A bit of a dark ward…hopefully you all like. It's very short I know. I was in a bit of a rut today and it's a wonder I got this out hehe. It's dedicated to my lovely Nancy Pants! I love you pants. You are my muse.

Fandom gives back is getting together slowly…hopefully I can get my auctions up soon then I will put the link onto my profile page. I'll let you all know asap. Thanks for reading!

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Penname: Jburdick

Original or Derivative (fanfiction): Derivative

Rating/Warning(s)/Note(s): M

Disclaimer: All copyrights, trademarked items, or recognizable characters, plots, etc. mentioned herein belong to their respective owners. No copying or reproduction of this work is permitted without their express written authorization.

Prompt: Dialogue Flex: "And where is evil located?" she asked.

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"Hey, Bella, Sweetie?" Uncle Charlie called from his office.

"Yea?" She peaked around the door at him. It was nearly nine already, so she was getting her stuff together to head home.

"You think you could handle one more?" He asked, smiling sheepishly. "I was actually supposed to do it about an hour ago but I got caught up in all this paperwork, kid." He gestured his hand towards the large stacks of papers and envelopes.

Bella smiled and nodded. "No problem, Charlie." She grabbed the keys and went out to his truck that had the load already in it.

The paperwork said it was grain for the animals and it was being delivered to the Festival that was in town.

Bella was pretty exhausted but knew this one should be easy. Drop off the load, get a signature and get out of there.

The parking lot was almost deserted when she pulled in to the delivery area. She unloaded the ten fifty pound bags, getting quite winded in the process.

"Alright…now…where is everybody?" She said to herself, surveying the area, clipboard in hand. The overhead lights were still on so she began wandering around looking for someone, anyone, so she could get it signed and get out of there.

"Hello?" Bella called, leaning into an empty tent. The grounds were pretty eerie, and she could swear she heard noises…but couldn't find the source.

She shivered and pulled her jacket tighter around her middle. Out in the distance she saw a warm glow of light under the lip of a red tent. She headed closer to it, hoping someone would be inside.

She pushed the flap of the tent open and stepped inside. There were hundreds of candles glowing on various surfaces. The pungent smell of incense hung in the air. "Hello?" Bella called again.

"Step inside, my dear Bella." Bella swung her head around and saw a petit girl with spiky black hair, her small body wrapped in a brightly colored dress and thick costume beads. She was sitting at a small round table, three stacks of card sitting in front of her. "Come sit."

"Um, actually…I just need a signature. How do you know my name?" Bella asked, feeling a great amount of tension in her body.

"That's not important, love. Come sit. The papers can wait." The gypsy demands, pointing at the chair opposite her.

Bella bites her lower lip and walks slowly to the chair, lowering herself into it cautiously. "I really can't stay…" Bella whispers. She's really cursing Charlie for making her do this one. Is that how this girl knew her name? Maybe Charlie called and requested they mess with her?

"Focus, Bella. Take three cards please, and place them onto the table. Face up." The gypsy said, waving at the stacks in front of her.

Bella obliged and took the three cards. She didn't know what they were or what they meant. The gypsy stared at them and closed her eyes, rubbing her temples, then looking back to Bella, staring into her eyes. Bella gasped. She hadn't noticed the golden color of her eyes before.

The gypsy stared longer and longer. Bella felt increasingly uncomfortable and stood. "I'm sorry I have to go." She said abruptly and turned to leave.

"Be careful of the evil, love." The gypsy said flippantly, waving her hand at Bella.

Bella swallowed and looked back at her. "And where is evil located?" she asked.

"It's in the eyes, Bella. Always the eyes. Goodbye, love." The gypsy stood and walked toward Bella. She stopped in the center of the room and pulled a rope, the divider blocking her from view.

Bella rushed out of the tent, forgetting the clipboard unknowingly and running at full speed for her the truck. She lost her way three times and twenty minutes later she was still looking for it. She started to hyperventilate and tears pricked her eyes.

Five more minutes and there it was. Thank god! Bella leaned her forehead against the truck and took deep breaths, trying to calm herself.

"Forget something?" I smooth, masculine voice crooned. Bella gasped and wheeled around. She almost wanted to laugh…but couldn't find the humor after looking into his face. He was a Sad Clown. The thick paint around his mouth forming a deep frown down to his chin.

"I'm sorry?" Bella asked, leaning back into the truck.

The sad clown held out the clipboard to her. She glanced at him and saw it signed. "Thank you." She said softly, reaching out for it. She stepped closer to him and took the clipboard. She saw the clown clench his jaw, nostrils flaring.

Bella grabbed the board and tossed it into the truck, smiling at him. "Thank you…your really a lifesaver!" Bella exclaimed, smiling widely at him.

He looked straight at her then and she stumbled back at the glowing red in his eyes. "Oh, I wouldn't say that." He said, and then he lunged.

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