Hello! Anybody remember me? No, that's fine. I've been hiding under a rock for the past how many months, so as a Christmas present from me to you I got off my butt and wrote you a chapter! Hoorah!
So...please read and enjoy! Oh and hope you've had a Merry Christmas! :D
Dear Diary,
I swear everyone's gone crazy. There's this girl called Hannah, who I always thought was really nice and sweet. Guess I was wrong. At lunch she called me fat and tipped Benny's food down him! And I bump into her afterwards and she acts like it hadn't even happened.
For some reason Ethan thinks Hannah likes him. How on earth did he get that idea? He's been asking for dating advice and everything. Guys – the world's biggest mystery.
But what really creeps me out is Benny. He was totally normal (as normal as a geek can be anyway) all through school up till then end but when I met him on my way home BAM! Completely different person.
He had these toothpicks and was full out flirting. Not the funny, dorky, adorable Benny flirting which just makes me want to laugh but this jerk like, I'm-awesome-so-you-should-date-me, super uncomfortable flirting.
Then he tried to kiss me! WHAT?! That was just tooooo much for me. I shoved him off, stamped on his foot and ran off. I think he shouted something about 'having to use the camera on me' whatever that means.
When did Benny become so...ugh? Maybe it's all some demented kind of joke. I don't even want to know. I hope he's not like this tomorrow 'cause if he is then I guess our friendship is zilch. I don't want to lose him though. I mean, I was really starting to like him.
Right, that's enough angst for one evening. Time for bed, I think.
Night. Anna xxx
"What do you mean?" Sarah instinctively ran her eyes over the walls of the room searching for an exit, but darkness prevented her from seeing further than a few metres.
The demon smiled, forked tongue disappearing back inside his mouth. "You must be Sarah, the reluctant vampire," he said, looking at the girl as if for the first time, "I do have to say your compassion for the human is admirable for a demon. It serves only sweetens the meal and yours, my dear, was truly delicious."
Sarah visibly bristled. Just the idea that he had exploited and...fed from her fears sent shivers down her spine. "Again, what do you want from Ethan?" she said through gritted teeth.
The demon sighed. "Down to business already? A pity." He straightened and turned his attention back to Ethan as if Sarah no longer held his interest. "I want nothing from Ethan specifically. As a person he holds no value to me. Why, he's just a nobody to the world outside. I wouldn't be surprised if everyone he holds dear just ups and leaves him one day."
The demon watched the boy carefully, looking for a reaction. Ethan blinked and ignored what the other had said. He couldn't afford the demon the satisfaction of feeding from him more than he already had. Disappointed but in no way 'giving up' the demon continued.
"As I said before I care not for Ethan himself, however he is a seer. That is all I am interested in."
Ethan frowned. "Why? I get visions, that's all."
He could have sworn the demon rolled eyes but he couldn't be sure. The blinking light from above was doing next to nothing for his sight. "Seers are incredibly rare. Have you ever met one before today?"
Begrudgingly Ethan shook his head. It was true. But he hadn't known about his powers for that long and it wasn't as if he'd been searching for others like him.
"Precisely. I have lived for many aeons, Ethan Morgan, and I have only ever encountered three seers, present company excluded. The first two eluded me but the last, she is well and truly mine."
Sudden understanding hit Ethan like a brick. "Madame Giry," he breathed. The demon nodded, his forked tongue darting out again.
"That fortune teller you told me about on Friday? She's the real deal?" Sarah looked to Ethan for confirmation. "Yeah, she's a seer. I wasn't sure but..." Ethan's eyes narrowed on the demon. "What do you mean, she's 'yours'?"
The demon's eyes glinted in the darkness. "In my world Ethan, a world which humans have failed to see for millennia, to be successful you must gain respect from your competition. And respect is earned by collecting those with power."
He looked gleefully at the pair's baffled expressions. "You don't see? This carnival is more than just my personal food supply, it's my business. If anyone, any supernatural creature enters they will not leave for a very long time. I persuade them to stay by whatever means necessary. They sign a contract, I employ them in whatever I feel would best suit their attributes. For instance vampires are best put to use as security, and with every creature I collect I gain more respect, a greater reputation, and therefore, more power."
Sarah and Ethan stood in silence letting the words, and the deadly significance they held for them, soak in. However the demon continued on cheerily obviously enjoying their discomfort.
"Tim however, that useless vampire you met earlier, he breached our contract. He revealed strictly prohibited information." He tutted. "That's the problem with a vampire's survival instinct. Much stronger than a human's. Makes the creatures so hard to depend upon." He spoke seemingly to himself. "Perhaps he thought he could negotiate with me? Come to an agreement? Or that he could run away. Such a waste, but he's easily replaceable."
"You...you killed him?" Sarah stammered. She couldn't quite believe the vampire was dead. The demon shrugged.
"Our contract was nullified. If he valued his life he should have held his tongue." Sarah couldn't help but feel a little guilty. He was dead because of her, and he'd only been following orders.
"So Ethan Morgan, you understand that you will not be walking out of this carnival, yes?"
Ethan's grip tightened on Sarah's hand. She snarled at the demon, fangs out. "You're not getting him, or me either."
"I'm sorry but that isn't negotiable."
Sarah ran at him, eyes flashing in anger. But only two inches from the empath demon she jerked to a halt, frozen in mid charge. Ethan stared at her. Sarah remained unmoving. The demon shook his head and side-stepped around the girl. "Vampires. So temperamental. Oh, she's not hurt. Merely frozen." He added after noting Ethan's worried expression.
Without Sarah the seer felt infinitely more vulnerable. What was he meant to do now? "So, Ethan Morgan, are you ready to sign?"
Ethan backed away, desperately trying to come up with some way to stall. "Uh...So, Madame Giry's a seer as well?" It wasn't brilliant but it was the best he could come up with.
The demon's smile grew a little and he stopped advancing. Ethan exhaled with relief. "Ah, one of my greatest triumphs. Madame Giry, she came here, say a century ago, with her little sister back when we were travelling through England. They eventually came to my house." The demon stared into space as if the events he was describing were happening before his eyes. Luckily he seemed more than happy to retell his 'greatest triumph' and was obviously in no rush to get the contract signed.
"She ran blissfully through these halls, her little sister trailing behind. But one of my associates was following them. He brought them to me, fear practically oozing out of them." The demon sighed contentedly.
"And?" Ethan asked, eyes darting around the room trying to find a way out but failing.
The demon's gaze landed sharply on the boy. "Everyone has a weakness seer, you just have to find it. And Madame Giry's was no doubt her sister. She would not stop crying, little brat." He sniffed disdainfully. "The seer in question was fourteen at the time and had only just discovered her powers – incredible as they were. Able to see a persons entire future at just one touch! Imagine it. Bless, she was so confused. I gave her a choice. She could walk free but her sister would die. But even if she worked for me for the allotted one thousand years her sister would stay, locked away, immune to time. When Madame Giry completes her time she and her sister walk free."
Ethan turned to stare at the demon wide eyed. That was just sick. "Well of course she chose her sister! That's what I would have d-"
The seer stopped short when he realised what he'd just said. His voice was quiet, desperate, defeated. "You're going to do the same, aren't you? Me, or Sarah."
The demon shook his head his smile growing wider still. "Oh not just her, seer, all your friends. The spellmaster constantly afraid of losing everything and everyone, afraid that he isn't good enough, the blond vampire who is currently living through some of the worst nightmares he'll ever experience and Anna, the new girl who acts very bravely but deep down is so very broken."
Ethan couldn't feel his legs. "You'll kill them all if I don't agree?"
"Naturally. But of course when you do sign, and we both know you will, one will stay as a guarantee of your cooperation – just like Madame Giry. You can chose which one."
Ethan was finding it hard to breathe. His heart was trying to claw its way up his throat and that was really hurting his ability to think properly. He didn't know how to get out of this one. He couldn't live out a thousand years here. He just couldn't.
But what choice did he have?
Then a thought occurred to him.
"And how exactly will you keep me alive for one thousand years?"
"I have numerous serums and potions to prolong your meaningless life." The demon produced something from the inside of his jacket. "Now seer, we have wasted far too much time. Are you ready?"
Ethan looked up. He was holding a pen and a long roll of paper.
Ethan closed his eyes already afraid of the answer to his question.
"Where's the ink?"
A small chuckle lingered in the air. Something cold pressed against his wrist.
"Why, Ethan Morgan, it's inside your veins."
Everything was cold.
Anna opened her eyes and waited for a hazy fog to subside. Where was she?
All she knew was that it was cold.
She tried to move her arms but they felt heavy. Why was that? She tried her legs but again they wouldn't move.
A slight change sent goosebumps up her arm, as if a door had been opened letting in a chilling gust of wind.
And suddenly the fog lifted. Anna half expected the searing bright light to return but it didn't. The only source of illumination was coming from behind her, casting flickering shadows on the wall opposite.
Suddenly Anna was standing. She had been lying down before?
But at least now she could see where she was. Anna stood in a small, wooden-panelled room, completely bare besides from a lit fireplace but the flames provided no warmth. Everything was just cold.
Anna frowned. How had she gotten there?
"Hurry up!"
Anna would have jumped at the sudden noise but her body wasn't reacting like it should. The voices were back...
...But this time with their owners.
Two girls, one about fourteen the other eight, ran past Anna as if they hadn't seen her. The older ran ahead, short hair bobbing with every stride, leaving the younger hurrying behind. "Father is waiting for us! Hurry!" The older girl giggled and passed through an open door.
Their pale cream dresses were adorned with frills and in their hair yellow ribbons trailed out behind them as they ran. The younger clung to a straw hat, her pink cheeks huffing as she hurried down the hallway.
"I am coming!" called the girl as she turned a corner.
Without realising it Anna followed them. Everything felt like extra work, like she was walking through water. As the voices wandered further away, Anna increased her pace.
Why was it so cold?
The air was shattered by a scream and Anna instinctively started to run. Her feet fell silently on the wooden floorboards.
She rounded a corner and on the floor lay the straw hat. Another scream.
Anna lifted her eyes and watched as the two struggling girls were lifted off the ground by a tall man. Something was wrong with his eyes. They kicked and screamed but he wouldn't let go.
"Stop!" Anna slurred but they were already gone. Suddenly dizzy Anna reached for the wall but found the hard floor instead. Her world was pulsing in and out, colours blurring together. Groaning she rolled her head to the side in what felt like slow motion.
"So, Miss Giry, you have a choice," a harsh voice rang out.
Someone was whimpering. Anna tried to clear her sight but everything was still one big blur.
"I...I..." Someone, one of the girls, stammered.
"You are trying my patience, Miss Giry. Your servitude or your sister's life ends now."
The harsh voice didn't like the silence that followed. "If you do not reach a decision soon I will decide for you."
Still there was nothing. Suddenly a crunching sound was heard and the sound of the snapping of bones echoed throughout the room. Then more screaming.
"No! Stop it! Stop it!" The voice was in tears. "Do not kill her, please, I beg you. Please."
"Very well. If that is your choice, seer. You shall stay here and work for me for one thousand years. Your sister shall remain, protected from the effects of time, and, once the time has elapsed, you will both walk free. Now, are you ready to sign?"
The voice hesitated."You promise?"
"I give you my word."
There was silence where only heavy breathing could be heard. Even the whimpering had stopped. "I shall sign."
"Very good, Miss Giry. Take the girl away."
There was another scream and suddenly all the sounds mixed together. Pain exploded in Anna's head and she opened her mouth but no sound came out, longing to place her hands over her ears. But she couldn't move, couldn't see. There was just pain and darkness and noise and cold.
And then it all stopped. Apart from the cold.
Everything was cold.
"Stop."
Both heads whipped round to stare at the unexpected voice. The speaker had somehow managed to find a way into the room and stood with a hood shadowing their features. The demon let out a guttural snarl. The figure flinched.
"Madame Giry, I am working, and if memory serves you should be too." The demon's voice was layered in venom and disgust.
The hood came down and Madame Giry spared Ethan a reproachful look before turning her full attention to her "employer".
"You don't want the boy. Let him and his friends go."
Her master licked his lips, narrowing his eyes. "Last I remember you do not give orders. And of course I want the seer, I refuse to let another slip through my grasp."
Madame Giry boldly met his gaze and inhaled slowly, steeling herself. "I have read Ethan. I know his life, his future. And if Ethan and his friends do not leave here alive then in the long run you will ultimately lose out."
The demon frowned, glancing between both seers, obviously eager to sign away Ethan's life as soon as possible.
Sensing the indecision Madame Giry spoke again. "You know it is physically impossible for me to lie to you, after I signed the contract. If you let them go I promise you one of the greatest feasts of your life."
"Well, you cannot lie..." The pen and parchment disappeared into thin air. "Very well. Speak quickly."
Madame Giry spoke again but to Ethan's surprise he couldn't hear a word she said. He touched his ears with his hands but everything felt normal. The demon cast a sly smile his way and suddenly Ethan understood. He wasn't meant to hear.
He tried his best to lip read but could only pick up a few words and phrases here and there. Something like 'new', 'fear', keeper', 'prophecy' and 'war' but apart from that everything flew past him too quickly to decipher.
The sudden sound of the demon's demented laugh jolted the boy back to the present. He was slightly relieved that his loss of hearing wasn't permanent.
"Well then, I believe you completely. It sounds truly terrifying and I look forward to it." He eyed Ethan hungrily. "It appears Ethan that it would serve me better if you were to remain free a while longer. But I will return in time for the feast and once it's over I'll be back for you. And don't even try to run. I will find you."
The tension was broken by the demon chuckling to himself, all the seriousness drained from his face. "Well, tatty-bye seer. Show him and his friends out will you, Madame Giry?"
And with that he was gone. Vanished, as if he'd never been there. Ethan let out a breath he didn't know he'd been holding.
"Did the last ten minutes just happen?"
Madame Giry sighed. "Why couldn't you just leave when I told you?"
"I couldn't leave without- Sarah!" Said girl had collapsed onto the ground. Ethan rushed up to her but the woman held him back. "Do not worry, she will wake in a few minutes. By then I must be gone.I have customers waiting." For some reason Ethan didn't believe she had to leave because of customers. The grip on Ethan's arm tightened.
"But before I take my leave you must know...well, I have seen your entire life and it is a dangerous one. But these upcoming months will be some of the hardest you will ever face."
Ethan's eyes widened. "What do you mean?"
"Someone will come, someone powerful. They will destroy everything you have striven to protect. Be on your guard Ethan, always. My prayers are with you and all of Whitechapel."
"But what can I do?"
Before Madame Giry had even opened her mouth the thundering voice of the demon filled the room, commanding her to say no more. The elderly woman stood up. "Get out of this carnival, out of this hell. I will take care of your friends. The route out should be clear to you." She took a step forward and leant close to his ear. "Take good care of her."
Sarah groaned. Ethan looked down at the vampire and up but the seer had vanished.
Benny looked up at the large flashing sign which read 'YOU HAVE SURVIVED' in fluorescent green. "Yeah, barely," he muttered under his breath before stepping outside. The clouds from earlier had settled over them, threatening to burst at any second and soak the town of Whitechapel.
An attendant in a terrible skeleton costume handed him a glossy photograph, 'free of charge'. It said Horrifying Memoriesin purple and underneath the text was a photograph of Evil Benny kissing Anna, eyes glinting smugly at the camera. Quickly he ripped the picture in two and threw it in the bin. That was one moment he did not want to remember.
Most of the carnival visitors had gone, probably due to the ominous thunder rumbling in the distance. No sign of his evil duplicate. But he'd probably show up again, to gloat or something.
Benny checked his watch. Wow. The time had gone quickly. He'd probably have been wondering around in that building a lot longer too if that old woman hadn't shown him the way out.
"So...do I wait for Anna or what?" Benny frowned at his phone. Still no signal.
"Benny!"
"Gahh!" Benny jumped in surprise. "Ethan! Buddy, we were just in a haunted house. Do not creep up on people."
Ethan looked at the spellmaster in sympathy. "Sorry Benny."
"Evil Benny's back. He just showed up and started acting all superior and-"
"I know."
Benny stopped mid sentence. "What do you mean 'you know'?"
Ethan shook his head. "Well I didn't know it would be Evil Benny you saw but...Look, it's a long story. I'll tell you the long version later. There was this demon jerk who was making everyone's fears come alive and basically none of what you saw was real."
Benny's eyes widened. "So, Evil Benny isn't back?"
"Nope." Benny visibly relaxed. His demon counter-part was just a big bundle of anxiety. But even when he wasn't actually there he'd managed to ruin everything! Fantastic. Benny would have to be having words with this demon. Or he would have if he hadn't been so scared of him. "Sarah's got Rory in the car. Apparently he's been having nightmares the entire time. When he woke up all he said was 'Woah. I just missed something massive didn't I?'... Hey, there's Anna."
Benny winced and turned around slowly. Anna stood in the exit, holding what Benny assumed was her special memory picture, and met eyes with Benny. The spellmaster was slightly surprised. All the hate and aggression had gone leaving a sort of dazed, vacant look instead.
"Anna! You alright?" Ethan waved her over.
"Umm, I think so." Her voice trailed off. Anna's arms were drawn across her chest in an almost defensive gesture. "Well apart from the fact I don't remember anything of what just happened."
The boys exchanged a quick look. "What do you-"
Anna snapped at Benny. "I mean, that it's just a blank. I walked into the haunted house, was with Benny and Rory when everything went dark. Next thing I know I'm in a white room with a weird open cylinder alone."
Benn couldn't quite decide if he was over the moon (she didn't know about their powers!) or if he was absolutely terrified about how Anna would react to the weird memory loss. However, he couldn't thank whatever had caused it enough.
"Oh...alright. That's a little worrying," Ethan mumbled not quite sure what to say. Anna noded and stared at the ground. "What exactly did happen in there?"
"There was a power cut. The lights went out and Rory and I lost you. We've been looking for you the whole time and...we, uh, we thought you might have made it outside." Benny scoured his brain for a plausible cover-up story. No way in hell would he tell her what had actually happened. He'd already made that mistake once and wasn't about to repeat it.
Anna gave him a sceptical look and she looked to Ethan for confirmation. The seer nodded and Anna shook her head and sighed. "I guess I'll just have to take your word for it."
Yes! She swallowed it! Thank goodness.
"Maybe you slipped and hit your head." Ethan suggested. Anna ran her hand through her hair and looked down at her photograph. "I swear I'm a magnet for the weirdest things."
"If you want you could see a doctor about it."
"No!" Both boys jumped a little at the sudden outburst. Anna smiled apologetically. "Sorry, I just...don't like doctors. I'll be fine. Besides, it's not as if I missed anything important right? Just another stupid haunted house."
Benny disguised his laugh with a cough. "Yep. Nothing happened. Nothing you need to remember anyway."
Anna looked down at her photo. "This is useless. It's not even of me, just some random kid." Anna scrunched it up and threw it in the bin. "If you don't mind I think I'd like to go home."
Benny smiled and put his arm round both Ethan and Anna's shoulders. "I think we all need to go home."
The three walked in a comfortable silence for a few seconds when the heavens opened and the trio were forced to sprint to the car.
A small girl stepped slowly into the rain, clutching her arm to her chest, a straw hat sitting at an odd angle on her head. With large blue eyes she surveyed the tents around her and she let out a quiet, almost inaudible whimper.
"Sister?"
Wow. Didn't think I'd ever finish that carnival arc. Hopefully I've left you with a few questions which, rest assured, I shall answer. Just not right away. Hope you enjoyed it!
And I will make myself write this story because I'd forgotten how much I'd enjoyed it. Thanks go to all who have supported me and I can only hope I do not disappoint. Merry Christmas and God bless!
~ Secret Agent Codename Bob