Town Chapter One The Magician

 Enter The Strange Peculiar Bizarre Town

Melinda Narcissa’s parents were dead. She did not know of what but they were dead nevertheless. That was all that she knew. Because they were, obviously, they could no longer look after her. So she was going to be looked after by Jaden, her older sister that she had never met. So, on this morbid occasion, would be their first meeting. She could not know what she was in for, nor what she looked like. Which made her feel both lost and numb. 

It had been over three days and she had not shed a tear as she still could not believe that they were dead, even after seeing their dead bodies that were as pale as purls and their faded brown eyes. She pulled their eyes down as she looked aside ferling a hand around her neck. Like there was an invisible force strangling her. 

She thought about this newly found sister. She thought that she would look like her. So she looked out for someone with pale skin almost white, deep crimson eyes like blood and long white hair. Someone who was another albino. She wondered if she had pain in her eyes whenever the sun hit them or if she didn’t like her. 

Yet when she saw a brunette with brown eyes walk up to her, she was surprised. The only thing that told her who she was was her facial features but she looked more like their mother and father than she did, in fact she didn’t look at all like her father. And, from her eyes, it was all too clear that she too was just as surprised.

“So, you must be Melinda.” She muttered almost as if she was complaining.

She frowned.

“Yes, and you are?”

“Jaden, I guess I’m not what you expected, but then again, not all of us are albinos.” she commented.

She smiled weakly and nodded but too numb to appreciate the meeting.

“C’mon, we’ve packed all of our things in the van. So, this will be your last time here so is there anywhere you want to go or anyone you want to say goodbye to?” She asked.

Melinda looked down unfocused and shook her head. There was not anyone nor anything that she liked about this place. In fact she had always felt a bit lonely here, always like an outsider. The only thing that made it bearable was her parents. This was why the funeral and the party after seemed to be like everything was going in slow motion. She was only able to see it through her blurred vision as the dam of tears flowed like rain and reflected from her sore wet cheeks.

“I guess that it’s time for you to come along to your new home.” She said but she had a slightly sorrowful look on her as she rubbed her shoulder.

And to my new life. Hopefully it’ll be less lonely. She thought as she wiped the last of her tears away, knowing that she was ready to move on.

“I can’t promise that you’ll make any friends but I can:t promise that it’ll be better either. Especially where we’re going.” She sighed.

They got into the black van and drove to the airport.

“So what’s Britain like?” She asked, trying to put some effort into making conversation.

“Well it’s a lot like here, just more introverted.”

“So, better?”

Jaden let out a bitter laugh.

“No.”

Melinda frowned.

“How come?”

“You’ll see why.” She said with a hint of dread. She did not elaborate further, even though it was all too clear that she wanted to. As she could tell that she was not going to get any more information further, she decided to continue in silence.

Sighing, she knew that she had to talk to her but she knew that she had nothing to say. So, when she got on the plane, knowing that there was nothing to do she rested her head on the glass and went to sleep. When her eyes opened, seemingly, moments later she opened her eyes on her new life. Like a baby’s first sight, everything for then next several hours was nothing but a blur. When they were driving on the road she closed her eyes. Only a few moments later she woke up with a bump. 

They turned off a narrow road and a road made of nothing but mud and gravel. 

“So, where are we going?”

“To a very strange, peculiar and bizarre town.” She said.

Wonder why she said that?

“What’s it like there?”

“Unlike anywhere you’ve ever been before. So be very careful.” She said, warningly. “In fact, if mum and dad weren’t dead, I would never have brought you here.”

“Is that why you’re so deadpan?”

She frowned then cocked her eyebrow.

“Probably. Probably, after a year or two you’ll be just like me or worse.”

“No I won’t!” The fourteen year old girl said with certainty.

“Yes you will!” She sighed as she curled her upper lip with pain in her eyes.

“Won’t!” 

“Don’t start, just don’t.”

They soon came to an arch with the words; 

Welcome To Starliarb

Underneath in graffiti were the words; 

A.K.A. The Strange Peculiar Bizarre Town!!!

Her eyebrow raised slightly as a woman with long blond hair and deep blue eyes with black lipstick walked up to them. She wore a blacky brown and green woollen dress that were covered in knitted trees. Her gaunt face carried the ice cold beauty of a twenty seven year old and the stern blue-grey eyes were the eyes of a predator. Which made her appear younger than Melinda suspected, she was.

“Welcome home Jaden.” She said in an ice cold voice.

“Thank you, and thank you for letting me go.” She replied as she looked pale.

“You are very welcome!” She said with a wink. 

She then looked over to Melinda and she smiled.

“And who might you be?”

“Melinda. You?” She asked, extending her hand.

“Wendy Wanderlust. May I just say, Melinda is such a mysterious name. I should expect that we are going to get along marvellous. Here, have this.” She said as she passed her a Victorian clay doll with curly blond hair and light turquoise glass eyes. The moment that she looked upon her, she loved it and stroked her black and white dress. 

“Thank you!” She replied with genuine gratitude.

“You are very welcome! Her name’s Alice Charlotte, and if you take care of her then she’ll take care of you.” She said as she shook her hand. “Now run along you two! Or drive along!”

Melinda smiled as they drove on.

“She seemed nice.” She stated.

“She’s a witch. So don’t let your guard down and try to stay away from her.” she said.

Melinda flicked her eyebrow for a moment.

“Why? She gonna put a spell on me?” She sang, mockingly.

“Now that she knows your name, probably.” She sighed.

“I was being sarcastic!” She laughed.

“I know.” She said sternly.

They passed as a pair of twins looked at her, they had long golden curly locks and blue eyes. Yet upon a second look she noticed that they looked very much like her.

“Who are they?” she asked.

“Who, Dorothy and Victoria Matilda?” she asked.

“Depends, are they my age?” she asked.

“No, they only look your age. Hardly anyone knows who or what they are, where they come from, who they were nor their true age. All most people know is that they only look like children and anyone has a feeling that tells us to keep away from them.” 

“Wow! You’re making this town sound like it belongs in a Stephen King novel.”

She laughed bitterly.

“Oh, you have no idea! Also aren’t you too young for them?”

“Spent most of my time hiding in a library or fighting off bullies.”

“Oh.”

“Do you have your own circus?” 

“Carnival, and that’s where the magician Mohan Nakpana and Morki, the mirror obsessed clown, live.”

“Oh. So one's-”

“Joke all you want! Still doesn't change the fact that it's true.” she said as she turned a corner and down to the centre of the short street. 

“Well, there’s no place like home!” She commented. “Remember, this is number thirteen Blackcrown Road.” 

She turned to Melinda.

“I guess I’ll have to show you around and your new room.” She sighed as they got out.

Suddenly Melinda shivered as if someone had stepped over her grave. She looked around to see a man who was far too pale with long raven hair with a blue shine and scarlet eyes. Almost like hers but with a narrow catlike pupil and a black ring around the iris. He wore a well kept black suit and a long black coat and well polished shoes.

“Welcome home Jaden. How was the funeral? Depressing I guess.” He said in a deep voice that had a tone of darkness and a Victorian accent.

“More than you know Danté.” She sighed.

“Oh, I thought that you would have said that.” He laughed lightly. 

“What do you want?” 

“Well, I just wished to know that you were alright.” 

“More like worried if another disappeared. Tell me who will be your next target?” She snapped.

“Look, what happened to Farmer Derek had nothing to do with me.” He said moodily.

“Well, you made your point-”

“And who might you be?” He asked, extending his hand to Melinda.

Jaden looked at him trying to suppress her anger and fear.

“Melinda. You?” She replied as she placed her hand in his to shake it.

“Danté Dracula.” He said as he placed a kiss on it. “An Alucard that is at your service.”

She shook her head slightly. Suddenly she felt slightly dizzy.

“She’s off limits parasite!” She said as she pulled her away.

“Jaden, I thought that you knew me better than that.” He sighed as he leaned in close to her. 

“No one is off limits to me. Or my kind. Please do remember that I’m not the only one of my kind in this town. So do try to keep her safe.” He whispered.

“Just, just leave her alone alright.” She whispered.

“I can never make any promises.” He chuckled as he looked into her eyes.

This was when she felt weak and a pounding pressure was on her chest and she knew that she was about to pass out.

“Alright, you made your point!” She said, trying to keep her voice from being shaky.

Melinda’s sight became blurry and her head spun. She felt her fall into her sister’s arms as her legs had become too weak to carry her.

“Stop it! Just stop it!” 

She fourt it as her eyelids started to close. 

Why isn’t anyone helping? Never mind that, what was going on? How was he doing that? Just what is he doing to me?

She then felt the pounding pressure on her chest become heavier. She found it was getting hard to breathe and she passed out.

Danté smiled.

“Looks like she has been the most resilient since Matilda. Maybe she doesn’t need protection.” He commented.

“So you’ll leave her alone?”

“No, that just sealed it. I will be visiting her again. Maybe that was just a fluke.” He said as he turned. “And I will say this however, it is good to see life in those eyes again.”

Melinda woke, feeling like she had been put through a shock.

“How did he do that?” She asked out loud, intending it to be a thought.

“Psychic vampirism.” Her sister said.

“He’s a vampire..”

“Yes and try to avoid him like the plague. Because every time he opens his mouth he knows just what to say.” She said as she shivered. “And do everything to make sure that you never owe him any favours. Because once you do, you’ll end up like the farmer’s father.”

“Why don’t we go to the cops?” She asked.

She shook her head in frustration.

“Because the police don’t believe all this is really taking place. Or they don’t want to believe.”

“Is this why you’re so jaded?” She asked with concern.

“Yeah...And you'll be too.”

Melinda looked aside. She was starting to believe her now. After all, how can any normal human being live in a place like this and not become jaded or go insane?

“Is there anybody else that I should avoid?”

“Plenty, however, our local M.P. Esla Elcire is one that you must never anger.”

“Why? What is she?” She asked.

Jaden went red in her face.

“A fairy. That works for the true owner of this town.” 

“What, like Tinker Bell?”

She bellowed out a laugh.

“More like Nightmare Hell!”

“Now, I will tell you more in the morning so get some sleep. What Danté did to you will make you feel more weak in the morning if you don’t.” She said as she closed the door.

Melinda found it difficult to sleep. She felt afraid but, even though she knew better, she hoped that this was going to be a safe place. Safer than out there. She had many thoughts racing throughout her mind but after a while her eyes started to drop and she fell into a world of nightmares. The only thing that they all had in common was a man that was tall and had eyes and a face just like hers. When he looked at her her eyes opened and she felt paralysed with the feeling of being watched by something evil.

Magician’s Eye 

Melinda just could not shake the feeling of being watched even while she was looking at herself in the mirror. From the moment that she looked in the mirror. She curled her lip slightly looking at her school uniform. The green blazer and trousers felt odd on her. It was not the trousers that was odd on her, which she had to fight tooth and nail to wear, no it was the whole uniform itself. She hardly even took to the school’s crest, which was an embroidered raven with a crimson rose in its beak on a shield. She looked at her tie, wondering what to do with it. She looked at Jaden to help.

“Well, you look smart.” She said as she tied her tie for her. 

“Why do I even need-”

“Because in England, unlike America, we wear uniforms to go to school. Although girls usually wear skirts, but in some schools like Staliarb High, they hardly care only if it's of the school standards.” She explained.

Why is England so different? She thought as she looked at herself in the small mirrors that were in a row.

Even though she had to admit did look smart, she did not like how it made her look paler than she was. She looked like a ghost or some vampire child. Nor did she like how it looked on her. It made her look like some albino member of the Addams family or a ghost of some late Victorian school boy with long hair, who’s only indication of being a woman was the slight bump on her chest.

“I still don’t like it.” She said sully, her eyes narrowed.

“That hardly matters, now are you ready?” She asked.

That hardly matters either.

“Yes, but when are we gonna have that talk?” She asked.

“Later, but there are those I have to visit first.” She explained.

She nodded as they turned and left the house. She then locked the door.

“When am I gonna get a key?” She asked.

Am I being too rude?

“Probably when you’re old enough, and when I can trust you with one.” She said as she put on some perfume.

“Oh.” She said remembering that even though they were sisters, and that now she was her legal guardian, she was still a stranger to her.

Suddenly she felt a sting of homesickness as she realised that she was all alone here and nobody knew who she was.

Maybe that’s a good thing. Maybe I’ll be able to at least try to make a friend…

“By the way, why aren’t there body length mirrors in the house?” She asked.

“Well, I hope that I never have to tell you nor find out.” She said, putting on a fake lighthearted tone.

As she passed the farm she saw the most peculiar thing that was both curious and creepy. All of the cows and sheep were looking at her. Not anyone else, not Jaden, not the car, just her. Their heads turned to keep her in her sights. 

She frowned as she tried to keep herself from focusing on the disturbing sight. However she then spotted a few strange cameras she spotted that there was something off with then but she could not focus on them too long for there was not that much time. Then they parked up to the building. It was a large Tudor building which had Victorian era gates with bars and at the top there was an arrow at the top, like the tail of a dragon or the head of a spear.

She then could see that there was something off about the cameras too. This gave her a longer time to look at them and then she figured out what was so strange about them. They were purple human eyes! At this she screamed. Her sister knelt and placed her hand on her shoulder. She looked up at her, in the eyes and noticed that they were different. She then looked back at the camera. To her horror they were identical.

“It’s alright, that’s the magician. He uses the eyes of those who lost his game.” She explained like a soldier arming one of the newest recruits.

She looked at her.

“Did you play it?” She asked, slightly nervous as she let out a nervous laugh.

She’s gotta be having me on!

“Yes.”

“Did you lose?”

“Yes.” 

She looked back at the camera. She felt a sinking feeling in her gut as she suddenly was not quite sure that she was having her on.

“Is there anything else that I should know about?”

“Yes, for once that you lose he can control you.”

“Has he controlled you?”

“Yes.”

“How many times?”

Jaden looked aside as she took her hand off. She then opened the door.

“Wow!”

She smiled weakly.

“I know. This was where I went to school. And our mother and father.” She said, trying to sound more lighthearted.

Her eyes widened slightly. As she entered she wondered whether or not her parents had played the game. She then wondered if the magician had won or lost. If they lost, then how many times had he used them? How many times had he seen through their eyes? If he did use them, then did he use them in America? If so, then how long and how many times? Did he ever see her? Did he know everything about her? Suddenly, she felt like a butterfly in the middle of a spider’s web.

“So, how is the most favoured student?” Came a strict and commanding voice.

“Headmaster Tapping. I can still see you don’t like me.”

“Why! Is that not far too clear? I assume that this is the famous little sister of yours. I can see that she could have your penance for mischief.” He said as he looked at her with vivid blue eyes with thick eyebrows. He had high cheekbones and sunken wrinkled cheeks. He was wearing a grey suit with a pale red tie.

“Well, Headmaster Tapping, this is Melinda, Melinda this is Headmaster Tapping.” She said, gesturing from left to right and right to left.

Remembering what her old school had taught her. She held out her hand. He took it with a strong and firm grip and shook. She smiled feeling relieved. She could tell that he was going to be one of those headmasters that valued discipline and not nonsense. 

“That’s a good handshake.” She commented.

“Glad you value them. After all, they are more important than you think.”

“Yeah, it’s just I don’t like those finger squeezes. After all, it’s called a hand shake not a finger squeeze.”

He smiled approvingly and nodded with a chuckle.

“I think that I might get along with you after all. Now, Jaden, I think that you ought to get to work. After all, those envelopes aren’t going to post themselves.” 

She laughed and nodded.

“Yeah, Harrison hates it when I’m late.” She sang.

She turned to Melinda.

“Now, have a nice day.” She said as she left.

Headmaster Tapping looked at her and placed a hand on her shoulder.

“Alright, time for me to give you a tour of this school, and I do expect that you pay attention. I know of what happened to your parents, however I hope that you can try to control your emotions, for your time at this school. If your emotions get the better of you, however, make sure that you tell your teacher, or the teacher that you are being taught by.” He explained. 

Melinda nodded.

“I won’t and I will.” 

He then gestured for him to follow.

“Now, here at Staliarb High, we demand respect from our students and will not tolerate rule breaking nor do we tolerate bullying. Your teachers will instruct you to become what you wish to become. Now tell me, are you a bookworm?” he asked.

“Yes, why?”

He smiled. And his left eye narrowed as his cheek wrinkled.

“Then, if you wish to read, this is where you ought to go to feed your reading mind. It is filled mainly with non-fiction, however there are many fictional books. After all, a reader’s mind is always better with imaginative worlds to explore.” He said, getting to the point.

He then closed his eyes and his head shook. He rubbed his eyes and that was when his demeanour changed.

Oh no.

“Hello, you must be Melinda. I must say, that uniform makes you look like an even more of a pale beauty than you actually are! If I did not know any better I would have thought you to be a vampire!” He said, with a tone of voice that was more like that of a performer. 

He then placed a finger gently under her chin. He gently raised her head.

“We are going to play my game soon. And when we do, you are going to come alone. If I win then I shall win you and your beauty, If you win your reward is yours.”

Then he blinked and his eyes returned to normal.

Magician’s Invitation

Melinda thought long and hard throughout that day about what Mohan had just told her. She soon came to the conclusion that whatever this game was she was not going to him nor was she going to play it. After all, she knew what that would usually lead to. She liked her freedom and independence. He could not force her nor should she play the game that he was going on about. Plus she knew that she did not have to willingly put herself in harm’s way nor could he make her.

No, she had other things that she needed to deal with like; getting over her parent’s deaths, school and settling down in this town. She also had to fully unpack and find her place here. Yet on top of that she would have to work on making friends here too. So she knew that she just did not have the time to deal with this magician and his stupid little game.

She even told Jaden this once she told her about the incident after school. However she just went completely pale at her words. Her breathing became slow and silent.

“I would have to say that you should go, even though neither me nor mum and dad would like it. After all, Mohan doesn’t like it when newcomers don’t do as they’re told.” She explained, her voice hollow.

She shrugged.

“I don’t care! After all someone has to stand up to him right?”

“Melinda, I once stood where you are and if this town could break me in, no doubt that it can do the same to you too.”

“I know you already said that but I’m not stupid. I’m not gonna hand myself to someone like him. Honestly, what could he possibly do to force me to play his game anyway?”

“You’d be surprised.” She muttered.

And with that the conversation was done. The week came and went without a hiccup. She tried and failed to make any friends, however the only thing that she got out of it was that she heard rumours that there was going to be a show going to go on at the circus at the carnival. This, she knew, had hardly interested her. Back at home, no, in America, she had never been invited to anything like that, even though her classmates went many times. No, it would remind her just how lonely she was back there. In her old life. Where she made more bullies than friends.

Then that weekend came and went, however on the Monday night before the weekend when the show was going to take place she drifted off in her bed. Which had a black mattress cover and blue sheets with an image of a mermaid with an ink blue tail on a rock. There was a smaller version on her pillow. She had painted the walls ice blue and a royal blue carpet. She had her drawings and paintings of her sea serpents and mermaids and all other myths of the deep.

She found herself in her dream walking down a red and white corridor with a green carpet. No, that was grass. She looked around, she was in a tent corridor. She soon walked down a set  of flaps like two curtains. She walked into the circular tent that was the circus stage. There in the middle stood a man in a top had and a long black cane with a silver handle. His shoes were shiny with a pointed toe.

He spun around revealing a pale man with black brown eye with eyeliner his eyes were thin and long like a tick, just like his moustache and a triangular goaty.

At him looking at her she heard cheering but there was none on the empty wooden seats.

Where is that cheering coming from? She thought.

His eyes twinkled and his eyebrows raised.

“Nowhere!” He replied in the voice that came from the Headmaster when he took control of him.

How did he?

“Read your mind? Well, you have a great number of powers in the land of dreams. Like I can see what people do at night by looking out of their eyes.” He said with a smile as he walked over to her. “Although, I am quite disappointed that you have not yet come before now.” 

He jumped and spun and flew in the air. He spun the other way once he reached her.

“I wish that you did, after all I love meeting new people and having them play my game, and as the first outsider in many years I was quite looking forward to it.” 

She felt herself step back as he placed a hand on her shoulder. Her foot returned to its position as he smiled a very trusting smile.

“No matter, I understand, and as a sign of my forgiveness I invite you to my show this weekend. I hope that you shall enjoy yourself.” He said as she gave her a red ticket, and golden writing.

 Starliarb Circus 

She frowned as she looked at it in confusion. She did not know what to say or why she suddenly wished to go but she did. But then her eyes twitched.

Could you make it any less obvious that this id a trap? 

“And I do not just have a ticket for you but I also have one for your sister too! After all, every child must be accompanied by an adult at all times, especially in a town like this and I find it shameful for any child to have never seen a circus.”

Says the one that can control those who lose your game.

But…he is right. I’ve always wanted to attend the circus and it is shameful that I never got invited to one.

“Says the stamp on the back, and, I would have you know, I am not the one who should be feared the most. After all, as you will see in time, I like you to think of myself as a necessary evil. After all, it’s those who have left their humanity behind or those who never had any that are to be feared the most.” He explained. 

He then placed his hands on the sides of her arms. 

“Now wake, and give your sister my ticket!”

Then her eyes opened. She wondered what that was all about and what was she feeling in her hand. She then noticed the bright red on her dark blue. She then blinked away the blur of her sleep to see the tickets in her hand! 

Then she spotted that the doll that Wendy had given her was on the floor. She thought that was strange for she knew that she was sitting on her shelf last time that she remembered. Shrugging, she got out of her bed and put her back on her shelf. She looked at the tickets and spotted that on the back it was emerald green with silver writing which said, the carrier of this ticket gets free popcorn. 

Looks like I’ll be going after all.

In the morning she told her everything that had happened that night. Jaden looked at her ticket with a deep frown on her forehead.

“Do you want to go?” She said, quietly.

“Well, I thought that I didn’t, but I do now. But I know that it’s a trap of some kind.” She replied, trying to sound like it was nothing.

“Well, for me, I must admit that I have no choice, so I have to go.”

Melinda looked aside remembering that he could control her at any point that she wanted. She shivered as she thought of him controlling her.

So with that this led them to Saturday night. She had dressed warmly, nights in England were much colder than America. She gave her ticket and the clown, Morki, gave them their popcorn. They then took their place and then waited for the show to begin. Then, when everyone took their seats the lights went out.

“Welcome, ladies, gentleman, girls and boys to a show so strange that you wouldn’t believe it. So peculiar that you would no longer trust your own eyes. So bizarre that it will haunt your most darkest nightmares. It’s a variety of wonders!” Boomed the magician.

Then the lights came on. The clown and the magician appeared side by side. Mohan took off his top hat as they took their bow.

“I am Mohan the Magician!” He sang.

“And I am Morki the clown!” he said as he squeezed his plastic nose that let out a squeak. 

He let out a laugh. 

“Now, Morki, I am going to make you disappear, would you like that?” He asked.

He gave an exaggerated sad face.

“No.” 

“Well, looks like you are!” He said.

“Oh no I’m not!”

“Oh yes you are!”

“Oh no I’m not!”

“Oh yes you a-are!”

“Oh no I’m no-ot!”

He turned to the audience.

“Do you want to see him disappear?”

“Yeah!”

He then pretended to cry. Then the audience groaned. That was when she heard the sound of crowing. She looked around as a murder of crows spiralled into the centre and then they flew up, revealing the clown was gone! Her eyes widened as she looked up to where the crows were. She had to blink several times to make sure that her eyes were not playing tricks on her. There she saw that the crows then burst into feathers and then she saw the Morki sat on a unicycle with a pole in his hand with cotton at each of the ends.

“Well, can you ride over that tight rope?”

“Yeah, easily!” He called.

This was when everyone else looked up and they clapped and cheered. As the spot light shone on him.

“Well, do you want me to make it more challenging?” He asked.

“Well, no.”

“Tough!” He called and again the clown pretended to cry. 

Then the ends of the pole lit up.

“Off you go!” He sang.

Then the clown started to peddle. He started slow at, first but when he got to the middle he wobbled and then, just as it looked he was about to fall he regained his balance and got to the other end. Then the bar split in two. Then Morki threw the, now split, pole to Mohan. Then he caught them.

He then turned the flame blue, and soon everyone could feel the heat that came from them. He then started to spin them slowly but he soon started to turn them at a pace that the flame that tailed to a flag made of flame. Then the flames turned purple then green and then pink and then red and then yellow and white and then black. Then the flame rose higher to his hands and then he threw them and he clapped his hands then the fire flew everywhere, but in the middle of the air, it turned to snow!

Melinda laughed as she ate her popcorn. However she soon felt odd as she did. It soon became harder and harder to move and then the popcorn fell. Her eyes moved to Mohan and he gave her a knowing smile. She looked at the popcorn.

I’ve been paralysed! 

She tried to tell her sister but there was a blank look on her face, like she was an actress, playing her part in the performance. Her eyes looked at her and tried to call out of her but her voice just would not work. She felt her heart beating and her fear rose like a fire. 

Help! Someone help me! 

She knew that if she was not paralysed, she would be shaking all over. 

She looked over to Mohan.

I’ll play your game, just help me! Please, help me!

 He smirked as he shook his head.

“Now, I wish for a volunteer for this one!” He boomed as he took out a box.

No, no, no! Please no! She begged as she realised what this was really all about.

That was when her sister raised her hand. Quickly Mohan gestured to her.

“Brilliant! Come!” He sang. Jaden stood.

No, no, no please sit down don’t go please! 

She felt tears falling down her face. 

However she was helpless as she saw her walk down the stairs and that she saw him take her hand.

“Now what is your name?”

“Jaden Narcissa.” 

“Well that’s an interesting name!” He said. “Now, I would like you to go into the box.”

Her heart sank as she climbed inside. Then the doors closed. He tapped the box. The doors opened. Her sister was gone. The show was over. He walked over to her.

“Come Monday night. Then we shall play my game.” He said as he picked her up and stepped outside of the tent, but she was now at the door to their home.

He then disappeared. It started raining as she just sat there and wept. Worst of all, was that she could not even get into her own new home. She felt arms around her. It was Danté.

“It’s alright.” He comforted her. 

He looked up at the door. 

“Can you get in?”

She shook her head.

“Then stay at mine, but I warn you, your rent will be costly.” He said looking at her neck.

“W-what?” She said as her voice returned to her. 

“Blood. My rent will be having access to you blood at any moment or at any time. Even after your time in my house.”

She looked at her door knowing that she should not say yes, but there was nowhere else to go.

“Yes.”

“And can you promise me that you will not tell Jaden about our little arrangement?”

“Yes!” 

At this she wept. He smiled and nodded and sank his fangs into her neck and to muffle her he covered her mouth and she screamed out in pain as the world went black.

Magician’s Game

Melinda spent her time with Danté alone, as he let her collect her thoughts and had given her the best bed in the house. Every time he fed upon her he had attended to his wound on her neck very well. Even when he fed upon her he made sure that it was as painlessly as he could possibly make it. She covered her neck in concern but Danté let out a chuckle.

“Don’t worry I will only give a converting bite unless the person wants it.” He told her as he patted her head.

“And what about those that didn’t want to be-”

“Then the converting bite will hurt more.” He said. “Now, go and get some sleep. We have a lot to go over tomorrow. Also, I will give you this piece of advice with this game.”

He drew close to her and gave her a stern look at her as he pointed at her.

“Do everything you can to remain calm and in control of your emotions. Good fortune be with you in this.”

She nodded as she walked up to the room that he had given her. But she kept waking up from nightmares. This led her to her sleeping in his room. When she smelt him she suddenly was reminded of her father. His chest felt like her father too but she remembered that they were dead and she was alone. Alone to navigate this town that already was sinking its teeth into her. 

She buried herself in the covers and just cried herself to sleep. She felt a hand on her head. It stroked her gently like a father did. Danté then shushed her to sleep. This made her wonder how he knew how to do that. Was he a father or did he raise someone else’s child? She then drifted off to sleep.

She soon, seemingly moments, woke up early that morning. She got out of her bed. No, that wasn’t her bed, it was Danté's. She did the very thing that her sister had told her not to do, she was in his debt. Part of her was stricken with shock but what calmed her was the night before. She remembered how much he was like a father.

She walked out and sat at the top of the stairs. She looked down and let herself think. She was going to have to play that game. She would have to get her sister back. After all it was her job to look after her, which, she knew, that she could not do as the prisoner of the magician. Nor could she know whether or not she would win, and if she lost then there was no chance that she would get her back. Even after that, if her sister still did not have her freedom then that would also mean that her winning would hardly matter. She would still be collared.

Then another voice rose from somewhere in her heart. No, she would win, and this would mean that she would get whatever reward she wanted. This would include the freedom of her sister. However she then remembered that her sister was not the only one that didn’t have their freedom. Everyone in the town was under Mohan's thumb. 

So, she concluded, feeling conviction rising in her heart, if I am to win Jaden’s freedom, then I might as well win theirs too! Yes, I’m gonna set them all free!

This was the promise that she had written on her heart. With this, she knew that she would need a heads up on what to expect from him. Fortunately this was already hers, after all if everyone has played the game then this would mean that Danté has too, and if he has played it then he should know what to expect. 

Yet she remembered what he told her the night to go.

“Can you tell me what the magician’s game is?”

He shook his head with a sorrowful look in his eyes.

“No, I am dearly sorry but I can’t.” He replied after she asked him. 

Breakfast was a cereal that she knew that they didn’t have in America.

“Why not?” She snapped.

“Because that has been forbidden, in fact if I should tell you, then he will make me commit suicide tonight.” He explained. “Which is something out of the question. The reason of which, I hope that you never find out why.”

She looked down.

Not if I win.

“Not even a hint?” She asked with a devious smile.

“No.”

“What about advice?”

His eyes narrowed as the gears in his head started to turn.

“Not more than I have already said. Why?”

She smiled wider as she leaned in slightly.

“Because if I win...No, it’s best not to tell, after all he would be watching, am I right?” She said as she smiled and she found herself rubbing the plaster over her wounds. 

“No, but tell me, do they hurt?” He asked.

“No!” She lied. “It’s just, I usually do that when I’m thinking.”

“Rub your wounds.”

“I’m an albino. Got me into lots of fights.”

He sighed and nodded.

“And would he have any objections of me arriving earlier than he wants me to come?”

His eyes narrowed, but his eyes narrowed further as a smile spread across his lips.

“No, I shall have none whatsoever, now do not pry further about asking for help of any kind, and I don’t like that look in your eye and I do find you wanting to come earlier disturbing.” Said Mohan through Danté.

She let out a sigh as he shrugged. She leaned back, hoping to look more submissive.

“Alright then, see you after I have had my breakfast, and I’ll be having my lunch in my own home thank you very much!” She retorted, trying not to sound too scared or nervous.

He smiled.

“Confident, eh? Just like your sister, however, I would hardly be so sure of that.”

“You’re confident too. See you later.” She said as she finished.

Danté went back to normal.

“What just happened?”

“Mohan controlled you for the last time.” She said, almost like a decoration. 

“Now, I need to go. I did tell him that I’d be back home by lunch,” She said as she shook his right hand. “And thank you. You know, you’re not so bad are you?”

He looked at her and let out an almost bitter laugh.

“You have no idea.”

She smiled as she walked out of his house and she made her way back to the carnival and entered the tent. 

“You ready or what?” She shouted as she walked to the centre and saw that there was none there. 

She wondered if this had been a mistake, or was she biting more that she could chew? But she told those thoughts that that didn’t matter. After all, she could not back out now, not even if she wanted to. Now that there was more than her or her sister at stake she had to keep her emotions in place. No, she would face whatever Mohan had to offer her here regardless of whether she was ready or not.

“You took your time.” He said as green smoke arose in front of her.

“Long walk.” She said. “And really green smoke?”

He smiled.

“Tell me, are you sure? We could-”

“No, and I’m telling you right here and now, if I win, then you free everyone.” She said.

His eyebrow raised.

“Wow! Little Miss Matilda, your mother and sister told me the exact same thing. Although not your father, no he wanted to become my apprentice, interestingly enough. Although he was a drunk.” He admitted.

She rolled her eyes.

“So, let’s play.”

“Alright, now tell me, do you wish to hear my story first?”

“Not really.”

“Then tough. After all, this will be integral to the history of the game that you are about to play.”

“Fine.” She growled.

“Well, I shall first start by saying that I was born may the eleventh sixteen sixty five-”

Her jaw dropped.

“Wait! You’re three hundred and fifty, that's hardly believable.” 

“Believe it or not the truth is the truth. Needless to say that I survived the plague.”

“Congratulations.” She commented, sarcastically.

“Thank you. Anyhow, while I was growing up I had noticed that there was something that set me apart from everybody else, see, I was hardly interested in friendship or love, not even my family. In fact, I despised them, however my interests lay elsewhere. No, I loved pulling the wings and legs off bugs. I found their pain intriguing as I have always been interested in pain. This disgusted all those around me needless to say.

“Then everything changed when that man met me. I don’t remember where he came from, but he was the only one who got me! He even showed me different and more painful ways to pull the legs and wings off the bugs that I caught. With his careful teaching he moved me on to small rodents and, I must admit, this was the first time that I had to work at it. Which made the moment of death just that much more disappointing. Then we moved onto bigger animals and then when I moved onto humans I became addicted to the pleasure I got from torturing them.” He laughed.

Melinda felt like she should run but if she did that then she knew that she would never get her sister back, and it was all too clear that he was not done. However her heart beat just that much, more, faster and she was getting scared and she knew that he knew it. 

How could a man like him exist?

“I’m scaring you, aren’t I?”

She felt herself nod slightly. He nodded as he chuckled.

“But I’m not done. In fact, I know that you’re one of the ones that will never understand....Although, maybe in time you will...”

“I won’t!” She said too quickly.

“I know, but their screams are to me like a melody. You should try and you would agree.” He laughed as his eyes fell as he took a moment and relived those days.

“Go on.” She said knowing that she was feeling her stomach churn with nausea.

“Well, we were found out by a policeman after pulling that girl’s head off. By which point I thought that we were done for, but he just told me to “Go on!” in his deep soothing voice that always calmed me. And guess what happened after that?”

“I don’t.”

Suddenly she felt her stomach drop.

“I went on and he looked at the woman and smiled as he placed a hand on her head. And get this! After I had pulled the head off she was still screaming! He could keep her alive even after she should have died! I asked him to teach me that trick, but he was looking into the police man’s eyes and they both collapsed and when they both woke up he smiled and told the police man to go and he did, and what’s more? He didn’t even tell anyone what we had done. 

“After this I wanted to know what he knew and I wanted to do what he could do! Soon I became his apprentice. Then he taught me the game and yes it is the game that we are about to play. In fact it was him that taught me how to lengthen my lifespan, Which is how I am alive today.” He ended, bowing.

“Just get to the game, before I puke.” Melinda said as she could feel the contents of her stomach threaten to exit the body the wrong way.

“Alright. I understand, however after this game I know that I will be able to tell you of these things in much greater detail. Even more when Morki’s done with you.” He said.

“Just what’s that supposed to mean?” She asked, her eyes narrowed.

“Never mind, now the game. We will be going into a world made of imagination, and we will be subjugated to three different horrors and who screams loses. However if none scream we think of horrors for the other to endure. That is until one of us screams.” He explained.

She felt dread spread in her like butter on toast as she went over her mind.

“Then let’s get this over with, I don’t want to miss my lunch.” She retorted. “But if I die of hunger at least I wouldn’t be under your control.”

“On the coterie I shall have your soul.”

Knew there was a catch!

“Well that’s morbid.”

“We may get along yet.” He laughed as their eyes locked and soon the world went black

She found herself in a room that smelt of iron and as the room somehow lit up she saw that the walls were rusty copper. But then she heard the buzzing of flies and soon realised that that was not rust. She opened her mouth as she saw on the ground the dismembered remains of her mother and sister. She covered it knowing that she could not allow herself to scream. She breathed rapidly as she noticed that her hands were sticky and she looked down to see that she was covered in the dried remains of their blood. She closed her eyes trying her best not to scream.

She soon saw a reddish brown door ahead of her. She ran to it. She hesitated as she knew that whatever lay beyond was either just as horrible if not more. She, knowing that here was no other way, gritted her teeth and walked into the next horror. 

She was greeted with another room covered in blood. But this time it was not dry. She saw the corpses of her mother and sister. She then spotted another in the room with her. By her back stature she was a girl of her age and her hair was far too covered in blood for her to make out what colour it was. Then she spotted that she was the one that was painting the walls with her mother and sister’s blood. She again covered her mouth to stop herself from screaming, this soon became hard as the girl turned around to reveal that the one who was painting the walls was none other than herself! 

However she knew that this was not her, but some evil demonic version of her. With crazed crimson eyes with a set of fangs appearing from her upper lip. Like Danté’s eyes. She, subconsciously, licked her teeth only to feel, to her horror, that there was an abnormally long set of canines in her mouth too! 

Then her eyes rested on another who was covering the room with her. It was another girl but before she could see she saw another door. She ran to it and then walked into a white room. She looked down and spotted that there was an axe in her hand. She was looking at her father dead in the eyes. 

That’s not your father. Said a voice inside her. You must kill him! Kill the imposter!

She felt her legs walk forward, and she felt the axe rise above her head. She tried to close her eyes but she could not. She tried to turn her head but it was locked into place. She knew what she was going to do, she tried to fight against her body to stop it from forcing her to kill her father, however that too was in vain. She knew that she was going to not only watch but also feel herself killing her very own father and she was powerless to stop it. 

But there was only one way to stop it. There was only one way to stop all this madness, but that would also mean that she would have to lose her freedom, and not only that, but the freedom of all those that Mohan has under his control. 

But was she really going to allow herself to go through all of this? She thought as she came to her father and she was about to swing the head down, when she heard a scream and her eyes opened. She looked all over her and to her relief she saw that she was no longer covered in blood and she was awake. 

Even though she had won, she wept. She could no longer control herself as she felt hollow and all she could do was weep. She felt a gloved hand and colourful sleeved arms comfort her in a hug.

“Shhh, shh, there, there now. It’s alright, you won.” Morki whispered in her ear.

Magician’s Fate

Melinda’s eyes and cheeks felt raw and vulnerable as she looked at the sleeping magician. For a moment, she thought that she had killed him, or caused him to become brain dead. Part of her was afraid of this possibility. However there was another, one that she did not like whatsoever, that liked the idea that he was dead. In fact, this part of her told her that he deserved it. Not only that but it would serve him right if he was killed by a child as the biggest insult to his legacy of tyranny and bloodshed. 

But what had she done to deserve to be the one to kill him? What had she done to kill him full stop? What could he have seen that caused him to finally scream out? Yet, part of her knew that deep down, that she would never know the answer to these questions.

“It’s alright, you didn’t kill him. Here.” Morki said as he passed her three bars of her favourite dark chocolate. 

“Thanks.” She said sully and as she bit into it as she could taste it. 

Suddenly, the rose-like taste of Turkish delight met her tongue mixed with the chocolate! Her eyes widened as she let the perfume taste touch her tongue beside the strong almost overpowering taste of the dark chocolate. She had always told those old classmates of hers and the teachers too, that once you taste dark chocolate and like it, you can never truly go back. She had found out, even though they would have rather died than to admit it, that some of them found out just how true this statement was and what’s more, was the fact that she was told that it was healthier for you.

“You’re very welcome!” He sang. “I have noticed that chocolate makes everything better. In fact, my chocolate has been known to be very special!” He said with a wink.

“After all, for some reason it can make you feel better!” He sang, extending his hands outward.

“Thanks!” She laughed.

“You’re very welcome! You deserve it! You won after all! Everything’s going to be alright now! Well, maybe not.” He admitted.

She frowned.

“Why not?” 

“Well, as promised, all those that were under Mohan’s control have been freed. And your sister will be appearing any moment now.”

“But isn’t that good?” She asked, suddenly feeling uncertain that she had done the right thing.

“Maybe, or maybe you’ve just opened Pandora’s box. After all, it wasn’t just the good and the innocent that he controlled. Then again, maybe he was wrong and he wasn’t the necessary evil that he thought that he was.” He said, more to himself.

“And just what do you mean by that?”

“Simple, you’ll know if he was, if, by this time tomorrow, if Pandora’s box has been opened. After all, if he was the necessary evil that he claimed to be, then by this time tomorrow he will be dead.” He said as he moved her chin to him and he pulled off her plaster.

“What did you do that for?” She asked.

He then put on one of his own.

“To put mine on. They’re magic and will make your sister see nothing but an unharmed neck.” He explained.

“Thank you!”

Why is he being so kind?

He smiled.

“You’re very welcome! Plus the stick is a lot stronger than that of normal plasters too.” He sang.

“So, where is Jaden anyway?” She asked.

The clown pointed beside Mohan. There Jaden appeared unconscious as if in a deep, deep sleep. She smiled and her heart was relieved by just the very sight of her. She could have laughed but she decided against it. After all, with Morki here, something told her that she should be careful. After all, he was working for Mohan. 

“Good.” She said as she munched on her chocolate and after eating the last bite, her sister woke up. She blinked several times and then sat up like she had been asleep all this time. She rubbed her head as she looked around, clearly confused.

“Wh-what happened?” She mumbled.

“I won!” Proclaimed Melinda, with a smile.

She frowned, slightly confused.

“It’s true, your little sister here has freed this town from Mohan’s control, including you.” 

Her eyes widened with a slight twinkly in her eyes as she let the words sink in.

“What you have!” She said with a smile.

She beamed as she nodded out of pride. She smiled too and pulled her in.

“Then we ought to celebrate.” She exclaimed.

“Yeah, by having lunch! Man, I’m starving!” She exclaimed.

“Me too. I feel like I haven’t eaten within a day or two!” 

That's because you haven’t! You haven’t eaten in a week! She thought but decided against saying it out loud.

She gave Morki a two fingered salute and they left the tent. 

“How did you fair without me by the way?” She asked.

“Well, Danté looked after me!” She said before she could stop herself.

Her sister placed both her hands over her shoulders and turned her to her. She looked at her neck worried. She then let out a sigh of relief.

“He, he didn’t ask anything in return did he?” She asked.

“Yeah! It was to tell him about America.” She lied, knowing that she had made a promise.

They came to their house and she saw Danté at the corner and gave him the thumbs up as she smiled. He smiled her, well-done and she went in and they ate

The day went on as normal and then she went to bed. Her eyes closed and then they flicked open. For a moment, she was afraid that she was back in the circus. And that her winning was just a dream. Yet she looked at the clown. He looked at her as if she was a long friend.

“Morki!” She felt her lips say, but it was not her voice. It was the magician’s. “I saw him!”

She felt herself get up. Her lips let out a sigh.

“He’s on his way.” Came two voices, behind her.

She turned to see the twins in front of her. They were beaming from ear to ear.

“Hello Mohan. Time to pay you back! But not you Morki! You set us free so we’ll leave you for, way, later!” They said as they dug a dagger into his gut. 

He curled over as they looped arms and skipped away. He fell when they left the tent. He looked to Morki and then he saw his vision blur and then she saw a blurred image of Morki.

“Three mirrors. Use three mirrors!” He said, pulling him close. “I can feel it. She-”

Her eyes opened and she screamed. She felt arms around her. The following day she found out Mohan was dead.