House Party

[Sage]

Once customer left. Another appeared. There likely be a line of unsuspecting customers. But something about the kid in front of it was wrong. Not just lying, but wrong. It smelled wrong -- grime and dirt and decay. It peeked their interest. They didn't care about the answer it gave, but only a tool to get the answers they desired.

But another lie was told. But there was money to be earned. And maybe a regular customer. "Another of those and I'll throw in an extra. Ten total."

It looked at us with dubious eyes. A half smile creapt across their face but the boy child could not see it through the mask -- a typical dealing. Fear wafted from it. And it pulled another black chit from its pocket before handing it over. "Deal"

It didn't wait around for more than the package to be handed over before it slipped off around the corner.

They followed it into the crowd and spied upon it till it disappeared up the stairs. Curious.

A name flashed across its vision and the child was forgotten. The enemy. The challenge. But he wasn't alone. He was dragging along another child -- a clean one, too entergentic for its taste. Best to avoid. Watch and wait...