27. The Search

" How is that even possible?" Hannah was taken aback and so was John. " How can you describe a dead man that died 75-80 years back? "

"I know what I saw. Ok? He was this same man!" John sounded offended.

"Calm down bro. No need to get so hyped up about it." Hannah said crossing her arms. "I believe you. It's that I can't believe my ears."

"Jordan, what else do you know about this man?" John turned towards the creator of the sketch.

" Well, while growing up, I heard all sorts of stories about this man. And let me tell you, they were all weird and mysterious. Some even said that he was a lunatic while others said that he practiced dark magic or something. My grandfather told me that they were always told to stay as away as possible from him and that he would harm them in ways that they had never imagined. People would fear him. But then, there's this other side of the story too. Some said that he was very kind. He just gave this dangerous kind of vibe as he had childhood issues while growing up. They said that he just needed some friends, some company."

" So, what is the truth behind all these stories? " Hannah asked leaning in.

"I don't know what exactly the deal was with this guy. Who knows the exact truth? Maybe he was a bit of both or maybe he was none. We cannot put a tag on someone we don't know about. We all have our reasons in the way we act out or behave. What we show ourselves as could be entirely different or maybe the same as who we really are. But he definitely rose many speculations and rumors."

"Can we, if we want to, find him?" John asked.

" But why do you guys want to find a dead man?" Jordan was confused. He did not get the whole idea as to why they were discussing someone that died so many years ago.

" Just some answers. Nothing much." Hannah replied. " Can you tell us anything that can be of our help?"

" You're lucky that this man used to live in this neighborhood and if you're lucky enough, you can still find the man's house if you search."

"Where can we find the house? Do you happen to have an address or know some landmarks? "

" I do. My grandfather told me once but that was way too back and now the place has definitely changed the way it looks now compared to back then. So, what I will tell you guys will be a whole lot of different and if you start to search as per my hints, you'll be running in circles. "

" I agree. The town had seen a lot of development since. But it's alright. Just tell us what you know and then we'll ask the people about it more - just like the old school search." Hannah dug deep. She really wanted to know about this man and see if she can find out, anyhow, about what he knows about the stones, about Diana and most importantly if he knows how to end all this. But how to know all these from a dead man? Well, that's a different question.

" Well, as far as I can remember, my grandfather told me that he used to live not far from the flowering dogwood. His house was surrounded by the vines and - and - the rest, I can't recall clearly. "

" That's alright. That'll be enough I guess. Thanks, Jordon, for everything."

Hannah thanked him as she and John began to leave.

" No problem. Glad I can be of your help." They bid goodbye, with Jordan handing the sketch over to John as they walked out.

----------

"Excuse me, ma'am," Hannah asked an old lady down the streets, opening the paper which contained the sketch. "Can you tell us where this man used to live?"

"I might be old," Her voice started to shiver due to her age. "But I ain't-a fool. No way. Bye." She said coldly as she left on her walker.

"Let's try our luck with a man there," John asked pointing to a bald man who was sitting on a bench.

"Excuse me, sir, we are the news reporters and we're covering the news of the man who used to live here and looked like this." John showed him the sketch.

"Aren't you too young to be news reporters? " The man raised his eyebrows. " Don't try to trick me, young man. It's better if you stay away."

"News reporters?" Hannah giggled as they walked away from the old man.

"Well, it was worth a shot."

Hannah took a deep breath and said, "It's the Willows situation all over again! "

"Let's try something different." John clearly had an idea. He approached a woman who was sitting with her husband. They looked so happy with each other that it felt like they were married for around 30 years.

"Excuse me, ma'am, our friend's family used to live here. We are here to find them but we don't know the address. All we know is that their house was near the flowering dogwood tree and surrounded by vines. Can you help us?"

"I'm sorry dear," The woman said with an apologetic face. " We're also new here. And I haven't heard of any house that was built around a place like that. Do you know anything about this?" She asked her husband.

Her husband shook his head.

"Well, it's alright. Thanks." John thought that this would work. They tried asking more people but either they refuse to tell them or they don't know about it.

" Let's go home. There's nothing now. And besides, what can a dead person tell us?" John was starting to lose hope when suddenly his gaze fell upon a familiar face. " Hey! Isn't that the loony we met that day?"

"Where?" Hannah followed John's gaze. "Yup. That's him. But what is he doing - wait! Where did he go?"

Suddenly, Hannah felt someone tap on her shoulder which made her jump.

" Looking for me? " He was the same loony.

"How did you-" Hannah looked at where she saw him a few seconds ago and then at him standing near them. " Nevermind. Can you- "

" Tell you about the man in the sketch?"

John nodded. He had so many doubts about this person's disposition. He was way above all the oddest people he ever met in his lifetime.

" Oh kids, I know exactly whom you are looking for. Follow me." He gestured for them to come behind him.

They were so unsure of this weird man. They did not want to follow him anywhere whatsoever. But he was the only one who knew the answers to their question - surprisingly weird. So, they decided to follow him.

"So, how did you get here? I thought you lived -" John began to ask to get answers about this loony.

"Near the Willows? No. I roam free."

"And what brings you here then? Any relative or work?" Hannah instantly thought why she said work. Clearly, how can a lunatic like him have any work here?

"Nope. No relative. Ain't the work. No nothing."

"Were you following us?" John exclaimed. In his mind, that was the only answer.

The man laughed.

"Anyway, I know where the guy in your sketch lives." He diverted the conversation. "I mean used to live. I'll lead you there."

Suddenly, Hannah stopped which caused the man and John to stop and look back.

"First tell us, why are you helping us? I mean it's like you come out of nowhere and then you give us the answers to the questions all the people refuse to tell us. Why on earth are you helping us? Every time? And how do you know so much about the Willows and this man?"

Hannah clearly had a point. John thought.

"Hahaha. You got me, kids." He began to laugh which made the two even more suspicious. "I know everything. I can tell you about this man more than anyone else know about him."

" Oh yeah? " John joined his sister. "We know about the stories. We've heard what people used to say and what kind of man he was."

"Which was all false. Trust me, I know how he was. Up close. He had trouble growing up and had issues. His childhood was filled with nothing but bad memories. He was teased and misunderstood. So, he showed himself in the way that you've heard from people, just to not get himself hurt more. He used to stay as far as possible from any human contact."

"If he didn't like humans, due to what happened with him in his past, how do you know so much and that too in detail? How can we trust that what you're saying isn't a lie or a made-up story?" Hannah's and John's doubts were at the peak.

"I've seen him like no one else ever could. I've seen what he has gone through and trust me, if you live even half of his life, you'll definitely go insane and act the same as him. I mean, as his best friend I -"

"How can you or anyone be a best friend of a man that died 75-80 years ago?" Hannah snapped. "Unless - " It didn't take her too long to put the pieces together and when she did, she gasped and took many steps back.

"Unless - you're dead too!"