The Dark Masion

5:33 pm

  Ed stood impatient outside of the large black iron gate with the rest of the crowd. He thought why not just blend in? The white manor he was looking at was large and looked old from the 17th century and no way built overnight. The large porch had large pillars that seemed to hold a balcony above. With the circus tent in the back of the property toward the Manor. Ed pulled out his pocket watch and took a look at it, five thirty-three, “where the hell were these people?” he whispered to himself starting to frantically look around for the woman he followed today, then as if he was heard, the gates started to open, the crowd went quiet not knowing who was opening them. 

 “BANG” a flash of light came before the crowd and smoke along with it, once it was settled down there stood Camille, ooo’s and awe’s went throughout the crowd. She was in a simple black dress that complemented her figure. “Hello dear folks of Plainfield!” Her voice projects without the use of a mic or intercom and mostly because when she spoke, they wanted to listen, “I hope you all are ready for the scariest and funniest night of your lives! On your way to the back yard top tent do not hesitate to stop by one of our booths and grab a snack or drink. We have lots of treats, and games for the little ones and face painting! Enjoy the festivities! The show starts at six!” Camille threw her hands up then back down and a loud pop went off, a cloud of smoke rose from the ground then was gone, Camille along with it letting the crowd go wild with excitement and ran in.

  “He is here my Queen. I saw him outside the gates with the crowd when I let them in.” Camille said as she entered the back half of the big top where they were all gathered around talking about the last little details of the show. 

 “Good, then it is time for you to get to work and make sure he stays for the show.” Lola looked over at Camille with one perfect eyebrow raised.

  “Yes my queen” Camille bowed her head, snapped her fingers and transformed into the woman Ed stalked earlier that day. She left the big top and started to join in on the rest of the crowd, this was the closest she got to normal as she could be, even if it was just pretend. She walked around the booths and made small talk with some of the women and their children as she looked around for Ed. Finally after ten minutes she could feel his presents, he was close and the thought running through his head was making her own head spin. She just reached out to him a little to get his attention then the game of cat and mouse could begin.

  Ed looked over to the cotton candy booth, and finally there she was, the woman he had really come here for, she was standing in between the cotton candy and face painting booth, talking to a couple as there child was getting her face painted, he thought the woman she was talking to looked familiar. Yes she was, it was the woman who worked at the café. Ed decided that it would be best if he just sat and waited. Follow her and find a good place to take her at. Where she is isolated and alone. He followed her from the face painting, to the bottle knock down from there to the soda toss. He was starting to grow impatient as he continued to follow her. He almost attempted to leave when he noticed the crowd was starting to gather around the big top and head in. He looked over to the old woman he was following and could have sworn they met eye contact, a swirl of rage and panic came over him and then he couldn't control his body as he moved toward her, “What are you doing your going to blow everything you worked so hard for if you get caught!” the voice was there, then it was gone and he felt like he was finally free from her, from his mother who had been hunting him day and night, not letting him sleep or eat. Camille had him right were she wanted him. She met eye contact with him and connected with his mind and had him following her into the big top. He took his seat just a row above hers and 4 chairs down, he could see her perfectly. As the crowd began to settle down Derek came out of behind a set of large curtains, “Ladies and gentlemen, Children of all ages! I welcome you, to the nightmare show!”  as he said the last part flares bursted off around the room, from behind him the freaks came out along with fire dancers, a man juggling swords, instead of a lion tamer there was a wolf trainer, the show was off to a beautiful start, and Lola could feel not only her manor get stronger but herself as well. The show went on for two hours. Ed was getting stir crazy, sitting there wanting to make a strike but couldn't knowing all these people were around. 

  “My queen it is time,” Derek came in from the front of the circus. Lola knew what he meant, it was time to do her part of the job, Derek turned around and went to the middle of the ring, “ladies and gentlemen, I would like to introduce you to our finally! With the voice of an angel coming all the way from the Netherlands, Lola Night!” went crazy hearing her name, they knew her as the beautiful woman who set this whole thing up for them, she came from behind the curtains, “Hello there folks, My name is Lola and the song I will be sing for you tonight is one I grew up on as a child i grew up learning it in Norwegian I'll be sing it in English,” She said as wonderful smile flashed across the tent. The room went silent as she began, “Bendik rides to Sølondo. He wishes to see the fair maiden. His fate was not to return, and there for he will die. Årolilja, why do you sleep so long? On that day Bendik rides in the forest. Hunting the wild deer. In the night he visits the maiden. With desire and words of love. I do so love your yellow hair. Like apples falling from branches. Blessed is the one who will have you. God help the one who will suffer the loss of you. Enter the small errand boy of the king. He brings news *Bendik is walking across the golden steps, Without the kings permission* The king of Sølondo Slams his fist on the table. *Bendik will not enjoy life. Not even if I were given all the lands of the earth” as she finished the song the room around Ed grew dark. Suddenly Lola stood there in the rook with 2 large black shadows next to her. Ed's eyes grew wide. The black shadows started to shape into body's with long horns coming from their heads. They had no face feathers, just red eyes staring into Ed. “I heard you like to Kill woman, Not anymore,” Lola was now next to him, her hands on his temples, his eyes started to glow and soon his body was soulless and now belonged to the Manor. She rose away from his body. The black forms started to pull Ed's body under the audience seats and into the dark. Lola was back in the middle of the circus ring. The crowd repaired as though nothing happened and went crazy for her song, for her, the whole big top was going crazy for the show. The freaks came out around her to take their final bow, Derek came over to her right side and picked up her arm, Camille came to her left side and picked up her other arm holding it into the air. “Thank you folks! Have a Wonderful night!” Once Lola dropped their arms a cloud of smoke appeared and left the ring empty. Slowly the people of Plainfield left the big tent. 

 When the crowd started to come out of the big top there was a velvet rope that led to the front gate. All the booths, games and attractions that were previously there, were cleaned up and packed away. Nothing but the big-top showed there was a circus there. As the people of Plainfield left all they could talk about was how wonderful the show was, how scared they had gotten. “I'm pretty sure I almost peed my pants!” one woman said as she was leaving the gates. A little boy was talking about how he thought the strongest man picking up the car was the coolest part of the whole show.

 Lola watched as they left her gates, knowing they would all be going home safe. But the real mission began. It was time to start getting the body ready for preparations.