after the night before, and my attempts to let everyone know that I really was fine, we all stepped into my office. The two ladies sat in front of me while Aaron hovered behind them, resting on his haunches.

“So, what are we looking at here?” Gwen asked, crossing her arms.

“From what I can find, the Salty Oyster is known for its rather shady clientele. Bad men with bad intentions, looking to make a quick buck any way they can,” I started. “We know that the Witchfinder General’s looking for these exact people to cause a little havoc around the world. With his current crew, the same ones that came to your place, I think, out of commission, he’ll be on the hunt again.”

“What about the one at the Dench family’s house?” Gwen asked. “It doesn’t add up, Jack. There were four that came to my place and only three at yours. And if these were just some thugs, why did a man kill himself for this bullshit cause?”

“I thought about that after those hooligans came to my house. Three guns for hire, while one was far more inclined to believe the nonsense that the Witchfinder spoke. We’re also thinking about men like Oscar Carlisle, right? Deluded people that don’t know what to do but listen to the voice of power. I believe he’s used them to further his twisted agenda, while the others aren’t part of his actual crew,” I replied.

There was no proof behind my estimations of the situation, but it seemed logical enough. Why would the Witchfinder hang out around some shady bar if he had all the men he needed? People that wanted, or more often required, money would be more inclined to join him.

“That’s as good a reason as any to go by, I guess,” Aaron said, eyeing my screen. “What’s our plan of action then?”

I looked over at Lauren, who almost looked disappointed in the whole situation. There was a smile on her face, no doubt because I was out of my slump, but her eyes betrayed her sadness.

“We’re going to go there and deal with this once and for all. Before he gets the chance to attack the Dench’s or the Williamson’s. For too long now, this piece of work has been reigning terror onto the people of New York, good people that have no say in the matter because they’re backed into a corner. From my understanding, he always keeps his mask on even when he’s at the Salty Oyster. It shouldn’t be hard to pick him out,” I replied.

I found that many times, attacking head-on was the best play. Making plans and acting in the shadows was for scared people. Taking the bull by the horns and conquering was the only way I believed in working.

“And what if tonight’s the night he makes a move on one of the families? And we’re all the way out of the city, too far to get to them?” Gwen asked.

“If you’re worried, maybe you and Aaron should hang back and take care of any threats that happen around town,” I reached for my box of Lucky Strikes, lighting one up.

“There’s no way I’m letting you walk into the lion's den without any help,” Aaron shook his head. “That’s a death sentence, and you know it.”

“Maybe it is, maybe it isn’t. But look, that’s not my call. I’d rather have you here anyway, staying safe. We’ve seen too much, and I don’t think I can deal with any of you getting hurt.”

“And what about you, Jack? What if you get hurt?” Lauren asked.

“That’s a risk I’ve always been willing to take, and I’ll keep taking it,” I cut it off. I knew it came from a good place, but I wasn’t going to stand for these monsters getting away with murder.

“Look, how about you and Aaron go down to the Salty Oyster while I stay in town? I’ll hold down the fort over here. If anything happens, at least I can give you guys a call,” Gwen said, instantly noticing the tension between Lauren and me, deciding to get back to the important topic at hand.

“I’m down with it if you are,” Aaron replied, gesturing to me with a hand. Though he’d be happy to follow the instruction, he’d want to make sure I was on board with it first.

“Then it’s settled. Aaron