Page 1 of Reptile Dysfunction

1

CHARLOTTE

“The Curiosity Herald,” I mutter to myself as I stare out the bus window.

The words come out, as they have every other time I’ve said them, like an insult. I shake my head and sigh at the thought, watching as the woodlands outside my window slowly turn into the outskirts of a small town. Soon the houses rushing past move slower and slower, until the bus rolls up to a quaint little bus stop, complete with a scrolled wrought-iron sign.

“Curiosity!” the driver yells and I almost do a double take.

“Are you sure?” I ask from my seat in the second row.

The driver turns to me with a puzzled look. “Yes, ma’am. I’ve been driving this route for twenty years, I can assure you this is Curiosity.”

“Right,” I say, reluctantly getting up from my seat. “Well, thank you.”

I try my best not to make a face as I disembark and collect my baggage, but it’s a hard task. I knew this town was going to be small, but now that I’m here, I’m realizing I had no idea what I was really signing up for when I took this job at the Herald.

Not that I had much of a choice. As I grab my suitcase and try to navigate my way through the streets of Curiosity, thoughts of Chicago, and of Derek, come flooding back.

Both bring a sharp pain into my chest as I think of everything I’ve lost, and of how far I’ve fallen to have to take a job as a local reporter at some small-beans paper. I used to be one of the top journalists at the Chicago Tribune. And I still would be if I hadn’t fallen for my editor.

But I should have known that dating Derek would turn out like this. Shape-shifters aren’t exactly known for their integrity, and that became all too apparent the moment we broke up. Because it was the same moment my job and my reputation were ripped away from me.

I glance down at my phone, trying to figure out where I’m supposed to be going but of course, I have no signal here. The frustration in me is growing by the minute. I know I’m supposed to have a meeting at the paper in a little less than an hour, and as much as I resent this job, I’m also determined to make the most of it.

This is the only chance I have to rebuild my career, and I’m going to do whatever it takes to repair the reputation Derek so ruthlessly sullied before I left Chicago. I came here after seeing Belladonna’s special on the little town. A place of oddities, a growing reputation for monsters. I thought it would be a jackpot.

Now that I’m here, I’m not so sure.

I’m sure there has to be something worth writing about in this small town — some corruption to uncover or scandal to break. Something that can prove I’m still an excellent journalist. But I won’t find out unless I make it to that meeting on time.

I glance around anxiously and catch the eye of the only person nearby. Only, she’s not a person, she’s a banshee. I almost consider turning away and trying my luck wandering the streets, but it’s too late. She’s coming my way.

“Hiiii!” she shrieks while smiling broadly. “Are you looossssstt?”

I do my best not to cover my ears, since she’s clearly being friendly, but there aren’t any monsters I know of back in Chicago and this is a lot.

Still, I am lost, and I don’t really want to wander the streets of Curiosity all afternoon if I don’t have to.

“Uh, yeah,” I say, forcing a smile. “Could you tell me how to get to the Curiosity Herald office? I’m not getting any signal here.”

“Suuuurree!” she wails happily. “It’s just doooowwwnnn this streeeeettt and aroouunndd the coooorneeerr! Oohhhh and there’s freeeeee Moooonnsternet in town toooo if that heeeelllpps!”

“Monsternet?” I ask, a little puzzled.

“WiiiiFiiiii! Coooouuurtesy of Maaaayor Weeeeendaaaaall!” she explains with a wink. “Heeee’s got his fiiiingers in maaaaany piiies!”

I’m not exactly sure what the wink is supposed to mean, but I’m grateful for the free WiFi and after a few more minutes of shrieking, I’m all set up with Monsternet and waving the banshee goodbye.

I find the Herald office with plenty of time to spare, and thanks to the WiFi, I’m able to find my new apartment too — right in the center of town.

By the time I make it to the meeting, I’m settled in, showered, and more determined than ever to use this small-town paper as a canvas for my redemption. I just have to make sure I hit the ground running.

“Charlotte Lieberman,” I say, sticking out my hand to greet my new editor.

“Eddie Gump,” the faun says, shaking my hand firmly. “Good to meet you. We’re very happy to have you here with us at the Herald!”

“I’m excited to get started right away,” I tell him, leaving out the part about not really wanting to be here at all. “And I want you to give me your hardest stories. In fact, the tougher the better.”

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