Mystery Ranch Hat
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I’ve got a mystery to solve. And I don’t have much time to do it, either. I’m going to be busy with this whole “vampire hunter” thing for the foreseeable future. So I’d better get cracking.
First order of business: I need to figure out who I am, what I can do, and how I got here. That’s not going to be easy. All the things I could do as a vampire were just natural for me, but I have no idea what they are now that I’m human.
For example, I can see in the dark pretty well. But it’s not like I’ve always been able to do that. What is it? My eyes? The fact that I’m wearing sunglasses indoors? And I’m definitely faster than I used to be. Much faster. Like I’ve got rocket boots on or something.
So, the first order of business: find out what these new abilities are.
I get dressed, then walk to the kitchen and start pulling ingredients from the refrigerator. It’s kind of an odd mixture, but it’ll work.
The first thing I do is get some coffee going. Then I throw a handful of nuts into a small pot of boiling water. I use walnuts, almonds, and pecans. They’re all good sources of protein and healthy fats. I pour the nuts into a bowl when they’re done and let them cool.
Then I make a couple of eggs over easy, crack one egg into each half of my avocado, and put a slice of ham on top of each half. After that, I add a dollop of mayo to each, sprinkle some salt and pepper on top, and cut the yolks off of each. I’ll eat them while I’m driving.
While the eggs are cooking, I chop up a few more carrots, onions, and celery. When the eggs are ready, I pull them off the stove and pour the hot water into the bowl with the nuts. Then I stir in the other ingredients and let it simmer until it’s thick.
When I’m finished eating, I’ll put the leftovers in a baggie and throw them in the cooler. I’ll have to stop at the grocery store later. I still need to get some more food for tomorrow night’s dinner.
I’ll also need to pick up a few things from the hardware store. I’ll need to buy some things I’ve never even heard of before. I’ve got a feeling that I’m going to need them.
***
Mystery Ranch Hat
As soon as I park my truck, I grab the duffel bag I brought with me and open the door. I’ll take my time getting home, and I don’t want to get stuck in traffic.
I get out of the truck and stretch my legs. It’s a beautiful day outside, and the sky is clear blue. The sun is shining, and I can see the mountains behind the houses on either side of my street. I look down and notice that it’s still a little early for the flowers to be blooming. But they’ll be pretty soon.
The last thing I do is pull the sunglasses off my head and stuff them into the pocket of my jeans.
I walk to the front door, unlock it, and step inside. The house is quiet. I don’t hear any music playing or see any lights on. I guess everyone else is still sleeping.
I leave the duffel bag by the front door and go upstairs to check on Mom and Dad. I open the door to their bedroom and find them both lying in bed.
“Hey, guys,” I say. “How was your first day back?”
Mom looks up at me and smiles. “It was great! We had so much fun yesterday. We didn’t know there were so many new things to do around here.”
“Yeah,” Dad says. “We’re just happy we get to stay here and be close to our friends. And our daughter.”
I smile, then walk over to the dresser and hang up my jacket.
“So, what are you guys doing today?” I ask.
“Well, I was thinking we could go to the zoo,” Mom says. “But I’d like to take it easy this morning, and maybe play some cards later. What about you?”
“I’ll probably do something,” I say. “But I have a question for you.”
“What’s that?”
“Are you going to be okay alone this weekend? I’m kind of busy with some stuff.”
“Oh, we’ll be fine. We’re just going to sit around and relax. You won’t even know we’re gone.”
I nod, then walk out of the room and head downstairs. I put my duffel bag in the guestroom, then walk into the kitchen and pour myself a cup of coffee. I notice that I’ve got mail waiting for me on the counter. It’s addressed to me. I guess I forgot to send out my change of address.
I get another cup of coffee, and when I come back down to the kitchen, I notice that Mom is looking at me strangely.
“What?” I ask.
“You look different,” she says.
“Huh? Why do you say that?”
“Well, you used to have those big glasses on all the time, and now you don’t.”
“I took them off a while ago.”
“That’s not what I meant,” she says. “It’s just that you look really good without them.”
“Thanks,” I say.
“No, I mean, you look a lot healthier. You’ve lost a lot of weight since last year.”
“Really?”
“Yeah, you really have. I think you’re looking better than ever.”
I smile and thank her.
“I’m glad you’re feeling better,” she says. “But are you sure you’re okay by yourself this weekend? I could always come over.”
“Nah, I’ll be fine. I can handle myself. And if I need help, I can call someone.”
She smiles and nods.
I finish my coffee and leave the house.
***
The Zoo
The zoo is just a few miles away from my house. It’s a great place to walk around and see exotic animals. There’s a big parking lot right next to the entrance, so I drive my truck over there and park it. I take the duffel bag with me and walk inside.
I find the front desk and ask the woman behind it where the closest bathroom is. She points me in the right direction, and I go inside. I lock the door behind me and check the stalls. Both are empty. I close the doors and do my business, then wash my hands and head back outside.
I make my way through the zoo and find myself on the path that leads to the giraffes. I stop for a moment and watch them eat. They’re huge animals, and they seem peaceful enough. I love watching them, but I’m also anxious about what’s going to happen next.
There’s a big wooden fence that separates us from the giraffes. I can’t get too close to them, and I don’t want to bother them. So, I stand back and watch as they eat.
It doesn’t take long before I feel something grab my arm. I turn around and see a woman standing behind me.
“Hey,” she says. “I saw you watching the giraffes.”
I smile.
“I was wondering if you’d like to come over here and look at them closer.”
She looks down at my hand, which is holding onto my duffel bag. “What’s in the bag?”
I look at her, then back at the bag. “Just some stuff.”
“Oh, okay. I guess we’ll just have to do it another time.”
I nod.
“So, what do you say?”
“Uh… sure,” I say.
She smiles.
“Okay, follow me.”
She walks out of the enclosure and I follow her. We walk past the tigers, then cross the road and head toward the gorillas.
We pass by the big cats, then continue on until we reach the elephants.
“This is really cool,” I say.
“Yeah, it is,” she says. “I love coming here. It’s so relaxing.”
“Have you been coming here for a while?”
“Years,” she says. “My dad used to bring me when I was younger. I used to be afraid of the monkeys, but now I think they’re pretty neat.”
“I never thought about it, but I guess I’m not afraid of them anymore.”
“No, I know what you mean. It’s a lot easier to get used to things when you’re older.”
We make our way to the end of the elephant enclosure, and she stops to let me catch up with her.
“Here,” she says. “I brought you some peanuts.”
She reaches into her pocket and pulls out a small bag of peanuts. She hands them to me.
“Thanks.”
I take one out, peel off the shell, and pop it into my mouth. Then I put the rest in my pocket.
“Did you come here often with your dad?”
“Yeah, we would come to every couple of weeks.”
“And he used to bring you here?”
“Yes, and sometimes my mom came too.”
“How did your parents die?”
“Oh, I didn’t tell you that, did I?”
“You never said. Did they die in an accident or something?”
“They were killed.”
I frown. “Killed? How?”
“It was a murder-suicide. They were murdered by a man who wanted to steal their money.”
I feel the blood drain from my face.
“Yeah, it was pretty horrible,” she says. “But I don’t want to talk about it right now.”
I nod.
“Anyway, I think you should go back to the giraffes,” she says. “They seem pretty excited about you being here.”
“Sure.”
I walk past the elephants and head toward the fence. There are several people standing near the fence, and a few of them laugh when they see me. The giraffes all look at me and smile. I feel like I’m on camera or something.
The woman walks over to me. “What’s your name?” she asks.
“Jared,” I say.
“Okay, Jared. What do you want to be when you grow up?”
“Um… I don’t know. Maybe a teacher?”
“That’s a good choice. You can help kids, and you’ll have a big impact on their lives.”
I smile.
“Do you know why giraffes are so tall?” she asks.
I shake my head.
“Well, it’s because they have to reach the leaves on top of trees.”
“I guess that makes sense.”
“It’s also because they have to be able to run away from predators.”
“Really?”
“Yep, that’s why they’re so fast. And they can run for miles without getting tired.”
“That’s impressive.”
“It is, isn’t it? They’re really incredible animals.”
She hands me another handful of peanuts and then we continue walking toward the tigers.
“So, what’s your favorite animal?” she asks.
“The tiger.”
“You like cats?”
“I love them. I’ve always wanted to have one as a pet. I had a cat when I was younger, but he ran away.”
“Oh, I’m sorry. I bet you miss him.”
“Yeah, I do.”
We stop at the end of the tiger enclosure and she points to a small sign. “This is the area where you can feed them. It’s a little dangerous, though. You should probably stay back.”
She points to the small opening in the fence. There are two metal bars inside the enclosure that allow you to pass food through. The tigers can reach their paws through and grab the food, which they then eat.
“I think I’ll wait here,” I say.
“Okay, well, just keep your fingers inside the fence and don’t touch the tigers.”
“I won’t.”
She smiles. “Okay, well, I’ll be right here if you need anything.”
“Thanks.”
“No problem.”
I take out the peanuts and put them into my pocket. Then I stand next to the fence and watch the tigers. They look pretty happy, and they’re all smiling and looking at me. It feels like they’re talking to me.
One of the tigers jumps up on the fence and then slides down to the ground. He stares at me with his bright yellow eyes. Then he sticks his paws through the metal bars, reaches over, and grabs a peanut.
“He likes you,” the woman says.
I laugh. “Yeah, I guess he does.”
The tiger sniffs the peanuts, turns around, and then sits down. He chews on the peanuts and then swallows them. I smile and turn away from the fence.
Then I see a flash of red.
It’s coming from the tiger, and it’s glowing like fire. My stomach twists and my hands feel cold.
“Jared!” the woman yells. “What are you doing?”
I stare at the tiger and then back at the woman. She’s yelling, but I can’t hear her.
My body starts to shake, and my heart feels like it’s going to explode. I turn away from the tiger and run toward the fence.
“Jared!” the woman screams again. “What is wrong with you? What happened?”
But I can’t answer her. All I can do is scream.
The End