Chapter 15

     I stare at the girl before me, mulling over her words as a cold chill settles in my bones. The way she said ‘it’ laced with a mixture of awe and jealousy. A small thing that immediately sets me further on edge as an irritating constant unidentifiable feeling begins to tap at the back of my mind. 

      “What is ‘it’?” I ask. 

     The girl clasps her hands together, staring down at the plush carpet flooring. Her bravo expression falling from her features, replaced with a somber look. “It is not my place to say. I am sorry. I should have not said anything.” 

     Anger swells up in my chest as she retreats from the question. The sudden change in her demeanor further growing my curiosity for what ‘it’ is. “Please tell me. You…it’s important right? It’s why you fear for me?” She doesn’t move and with an aggravated sigh I snap, “Tell me!” 

     Soulless eyes gaze back up at me, enrapturing me in their dull stare—her irises lacking the lively shine that belongs to all living souls. That gaze reminding me of a corpse, like those tragedies that would at times occur at the hospital. “Only Master may tell you. Only Master will say.” 

      “Then…take me to him.” 

     The girl cocks her head to the side, slowly blinking those owlish eyes. “I can not.”

      I bite my tongue in frustration, stopping the curses from falling from my lips. Counting back from ten I breathe in deeply and slowly exhale before speaking, “Why not?”

      “I was told to show you around the home. Nothing more. Nothing less. I have already disobeyed by speaking with you, miss.” 

     My anger gives way to fearful rage and shaking my head, I wrap my arms around my waist to comfort myself. The burn of tears prickle at the corner of my eyes as my frustration grows but I refuse to let them fall. I gaze over at one of the windows, my eyes widening when I see the creatures made of bone still gazing at me from the otherwise of the fragile glass. Their maws opening to show me the razor sharp teeth they hold. I lift a shaky finger and point at them. 

      “What are those…things? The living bones.” 

     The emotionless girl glances where I point. “Those are the Bone Fairies.”

      Laughter racks my form. “Fairies?” my body shakes harder, “Fairies are supposed to be cute little people with colorful wings. Those out there are not fairies.” 

     She stares at me in silence, a flicker of an unreadable emotion shooting through those dull eyes. “Do you always believe what the human society says?” 

     My small smile falls, the amusement I had felt snatched away. “Well no, but fairies are not real. Those can’t be fairies.” 

     The girl is silence for a while, looking me up and down before replying, “Then is this place not real? Is Master not real?” 

     My mouth goes dry. Nothing is rational about this place but everything feels real. How could it not be real if I can feel even the cool air in this place? Laughter begins bubbling up in my throat I glance around the room, my mind coming to terms with this place. This is real. The monster, the bone fairies, the roses, the sweets, and this place; it’s all real. I grab my stomach as I start to shake from my muffled laughter, tears falling down my cheeks from wide eyes. A cold hand grips my shoulder and I snap up, starring at the girl by my side. 

      “Come I must show you the place.” Walking to the door she turns around gesturing for me to follow.  I hesitant, a wide smile stretching out the muscles on my face. “The Bone Fairies are gone,” she continues, “They come and go at the Masters bidding. Come, they will not harm you. Master will not allow it.” 

     I scoff at her last sentence. The only harm that will come to me will be from HIM. 

     Gathering my courage, I follow her out the room—the rational thoughts in my mind slowly slipping away.

**** 

      “This is Master’s garden.” 

     Blue roses cover the entire length of the stone path, the heart of the garden lying just at the far end with a white bench positioned under a hooded statue. The black thorn filled vines wrap lovingly along the building; the ends of their roots curling away from the path as if not wanting to mess up the beautiful layout—a few of the bushes even daring to try and scale the walls through the loose rocks. Blue flamed torches stand erect on iron poles, their metal bodies twisted like a spring; their light casting sharp shadows that dance along the leafy ground. 

      “Master only allows us here on occasions,” she turns to face me, “Though you may be allowed to come here whenever you wish.” There is almost an accusing tone in her voice, the familiar bite of jealously laced with her words. 

     Why would I have more freedom than her? 

     A throat being cleared snatches our attention to the newcomer. The Man in Blue stands confidently at the garden’s entrance. The blue flamed torches casting deep shadows along the suit and sharp angles of the masked face. He flashes me a toothy smile, the pink tainted teeth now pearly white. His gaze turns towards the girl, the smile falling into an impassive frown. “Have you shown her the place?” 

     The girl beside me gives a slight curtsy, her eyes downcast. “Yes Master.” 

      “Good girl. Your assistance is no longer required.” The girl quickly nods and scurries away without a backwards glance; leaving me alone with the monster. Fear clutches at my heart as he walks towards me. I remain frozen in place, too scared to even breath as he takes my hand into his.  “Come here love,” he says, leading me away, “Come stand with me in the middle.” 

     His pace slows to match my hesitant one and for a few seconds I wait for him to snap at me to hurry up, but oddly he just sends me a wicked smile. The heels of his shoes click with each step on the stone path, a deep laughter rumbling in his chest. “Do I frighten you, dear?” 

     I downcast my eyes, my muscles tensing as his boney thumb caresses my hand that lies within his. The monster places his free hand under my chin and hoists my face up. I stare directly into those dark eyes, pure terror raking its nails down my spine and causing me to shake. “Awe darling,” the man in blue coos, “you don’t need to fear me…as long as you’re a good girl that is.” 

      “Who are you?”

     A smirk forms on his face at my soft whisper. “Who am I you ask?”

     He chuckles. “You know what makes me mad? The fact that you humans made a comical hairy blue guy—a representative of me—for kids to laugh at. Do I look like something that should be laughed at?” 

     I shake my head no. “I didn’t think so,” he continues, “but you humans seem to have forgotten about who I really am and instead named me the ‘Cookie Monster’. It’s degrading. But that’s not me; I’m my own species. The only one of my kind.” 

     He stands up straight to look at his garden, “I’m nobody and somebody. A powerful figure without a name,” he bends back down to stare in my eyes, “What do you want to call me, my dear?” 

     I gaze at the beautiful blue roses. Blue, the monster of blue.

       “Wh…why am I here?” I whisper out, trying to change the subject. 

     He sighs. “We have been over this plenty of times, already my little headache. You made a promise to me when you were little, or have you forgotten with your dim witted human mind?” 

     His hands slowly travel their way up my arms resting on my shoulders. Unexpectedly, the monster begins to lightly massage the muscle underneath and against my will I sigh as it begins to release the built up tension in them. As I start to become calm under the touch, his hand balls into a fist and rips the shirt apart. I scream as the fiber bites into my flesh before the cold air hits my skin. Instantly, I bring up my arms, trying to cover myself from those piercing predator eyes. The cloth falls from the monster’s hands and gently fingertips graze the rose tattoo that blooms on my shoulder, following the thorn vine down to my wrist. 

      “This mark on your skin shows you that you are where you belong.” 

     I gulp and steel my nerves. “Why am I here? Why am I different than the other humans here?”

      A vicious smile forms on his face, his eyes twinkling, “Smart little human, of course you’re different darling! You’re not a mire serving whore,” he stares at me with a wide grin, “No, you see darling you’ll be much more than a servant you’ll be my queen.” My mouth dries and he lets out a dark laugh, leaning away from me. “My own sugar queen.” 

     This can’t be real, it…it has to be a joke. A cruel, sadistic joke! 

     “Yes Master, you called for me?” The voice of the girl awakens me from my thoughts. I blink in surprise. 

     When did she get here? Had I been lost my own thoughts for so long I missed how he called upon his servant. 

      “Take Shae to my office. I’ll see to her in a bit.” He turns and saunters off leaving me frozen in my place.

     The girl grabs a hold of my wrist leading me away from the rose garden back inside the mansion. For hours we walk through the long halls, the girl showing me the other guest rooms, the grand library, music room, and dining room. Then she showed me HIS office. I pay more attention here than any other room. Noting the aged bookcases and polished desk covered with neat stacks of paper and cupped pens. 

     I walk over to the desk, picking up one of the paper and let out a pained sigh. I can’t understand the writing at all. A soft click meets my ears and turning back I clench the paper when I no longer see the girl. Blinking owlishly, I pull as much for my shirt as I can up trying to cover myself and walk over to the bookshelves, something shining from the bottom shelf. I snatch the item from the shelf, feeling a lump form in my throat when I see crude lettering etched onto the metal bounded journal. 

     Little Children Should Learn to Behave. 

     My breath hitches and I shakily open the book. 

     April 7, 1864 

     Children of all ages must watch out, for a creature lurks in the dark. Obey they must for the monster wants something. That in the kids he visits, there is something hiding deep inside. Kids known for their curiosity are drawn to this dangerous creature like man; the visitor captivates the child’s soul branding them to him. Like the devil himself.

     I shall bring out this creature with the usage of orphans and sweets, the same circumstances that causes me to lose my boy. If I find the creature, I find my son. The one stolen from me in the wee hours of the mourn. I had thought the boy mad with his ramblings and screams. Self-inflicted wounds caused by a demon possessing the youth. Not even the priest could help and so I had him locked up. Oh, my poor boy, forgive your father. And, may God forgive me for putting these orphans in harm ways. I must find my boy. Get him back before the memory of him fades. 

     I flip to the next chapter. 

     Eat too Many Cookies and you’ll get a Visitor. 

     April 9, 1864 

     I’ve lost two children, the ones I had spoiled by not punishing them when they ate the sweets without permission, the same as my son. They spoke of a man who said that the sweets they ate were claimed as his. The screams and cries from the poor lads had filled my ears every night before bed, and now that they are gone I fear I am subjected to be tormented by them for eternity. 

     But by the strength given to me by God, I must keep going. I must get back my son.

     If the Visitor Asks for Something…You should say No. 

     April 10, 1864 

     Another has vanished, a young girl at the age of 10.

     She spoke of the man as the first two did. Saying he invited her over to his home. I can’t help but feel fearful as I start to hear her cries at night and see the teeth marks upon her flesh. Have I brought the devil upon us all?

      Or Your Life is in His Hands…Forever.

      April 17, 1872

      All gone. Every single child is gone. Even those up to the age of eighteen have vanished without a trace. Guilt withers in my soul and I know that I myself have been damned for eternity. I see the man. Lingering in the shadows of my home. 

     Blue round pastries are being left on my table at night. I was curious at first and broke one in half to see the inside. Specks of red coated the blue dough and when I brought it up to my nose the faint scent of blood made me gag. I see him every night now. Waiting in the shadows, waiting for me to sleep. I won’t give him the satisfaction of seeing the terror he brings me.

     The only peace I find in this is that I know I will be with my son again soon.

     With a start I drop the book and back away against the wall. Information I should not have seen lies before me on those yellowing pages and now I wish I’d never read it. The cookies, surely that’s not in them. A sense of nausea washes over me as I recall being force-feed one, the sweet taste of it on my tongue. 

     I glance at the door leading out of the office and without another thought rush outside. Running past the fountain I snatch open one of the front doors with all my might and escape out into the strange land where the purple sky shines. My hair lashes against my face as I run, my breathing coming quicker as my heartbeat increases in pace.

     I have to get out. I have to escape!

     Stopping for a breather I slump against a tree, my lungs aching as they rapidly fill and empty with the cold air. “Now, now where do you think you’re going darling?”

     I shriek and look up to see the monster hanging upside down from a tree. His black eyes stare into mine. “You weren’t planning on leaving where you? That would have been impolite to say the least.” The monster drops from the tree, landing like a cat on the leaf covered ground.

      “Get away from me!”

      He picks up my screaming body and turns me to face him, a concerned look upon his face. “Something seems to have scared you my dear. Let’s get you back to bed.” 

     That unimaginable disgusting feeling takes over me again as we transport back into the bedroom I escaped to earlier. Dropping me like a ragdoll he stares down at me in quiet amusement as I crawl away, leaning my back against the bed.

“Get away from me you monster!” 

     He chuckles. “My dear sweet stupid Shae, shall I tell you a story? Oh, I think I shall. A creature haunts you dark, when picked upon you he will leave a mark. His claws snatching away naughty little cookie snatchers to feast upon when ripened, stalking you until you become frightened. Your screams add to the sweet flavor you will bring, the feel of your flesh making his senses sing. The hairy mask that covers his face from all, hides gruesome features that will leave you appalled. A monster that loves the taste of sugar and blood mixed into one, a monster that is tamed by none.” 

     His black eyes stare at me. “Are you the one to tame the Monster?” The last part is said slowly, sensually, the monster leaning down till we’re nose to nose. “Are you, Shae?” 

     Grabbing my hair with his hand, the monster leans down and covers my mouth with his, silencing my screams of repulsion. I gag as his tongue forces my lips apart, slithering into my mouth caressing my tongue. An inhumanly strong hand grips my jaw to where I can’t bite the intruding muscle, stuck struggling in his grasp as I try to push him away but fail. Bile tickles the back of my throat as the assault continues before slowly his mouth leaves mine, a smirk forming on his face before he slowly pecks me on the lips.

     The monster lets go of my face and stands up, walking towards the door. With a glance back he says, “Have a wonderful night dreaming about me darling, we have big days ahead of us, my sugar queen. A bit of a warning though, you won’t survive here but don’t worry my dear, this life has much more to offer you. For you will bring the greatest blessing to us all here.” 

     With a smile he closes the door behind him and quiet laughter begins to wrack through my body. I stare down at the enclosed maw around my wrist, the burning sting of tears falling from my eyes as a wide smile forms on my face.

     This is real. 

     This. Is. Real…

_______________________________

Thanks for reading!

Check out our website: http://monsterofblue.wix.com/monsterofblue

Tell me what you think in the comments, or tell me what needs to be fixed. Please vote if you liked what you've read. It keeps me motivated and know that you guys, my lovely readers, are liking what I'm doing here.

See you next Friday/Saturday for the final update!