May the madness continue. . .
. . .
Chapter 7: Mother And The Puppet Master
. . .
Hot-very hot!
Tic toc. Tic toc. Tic toc. . .
So-very-hot!
I thought it was suppose to be cold in here. Boy was it hot. Sweat was pouring from my skin. My hair was damp from all the sweat. I ran my hand through the sweaty mess of hair on my scalp and turned around to look behind me. Why was it so hot in here?
A door opened and a cretin red-head walked into the room. "Hey-Sleeping Beauty's finally awake." He walked over to the bed and kissed me.
"Look who's as happy as always." I smiled at him. "Axel, why is it so hot in here?" I asked as he took off the towel that was wrapped around his waist and let it drop to the floor.
"That's because you're in here." He smiled climbing into the bed with me. I laughed. "It also could be because the radiator in the corner and the fact that we've had sex several times tonight." He kissed my forehead. "And I was kinda hoping we could do it again." His kisses move from my forehead, to the side of my mouth, to my neck, to my collar bone. Hell yeah we were doing it again!
Damn-this felt so amazing! Having Axel inside was like-white chocolate macadamia nut cookies! Perfect length, perfect girth, perfect-everything. I latched onto his neck and-
"Roxas." Axel poked me with his pencil. I looked up at him.
"What?"
"You fell asleep again." He mumbled. "Do you sleep at night?"
"Yeah." I have no problem sleeping. I have problems with the dreams that I have while I'm sleeping. "What did I miss?"
"Only me trying to persuade you join us." I rolled my eyes. "Why not Roxas?"
"Because I'm not hurting my uncle like that." I snapped struggling to keep my voice down. I've been down that road before, and I'm not going there again.
It had been the same topic between me and him for the past few days. And despite my efforts, Axel wasn't listening to my refusals. Seriously, talking to Axel was like me trying to convince Hayner that there was a god. Hey- that's odd. . .
I just mentioned Hayner . . . I haven't done that in a while. . .
So after class I headed down the hall. My footsteps echoed with each step . . . tip tap tip tap. . . It sounded just like that damn clock. Behind me I could feel Axel's burning gaze. And I'm pretty sure that he would have tried something if it wasn't for the person that hated me most walking in front of me. As Zexion passed me, his pale blank eyes shot daggers at me. That feeling alone was enough to make the surrounding winter air feel like a hot day in the Outback. He walked up to Axel and latched onto his arm. The two walk away, arm-in-arm and out of my sight. . .
"Goooooooooooood mooooooooooooorrrrrrrrrrrning Sunshine!" Elizabeth's voice chimed as I walked into her dainty little coffee shop.
"Elisabeth, it's past noon." I said as I sat down at the bar. "A double mint espresso please."
"Tough day?" She asked as she danced around her work station mixing my drink.
"Really." I sighed. "I can't seem to get Axel off my back. And I'm not willing to lose Luxord trust again by saying yes to him to either. Total FML. . ." I practically banged my head on the table.
"Don't worry, sweetie." She placed my drink next to my pounding head. "We've all been under a lot of stress lately. Luxord especially due to recent events. People have been flocking to the Cathedral an awful lot lately."
"I know." I took a sip of my espresso and nearly spun right out of my seat. Holy shit this was strong. Rather get drunk on coffee than alcohol though. "With all this religion, I wonder how I married a Pagan and currently live with Catholic priest."
"You married Hayner because you loved him." She smiled. "And you live with Luxord because you know where he hides the booze." I had to laugh. I don't know how, but Elizabeth had this ability to make even the saddest of people laugh with tears in their eyes. She smiled and looked over at the door when she heard the bell ring. "Oh, look who's here! Good morning gentlemen."
I turned around. Standing just a few feet away from me was Demyx in his usual lacey Victorian attire. Standing next to him was a rather tall, much older man with dark hair mixed with white streaks pulled back into a ponytail. He had a scar over his left cheek and a patch over his right eye. I'm not sure why, but something about him screamed 'pedobear'. "Good morning Lady Elizabeth." The older man greeted. "So, how was that some shindig the other night?"
"Really wow." Elizabeth clutched herself at the though. "I truly got the chills." The two laughed.
I looked at Demyx and he bowed. "Good afternoon Roxas." He said in his quiet hushed voice. "What brings you here?"
"Your room mate." Not all true. I was planning on stopping by anyway. "So, if it's not too much to ask, could one of you tell me why Axel wants me in your cult so damn badly?"
Demyx lowered his head and sat in the stool next to me. "He wants you. Just you. That's all." Demyx said in the most serious tone I had ever heard him spoke. "But why you ask. It's because there's something in your soul that's luring him to you. What it is though, we can't say." I met Demyx's eyes.
"It's how he finds all of us." The older man said. "Name's Xigbar." He shook my hand gently before sitting on the other side of Demyx.
"Roxas." I offered a smile. "What do you mean 'it's how he finds us'?" I cocked an eyebrow earning a crocked smile.
"Just that. If Axel sees something he likes, he goes for it." Xigbar said as Elizabeth handed him and Demyx coffee mugs. "Can't say why, the sadistic asshole." The last part he mumbled. I looked at Demyx and he shrugged.
"So any plans for the holidays?" Demyx said sipping his gingerbread hot chocolate.
"Not sure." I sighed. "Guess I'll be here to keep Elizabeth company. What about you guys?"
"Demy and I might just go and see a movie or something." Xigbar said. "Not much else to do, particularly dead around here."
"You could always go to church." I though Xigbar and Demyx were going to choke from Elizabeth's little joke before they started laughing. I joined in the laughter shortly after Demyx and Xigbar.
Demyx looked around in his stool for a moment before speaking. "No one ever deserves to be alone on Christmas." The three of us looked at him. "Maybe we should celebrate here!" He turned to Elizabeth with a child's pleading smile.
With her motherly antics, Elizabeth smiled. "Why not? Maybe a small puppet show would be nice."
"Yeah Dem." Xigbar smirked. "It's kinda boring when I'm your only audience member." A smile rose on the puppet master's face. I guess now I have something do when Christmas rolled around this year. . . Hell, it beats moping. . .
. . .
Next day . . .
"So what's this I hear Little Demyx putting on a puppet show at a coffee shop?" Axel asked sitting at the table across from in the library.
"Oh-Elizabeth has nothing to do for the holidays so Demyx offered to put on a show to celebrate." I said not bothering to look up from my book. Not that it mattered. Axel was busy flipping through pages. My curiosity was only sprung when I heard him say "Instituo is." Ok, it was really starting to bug me. More and more recently, I've noticed Axel speaking in this language of his, but I couldn't figure out what it was.
"Axel," He looked up at me. "What language are you speaking?"
"Latin." He said casually. "My Dad's this big-how do I explain it? He's big on the ancient world and they mostly spoke Latin, so I just grew up with it. In fact, it was my first language."
"Interesting." The conversation stopped there. For a little bit anyway.
"Hey, um-would you be up for seeing a movie later?" Hm? "It's not like a date or anything! It's just a I-want-to-see-a-movie-and-Zexion-doesn't-want-to-go type of thing." Why did I not believe him?
"What movie?" I asked leaning forward on my arms on the table.
"Insidious." He smiled. "It looks really comical." Yeah it did.
"Hmmm." I thought for a moment before giving him my answer. I could have sworn I saw a hint of anxiety in his face as he waited in anticipation for my answer. "I'll go-but on one condition." He nodded. "Xigbar and Demyx come with."
"You really want to go to a movie with them?" I nodded. He threw his hands up in defeat. "Ok, but just to warn you, when they start to get bored they start making out." That wouldn't be too bad. I have that problem and so does everyone else I've ever dated and hung out with. Now, if they start moving on passed that, then it gets a little creepy.
"Fine. And in the event they do start making out, don't follow thy example." I smirked. He returned the smirk as I started gathering my books.
"So pick you up at seven." I just stopped and stared at him. "Something wrong with that?"
"If Luxord sees me with you, I'm dead." I glared at him. "I'll meet you at the theater." He nodded and I left the library and concocted several reasons why I going to the movies tonight without my uncle. . .
. . .
I stood in front on my full length mirror looking at myself dressed in a black turtle neck sweater with black jeans. I wanted to make sure I was warm. It was going to get pretty cold tonight.
I got down stairs and found Luxord in the kitchen readying his six-pack and popcorn for ABC Family Christmas specials.
"Ok, Luxord, going out." I said trying to brush passed him.
"Where and with who?" His voice stopped me at the door.
"I'm just meeting this guy from school at the movies." Luxord eyed me with an oh-really face. "Don't get any ideas."
"If you're ready, by all means-go and have fun. I'll be here." He smiled and walked over to the living room. I sighed and left.
When I got to the movies, I found Axel in his less than bundled up attire. Just looking at him in nothing more than a turtle-neck, jeans, and All Stars was enough to make my shiver in my furry coat and boats. When he saw me, a smile crept on his face.
"You look a little cold there, Roxas." He greeted me.
"Yeah, it's only fifteen degrees above zero?" He chuckled. "Aren't you cold?"
He chuckled as he ushered me inside. "Xig and Dem went to get snack and will meet up with us." I nodded and followed Axel after dropping off my coat in the coat room. We found the theater room and sat back and tried to enjoy that movie.
Now Insidious was suppose to be a scary movie, but I found it pretty hysterical. Axel got bored with it and fell asleep about three times. About halfway through, true to Axel's word, Xigbar and Demyx started making out. I think mostly due to the lack of puppets and dolls, Demyx wasn't all that interested in the movie. There was an interesting moment though when I stole a glance at Axel. I just couldn't help but notice his calm expression. At one point, he turned his head and met my eyes. I felt my heart stop for a moment and everything around me disappear.
"You alright?" He asked stroking my cheek. I nodded and returned my attention to the screen. I tried focusing on the movie, but my mind was somewhere else. . .
After the movie and collecting my coat, the four of us stepped outside into the frigid snow.
Demyx yawned loudly while stretching his arms. "That was kinda boring. They just don't make horror movies like they use to."
"I know." Axel agreed. "Why don't you guys head home? I'll walk Roxas as close to home as I'm allowed." He smiled and I waved to Xigbar and Demyx as we parted ways.
The walk to the park, which wasn't far for Elizabeth's, was fairly silent. I stopped by a lamp that made the surrounding falling snow glow around it. Axel failed to notice my stopping and kept on walking. I threw my coat onto a nearby bench before scooping up a large handful of snow and packed it into a tight ball. Reclining my arms I took aim and let it fly out of my hand making contact with Axel's unruly main that sat on his head. He whipped around eyeing me.
"Aw, can't the prince of darkness handle a tiny little snow ball?" I mocked him. Axel just looked at me as if I was speaking Russian with an Arabian accent. "Don't tell me you don't know about snow ball fights?"
"Um. . . If I told you I grew up in a very warm climate, would you explain-" Instead of letting him finish I decided to send a snow ball to his face. He shook his head making the white frozen powder fall from his face. "And just where is the enjoyment in this?"
I had to laugh. "Give it a try and you'll figure it out." He tried to hit me with the frozen ball of water but with my skills of awesome, I dodged his assault. Axel was resilient in his attack. He kept trying to pelt my over and over again with snow, till we grew tired of our childish antics and pulped down in the snow, our heads next to each other. From above, the only oil lamp left in this old town burned and flickered with light.
Axel sighed. "I haven't had fun like that since I was a child!" Axel laughed joyfully. "If feels like so long ago." He whispered.
"You know, you never mention growing up." I said turning my head towards him.
"Neither do you." He countered. "And I'm sure it's not worth talking about. Probably a miserable little bastard."
I sat up. "Not really." The snow crunching underneath as Axel shifted up to look at me. "I was a spoiled, well loved, little brat who got anything he wanted. My parents showered me with everything I asked for. But that changed after I met Hayner." I shook my head. "You know, it doesn't matter. Because, Hayner's not here right now-so it doesn't matter!" I stood up only to be pulled back down onto Axel's lap.
He eyed me with sympathy and glossy eyes. "No. It does matter." His voice was quiet as he brushed the hair out of my face as tears stared falling. "He loved you. And you loved him. So whatever happened, it was important." With streams coming from my eyes, I just latched onto his torso and he let me sob out my sorrows. I never realized how much I missed Hayner till that night. . .
. . .
"Mama Lizzy, where are you?" I said into the phone while mixing gingerbread hot chocolate and mocha.
"I'm on my way Roxas, honey." She said as if she was in a hurry. "I'm by the Old Antique Shoppe. I'll be there soon."
"Alright." I sighed. "We'll just start without you, ok?"
"Fine with me. See you soon, sweetie." She hung up and I set the phone on the receiver. After giving the customer her drink and pastry, I walked into the back where Olette was doing a solid you-owe-me. "How are those chocolate chip orgasms only Olette knows how to make?" She laughed at my gay-boy tone, as she called it.
"All ready!" She tried to say in a deep butch lesbian voice. And Olette failed soo badly I couldn't keep from laughing. It sounded like Jim Carrey trying to play a woman part in any type of movie. "Elizabeth here yet?"
"She'll be running late and said for us to start without her." Olette nodded. We grabbed a few plates loaded with cookies and joined the crowd. Demyx was at the counter waiting for us. "Elizabeth's running a tad bit late. We're going to have to start without her."
"Ok." He seemed a bit sad. "Are these the famous Olette orgasmic chocolate chips you've been talking so much about?" He asked looking at the plate I held in my hand. Olette just gave me this look-the kind that girls give their boyfriends when they ask dumb questions.
I led Demyx into the back room so he could dangle his puppet without being seen. "Roxas, would you mind me being alone?" Demyx asked with a really creepy look in his eye.
"Not at all." I took a few steps away from him, just as he turned around to the small trunk he brought with him. "You don't need help setting up do you?"
"No." His tone was low. "I don't set up. They can do it. They really don't like help." The room seemed to get slightly darker and colder as well.
"Alrighty then. . ." I backed away towards the door. "I'll be up front."
When the door shut behind me, I heard Demyx speaking. . . His voice was shaky, as if he was having a panic attack. I pressed my ear to the door, trying to make out the little muffles coming from the other side.
"Not too long, he says. Long enough, he says. What for, I ask. You'll see, tonight, he says. But I already know. A pag-"
"Roxas, wanna help out?" Pence called pulling my attention away from the door.
"Sure. I'll-I'll be right there." I tried listening further, but all I heard were shuffles and clicks.
The show started with a small dance of the theme in The Nutcracker. Then it went on to tell the story of a small child learning about the magic of the Christmas season. The child learned about Christmas trees, snow, and Santa Clause, even though we never did see the Santa puppet. Elizabeth made it just in time to see the end. She thanked everyone for coming and wished them a happy holiday.
"That was delightful." She chimed. "And thanks for the cookies, Olette, honey. They were scrumptious."
"Thanks, Mama Lizzy." Olette smiled.
"You know, I really got to say, the cookies and coffee really made it feel like the North Pole in here." Xigbar chuckled. "Sure wish Mother knew how to make 'em."
We all shared a laugh. Then Demyx entered the room and the laugher stopped. He gave Xigbar this look that was cold and sad at the same time. "He just called." His voice was cold and monotone. "He wants us home." Without a word, Demyx carried his small trunk of mini people out of the shop.
"The effect that man has on that poor boy." Xigbar said standing up. "Listen, thanks again, all of you. I'd love to stay and chat, but I have to go."
"Ok, Xigbar." Elizabeth nodded. "See you again soon I hope."
"Can do." He saluted us with his two fingers before running after Demyx.
"I wonder what was wrong." Olette, Pence, and I all looked up at Elizabeth. "I've never seen Demyx act like that. He's always so cheery. It's kinda heart breaking."
. . .
"There is something strange going on around here lately." I heard Olette say as she paced the floor in the other room.
"Yeah, I'm just going to stay with them tonight, Luxord." I spoke in to the phone that hung on the wall of Pence's and Olette's kitchen of the moderately sized apartment. "Figured it'd be better than walking all the way across town this late at night." It wasn't that late. With winter getting cozy in our little town, night was falling quicker.
"Alright. Just don't get to be too much of a handful." He chuckled. "I'll see you in the morning, Love."
"Fine. Night." I hung up the phone and joined Pence and Olette in their living room for an evening drink. "So Pence, what movie are us guy watching?"
"Well, since we can't really agree on adult movies, we're going to have to settle on A Christmas Carol." Laughter filled the room. Olette shook her head.
"You boy's have fun." She smiled. "I think I'm going to call it a night."
Pence got up and took her hand. "Ok. I'll be right back Roxas." I nodded as he led Olette into their bedroom. I always found it so cute that they did that. Hell, Olette and Pence just make such a cute couple.
The two of us watched the movie, the Christmas Carol with Jim Carrey, and sat back and drank our beers. It was nearing midnight when I was really starting feel down. "You know Pence, this will be the first Christmas without him since we've met." That came out more as a sigh than a statement.
"Really? And how long ago was that?" Pence asked turning off the TV. "And how did you meet?"
I stared out the window at the falling snow. "We met in high school, in the library of all paces. . . We've been together ever since." Pence sat still for a long while, absorbing my words, trying to picture my pain.
"And you two did always cling to each other," He final muttered after a good long silence. "Even during your 'breaks'."
"Yeah." I smiled slightly, while leaning back on the couch and staring out at the falling snow. "It's beautiful out tonight."
"Really? You think so?" He jumped up on the couch and looked at the drifting flakes of white.
"Yeah. It's the one thing I love about living here. The winters, no matter how brutal, are always beautiful. And the springs, no matter how sick one gets, are always warm."
"Well, it must be pretty brutal tonight." I sat back and cocked an eyebrow. "Someone's having a bon fire."
What-"Pence, bon fires are illegal." Smoke rose upwards from the Westside of the town, and kinda had me worried. Elizabeth lived in that zone. "I'm going to call Elizabeth, maybe find out what's going on." I flew off the couch to the phone hanging on the wall. Time seemed to slow as I dialed the seven-digit number that would connect me to my mother-in-law. The while waiting and hoping this crawling feeling up my spine meant that everything was going to be ok.
When the phone picked up on the second ring, a small wave of relief washed over me. "Elizabeth, I-"
"No. Not the Pagan woman." All air left my body.
"Who is this?" I already knew the answer. I recognized that quiet whisper of a voice that belonged to the puppet that haunts my dreams.
"You already know." He whispered coldly and calmly. "And I have a riddle for you: Goth's burn candles to read at night. Pilgrims lit lanterns for guided light. But when you burn a Pagan, do they smell of lavender?" The line went dead. . .
My feet started working before my head did. Pence followed me as my feet made contact with ground. Outside, after a few feet, they started to turn to ice. But I couldn't stop. I had to keep running! I had to reach Elizabeth! Elizabeth! Elizabeth. . .
Goth's burn candles to read at night. Pilgrims lit lanterns for guided light. But when you burn a Pagan, do they smell of lavender?
The answer was more unbearable that one could believe. . .
. . .
I looked up at window, just above the giant crucifix that hung on the back wall for the chapel.
The Gentlemen's Choir's voices echoed from their practice room.
The nuns walked through the cathedral carrying on their daily cleaning duties.
One of them, a mere orphaned girl with raven black hair, approached me. "Morning Roxas." Her shy voice greeted.
"Morning Xion."
"I'm sorry about Elizabeth." She took my hand in hers. "It was most unfortunate."
"Thanks Xion." I stood up from the benches and headed for the back door. "Tell Luxord I'm waiting for him outside."
"Ok." She said.
The back garden of the cathedral was the one place I could truly go without worrying about anything. It was a real place of peace. A large fountain with a life size statue of an angel with shoulder length curly hair sat in the heart of the garden. Its wings were crowned proudly on the sides of its back with a scythe in its hand hovering over its being. There was a plaque standing in by the front gate opening up to the flowers and plant life of the garden that read:
Marluxia,
The guardian angel of the flowers and roses in this sanctuary.
Elizabeth loved this garden. She said that there was a presence here that was warm and welcoming. I always felt the presence. I felt as if a warm pair of arms were wrapped around me, protecting me. But this time, it was different.
Instead of feeling a cheerful energy, I felt something more mournful. I sat down on the edge of the fountain staring down at the white snow beneath my feet. Tears threatened to fall down my face, yet again.
There was a crunching in the snow behind me. "It's a little cold for you to be out here, Love." Luxord said sitting next to me. "Any plans for today?"
"Not anymore." I mumbled with a sigh. "Look, I'm going to go for a walk." I stumbled up fountain edge and crunching snow as I left the back garden and some heart squeezing moments behind.
I stood in front of the coffee shop Elizabeth owned. Figured I clean up the rest of the mess from the other night. I pulled the keys out of my pocket and opened the door with a thud. Down on the ground sat a large vase of purple roses. I picked them up and walked inside. It felt empty in here without her. I could still smell the remnants of lavender she'd burn to cleanse herself. Or was it just the roses?
It never ceased to amaze me how one little party could conger up so much dust. I took me an hour to sweep and mop the floor. Once that was done, I had to clean the coffee machines. That's no easy task. Then after that, came to ovens, sinks, and dishwashers. Once those were done, it was time for the windows. Bucket of soapy water and a sponge at the ready, along with my step stool, I started with top corner and worked my way down.
While the water froze on the windows as I attempted to clean, there was a tap on the window. A mysterious tall red head stood out front. I nodded towards the door.
"What happened here?" Axel asked walking in through the door. "This place was so alive. Why does it feel dead?"
"Did Demyx tell you?" I dipped the sponge into the water and continued with my washing. "There was a fire the other night. . . Elizabeth didn't make it." Axel was silent for a moment before speaking again. He seemed to be choosing his words carefully. "You don't have to say anything. Just like with Hayner, the police can't find anything. Only this time they believe they're looking for an arsonist."
"Arson? That's mere child's play."
"Excuse me?"
"Whoever did it is clearly a coward." Axel's face changed into a look of disappointment. "For everyone's sake, I do hope they catch this person. It's save more lives that way."
"I know what you mean." No I didn't. No one here did. This town is so small, murder is unheard of. So of course everyone is really shaken up. No one knows how to handle it. We're all scared, even the police force. "But don't go all vigilante though. You'll only get in more trouble."
"Believe me, I have no reason to. Vigilante justice isn't my thing." He turned around to scan the bleak shop. "So what are you going to do with this place?"
"I don't know." Finishing the windows, I dropped the sponge in the water and picked up the bucket and carried it into the back. "I know she'd want me to keep the place, but I don't think I can. . . Do you think Demyx would want it?"
"What?" Axel was caught off guard by my question.
"I was just thinking out loud." Or was I? Now that I think about it, maybe that would be a good idea. Demyx was a pretty fun person, and that's what Elizabeth tried to do. In fact, she really had seemed to take a liking to the young puppet master. Maybe I should ask Demyx if he wants the shop. Maybe now kids can have someplace to have fun.
When I declared myself finished with my cleaning, I allowed myself to leave with Axel.
"Hey, should I walk you home?" I shook my head at his offer.
"Sorry. But I'm going back to the cathedral. You're more than welcome to came and confess your sins."
"Oh, ha, ha. If I did that hell would completely freeze over. And then I'd have nowhere to go when I die." We shared a laugh.
"Well, then, I'll see you later." I left Axel standing there in the snow watching my leaving.
Even though I promised Luxord I'd try my best to stay away from Axel, I never seemed to be able to. That freak out at school that one time, I figured he had to have been drunk or something. He has some really strong stuff at his place. And also, I seem to be finding myself really attracted to him, like I had been to Hayner. But Axel's different somehow. He doesn't follow the norms of society. And there is just something really sexy about that.
When I returned to the cathedral, I had to wait on Luxord. He was in the middle of a service, and I'm a pretty respectful person, so I waited in the back garden, sitting by the statue of the angel Marluxia, talking to myself. More like talking to the statue. "Marluxia, can I ask you something? What do you thing I should do about Elizabeth's coffee shop?" My answer was a cold gust of wind blowing in my face. I sighed. "Maybe I should give it to Demyx. He could keep it running better than I could." The world around me went dead silent. No early owls were wooting, nor were the late birds chirping. That was odd. Maybe it was a sign that the answer was 'no'. Hmm . . . But why not?
"Roxas!" Luxord calling me told me I'd have to ponder about it later.
. . .
A mid-aged, but young looking, woman sat in her living room by her picture of her late son. "Oh, Hayner. It truly isn't the same without you." She sighed heavily deciding to watch Christmas stories on TV.
While she sat and watched, a knock came on her door. She stood up and to answer it. The woman found it to be a familiar face. "Sweetie, isn't it a little late to be out and about?" The figure didn't answer. It just stood there freezing in the holiday snow. "Sweetie, come on inside, you must be freezing." The figure nodded stiffly.
The woman led the figure inside and sat it on a chair while she went and got it a hot drink. When she came back, she handed the figure its drink and sat down on the sofa not far from it. The clock ticked, the only sound in the silence. She stared at the figure sitting in her living room. "So want to tell me what brings you all the way out here in the middle of the night?" The figure rose its head reviling and the tears rolling down its face."Sweetie what's wrong?"
"He wants me-the master-he wants me to-" It started to mutter with a mournful tone.
"Who?" The woman asked confused. "What is going on, sweetheart?" The woman stood up and placed her hands on the figures shoulders.
It lowered its face. And with a low whisper, said, "He wants me-to kill you." The woman stepped back as the all too familiar life size puppet boy rose up limply. "He says you're in the way. He says getting you out of the picture will draw his prize closer. He says eating your soul will help me get stronger. . . I hate to do this, but it's Master's wish."
The woman tried to run to the door, but a swarm of the puppet master's minions blocked her. When she turned around, she was face-to-face with the puppet master. "I am terribly sorry." The puppet master wrapped his strings around the woman preventing her from escaping. He placed his lips against hers, absorbing her soul into his body. Once the detachment was complete, like his master before him, he slices her throat.
His job complete, the puppet master sits down in the chair behind him, contemplating what to do. He wanted to be respectful to the Pagan woman, now dead in her living room. He only saw one way to show that respect. Swallowing his fear, the puppet master lit a fire in the fire place, and then left a roll of wrapping paper the woman had set out near the flame. Retreating his minions, he left the house to find a payphone. . .