Mutatus

by Ally Vance

  I watch the show, and once again, I’m enraptured by Maia’s performance. Before the accompanying melody ends, I quietly slip out of my seat and make my way to the exit the performers use to get off the stage. I watch as the man who collects the tickets methodically tugs, pulls, and releases different ropes to guide Maia through the last moments of her dance. As the final note plays, the man lowers her gently back to the floor. I step into the shadows just as Maia bounces off the stage, her eyes dancing with life and vitality.

  She stands silently in front of him while he takes care to remove the contraption used to lift her above the crowd. Rage simmers in my gut when his hands roam all over her body as he unbuckles various straps and frees her from them. He has no right to touch her, no matter how innocent those touches seem. I’m not blind to the softness of his expression when he looks at her, but it pleases me to see that she’s completely oblivious to his blatant attraction.

  She leaves quietly, without saying a word to anyone else and darts away. It seems she’s not moved past the sadness that ailed her previously, but at least I now know how to rekindle the light in her eyes. An image of Maia soaring through the air, wearing nothing but the harness flashes into my brain, and I tuck that thought away for later. I don’t want to have to imagine being with her anymore; I’m more determined than ever to make it happen.

  I follow Maia at a safe distance so I don’t attract her attention, and I’m lucky that she heads straight for the neat rows of bright carnival trailers. The noises coming from the fair obscure the sound of my footsteps behind her, allowing me to follow undetected. She ventures through the trailers before stopping at a pale mauve one with a black trim. I watch as she glances around, a frown morphing her pretty features, and I desperately want to erase the unhappy expression from her face.

  Maia unlocks the door and enters alone. Thumbelina, your prince has returned. He’s salivating to be with you once again, and this time, it’s going to be forever.

  I move forward, no longer bothering to move stealthily as there’s no one around to witness me entering Maia’s trailer. I knock on the door and wait, impatiently tapping my foot until I hear the sound of her movements coming from inside.

  “Darryn, I’m tired, can you please stop worrying about me. I’m fi…” Maia’s voice trails off when she looks up and sees me.

  “It’s not Darryn. But I suggest you don’t scream…unless you want me to sew your pretty lips shut until we get home?” I threaten, pressing a finger lightly to my own as a warning to her to stay silent.

  I force my way through the door, closing it behind me and flicking the latch across so no one can interrupt us. Then raking my eyes over her tiny, pixie-like form, I absorb every detail I missed during her performances before focusing on her stricken face.

  “I missed you, Thumbelina.”

  Seven

  Maia

  It’s been about eight and a half years years since I escaped from Dr. Waugh, and here he is, standing in front of me, staring at me like no time has passed. The same neatly brushed brown hair, now with a few strands of silver intermingled, frames his handsome face, and the addition of a tidy, short beard does nothing to obscure his perfectly shaped lips. I’ve changed over the years both inside and out, but there’s one thing that remains the same; the ice cold terror that strikes at my heart when I see the maniacal look in Dr. Waugh’s piercing blue eyes.

  I back away from him, avoiding his gaze. I’m wishing so hard for this to be a dream, hoping I’ll turn around and see only my empty home instead of a monster standing there. His presence surrounds me with an aura of lust and insanity, and I desperately want to disappear in a puff of smoke. But sadly, I’m not a magician and illusions aren’t in my skill set.

  “Maia, I’ve missed you so much,” Dr. Waugh rumbles in a low voice, the warm tones wrapping around me in a false blanket of comfort as he approaches me again.

  “Get out!” I shout, looking up into his face, and I start beating my fists against his stomach, although I doubt I’m hurting him.

  He catches my wrists in one hand, and gripping them tightly, he pulls my arms up above my head. I wince at the pressure the position puts on my back and a tiny whimper slips free.

  “You ran from me. You left without even saying goodbye, and I’ve spent eight long years searching for you. I need you to understand what you did to me when you walked out my door without a backward glance. I didn’t want to live my life anymore without you in it. Our destinies have been entwined since the day your parents signed you over to me. It’s always been us. You can fight me, scream, beg, and curse at me, but I’m not going anywhere, Maia, and neither are you,” he responds, towering over me.

  “Sweet words from a monster have as much charm as a paper sack,” I retort, but I’m breathless with fear and something else I don’t want to examine or admit to.

  Camden Waugh knows me better than anyone else in this world. We lived together as a family for so many years before he destroyed my body to sate his sickest fantasy. He has all the charisma and conviction of a psychopath and knows full well the effect he has on me or anyone else when he turns up the charm. It’s his cruelest form of torture, and a small part of me still has to fight the urge to succumb, even after all this time and the distance I put between us. I hate him, and I need him gone.

  “I. Want. You. To. Leave,” I say slowly, enunciating every word.

  His hand tightens around my wrists, and he pushes me back slightly, arching my spine. The pressure is building, and right now, I’m thankful I’m still wearing the support Needles made for me…but it doesn’t alleviate all the pain and a cry bursts from my lips. Camden’s aware he’s hurting me, but he doesn’t care. He knows as well as I do where the breaking point is before he starts doing more damage to my body than he’s already caused.

  “I’ve already told you I’m not leaving without you, so if I go, then you’re coming with me!” he thunders, his voice filling my trailer more thoroughly with his presence.

  The Carnaval des Ténèbres is a place to call home for freaks like me, whose differences make us social outcasts. For the last eight years, it has been my safe haven. But it’s only taken a brief moment for that sense of safety and comfort to be destroyed, decimated. Dr. Waugh could leave now and never return, but I’m not sure I’ll ever regain the same peace I found here before.

  “I won’t do it. I refuse to go back to that house with you. Please, Camden, I’m happy here. Can’t you just let me be? What we had is gone. You ripped it away from us as easily as you tore me apart,” I plead.

  “I can’t leave you here, not now I’ve finally found you. We’re meant to be together, the Prince and his Thumbelina,” he says, stroking my cheek delicately with the pad of his thumb.

  “No. No, stop it,” I sob, turning my face away, but he splays his fingers underneath my chin, forcing my head back to meet his unwavering gaze.

  “I will not leave you behind, Maia,” Dr. Waugh growls, his voice taking on a desperate edge that I hadn’t detected before now.

  The finality of his words and the unrelenting grip he has on me makes my stomach knot with dread. He crouches down to my level and I’m pulled forward until I’m pressed up against him. I feel his arm wrap around my body as he holds me close, all the while being mindful of my wings. I’m not sure if I’m grateful for his consideration, though.

  In spite of having my hands free, I still remain frozen to the spot. I know without a doubt that in a struggle he would easily overpower me, even if I was lucky enough to land a good shot to his balls. So I stand, unmoving in his embrace, waiting and silently pleading for him to release me, not only from his arms but also from the mental and physical prison he’s locked me in.

  I’m trapped, bound, and captive once again; the marionette of a madman. Will I ever be able to snap the strings controlling me, or am I now doomed to be the plaything of a monster for the rest of my days?

  Eight

  Camden

  It’s beyond wonderful
holding Maia in my arms again. My beautiful girl…my creation. The sweet scent of her hair mixed with the faint undertones of sweat from her earlier performance permeate my nostrils and I inhale deeply. Clutching her tightly to my chest, I carefully reach into my back pocket. I don’t want to alarm her, but she’s a danger to herself and to me, especially if I frighten her. Sadly, there’s little chance of her leaving willingly with me, but I anticipated that.

  I flick the cap off the syringe with my thumb, making sure not to pierce my own skin with the hypodermic needle. Pressing a kiss against her warm skin, I feel her flinch in my hold. With a scowl, I swiftly jab the needle into her upper arm and squeeze the liquid directly into her body.

  Maia’s soft cry of surprise is musical, and the drug quickly takes effect. Within a short while, her struggles stop and she’s lying limp in my arms. I don’t delay. I carefully lift her up, and cradling her to my chest like she’s a newborn, I place her face down on the bed. Grabbing some clothes, I tie her wrists and ankles together and gag her so she can’t draw anyone’s attention if the tranquilizer isn’t as effective as it should be. She should stay sedated for several hours, giving me plenty of time to fetch my car and come back while everyone is distracted with the performance.

  The sound of voices coming from outside reaches my ears and I pause. My heart beats fast with excitement at the threat of being caught and the promise of finally bringing Maia home where she truly belongs. The voices pass and I exhale slowly. I mustn’t lose control and mess this up. I need to get us both away from here without detection because if anyone raises the alarm, then all of this would have been for nothing, and I’ll be separated from Maia once again. I won’t let that happen; she’s mine, and she is coming home with me.

  Once I’m certain all is quiet, I dim the lights, and going over to the brightly colored wooden trailer door, I open it wide enough to get a good look outside. The surrounding area is vacant, and I can’t hear anyone approaching, so I hurriedly exit the trailer, shutting the door firmly behind me. If anyone visits Maia, the darkened windows should divert them. They’ll assume she’s sleeping and doesn't want to be disturbed.

  I bring my car around to the back of the camp where the trailers are neatly aligned and exit the vehicle, locking it behind me. It’s late, but it doesn’t mean there aren’t unscrupulous characters with less than honorable intent lurking about, besides me that is. I locate Maia’s trailer again and stealthily make my way toward it.

  I hurriedly enter the darkened trailer and am relieved to see that she’s still unconscious. I move over to the bed and gaze at her peaceful face; her lovely, unblemished skin is faintly illuminated through the gaps in the blinds.

  Sliding my arms beneath her body, I lift her from the bed and hold her to me. Not wanting to waste any more time and increase the risk of being discovered, I take my leave with Maia carefully tucked against my chest. I hustle from the trailer and head for my car. One handed, I support Maia while reaching into my pocket for the keys, and I press a button on the fob to unlock my vehicle. Opening the door to the rear passenger seats, I lay her face down across them before covering her with a blanket so she can’t be seen.

  As I straighten up and reach out to shut the car door, a blow to my abdomen knocks me back against the car, winding me. I spot a fist approaching my face next, and this time, I manage to duck before it connects. Clutching my stomach, I swing at my attacker and a satisfying grunt lets me know I’ve nailed my target. I fumble inside my medical bag behind my seat and grab another syringe, flicking off the cap.

  “Who’s there?” I rasp angrily, trying to distinguish the features in the darkness.

  A male figure comes flying toward me, knocking me back against the car, and I stab the syringe into his neck, squeezing as he lands another solid punch. I jerk the needle out and elbow him. By the feel of it, I hit him in the ribs, and he gasps out a grunt of pain.

  “Not putting up much of a fight, are you?” I taunt, flexing my fingers before balling them into fists.

  “Where are you taking Maia?” a male voice demands, his tone slurring but still rough and low with anger.

  “Home. Where she belongs, and you’re not going to stop me,” I respond, narrowing my eyes at the darkened figure, squinting to make him out in the poor light.

  He steps forward, and I can just about make out his features. It's the stagehand who had his hands all over Maia. Anger surges within me, and I punch him again but miss when he dodges. He gets in another blow, hitting my sternum. I’ve let my fury get the better of me and lost my focus, but I’m not about to allow some idiot to lay claim to my girl.

  The next time he goes for me, he’s off balance from the drugs, and I’m ready for him. I punch him solidly across the jaw, sending him hurtling to the ground with a thud. Glancing around to make sure our altercation didn’t gain us an audience, I crouch down to check on him. Satisfied that he’s out cold and won’t be awake to interfere anytime soon, I toy with the idea of bringing him along. If I do, he could be useful to me. He may even prove crucial in getting Maia to cooperate with me. Plus, he’s seen my face, my car, and if he knows anything about her past, then I’m certain he’ll guess who I am. I could kill him, but the wasting of precious life is not my forte, I’ll leave that to murderers. It’s not something a doctor, such as myself, would ever choose to do.

  Popping the trunk of my car, I bundle him into the dark, cavernous space and lift the cover so he can breathe more easily. I don’t plan on becoming a killer who has to resort to hiding a body in the back of my car. I chuckle as I drop the lid, closing it with a thunk. The night didn’t quite go according to plan, but I did succeed in my prime objective for this trip. I’ve found and reclaimed my Thumbelina.

  It’s time to go home, Maia, and this time, I’ve also brought along a friend of yours to play with.

  Nine

  Camden

  As I maneuver the roads to San Diego, I listen to the soundtrack of Maia breathing softly in the back accompanied by the engine purring and growling. It’s growing lighter the closer we get to my home. Throughout the journey, I have switched between cursing my idiocy for getting caught stealing Maia away and feeling elated at finally retrieving her. I listen carefully for any signs that Maia or my unexpected baggage in the trunk are waking.

  Ideas are coursing through my mind as I contemplate what I’m going to do with the pair of them. A smile spreads wickedly across my face when I think about how I could punish my extra passenger for getting handsy with Maia, even if his touches did seem innocent. I saw the way he looked at her with admiration in his eyes. I know what he wants, and no one gets to have Maia except me.

  Pulling up outside my house, I press the button to open the garage, and having driven inside, I close the door behind me. My bag is on the seat next to me, and I remove a syringe and small bottle of strong anesthetic from it before exiting the car. Walking around to the rear, I pop the trunk. The fool who has designs on Maia is still unconscious inside. I inject the liquid into his veins. This should keep him out for a while longer, and if it wears off before I’m finished with him…well, too bad; he should have kept his hands and his eyes to himself.

  Hauling him from the car, I drag him through my house and down the stairs to the basement where I keep all my surgical supplies and tools, not caring that his head bumps down the steps while descending. I leave him lying at the bottom, and fetching the gurney, I wheel it toward his prone form and heave him up from the floor onto the stretcher. Then, I strap him down securely, so even if he does wake, he won’t be able to move or do a thing to stop me.

  Once I’m certain he won’t be able to escape, I turn and head back up the stairs to retrieve Maia. My little sprite was cruel, leaving me the way she did, even if I did provide the opportunity. I refuse to let her out of my sight again. I don’t want her to hate or fear me, but she needs to understand what will happen to her if she continues to fight against what we have and are meant to be.

  Carefully scooping up t
he inert body of Maia into my arms, I carry her into the house and down the stairs to the basement. I walk past her unconscious friend and head to where I’ve secured a cage to the floor with manacles attached to the bars. I gently place her inside, and having secured her wrists tightly in the metal restraints so she can’t hurt herself, I close and padlock the cage door and pocket the key. I know my girl, and she’s going to be furious when she wakes up, but then I’m going to show her the consequences of her actions. I’m going to put the fear straight back into her tiny body so she never dares to challenge me again.

  She moves, almost imperceptibly, and I know she’ll be waking soon. That’s fine, though. I still have enough time to prep the room and our new friend for what’s coming. Maia has sampled some of the skill flowing through these hands of mine, but I have so much more potential inside of me, and when I’m done, she’ll never consider crossing me again.

  I prepare a trolley with surgical equipment, and wheel it over to the gurney, making sure everything is in place. I pull up a chair and move to sit by Maia. I want her awake, and I want her to see the full effect of what I’m about to do to her friend. I don’t have to wait long before the effects of the sedative I gave her start to wear off.

  I intend to wait until she’s fully lucid before I begin. She needs to understand what her selfish actions have awoken in me, and the repercussions that will be enforced as a result. She can close her eyes while I’m working, but she’ll not be able to block out the sounds, and if he wakes, she’ll hear him too because I won’t be putting him under again.