#earthrunes

And that's when Adam feels a chill....

He frowns, looking around. Even this late in September, it's warmer than this.....

"Who's this ? You been subletting? Renting to some punk?" A cold voice. The older man is gray, not of whisker, but of .. he's just gray "That's not how it works. O'Connel"

The woman sighs "His name is Adam, he's helping me pack to go"

Adam straightens and eyes the man, taking his measure. "You the owner here?"

"I am...so mind your manners" Dry, dusty. Adam feels like...less a hero talking to this guy

Geezopete, this feels less like a quest and more like just one of those folks you can't fight. Still.. he holds on. Just because the color is gone from sight, doesn't mean the world really IS all gray

Adam squints, recalling what his mentors have taught him. "Look, mister....??"

"Graves. Pipe down, adults are talking." He looks at Lesley "There's a cleaning deposit, O'Connel"

"Great. I could use it" she holds out her hand

"After the mess you made? " Grave snorts

"What mess?" The daughter says "We vacuumed and everything"

"It was clean in there." Adam says.

"Not what my time stamped picture says " The man shows his phone. There's dirt, and somethings knocked over.

But it WAS clean

"You miserable son of a ..." Mrs. O Connel mutters "You did this."

"Right. Just to save a cleaning deposit??" he snorts "Who will the police believe on that. Say good bye to that depsoite. O Connel"

and then the fight seems to go out of the woman.

"Let's.. let's go" She tells her daughter and Adam

Adam looks quietly furious, seething.

"Is there anything else I can do for you ladies?" He asks quietly, politely.

"No... nothing can really help us now" Minverva moves to her mom

"Right. Dont' come back on the property." Graves says and turns and leaves

well, he heads back into the apartment

"Hey, Mr. Graves!" he calls.

And follows.

"That goes for you to, 'Adam'" The man says

"No, I have a question! For real!"

"You have ten seconds before I have my door man throw you out of my Parking lot"

"Do you have apartments for rent? I mean, I know you're evicting people, are you renting?"

"Any availability will be seen on my website." And he says "And I doubt some one your age can afford it" Another cold stinginging feeling, He opens the door to go into his apartment building.

"What website? Not me, my parents. Do you have a card or something?"

"Google it" Slam

And a buzzing lock sound

"Jeeze....." Adam staggers away, leans on a fence rail to gather himself.

And there's a hand on his shoulder. For a moment he might jump then he sees it's a graying man, still robust. And if he squints, he can make out the horns.

Sir Bachdion

"Sir?"

"You all right, Adam? "

"I don't.... that guy is -bad-, Sir."

"Sir, do you feel cold? Seems cold...."

"That's Banality" he says quietly "it's the un imagination, the anti-wonder. The end of all dreams bright or dark."

"This guy is killing people dreams." He says with a shiver.

"Yes, come now.. let's get you to the balefire... and plan." He glances back at the O'Connels who look shaken themselves and a bit grayer "That's the worst of it. They can smother dreamers or even potential dreamers. "

"But we have to stop him, before he can hurt anyone else? He said he had a website, his name is Graves, I could do some looking...."

"We can do the looking at the hold. Come on young man. Do you want to wish the O'Connels well?"

He looks to see where they are.....

At their car, about to get in and drive off. They both look dejected, worn.

"Ladies?" He stands next to the silver fox closer to the building. "Look, if I give you my number will you stay in touch?"

"I don't ... see the point" Miss Lesley O Connel says "But it's sweet of you. Not much you can do"