CHAPTER FOUR

  The change in the mood changed and it was noticeable as soon as Leland stepped inside the café. He was as though half of the morning air had been sucked out of the dining area and there was a feeling of slow motion as Leland walked slowly without concern of how each patron watched him,

  webbing always led to the heart beat of the town, back to those people who were part of the original settling of the town. Those persons who were known as the big decision makers or held the most money and property of town.

  Leland needed the bloodline, the money train first and foremost He carefully began to gather his intel by sitting quietly, eating a small breakfast and listening intently to every word said. He took mental notes as his mind had become so keen at knowing all important factors for the sake of his plan.

  Leland had wanted to take no more than a few days to begin putting his ideas into play. For him this was the same as all the other towns in nowhere USA. No matter where he ended up it was always the same. Small town, small mind, small wants with most of the towns people having zero resources to be anywhere but here. Mary stepped up the corner table, hands shaking as she felt an uneasiness that could not be explained. Clearing her throat and trying not to directly look the strange man in all black in the eye as she said almost in a whisper," Good morning, sir. May I take your order?" Mary asked nervously.

  Without even acknowledging Mary, Leland spoke in low voice that sounded almost like it was echoing, Black coffee, steaming please. Two eggs over easy, sausage, fried potatoes and toast." He responded flatly never looking up.

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  With his order being given Leland sat back looking at each person in the café, studying them, their every move, every single expression of their faces. He had neither note pad nor pen or pencil to take notes. His mind was like a sponge, He simply listened, watched and stored everything that was revealed.

  After Mary had brought the food ordered out and sat it on table in front of the skeletal man, she turn and quickly left disappearing into the back storage area. The icy cold feeling that had over whelmed her was weighing heavily on her body and mind. If anything was true this morning it was that the man in all black harbored evil deep within his soul.

  After completing his morning meal Leland had decided to view the town with an easy stroll through Main Street. He took slow, easy strides as his jet-black eyes scanned each and every building and business. He stopped at each shops window to peer inside in order to configure how to go about his planning.

  Every business, shop owner, bank and place of gathering served a purpose for what was to come first, then last. He never had an exact time limit as to how long he had to finish his task. He only needed to ensure that what he left behind him as he rolled out of town would satisfy his master’s desires. Nothing about Hershel stood out from any other town that he had taken on. It was as he knew from the beginning just another hole in the wall place where people had landed and either could not afford to move on or simply were too lazy to want more. If Leland knew one thing about the human condition it was that when faced with a real hardship of doing more to improve your life or just accepting that this place, this moment was as good as it would get, the majority of losers would bow to this place. It took a certain type of character to push forward in the worst of times and so far through the long years of watching humans most were not capable of pushing beyond the brick walls.

  This Monday was the beginning of the work week, it was also the beginning to an ending yet to come. Leland could hardly wait for the ending to begin in earnest.

  Dark times would soon cover the blue sky. Nothing good last forever as the dark master would have his day.