by Justin Swapp
He clapped his hands, and several employees appeared. One by one they entered the crowd and started to push the complaining guests toward the front door.
Marcus climbed down and took a deep breath. Ellie followed after him.
“What just happened?” Marcus asked. “I mean, did we just see someone get struck down with Egyptian lighting, and then minutes later have our bird skull turn up?”
“We have to figure out how to get it back,” Ellie said. ”It was obviously very important to Grandpa.”
“First we have to figure out how to get out of here,” Marcus said, peeking around one of the aisles as the crowd was corralled and led out of the shop.
“You’re not going anywhere,” a voice said from behind Marcus, appearing like magic.
Marcus spun around and gulped down a gasp as he saw Faustino grab a fistful of his shirt. He already had Ellie.
14
The Great Faustino Forsyth
Faustino picked the children up off the ground, one in each arm. Marcus tried reaching for his brim, despite the strict warning Elba had given him, but Faustino swung them around as he walked, dragging them over the stairs and bumping them into the walls at random. Marcus couldn’t believe the muscle he possessed. He had attributed his title, Faustino the Great, to his magical prowess, not his brute strength. But as he came to think of it, he realized that he had never seen Faustino actually work magic until today, when he… killed someone. He didn’t like their chances. How many times can someone escape death? And he had already done it once.
“I can only assume,” Faustino huffed angrily, “that today you’ve seen something you had no business seeing.” He carried them through a back room and up a set of stairs.
“Who are you two?” he asked. “And how did you get in here?” They didn’t answer. Ellie, however, did kick and punch at him. Marcus thought he saw her bite Faustino’s arm, but it was hard to tell. The man didn’t even wince, he merely wiggled his arm and she came loose again.
At the top of the stairs Faustino shouldered open a door that lead to a room that Marcus thought was an attic. Aside from the stacks of boxes, Marcus saw swords, hats, books, and bottles of floating oddities. At the end of the room, by the only window, were several large animal cages.
“We don’t take kindly to intruders here,” Faustino dropped the kids on the ground next to the cages. Dust puffed up as they landed. Faustino opened the first cage. “Get in,” he pointed to Ellie, then at her new prison. For the first time, Marcus noticed an ugly scar under one of Faustino’s eyes. He was sure that it hadn’t been there at the talent show.
Ellie crawled into the cage and Faustino wasted no time locking it behind her.
“Who sent you to spy on me?” he opened the other cage. He grabbed Marcus by the collar and tossed him in his own cage, barring and locking the door behind him. “Who…hm? Some company?” He set the cage key on top of an old crate. “The military? Some country vying for power?”
“Please don’t hurt us,” Ellie pressed her face against the bars. Marcus had seen her make this pitiful face before. “We’re just kids. We don’t know anything about businesses or… power.” Marcus followed her lead and grabbed his bars too.
Faustino narrowed his eyes at the children. “You look very familiar,” he stepped forward. “Where have I seen you before?”
The floor creaked.
“Well, well, what do we have here?” a voice asked from the top of the stairs just outside the room. A sneering Elizabeth had just entered the room, followed closely by Jason, the boy from the magic talent show.
“You called for me, sir?” Jason asked. “I am, of course, at your—”
“He called for us,” Elizabeth said.
“Yes, I did,” Faustino said in a short, snappy tone. He pointed to the cages. “What do you two make of these little ones I found spying from the back of the shop during the event?”
“I think we should use them for target practice.” Elizabeth smirked. “They were in the wrong place at the wrong time.”
“I don’t think we need to attract any more attention to The Magic Box, sir,” Jason said, “what with tonight’s situation with the staff and all.”
“What I’m asking you thick-headed children,” he raised his voice before lowering it again once he realized how loud it was, “is how they got in here in the first place?”
“We walked in the front door,” Marcus said, not able to hold himself back from the conversation, “just like everyone else. We didn’t know anything was going on.”
Jason froze up. “Uh,” was all he could muster before Elizabeth jumped in.
“He,” she said sternly as she took one step away from him, separating them only by her pointing finger and stiff arm, “was supposed to be overseeing the door and the guest list.”
Jason gave her what Marcus thought was the coldest look he had ever seen one person give another. “And I was manning the door just fine, until she wandered off somewhere and left a line of customers at the register. When they started complaining, I went over to help.”
Faustino sighed, and then snapped. “I’m getting tired of the bickering between you two. You’re lucky to be here at all.” He paced the room for what seemed like several minutes. “I never forget a face,” Faustino said to Marcus, “and for some reason, yours is nagging at me, like I made a mental sticky note that didn’t stick very well.”
“These two?” Jason asked. “You remember they were at the Who’s Got Magical Talent show, right? I stood out in line with—”
Faustino froze then slowly said, “The boy.” His eyes widened, and he pointed at Marcus an uncomfortably long time. “You were the one, the one I couldn’t explain.”
“But I was the winner,” Elizabeth didn’t attempt to hide her snide tone. “Remember, the one with the best act?” She shot Ellie and Marcus a contemptuous look.
“I must consult with Mirella.” Faustino interlocked his fingers and pulled them apart again. “Yes… this could mean many things, and she will know what to do.” He made for the door, and then stopped and turned around. “I’ll need one of you to stay and watch over these children. The other will come with me to share the good news.”
“You didn’t make me your apprentice to babysit.” Elizabeth followed Faustino, only turning back briefly to say in stride, “And really watch them this time, okay Jason?”
“But I still haven’t gotten to meet Mirella. Why don’t you stay with these two and I’ll—”
“Because you were just the runner-up.” Elizabeth closed the door behind her with a spiteful thud.
Jason sat down on a box, looking noticeably vexed, and Marcus looked at Ellie, honestly confused. Ellie just raised her eyebrows and shrugged.
“You two shouldn’t be looking at or talking to each other,” Jason said, apparently catching the exchange. “Faustino wouldn’t allow it.”
“What happened to you?” Marcus asked. “You seem different somehow.”
Jason didn’t say anything at first. He kicked at the floor and poked around in the piles, shuffling things around a little.
“What are you two doing here? And on tonight of all nights?”
“We could ask you the same question. Do you work here or something?”
“Not exactly. Not like Elizabeth. I’m an intern of sorts.”
“What are they going to do to us, Jason?” Ellie asked, putting her face up against the bars. “Faustino seems like such a cruel man.”
“Don’t say that. You just don’t know him. He has great power, and I am grateful to work for him.”
Just then, something occurred to Marcus. He had noticed that Jason seemed rather irritated with Elizabeth, and thought maybe he could exploit it. “Oh, I thought you worked for Elizabeth. It just seemed like she was bossing you around.”
“She’s not my boss. She’s lucky to even be here.”
Marcus winked at Ellie, and he tried to mouth his observation about Jason’s relationship with Elizabeth to her wh
en the door swung open and crashed into the wall. Faustino and Elizabeth had returned, with the gypsy woman, Mirella, following close behind.
“So it’s true,” Mirella said as she entered the room, almost gliding, “Thank you for bringing them to me.” She was much taller than Marcus had imagined. Considering he had only ever seen her once while she was sitting down, this wasn’t too surprising.
“It’s nice to finally meet you, Mrs. Mirella,” Jason extended a hand.
“Leave us,” Mirella waved them all off. Jason’s countenance fell, and the three of them turned at once, and left.
Marcus felt bad for Jason but didn’t understand why he didn’t just pack up and leave. He didn’t have to be here, did he?
“I trust that they,” she jerked her head toward the door, “haven’t mistreated you? You merely have to say the word and I would have them punished.”
“I didn’t think we really needed to point this out.” Marcus pointed at the bars all around him, “But they did put us in these little animal cages.”
“We just want to go home,” Ellie said.
“Home?” Mirella repeated with a sort of soft snort. “Home is where you lay your head, isn’t it?”
“Let us go,” Marcus said.
Mirella turned and glared. “We have unfinished business, you and I,” she said. “If you’ll put your hand in my little box here,” she removed the magic crystal box from a sash she had around her waist and gave it a pat, “then I will let you both go right away.”
“Sure, I believe that, coming from someone that already has us locked up,” Marcus said.
“I must see your future, Marcus. If you could only understand. This could be a good thing for you.”
“Nothing that comes out of this place is good. We just watched Faustino kill someone.”
The door opened again before Marcus could get an explanation out of Mirella. Marcus froze and a chill ran up his neck when he saw the strange man walk through the door on the familiar black cane with the talon-shaped handle; the same man who had weaseled them out of the skull.
Marcus exchanged cold glares of disbelief with Ellie. His thoughts flashed to Caleb’s reaction when he had gaped at the drawing of this man. Fear had overcome him to the point that his hands trembled. While Caleb could not communicate effectively, Marcus knew that this man had done something horrible to him.
“Is it true?” the man asked, much more enthusiastically than Marcus had remembered him. He scanned the room with anticipation until his eyes landed on the cages. “Are these the ones you foresaw?” Something caused his expression to change somehow.
A moment passed as he took in the room and the contents of the cages. His eyes narrowed and he stepped forward apprehensively. “Is this a joke?” he suddenly sounded irritated.
“This is whom I saw,” Mirella said with no hint of joking in her voice.
“But these are the children from The Magic Shop down the street. These are the ones that sold me—”
“But that makes sense, doesn’t it?”
The man stopped a moment and weighed her words. “Go on.”
“Marcus, I need you to put your hand in the box. It’s just a prick and will all be over in a brief moment,” Mirella said.
“I’m not doing anything you say.” He shook his bars. “Let us go home.”
“Who are you?” Ellie asked. “We want the skull back.”
“I’m afraid that’s not possible, young lady. To answer your other question, I’m the owner of this humble business, The Magic Box.
“Children, I’d like you to meet Sol,” Mirella raised her hand toward the owner and bowing slightly.
“Really, that’s not necessary, Mirella,” Sol said. “I’m not at all convinced.”
“You’re nothing but a common thief,” Marcus said.
Sol’s eyes narrowed at Marcus, and then he turned back to Mirella. “Darling,” he said in a snooty tone. “You said The Magic Box showed you their reason for coming, didn’t you?”
“Yes. Looking for family, it told me.”
“Then family they shall find. Have the old man brought to me.”
“No, Sol,there has to be another way.”
“You know how the box works, Mirella. He has to be willing, however begrudging that willingness is.”
Mirella straightened her back and snapped her fingers. The door swung open and Elizabeth and Jason stumbled forward in with Faustino strolling in behind them with his typical haughty air about him.
“Faustino,” Sol said, “go get the old buzzard and bring him here to me. Oh, and take your apprentice for good measure.”
“That’s unnecessary, master,” Faustino said. “I’m more than capable of—”
Sol chuckled and asked, “Really?” He raised a finger and pointed to the scar on Faustino’s face. “And what is that, then?”
Faustino scowled, and turned to Elizabeth and Jason without saying another word. Jason started to raise his hand when Elizabeth stepped forward.
“Elizabeth.” Faustino removed a crystal shard from his pocket and tossed it to her, “Can you actually use this properly this time?”
She nodded, and then followed Faustino out of the room. Marcus looked at Jason alone and left behind once again. He plopped down on a stack of boxes and crossed his arms.
What must have been only a few minutes took what seemed like an eternity. Marcus and Ellie sat in silence at first, staring at each other, trying to communicate and come up with some course of action. Marcus didn’t know what would come next. Then Ellie cried. His sister was always so strong. He hadn’t expected that, and it made him angry.
Mirella, who had been pacing the room, stopped and watched Ellie. If Marcus wasn’t so convinced of her evil, he might have thought she actually pitied his sister. Sol stood rigid as a statue, ignoring Ellie, but watching Marcus carefully; almost too carefully, like he was struggling with something. He wore a pained expression that somehow made Marcus feel uncomfortable.
At some point Marcus heard heavy footsteps creak on the stairs, and when they had stopped, one loud thump against the door. Finally the noises stopped and the door swung open. Faustino stood framed in the doorway with a large fistful of Marcus’s grandpa’s shirt. Winston looked weak and tired, like he hadn’t eaten or slept in days. Faustino dragged the chained man into the room and then shoved him to the floor. Winston crashed to the floor with a clang, unable to catch himself.
“No!” Marcus bounced to his feet and hit his head on the top of the cage. He winced, rubbing his head. “Don’t hurt him.”
“Hurt him?” Sol sneered. A spark seemed to flash in his eye. “Why, who is he to you?”
Winston lay on his stomach, groaning through the gag in his mouth. The fall had obviously hurt but it seemed to have awakened his faculties. He looked up at Marcus and Ellie and shook his head. He was trying to tell them something.
“Do you know what this man is?” Mirella asked, looking on eagerly.
Ellie looked at Marcus, and then blurted out, “He’s some old man. How dare you hurt him?”
Faustino breathed heavily from carrying Winston up the stairs. He balled a fist and put his boot under the old man, flipping him over. “Answer the lady’s question.”
Ellie let out a little shriek and confessed. “Yes. We work for him at the shop, okay? He’s the shop owner. What’s wrong with you? Normal people don’t hurt a helpless old man.”
At hearing Ellie’s words, Winston let out a sigh and placed his head back on the ground. When Faustino kicked him, he curled up gasping for air.
“I see,” Sol said. “Then why does Elizabeth tell me you called him ‘grandpa’ when they captured him?”
“It was you!” Marcus clenched the cage bars with white knuckles. He felt anger rise to his face.
Ellie interjected: “What would you call an old, endearing man you have been working for?”
“This one is sassy,” Faustino said. “Let me put her in her place, master.”
�
�You’ll do no such thing,” Mirella raised a stiff hand to Faustino. “Not until we know who these children are for sure.” She turned back to the cages. “Marcus, your only chance to save this old man is by cooperating. Just put your hand in the box for a brief moment, and this can all be over.”
Suddenly Sol buckled over, placing one hand over his stomach and the other on a stack of boxes for support.
“Sol,” Mirella rushed over to hold him up. “It’s starting again, isn’t it?” She lifted him to his full height.
“It seems to be getting worse,” Faustino said.
Sol straightened his shirt, wincing slightly. “I’m fine,” he said, but he still leaned on his cane. “I just need something to get me by.” He looked down at Winston. “And if Marcus won’t cooperate, it might as well be the old man.”
Sol hoisted his cane, letting the shaft slide up through his hand, exposing the talon-shaped handle, which was normally empty but now contained a small crystal sphere. In a flash, Marcus understood. Sol pushed a button on the cane’s shaft and the talons on the handle opened, setting the small sphere free.
Just as Sol snatched the sphere out of the air, red magical wisps gathered around what was surely Sol’s brim.
“No,” Marcus pushed and pulled on the bars as if he was a monkey; as if he could set himself free.
Winston writhed in pain as Sol’s magic licked at him. As Sol absorbed Winston’s magic, he seemed to recover from whatever was ailing him before. He stood a little taller.
“Someone help!” Ellie yelled. “They’re hurting an innocent man!”
“Innocent? He’s far from that,” Sol said, the crimson light of the magical wisps reflecting in his eyes. “He’s done terrible things in his lifetime.”
Marcus couldn’t let this horrible man hurt his grandpa. Perhaps this was what he had done to his Uncle Caleb. Marcus pulled out his brim and pointed it toward Sol.
Mirella gasped.
To use the drain was wrong; he knew it. This would break his promise to Elba but he didn’t know what else to do. He couldn’t let his grandpa be killed at the hands of this man, could he? Of course not. Not when he had the power to do something about it.
