Do you like stories with mystery and suspense? Strange and “wyrd” ones? Well, if you do, keep reading and enjoy Eggcentricsagas. If you are just joining Eggcentricsagas, you might want to start from the beginning: A La Mano: Part 1-The Treasure
The terrific noise and wind from the tornado ceased as it disappeared over the dark forest. The black storm was gone, and the twilight sky with a few twinkling stars had reappeared. There ensued a death-like silence and then anxious discussion in the distance. A myriad of agitated voices. Edward assumed that they were talking about the spectacle he had just witnessed. Retreating to his corner, he fetched his clothes. The magician buttoned his shirt, put on his waistcoat, grabbed his walking stick, and stepped out of the train car. As he descended to the ground from the back platform, Rajiv, Kapi perched on his shoulder, came running towards him. The setting sun cast a glowing light, and Rajiv’s turban now appeared peach-colored.
Nearly out of breath, the boy asked excitedly, “Mr. Angel, Mr. Angel! Did you see the tent fly in the air?”.
“Yes, I did.”
“I followed it, Mr. Angel. I ran after it.” He paused in front of Edward, his chest heaving. “It crashed… On the other side of the forest… I saw it.”
“Do you know whose tent it was?”
Edward noticed Rajiv’s dilated pupils and the boy seemed a little frightened. “It was the fortune teller’s. The tent of Madame Glass.” He gulped a few breaths before relaying, “She was in there. Her body… Broken…” Plagued with the imagery of a mangled body, Rajiv started to tremble.
Trying to soothe him, Edward put his arm around the boy’s shoulders. Kapi, upset at this action and his master’s agitation, screeched and jumped off. He loped a few yards away and sat down with a brooding look in their direction. In a steady voice, Edward inquired, “Are you sure? When I went to her tent this morning it was empty. I think she was gone.”
“I heard groaning but I didn’t want to go near it. Kapi ran to it, got scared and ran away. I called him back and came to get you.”
Stepping away, Edward glanced at the purple sky and then back at the boy. “Do you think we can make it before nightfall?”
The boy nodded quickly.
“Let’s go then.”
“Kapi! Kapi! Come here!” Rajiv called to the monkey.
Kapi did not respond. He was focused on something in his paw.
Rajiv called again. This time Kapi looked up but still did not move.
“What’s that in his hand?” Edward questioned.
Rajiv shrugged, dug into his pocket, and pulled out a handful of peanuts. He moved towards his pet and crouched down. “Does Kapi want a treat?” he asked in a sing-song voice and held out his palmful of nuts. “Come and get it boy.”
Seeing the treats, the monkey got up and walked over to Rajiv. He dropped what he was holding and reached for the peanuts. Rajiv allowed him to take a few and then held out his other arm. “Get up,” he told his pet. Kapi climbed up onto his shoulder. Rajiv stood up and put the rest of the peanuts in an indentation on top of his turban. Intent on opening the shells and their contents, the monkey quickly forgot about his prize.
Edward reached down and picked up the bracelet with the rhinestone heart. “Hmmm, look at this…” But he didn’t dwell too long before stuffing it into his waistcoat pocket. Concerned about Madame Glass and her tent, the magic man told the boy, “Lead the way.”
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Gasping, Charlotte dropped the sign and quickly turned. A brawny man stood there. Seeing him, she took a step backward.
The man spoke again. This time it sounded a little brusque. “Betsy who?”
Her recent experience had made her jittery, and she found his appearance rather strange as he was in what she would call old-fashion clothes. Charlotte stammered, “Betsy, Betsy Holt.”
Staring at her with beady eyes, he glanced at the striped tent on the ground and then back at her. “You mean Madame Glass?”
Charlotte shook her head and replied, “No, Betsy Holt.”
The burly man looked confused and annoyed. Clarifying who they were talking about, he asked, “You mean, Elizabeth Holt?”
Charlotte paused; Betsy‘s real name was Elizabeth, but she never called herself by that name. This man knew Betsy, but Charlotte was unsure why. Not only was he dressed in odd clothing, but there was also something else about him. “Yes. Yes. Elizabeth Holt. I’m trying to find her. Do you know where she went?”
The man’s slit-like eyes narrowed even more. “No. I thought you might know where she is since you crawled out of there.” He pointed to the squashed tent.
Charlotte studied his face when he dropped his eyes to the wreckage. His eyes. She had an abrupt realization about what she felt from him. Mean. Yes, that was it. But even more. Hidden evil. A wicked serpent waiting to raise its ugly head.
As he looked up at her again, she averted her eyes briefly before she returned her gaze to him. Charlotte forced a weak smile.
“How did you get under there?” the man asked as he took an unsteady step towards her.
She kept her eyes on him, stepped back in response before stammering, “Betsy, I, I mean Elizabeth and I… We went into the tent before the windstorm…”
Suddenly, an angry, surprised sneer appeared on his face. “What?! She was here all along? ” Rubbing his wrists with a bitter look, he grumbled, “I knew I should have…” As he paused, Charlotte noticed that his lower forearms were red, raw, and chafed.
“Where is that fortune-telling bitch?” he demanded and took another step forward.
Alarmed by his irrational behavior, Charlotte backed up. “You must be mistaken…” Glancing around the desolate location, she thought, Nobody’s here to help me.
“Tell me now!”
Hyperventilating, Charlotte tried to bolt.
Seven steps later, the strong man lunged and captured her. She flailed against him but to no avail. Grappling with her, he roughly turned her to face him. His anger had transformed. She saw hungry eyes, a hunter looking at his prey. “Feisty and pretty.” His breath, fetid and alcoholic, nearly gagging her. Reaching up, his meaty hand clenched the back of her neck underneath her wavy, blonde hair.
Next: The Magician’s Hat: Part 8-It’s About Time
