CHAPTER 3

The poor horse had been driven past the point of exhaustion. The Shape doesn't care. He wasn't going to tolerate the slightest little bit of failure. When the capital city came into view, he parked the buggy by the stables. The other horses housed there became skittish. Dismounting, The Shape fell in behind a small crowd heading up to the city.

When he was just barely out of sight, the horse collapsed from exhaustion. Even when tended to by the stable hands, it breathed its last, and died.

The Shape considers how easy it was to get inside the city. The few guards on duty looked absolutely bored. It seemed like anyone could just walk in if they so chose. Getting into the palace, however, would be a different story. On a board full of announcements, there was a particular advertisement for Arendelle's yearly Halloween party at the castle. "Come one, come all."

Perfect. It seemed like the darkness had finally provided. A disguise would be needed, however. Striding through the city streets, he came upon a small shop selling masks, costumes, and other halloween decorations. Entering the cozy space, there's only an older man tidying up. "Hello there!" He said. "We'll be closing soon, but feel free to look around."

The Shape barely heard him. Not that he had anything interesting to say. He certainly didn't pose any kind of threat while pushing a broom. What did get The Shape's attention, however, was a certain white mask. Vaguely resembling a man. Darkened eye holes. Much like with the knife tucked into a hidden pocket, this mask seems to speak to him.

Looking around, it's the only one like it on the shelf. And it's his size. His fingers feel electrified as he reverently takes the mask off the shelf. "Something caught your eye? That's a good one." The shopkeep said as he approached. "It's yours for the right price."

The Shape felt offended. The mask was his by divine right, and this pitiful excuse for a man was begging for money? The Shape puts on the mask, drawing a deep breath, he feels…complete. Perfection. "If you come up to the counter, I'll gladly ring you up for it."

Now, The Shape is angry. He had been annoyed by the man's antics, now it was just going way too far. His knife flashed out, instantly severing the arteries in the man's neck. The Shape watches in satisfaction as the shopkeeper falls to the ground, gasping, and grabbing his neck. A minute later, dead.

Just before departing, The Shape leaves something on the counter.

The sun is quickly going down, and the air is turning cold. The Shape knew he would need somewhere to hunker down for the night. Stepping back out onto the street, a home a little further up still has a fire burning brightly already. An older man, hunched over with age, does his best to help his wife, who is just as frail, into the house. Easy targets to be sure.

Just as the husband went to close the door, The Shape barrels in. He knocks the old man to the floor. A single heavy stomp to the skull ends his life. The old woman screams in terror, desperately trying in vain to get away. No such luck. The Shape is on her instantly. One instantly broken neck later, and she's slumped to the floor as well.

He takes the bodies to the basement, laying them side by side. He makes them hold hands. A macabre image of a loving couple only sleeping. The Shape slowly tilts his head this way and that. Once again satisfied, he heads upstairs to the top floor.

The moon rises, framing the castle perfectly. Staring at his own reflection as much as the castle, The Shape becomes lost in his own unending stare. He stares into the abyss. The abyss stares back. For the rest of the night, they commune like this.

The Shape does not need rest. The Shape does not need food. The Shape holds onto the grip of his knife so tightly that his whole arm goes numb. Not that he notices. Not that he cares. The only thing on his mind is making sure the blade tastes the Queen's blood.

Then, the darkness will be satisfied.

The anticipation being the only thing driving him forward.

As the sun comes up again, The Shape leaves the house. The party will be starting soon.

Anna and Elsa spent all night making sure everything was ready for the big party. Anna sighs contently as the final decorations were hung with care. Even the tree was completely decked out; there wasn't an inch to space for another ornament. "Good job, Anna." Elsa said, smiling.

"Thank you. But you helped a lot."

"Even so, this never would've happened without you."

Just then, a soldier bursts in. "Your Majesty!" He rasps. He's clearly exhausted. "Your Majesty…"

"Steady there, soldier." She pulls out a chair for him. He plops onto it. "What's wrong?"

Anna hands him a glass of cool water. He gulps it down. "I just came from the Johanson's farm. Your Majesty, they've been murdered!"

"Murdered…" Elsa breathes. "A…are you sure?"

"They were butchered. Like animals." He recounts in detail the grisly crime scene. Anna goes pale, looking like she might vomit. "And that's not all. I also discovered a dead priest on the side of the road."

"We've also received reports of a dead shopkeeper, and an elderly couple found dead in their basement." Another soldier said. "Your Majesty, it appears we have a killer on our hands."

"And I'm just now finding out about this?!" Elsa snapped.

"We got here as soon as we could, Your Majesty. I apologize. Also, we found this at all the crime scenes." He passes Elsa a rough drawing of a spiral with a series of small triangles facing out.

Elsa studies it carefully, not recognizing it. She passes it to Anna. "Any ideas?" Elsa asked.

"No idea, Your Majesty."

"We'll look into it. In the meantime, you have to find this person. Deploy the entire garrison if you have to. Lock down the whole city!"

The guard bows deeply. "It will be done, Your Majesty." He turns to leave, motioning for other guards to follow him.

"What about the party?" Anna whispered.

"I don't know, Anna. We might have to cancel."

Anna feels heartbroken. She tries her best not to show it. "I understand." She goes over the strange symbol scrawled on the parchment. Something sticks in the back of her mind. Wanting to know more, she heads for for the castle's very extensive library.