We were holed up in the apartment. Nick never mentioned where he lived, so if we were lucky none of the Fears would be able to track me down. After all this time I'm still no closer to figuring out their interest in me. What makes me so important. I've read stuff about receivers and amplifiers drawing Fears in, or maybe I'm just unlucky. But that's beside the point.
A few days passed, uneventful, Nick was coping better with the lack of sleep. A problem which was lessening as I got better at fighting off the Grotesque. Until one day it stopped all together. We hoped it had just given up, decided we were more trouble than we're worth and gone off to focus its attention on some other poor soul. That finally we'd get some peace and quiet.
Since when was that likely?
It was I don't know how many days ago. Weeks ago at this stage. The apartment was silent as we read through text books we'd found at a nearby bookstore. We wouldn't dare enter a library. Nick still didn't trust me, but he was smart enough to trust himself, so we researched the Fears. I knew no matter how well we kept our location secret it was only a matter of time before we'd be forced to run. Or he would, I'd just tag along, being inside his head and all.
So we read in silence, utter silence. No noise was heard from the other rooms, nothing from the streets. The atmosphere was foreboding to say the least. Then we heard it. A soft noise. Music, humming up from somewhere in the building. It grew louder and it became clear that whatever the source was it was heading this way. As it drew closer the music became clearer and I realized what it was.
Magical Mystery Tour, by The Beatles.
Listening to an unknown source of music tell us it was coming to take us away. Well we were scared. Maybe it was nothing, but at this point I think we can agree that any paranoia I suffer is justified. And as the music got louder and louder as it came down the corridor, we decided it was time we barricaded the door. Nick pushed several pieces of furniture in front of the door, while I offered encouragement (Not much I CAN do).
And lo and behold the music stopped just at it reached our door. Nick held his breath and we waited silently for whatever was to come. Things only got worst as the door suddenly unlocked with a click, and began to slowly open, pushing away any barricades that were set up effortlessly. And there, standing in the door frame, was the Ringmaster. The Man With Fish For Eyes.
Nick backed up quickly, trying to find somewhere to run to, but we were trapped. As the Ringmaster stepped in, his false smile and restless eyeballs permanently decorating his face, several other men and women poured in around him. They seemed normal, but their movements were sluggish and their eyes closed. They were sleep walking.
"Step right up, hurry now! This way to the main attraction!" the Ringmaster said, in his booming voice, before seizing Nick by the throat and lifting him into the air with incredible strength. "You don't want to be late!" He tossed him out the door, and he collided with the corridor wall, hitting the ground. The Sleep Walkers crowded around him wordlessly, grabbing his arms and legs and lifting him up. He kicked and screamed as they carried him down the hallway, but they were too strong and his calls went unanswered. The music started up again as we were hauled away, following the Ringmaster like a demented parade.
"Roll up, roll up for the magical mystery tour!"
-Shady
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