CHAPTER 3

"Ladies and gentlemen, this is your pilot speaking; We have reached our destination. We now ask that you please fasten your seatbelts for landing, thank you for flying with Delta Airlines.

I stretch out of my sleep and fasten my seatbelt. I had a cup of coffee and some crisps on the first flight and got a Mega McMuffin on the Atlanta layover, I am not sure if it was hunger from all the walking or boredom from all the waiting because I had waffles and berries on the flight from Amsterdam with another coffee and two bottles of Fiji water.

Any hoots, 16 hours later, I am jetlagged AF, a bit famished from that six-hour second flight, waiting for my duffel bag to make its way to me, I did order a taxi service but I am wondering if I shouldn't just make my own life easier and rent a car? lord knows how long I will have to be in the States. I think I will make up my mind after proper sleep so I can go to the hotel and the rest can be sorted when my brain works.

I have rented a condo through AirBnB online, In the French Quarter on Bourbon Street. According to the journals, this is where the magic happens for "Our Kind". It's a nice condo fully fitted with a kitchen that will never be used by me. A King-size bed, it sure is a great sleep, I will miss this bed when I leave. The bathroom is everything my dreams are made of haha, everything about this place screams cozy, comfortable, and homey.

I am not sure if I had another dream or if I was in between sleep and awake but I swear I heard wolves howling in my sleep. It could have been anything since the St John's Bayou is a nine to ten-minute drive from where I am. After being stuck on an aircraft for so many hours and then in and out of terminals, I just wanted some fresh air so I slept with the windows open. Don't worry I did call Shennar during each layover, when I touched down in New Orleans, and again when I got to the Condo.

I did end up leasing a car as well, since I have a Ford Fiesta ST back home I figured I would stick to what I am familiar with, I will pick up the vehicle after breakfast, but for now I need to shower away the sleepiness.

As I get out of the shower and head to my duffel bag on the bed, I notice a black cat with green eyes perched on the balcony just staring at me, in Scotland, black cats are considered lucky.

So I drop my towel ready to dress and for some reason, while putting on my panties, I see the cat is turned with its back to me. So I finish dressing and head out to the balcony, I greet the cat and to my surprise, he bows his head. Are Scottish cats ill-mannered? I have never seen one great back before nor turn its back while one is getting dressed.

"You must have great owners, I have never seen a Tom act so gentlemanly nor so mannerly." The cat huffs and I let out a giggle. I don't see a Collar around its neck.

"So you don't have a name then? That is unfortunate, I guess I will just call you Tom then, is that okay with you?" He cranks his head sideways and blinks "I'll take that as an aye then Lad, I haven't gone shopping yet, so I suppose I will have to get some breakfast after I pick up the rental."

I turn around and lock the balcony door, I have valuables that don't need stealing or peeping at. I lock the doors as I make my way out and stuff the keys in my bag which is situated across my body and hanging on my hip.

After I have signed for the car, I drive past a place called McDonald's. I have seen this chain of restaurants all over YouTube and movies and series that I have watched but never actually had any. So I went through the drive-through and being me I ordered everything my grandfather never gave me! I had the big form of everything on the breakfast menu, my usual espresso coffee, and because I have never had any other coffee I had an iced caramel latte and three of the meals came with coffee too,

so I will not head back to my condo with my four hot coffees, one cold coffee and enough food to feed a family of four. I hope I will be able to finish them all.

I sent Shennar a picture of my feast and a selfie of me stuffing the bacon eggs and cheese biscuit in my mouth.

He called me greedy for ordering more than what was needed and scolded me that I should have gone to purchase groceries instead and followed that up with he was happy that I was eating. Then asked If I had any dreams, to my surprise I didn't realize that since I got on the Airplane after the second layover and the sleep after my jetlag I had no dreams. I informed Shennar of this, and his response was good, the amulet is doing its job then, enjoy your brekkie greedy and have a successful day.

Shaking my head, I finished my breakfast and I mean every last bite, I totally passed out there after and woke up at around three in the afternoon, to find the black cat lying on the pillow next to me.

"Tom? Did no one tell you it is rude to startle a lass especially after she just woke up? " He just purrs at me, "All alright then, I forgive ya, next time announce yourself kindly won't ya? I pop one of the cups of coffee into the Mikey for five minutes after pouring it into a clay cup then start sipping on the iced coffee. Hmmmm "How have I never had any of these delicious things before? Swear I could be from another world" I say to the cat laughing, it just stares at me with its big green eyes.

"Alright then Tom, I asked the lad at the rental if we can have pets in the vehicles and he said it's okay, so if you want to come along for a joy ride ya best get your backside up."

As if understanding my every word, Tom gets up stretches, and walks to the door, I pour the hot coffee back into the cardboard cup and head out with my bag and keys once again ensuring everything is locked.

Time for a little investigating, I needed to find that ally I saw the young girl being attacked by the shadow.

We probably could have walked but my legs are jelly and I just don't feel like walking in a place I am not as familiar with.

"I have a question, why are there so many eateries and drinking places so close by? Are they trying to keep people eating and drunk?" I ask Tom as I drive through the streets, perched in the seat next to me, he mews.

"I know, I know; It's just I have no idea how to choose. Besides I am on a mission, I am more than just a tourist Tom, I am... well fuck, I have no idea what I am but I know that this is something to do. So help a las out and pick a place to eat." The cat licks his paw, he looks up at me then looks past me in the direction his paw is resting "You think I need to eat? alright then.

Now where do we want to park, I think the sidewalk would work well. Letting the other cars pass by me, I make a U-Turn and opt to stand right in front of the place Tom has chosen for us.

As we exit the vehicle I look around the outside of the pub, it looks rather peaceful right now. You know? Like a respectable establishment, I wonder how long the pub has been around, or if is it considered a bar. Isn’t it the same thing though? Americans must always complicate everything that is meant to be simple, don’t they?

Nonetheless, I am starving! I need to eat before I become hangry; trust and believe when I tell you, that is not a sight anyone who values their life wants to witness.

Well, I am hoping that we find some answers in there while we are at it. Haha did I mention how violent I can get when I’m without food for too long? It’s like the wrath of God is here to destroy any who has dared to let me starve for this long.

Anyway, I’m rambling let’s get inside.