Flies got one whiff of my odor and flew the opposite direction, but my destination didn't care about things like hygiene. After all, their species had evolved past those kinds of things. They were the ones I went to for information. They had their claws in everything.

I had them try to find details me and my necklace. I wanted to know anything that would let me find out about my past. They found nothing. When I say nothing I mean it. Their people could travel freely across the multiverse before the gates collapsed. Their evolution made them practically indestructible and able to survive almost any environment.

I had to get to their building first. Traveling in this world was kind of sketchy at best. I chose to walk most places. Helped me keep fit. I read somewhere that humans could out walk almost any animal. No clue if it's true but I like to think so. Older cars worked best. The ones without all the computer components. They were converted to run on things other than oil. The council didn't like them. Found them barbaric and chose beasts of the worlds to travel. Everything from furry catlike creatures, giant sloths made for comfort, and even slimes. I hadn't tried the last part. It freaked me out. Floating in the gel but still being able to breathe and coming out dry. It didn't make sense. So no way was I trying it. Not to mention magic. Creatures could fly without getting hit in the face with bugs. I secretly wanted to test that one.

For me it was walking. Flying might be in the cards some day. In a world of magic, anything could be possible. I wish we could just find the right spell to stop the bad things from happening. To keep people safe and stop the corruption. omnipotent magic didn't exist. Thank Holy Brad for that. That just left the good guys. There are more of us than you think. Fighting the good fight.

An old man hugged his knees on the curb. He looked worse than I smelled. I didn't have much on me given the unplanned kidnapping from earlier in the day.

"Sir?"

He gazed up at me and the most vivid violet eyes met mine. It took me a minute and I swallowed.

"There is a coffee shop on Oak Street and Valley Lane. My sister runs it. If you are willing to wash some dishes and help around the shop I'm sure she would help you find a place to stay and clean up."

"You believe in me?"

Those words scared me but my instincts didn't lie. "I believe we all need a little help sometimes. Her name is Lila and tell her Kat sent you and to give you the number two special."

His eyes closed and he licked his lips probably not used to holding a conversation.

"Oak and Valley?"

"Yes, and remember the number two special and my name is Kat."

"Okay," he nodded. He started to shuffle his way South.

I knew he would make it. Number two special was code for possible deity but good.

About another fifteen minutes passed and I made it to the Hole. I loved this place. People didn't play games, well not the kind with your mind anyway. There were games. Tons of them. Claw machines, pinball and pool. It was heaven on Earth. Neutral ground for those selling and buying info and those looking to escape the crazy of the current world.

The bell jingled and I suppressed a giggle. The little stuffed plushies called to me and I flexed my fingers.

"No." I shook my head. It's business time. Fun later.

"What's up Jimmy?"

Leprechauns are probably not what you imagine. Jimmy had dark red hair and emerald colored eyes, but that's where the similarities ended with the lore. He was a fighter, detested drink of any kind, treated his body like a temple, but boy did he love games. Only being alive that could beat my high score on the space pin ball machine.

"Hey there Kat, come to try to best me and my high score?"

"Not today. I need to talk to Crunch."

Jimmy was the muscle. Not many messed with the people I came to see but they weren't dumb. Plan for the unexpected and never be surprised. That's their motto. I'm sure its embroidered on a flag or something in this joint.

"He's in the room  past the slinky claw machine. Make sure you knock. He's in a mood."

Bells and whistles sounded somewhere in the back.

"Sounds like someone beat your high score."

He started stomping in the direction of the noise. "They better not have."

I navigated the maze focusing on the mission and Mary I needed to talk to the best information dealer in the game.

I knocked remembering Jimmy's advice. Better safe than sorry.

"Enter."

Have you ever heard the sound dry leaves make on in the fall when you step on them? That's what Crunch's language sounded like. They could speak ours and would on occasion but some of the translation was lost in converting it.

"Crunch. Been awhile my friend. How's your antennae hanging?"

The best earth thing I could compare him to is a mix between a giant roach and praying mantis. Roach body but the front appendages of the mantis. Hard exoskeleton made from tech way above my pay grade.

"What do you want Kat?"

I chose to keep speaking in his language but man I would need some lozenges after.

"It's about the body by my sister's shop. I need to know what you know. I don't have much but I can owe you a favor."

His mandibles clicked over my offer.

"No. Not enough payment."

Actually translated it changed to, "You crazy human what do you take me for?"

"I'm short on funds. Unplanned kidnapping and all."

More clicking...

"Fine, I will take your jacket and favor that you can't say no to in the future of my choosing."

Goosebumps formed on my skin. Promises like that can prove dangerous. I need to buy time to think.

"Not my favorite jacket. This is one of a kind leather. made from the rarest of Bovine creatures. You can't even get this kind of material any more."

"The jacket and a favor." He insisted.

"I will accept under one condition. You don't ask me to hurt the ones I love."

"Humans and sentiment. I will never understand it. If my brood displeases me I eat them. Much more efficient. I will concede this minimal thing."

I managed a few fake tears and stroked the foul smelling material lovingly. I didn't have the patience to clean it and didn't want to pay the price for the magic.

"Here. Now what do you know?"

"It's big Kat. From what my children tell me. Not even my kind may survive if what they are planning works. Hell on earth."

I filled in the whole of the translation. Otherwise he said, "None will survive. Hell's inferno will be a party compared to this."

"I do love a good party."