The Generals Generally Generic Goods store was at least brightly colored. That was the least someone could say about the building. Over the remaining lifetime of general Henderman he'd had the building repainted no less than once a year. The old man was quoted as saying.
"If we can't appear fresh, how would anyone else know our products are fresh?"
Being the original location and not even near the top in profitability Jeb had long since abandoned that idea. Each flecking piece of paint showed an echo of the past. Whenever Nate saw the old paint underneath he couldn't help but feel like he was staring at a spirit.
Just like the spirit that had helped him.
His earlier anger at Jeb was subsiding. A thought had occurred to him. What if Jeb knows something about spirits? Could that be the reason that he was calling on him? Maybe, this meeting would do more good than harm.
The back office despite the peeling exterior was the main office of the Henderman's businesses. In some ways Jeb believed the establishment was a representation of himself. The outside might not look great but the inside was impeccable. If you could ignore the flaws.
Large dark oak shelves lined the office. Once there had been an assortment of books of every variety. Each was a collectible, some with their origins of a questionable nature. Clearly they were spoils of war. Jeb had long since sold off anything that brought in a profit.
Now the embossed shelves were littered with old nick-nacks of no consequence. At most things that were made to look nice but were of inferior quality. Nate took particular note of the POP figures that were placed on the left most shelf closest to the desk. Old relics in their own right, their origins lost to time.
The desk and chairs shared similar origins. They were of fine make and had been too hard to replace. The desk with its special bolts into the flooring posed the most immense problem. A fine layer of dust was over everything that wasn't the desk or where Jeb sat. The chair groaned like the platform which had given way. The man's mass pushes the chair's ability with each little turn and adjustment.
Jeb was correct in a way. He was more similar to the building and the office. A crumbling appearance which grew worse with time, and a handed down mind in disrepair. He'd never notice till it was too late.
"Sir."
Nate stood in the doorway waiting for instruction. These months of hard labor had taught him it was best to listen before acting. It was outside his normal personality. He'd rather just say whatever he wanted. Some part of him thought he was becoming a stick in the mud, too well mannered. His chest burned hot with anger, a cooling sensation moved to quell it.
"Sit, lad, sit. I won't be doing nothing, you won't want me too."
With a disgusted face Nate moved to open the door.
"Wait! Sorry. I didn't mean it that way. Look, I know you're gifted."
That last word seemed to hint at something. What did he know? Did Jeb really have answers? Nate chose to play along.
"Maybe, what does it mean to you?"
"Brilliant so you do have the sight. Can you see them without them forming? How about in here? Is my father here?"
The last question was dripping with a secret fear. Luckily for father and son he was not here otherwise Nate was sure he'd have gone mad.
"I can see and your father isn't with us."
"Hoooo. Thank god for that."
He gave a smarmy smile and dabbed at a his perspiring forehead.
"Lad. No, Nate. Let me prevent your quick exit. I have a business proposition for someone with your. Lets say, Skills. Now I know this might be beneath someone gifted but seeing as how you're working for me you appear desperate."
Nate looked at him coldly. The man's fat shook, taking the measure of the so-called lad in front of him. Beyond what he knew of his sight. It was a fact Nate could carry much more than anyone else.
Nate didn't find his strength all that amazing; he'd always been bigger than most people. Even when he was young he was as strong as an ox. It was how he got into so much trouble as a kid.
Nate was 6ft tall by his last measurement and wide at the shoulders. The reason he was so gentle, bottling up his emotions. All came from when he used to tear people limb from limb. It was all so easy back then. Having more of a strongman build than that of a bodybuilder, he moved with a surprising amount of agility.
Getting the measure of Nate seemed to stump Jeb. It was as if this was the first time he was really looking at his worker. He was used to strong guys working for him and knew a fighter when he saw one.
"So you've got a job outside of construction? I don't swing that way."
"Ha, funny. I want you to swing a different way. Using this."
With a toad-like smile he indicated an ornate box. Nate hadn't noticed during his initial once over of the room. Amongst the many frauds in the room, this one box gave off something else. It had that sense of being for real successful people.
Carved into the redwood were pictures of a battlefield. On the right men dressed in army fatigues without any equipment save for their knives. A trench ran through the center within an ominous shadow. Finally on the left another group but not charging they were in the throes of killing one another.
With a lick of his lips Jeb lifted the lid. Within was some long piece of metal wrapped tightly in a sticky looking red cloth. Only the back end poked out with a hint of wood connected. It was in the shape of a handle by Nate's approximation.
"My father. He was a hard man. I only saw him cry once in his life. It was at my sister's wedding, but that's not the point. When he was passing away he told me never to open this box unless it was an emergency. Told me it was connected to you people. Special issue for the war."
Jeb's face was overcast with a shadow. Something haunted those memories and Nate did not want to cut into that bomb.
"And why would I need to use your emergency weapon?"
"Yes, well. I have identified several homes that are currently in need of ownership."
He said it as if the answer was obvious. Nate had no idea what he was supposed to pick up on. What did homeownership have to do with weapons? Did he have to kill someone?
"Then buy them. I can't lend you any money."
Jeb seemed to get angry at that comment and slammed the lid shut before thinking better of it. He gently reopened the box with respect.
"I guess you'd be making better money with those powers if you were money minded. Here's a lesson lad learn to leverage what you got. They're haunted, those buildings, each and everyone of them. Not those cute cheeky haunts, with casper. I mean maim, gut, and kill you kind. Each one is a guaranteed death sentence. Well, almost all of them. Some you buy and you die. Others, you just can't stay there for more than a week. Getting the picture?"
Was this true? Did Jeb stumble upon a host of haunted buildings all on his own? Nate felt something was wrong. He was the one in the dark about everything and didn't like that fact.
"So I use that to kill the ghosts. You then buy the places and sell them for an incredible profit."
Figuring the buildings must be dirt cheap given their previous events the mark up could be tremendous. Nate just wondered if they could even be sold after what'd happened. Jeb for his part pulled his skin flaps into what must have been his imitation of a genuine smile.
"Right, the lad sees the vision. We buy the properties, clear them out, and then boom. Some choice buildings are ready to be sold at a premium. Only a fool wouldn't buy them once they're cleared."
It seemed that Nate was coming to understand how Jeb had gotten successful. It was simple really; he had an eye for money. His execution wasn't the best but he would take risks. That's where his penny pinching came into effect. Making up for anything on the back end. Bastard, Nate thought to himself. Lucky bastard.
"We? You're being very generous with that proposition."
"Yes, we. I figure as payment you can have 5% of the profit of the sale. A generous offer if I say so myself."
Nate wasn't sure how much that would be but those buildings would take forever to sell. The job itself he actually found himself agreeing with. If Jeb couldn't see spirit normally then maybe these places were just empty. Nate thought he might try his hand at some luck.
"I think 25% would be better."
"Wh-what, you, that, no. No. I don't think so. 10% how about it?"
It seemed that Jeb hadn't realized he didn't have any real leverage, not that a percentage was what Nate wanted in the first place.
"How many homes?"
Eyes brightening seeing he'd caught the young fool his tongue shot out licking his lips.
"Just 5. So we have a deal."
He reached his hand out for a hand shake.
"15% percent."
Nate's calm voice boiled Jeb's bones. He still had options.
"11% take my offer while I'm being nice. Wouldn't want anyone to find out how you're living would we?"
Nate ground his teeth his egging on seemed to have worked a little too well. Jeb was using his actual card here and they both knew it. He'd already proven he knew about Teddy.
"*Cough* I believe we could both go without that happening. As an apology. Why not just do 8% on the front end."
Nate had cleared his throat and gave a charming smile. It was the smile he wore at the convenience store, or when he had to convince Mandy of something. He felt like a cat stepping down on the mouse's tail.
Jeb seemed to light up a pleased smile on his face as he leaned back in his chair.
"Not a bad idea. Son. I can pay you your part at the start based on what they might sell for, do you realize if it goes for more you'll be missing out?"
Somewhat unexpectedly Jeb gave out some fair advice. Nate almost felt bad for taking his money if he was going to change up like this. But he'd called him son. That bloodlust in his body surged, roiled inside.Even the cool feeling seemed to not stop it this time. After he got that money he'd butcher him. At least that's the thought that went through his still pleasantly smiling face. He wouldn't break the law so fragrantly, not now.
"Thank you for the advice but I need the money. I would have liked to earn more with you but I'll accept what I'm worth."
His lip service pleased Jeb who cozied down into the chair and lit his cigar. Puffs of smoke filled the room as he closed the box. Offering it as a gift to Nate.
"I'll pay you before each job. Can you start tomorrow around noon? I'll need to get the worksite moving before we head there."
After a brief discussion on when and where to meet Nate finally headed home. A thrill in his heart over the money he was going to make. Jeb likewise smiled at his future profits and the deal he'd made.
***
School was boring for Teddy; this was something seemingly everyone could relate too. It was unique in his case. Unlike those his age who simply wanted to play and enjoy themselves, his problem was from the fact they didn't let him read textbooks. Nate had found him a plethora of topics, which were all better than school.
Teddy observed the other brats as Nate would call them playing, joking, and altogether being unprepared for their futures. Didn't they know they could die at any moment? Teddy often found himself feeling crazy when not with his brother and away from his books. No, one seemed to take anything seriously.
As if on que his singular saving grace seemed to float right into the room. No, not seemingly he was in fact floating. Nate had looked the guy up for Teddy when they'd first encountered him. Mr.Burns was a former college professor. He was former because of the awful fire which had killed him. A matter which he was all too aware of.
"Ted, my finest pupil. Welcome back to school. I'm sure you are heating up with desire. Just blazing to start our lessons?"
The fact was that he'd been a bit of a pyromaniac causing his own death. Teddy responded back with a hidden and small flurry of sign language. The brothers had learned it for their sister and until these lessons it had lost its use. Over three years had still left him rusty.
"I am ready, please instruct me thoroughly."
Before the two could delve into the teachings, which should be far beyond what a 10 year old should be learning, they were interrupted. The teacher Ms. Bridget received a note at the front of the class. Bringing everyone's attention to the front of the class she smiled sweetly.
"Students, I would like for all of you to welcome a new friend to class."
From outside the classroom a young girl stepped inside. Large bright green eyes, silvery blonde hair, and sporting a bright pink backpack. She smiled happily at everyone. Her eyes shot to Mr.Burns and in turn to Teddy.
"She will be joining our class from here on out even though it's closer to the end of the year. I would like for all of you to help her catch up. Do you want to say anything dear?"
Ms.Bridget was a kindly older woman, she was growing forgetful in her old age.. Such as the fact she didn't tell everyone the little girl's name. Nor did she remember to assign class work that day.
"Hello, I look forward to getting along with everyone. My name is Renee Baker. Ma'am may I sit over there."
Her finger pointed directly at the empty seat next to Teddy. Clearly she could see Mr.Burns and that worried Teddy to no end. It was just supposed to be him and his brother who could see. If she could see then what does that mean? He started to sweat profusely.
"Sure, dear. Teddy, please work closely with her if you would dear."
"Yes, Ma'am."
Even in his panic Teddy controlled himself just like his brother did. Needed to not show when something was affecting him, no matter what happened. That's what made someone a man.
When she sat next to him she smelt of fresh cut grass and flowers. She gave him a sweet smile, making the young Teddy's heart skip a beat. Not one to be broken just like that he kept up a neutral face.
She sat in the seat and pulled it closer to him than needed. A beaming smile on her face. She leaned in even further.
"So who's this? An anchor spirit? Or maybe you are using him to cheat?"
She had a mischievous smile that made Teddy feel even more nervous. He knew he needed to escape but there was nowhere to run. He was in more than one way cornered.