#v: college verse tbn

[manicpanicaddict]

“This part of town isn’t a good place to be at this time of night.” - Jimmy hxuntedshxdows

Egon looked about, not sure at first if was him the comment was directed to. He offered the stranger a glance once he was sure it was only the two of them.

He wasn't exactly sure what to say back; he stood there and absently twisted the curly hair on the nape of his neck between his fingers. In his hometown people seemed to know better than to speak to him. And he didn't really mind that. It was easier that way.

And so only after the silence grew to be more painful than not replying, he did.

"...I don't believe any place is a good place to be at any time of day. We're in Ohio."

[manicpanicaddict]

Egon tilted his head. 'Jimmy' didn't appear to be much younger than himself, if any at all. There must have been plenty of opportunity for him to move elsewhere.

But then again, he'd left too and he still found himself trapped back home.

He shook the thoughts away and gratefully took the coffee.

"Thank you," he held the hot cup slightly away from himself. His shirt was sticking to his skin, which told him that he was sweating and, therefore, getting too warm.

"I've been through the library records," he said matter-of-factly, "Or rather, what they have on file. They mostly have newspapers. Physical ones. No microfilm. And the city won't let me see records that I can't prove a relationship to...," he twisted his hair again, "I don't know what I'm looking for yet but I'll know it when I find it. Something is missing..."

He trailed off, fearing he might've said too much. While the libraries here didn't have the same wealth of information as his university, they still had enough that he could tell that records had been purposefully pulled. And he was determined to learn what happened and why, even if it wasn't anything significant.

"All my life," He answered, motioning for Egon to follow him into the shop for a moment. Despite the late hour, lights still remained on inside the garage. It was for appearances, he knew, but he almost wondered if the late hour made people wonder all the more. "Made the mistake of not leaving right after high school and now I don't think I could manage it."

He went to the coffee pot and poured them both a Styrofoam cup. He didn't know what this stranger was up to, but if he thought there was any chance that he'd be leaving him alone in that cemetery, he was sorely mistaking.

"What's got you wantin' to look into the cemeteries?" He asked, passing off the cup. "You'll find just as much in the library during the day as you will visitin' at night. Maybe more."

[manicpanicaddict]

"I don't antagonize you for your preferred selection of... literature," he folds his issue of Playboy closed while keeping his place, "Do you mind?"

[manicpanicaddict]

"I... don' think I will. He hasn't taken any of the issues with the better articles at least."

"...I wouldn't recommend it... and I don't want to think about it. I've seen a few of them around before, but like I said, I thought they were Pete's so...if they've been going missing, you'll have to ask him."

[manicpanicaddict]

Egon squeezed his fist lightly. He didn't often trust strangers with food and drink. He'd been deceived far too many times however, he was still fatigued-- and his fifteen-hour nap hadn't helped him.

"...Yes," he nodded, though he didn't feel sure, "Coffee would be good."

He needed something to assist in his exhaustion considering his plan was to stay in the cemetery until four in the morning at least. He couldn't risk falling back asleep, especially there.

His fingers rubbed at the texture of his bag. He wanted to make note of his offer but he just put his notebook away. It would look strange to keep pulling it out and putting it back, he presumed. Later then.

"How long have you lived here?"

"It's nice to meet you, Egon," Jimmy said, giving the other man a closed mouth smile. "And good. I've gotta light in the truck too, but it ain't gonna hurt us to both have one."

It wasn't as if he truly needed it, able to see perfectly well in the dark as if it was daylight, but it was good to keep up appearances. He didn't know what this stranger was really after, most folks didn't actually want to see the ghosts of the town, and Jimmy had no interest in giving him more proof of the supernatural living there if he could avoid it.

"You want a cup of coffee for the road? I made a pot not too long ago. Should still be warm."

[manicpanicaddict]

"Right..," he affirmed. He pulled a pen out of shirt and added to his scribbled notes. If anyone could ever make out his scrawl, it would read as follows:

Resident. Met 11:30pm. "Jimmy". Same height, approx. 6'2". Blond? Favorable: offered directions and assistance to "Shady Oaks Cemetery". Unfavorable: Wandering outside at 11:30pm. Questionable motives. Knows something.

He replaced his pen and his hand went back to his hair for a moment before packing his notebook away.

"Spengler," he hesitated a beat, "Hn. Egon Spengler."

He hadn't prepared himself to meet anyone this late at night. It was unexpected. His brow furrowed. He was told many times over not to be out alone, not for his safety but for--.

No he shook his head, his matted curls bouncing.

"A ride, yes. I would appreciate that. Thank you." He forced the words out of his mouth. What else? Surely he should say more.

He pat his bag, "I brought a flash light."

Jimmy sighed again, nearly regretting his offer. Yet again, if this guy was that determined to go, it would be better for him not to go alone.

He was more likely to make it out alive that way.

"Shady Oaks, yeah. That's the older of the two official ones we've got. I don't think it's still being maintained though. Shadybrook...that's somethin' else."

He really didn't like talking about that place. And there wasn't a chance in hell that he'd be taking this stranger there.

"We can take my truck," He offered. "It ain't too fair, 'bout a five minute drive, but it'll be better than walking."

"I'm Jimmy," He said, offering the other man a smile but not a hand to shake, he didn't want to make him anymore nervous. "Figure if we're gonna be wandering around in the dark, we oughta at least know each other's names."

[manicpanicaddict]

"Yes, I would like that," Egon pushed his glasses up the bridge of his nose, a constant symptom of keeping his head down. He opened up his notebook and flipped through scribbled notes. A hand back to his messy curls to grip and pull at them.

"Shadybrook...? Shady Oaks? Are either of those correct?" he glanced at the other man, it wasn't perfect but it was better than no acknowledgement at all, "...And there are two cemeteries, correct?"

Jimmy frowned, his concern over this stranger only growing.

"Whatcha needed to find there?" He asked, having noticed how the other man had stepped back and opting to stay still. "Look...I don't wanna seem rude or seem like I'm trying to cause trouble but... somethin' ain't right about that cemetery. People say some horrible things happened there years ago, and say they still see things around every once in a while. I'd recommend not havin' anything to do with it, especially not at night..."

He fidgeted, fighting himself internally.

"...but if you're really determined to see it, I'd be willing to take you up there."

[manicpanicaddict]

While Egon never looked up at the other man, he did step back as he stepped forward. He didn't like how vague he was being. It made him ask more questions. According to the local authorities, it was quiet here. At least, in the human sense. He had the suspicion that something else was causing trouble.

He wondered, briefly, if this man could've been a part of said trouble.

"Yes, actually," he rifled through his messenger bag and produced a beaten notebook stuffed with extra paper. "I'm looking for the cemetery. Could you tell me how to get there from here?"

"Like I said, things around here get a little...weird at night sometimes. Most folks don't recommend spending any longer out than you need to. It's not like there's much to be out for anyway, the night life around here died out a long time ago."

He moved a little closer, blue eyes gentle and kind. He could tell the other man was uncomfortable and he didn't want to make that worse.

But he knew there were bound to be far more dangerous things than just himself out and about the quite town streets.

"Was there something in particular you were out looking for? I'd be happy to help you find anything you're needing."

[manicpanicaddict]

"I thought they were going missing."

"..."

"I don't believe I should want them back... Correct?"

"I wasn't trying to antagonize you, honest! I was just... surprised. I thought Peter was the one bringing those into the apartment."

[manicpanicaddict]

Egon stayed silent for a moment again. For some reason or another, being looked at made him painfully aware that his sneakers were too loose, that his shirt was twisted, and that he needed to shave.

"Visiting." He managed the short answer with effort. He didn't care for how vague the other man was being. He must be hiding something.

He pulled gently on his hair and stared at the other's boots.

"What are you warning me about?"

“That’s true,” the young man said with a small closed lip smile. “But things around this town tend to get a bit… strange at night. I’d not be wandering around alone this late if I were you,”

Never mind the fact that he was out alone.

“You new around here?” He asked. “I’ve never seen you around before.”