Tiny Bites

by Stacy Claflin

  "Sit."

  Christoph muttered about lost time and money, but he sat. What other choice did he have now that he had already paid the fraudulent monkey?

  Gandini took Christoph's hand in his cold ones, rubbing his palms. He closed his eyes and sat quietly for a full five minutes. Christoph kicked himself for falling into the trap. He could have spent those ritterns on rides or treats for Ivy.

  He was stupid for getting sucked into this in the first place. The guy who had bumped into him had probably done it on purpose, working with the great Gandini, who continued to rub his cold, spiny fingers along Christoph's palm.

  Finally, just when Christoph was ready to leave, the rubbing stopped and Gandini's eyes popped open.

  "You're looking for someone."

  "How did you ever guess? Your thug outside, who pushed me in here, was probably looking for someone alone and distracted. Am I right?"

  "You're worried about her."

  "Damn it. Are you for real? Anyone could guess that."

  Gandini closed his eyes again. "She has long, flowing blonde hair and eyes that shine like the sun." He opened his eyes. "I'm right, aren't I?"

  "If you know so much, why ask?"

  His face froze, his eerie smile fading. "She's missing. You're looking for the girl who disappeared a couple days ago."

  Christoph's heart sunk into the ground. "What do you mean? Ivy's missing?"

  Gandini's eyes flashed red for a moment. "So you are looking for her."

  "And you, my friend, are a vampire. Get away from me!" It was no wonder he'd been able to figure it out—vampires were famous mind readers. It was rumored that in centuries past, people had feared them because of their slick abilities to kill. The Crumble they were forced to take wouldn't allow their teeth or venom to work. The only supernatural powers they held onto were mind reading skills.

  "Ha. So you know my species? Then you should know I can help you."

  Christoph's eyebrows came together. "I know you can tell me what I'm thinking. How can you help me?"

  "I have more knowledge about your missing Ivy Musgrove than the uppity folks around here. How do you know Ivy?"

  "Why should I tell you? I've already given you my ritterns."

  "Because I can help you find her, of course."

  "Start by telling me what you know about Ivy."

  "Talk of her disappearance was been rampant, although it has slowed down recently. I suppose because everyone has been focused on the Solstice Festival."

  "Do you know what happened to her?" Christoph narrowed his eyes.

  "Depends. There are many rumors."

  "And you can read minds. You should be able to tell who's telling the truth." Christoph leaned forward, staring into the eerie brown eyes, unable to see the red anymore.

  "Very true, my friend, but I have not run across anyone who knows what happened to her. Some believe she was kidnapped, others think she ran away, but word among my kind is different from that of the Waldron's Gate folk."

  Christoph stared at him, waiting. When Gandini didn't answer, an eternity later, Christoph said, "Tell me what you know, Vampire."

  "Shh! Not so loud."

  "What is it?" Christoph demanded. "What happened to my Ivy?"

  Gandini frowned. "I ought to demand another payment. This is far more information than I typically give out for five ritterns."

  Christoph grabbed the collar of his shirt. "You've taken plenty of my coins. Tell me what you know."

  "No need to get upset." He pushed Christoph's hand away and adjusted his shirt. "It's said that she was seen heading for the Fog." He stopped, waving his hands with great flare.

  "The Fog? She wouldn't go to the Fog. That's suicide!"

  "Worse than suicide, Gypsy. I've heard it said that people entering into the Fog wind up wishing they were dead."

  Christoph leaned against the tent, feeling dizzy. It couldn't be true. Why would Ivy go into the Fog? It didn't make any sense. Especially not when she knew he was coming and they were going to spend the rest of their lives together. How could she risk all of that by even going near it?

  He sat up and looked at the vampire. "What else do you know? Tell me everything. Why would she go to the Fog?"

  "Well, I would need to read her mind to know that. Perhaps if you have something of hers, I might be able to pick something up." Gandini raised an eyebrow, looking at Christoph expectantly.

  "You already know what I have, don't you?" Christoph's lips formed a straight line and his nostrils flared.

  "Hand it over and let's see what I can find."

  "This shouldn't come as a surprise, but I won't let go of the necklace. You can hold part of it, but I will retain my hold on the chain."

  "Fine, fine."

  Christoph unlatched the necklace from his neck and pulled it out from under his shirt, exposing the small heart-shaped locket charm. As he said, he held onto the chain. He watched Gandini as he held Ivy's charm in his bony fingers.

  While the vampire received his vision, Christoph thought back to the day when Ivy had given him the necklace. It was a special charm, passed down for generations.

  Ivy's eyes had shone when she slipped it around his neck. She smiled as her pretty blonde hair fell into her eyes. "This is my most treasured possession, Christoph. I've never been without it, and it's my promise to you that I will be here waiting for you. I want no one else."

  Christoph hadn't even been able to find words. His heart raced as her soft hands brushed against his cheek after she had secured the chain.

  "We'll grow old together. I give you my word, with this locket." She took his hands into hers and pressed her silky lips onto his.

  Gandini cleared his throat, bringing Christoph back to the present. He shook his now-clouded head, trying to clear it.

  "She heard rumors. I've never heard of these and I can't see who told her. It's as though there's a block."

  "What rumors?"

  Gandini wrinkled his nose and narrowed his eyes. "Don't interrupt the Great Gandini."

  Christoph had some choice words for the vampire, but kept his mouth shut. "Carry on."

  "Thank you. She heard stories of children going missing. They weren't from Waldron's Gate, so they were only whispers. Rumors repeated from those who had gone to the industrial district."

  "She went to the Convenience?" Christoph whispered.

  "It appears so. No one seemed to care about much, other than the gossip. That bothered Ivy, and she went to the district closest to the Convenience to see if what she heard was true."

  "And?" Christoph held his breath.

  "She heard they were taken into the Fog by some unknown creatures. Ivy decided to follow the trail, but that's as far as I can see." He let go of the necklace.

  "No! Look for more. I'll let go of it completely if I have to."

  Gandini shook his head. "Even if I could, I wouldn't want to look into the Fog. I could wind up going crazy. I would be shipped to the Columns."

  Christoph shoved Ivy's necklace into the skinny hands. "Take it. Look at it. I need to know."

  The necklace dropped onto the mat. Gandini held his hands behind his back. "I wouldn't take it if you paid me."

  "You have to tell me everything you saw."

  "I did, and I'm not looking any further. Take the necklace and get out of here."

  "Then tell me where I need to go to find out more. Who do I talk to?"

  "You could go to the Convenience or even the Fog."

  Head spinning, Christoph shook his head. "There's no time for that. I've traveled all the way from Yon. I need to find her now, and you're going to tell me who I need to speak with."

  "I'm done. Go. Take your necklace."

  Christoph picked up the necklace and placed it back on his neck. "At least tell me someone else I can talk with. Someone has to know something."

  "Perhaps her friends. Now scat, before I have you escorted out." Gandini turned around, showing he was indeed done.

  Christ
oph waited a minute to see if he would change his mind, but he stood still. Finally, giving into defeat, Christoph exited the tent. Where was he to turn? Who could he possibly talk to?

  It was possible he would have enough time to go to the Convenience, but what good would that do? He wouldn't know who to talk to, and it could end up wasting valuable time. He was better off searching the festivities for one of Ivy's friends. They might be able to tell him something that the vampire hadn't.

  Pushing through the crowd, Christoph made his way to each of the rides and tents that he knew Ivy had enjoyed the most in the years past. He would have thought that he could have found at least one of her friends more easily. Were they not allowed out with Ivy missing? Or were they avoiding him? That was more likely. It had been obvious that they had merely put up with him because of her.

  The two groups rarely intermingled aside from when the wealthy wanted their fortunes read.

  Someone grabbed his shoulder. Christoph turned around, ready to fight. He was used to being accused of picking pockets at the festival. One look at his gypsy attire and people started counting the ritterns in their pockets, especially in Waldron's Gate.

  Jackson stood in front of him. "Are you all right, Brother? You look spooked."

  Christoph didn't want to admit to having had his fortune read. "I still can't find Ivy. I heard she's missing."

  "Missing? What do you mean?" The typical joking look disappeared from his face.

  "There were rumors about missing children and she followed them. Possibly into the Fog." Saying it out loud felt ridiculous. Nobody went into the Fog. Especially not the privileged kids from Waldron's Gate.

  "What are you going to do?"

  "I'm trying to find someone she knows. So far, all I have is the distant story of someone who never met her."

  "One of her cousins is in line for a ride not far away. Follow me."

  Christoph nodded, and Jackson broke into a run. In less than a minute, they stopped in front of a tall ride with kids screaming happily far above their heads. He scanned the long line and recognized Anne, one of Ivy's favorite cousins.

  "Anne. Do you remember me?"

  She pulled her attention from her group of friends. Running her hands through her dark red hair, she looked over Christoph and Jackson. "Yes. You're Ivy's beau and his brother. Have you heard the unfortunate news?"

  "Is it true?"

  Anne nodded, looking forlorn. "She disappeared a couple days ago. It's so unlike her. I do hope she's okay."

  "Doesn't anyone know something?"

  "Her best friends say she was trying to find some missing kids, but it's all speculation. Although, I wouldn't doubt it. You know how she adores children. No one can verify that there are actually kids missing from near the Convenience." She shrugged her shoulders, obviously not caring about anyone from around there.

  "Hasn't anyone gone there to look for her?"

  "No one is going near it to find her. Not even her parents, because they know they would never return to take care of their other kids."

  Anger burned in the pit of Christoph's chest. "Has no one at least tried that?"

  "The Convenience?" Anne made a face. "I'm not stepping foot anywhere near there. You must be joking. People don't dare discuss it. It's so…unspeakable." She shuddered.

  "I'm going." Christoph stood taller. "Someone has to know something."

  "Hopefully she's okay. If you hear anything, let me know," Anne said.

  Christoph shook his head. So much for taking care of family. "If I can find you when we get back." He turned to Jackson. "Are you coming with me?"

  "Yeah, of course. Let's see if we can take one of the wagons. The horses have had enough time to rest."

  "You can also take a streetcar." Anne looked proud of herself for being so helpful. She waved them off and turned back to her friends.

  Both Jackson and Christoph shook their heads in disgust. They were no closer to a solution than before.

  "Let's go, Christoph. Our family's tent isn't far from here. We can figure out a better plan from there."

  "I won't ask her for help again," Christoph said as they made their way to the tent. "She couldn't have been less useful if she tried."

  "Don't take offense. I'm sure Ivy's own parents wouldn't go there. They might get dirt on the top of a shoe."

  "Ivy has their blood. They should do anything for her—anything."

  "They haven't been raised like us."

  The brothers made their way into the tent, giving brief greetings to some cousins they hadn't seen since the previous year. Jackson did all the talking and before long, he and Christoph were setting out in their parents' wagon, heading for the districts near the Convenience. The ride wasn't long, at least not compared to the long trek from Yon.

  It was clear once they neared the Convenience. The town they entered was dilapidated and almost appeared to be abandoned. After being in the clean, pretty part of town, the grime and dirt covering the area was more obvious than it would have been otherwise.

  Jackson slowed the horses. "Where do we start?"

  "Let's look for kids. They're likely to know about other missing kids. They can direct us wherever we need to go."

  "You aren't considering the Fog, are you?"

  "Only as a last resort."

  "I'll go anywhere for you, Brother, but the Fog…I can't do that. I might even have to fight you from going in. It could get ugly. I'm stronger than you think."

  Christoph gave him a light shove. "Let's hope it doesn't come down to that."

  They came to a group of kids and stopped. Jackson leaned over the side of the wagon, and asked if they knew anything about missing kids. They scampered off without a word.

  "Maybe they're too young," Jackson said, pushing the horses on. "They probably thought we were going to try to take them. Let's look for teenagers."

  "They're probably all at the Solstice Festival."

  "I'm sure there are plenty around here who can't afford the streetcar ride there, much less any of the games or rides."

  "Yeah, probably."

  Going a little further, they saw more groups of little kids, but no teens. It was no wonder kids were rumored to have been taken from there. No one was watching a single one of them from what Christoph could tell. Gypsies had a bad reputation on many levels, but they kept an eye on their little ones. At least, his family did.

  "Why no teenagers?" Christoph blurted out. "Just little kids running about."

  "Have patience, Brother."

  Patience. Right, as though that was going to happen. Not until he had Ivy in his arms again.

  "Look, Christoph. What did I tell you?" He pointed down the street to where a group of older teenagers were circled in front of what appeared to be some kind of bar. "I'll park the wagon a little bit before we reach them. That way we don't scare them off. Sound good?"

  "Sure." Who knew if it would do any good, but it was better than anything else.

  Jackson parked and fed the horses while Christoph observed the young adults. They appeared to be drinking spirits and were having a lively conversation, shoving each and joking like Christoph, Jackson, and their cousins often did. The kids in front of him only looked a couple years younger than he was.

  He turned his attention back to the road. The teens still hadn't noticed them. His heart raced at the thought that one might know something about Ivy's whereabouts.

  "Breathe, Brother." Jackson nudged him.

  "Is it that obvious?"

  "Yeah. You want me to take the lead?"

  "Maybe you'd better."

  Jackson picked up his speed, and Christoph did as well. When they were a few feet away from the group, the teens finally noticed the brothers.

  "Gypsies?" asked one. He was a tall, skinny boy with too-short pants.

  "We have a question for you," Jackson said, stopping. "You willing to hear us out?"

  The others stopped talking and they all looked over Jackson and Christoph.

 
"Sure," said Skinny.

  Jackson nodded and introduced himself. "We're looking for a girl who may have passed through in the last couple days."

  Skinny stood even taller. "Lots o' people pass through these parts."

  "This girl would have stuck out. She's from the rich district in the nicest part of Waldron's Gate."

  A short brunette with freckles and a nicer dress than the others stepped forward. "You mean the pretty blonde?"

  Christoph's eyes widened. "Have you seen her?"

  "Maybe. Who are you?"

  "Name's Christoph. Where is she?"

  A short, stocky guy with several missing teeth stepped in between Freckles and the brothers. "We don't like your kind in these parts. You two should just leave. As in, now."

  Christoph held up his fists. "If Ivy's around, I'm not going anywhere."

  "Then it looks like we have a problem." He swung at Christoph, who blocked the punch.

  "Bruno!" said Freckles. "There's no need for violence. What if they can help her? There's nothing we've been able to do."

  Shoving Bruno aside, Christoph stared down Freckles. "Where's Ivy?"

  "In my apartment."

  "What? Take me to her."

  "How do you know her?" Bruno eyed Christoph, giving him a suspicious look. "You don't look like her class, Gypsy."

  "I'm not, but we're friends. We were supposed to meet at the festival today. Hasn't she mentioned me?"

  Freckles exchanged a look with Bruno and a couple others from the group.

  "What's going on?" demanded Christoph.

  "You'd have to see it to believe it." Freckles looked sad.

  "Take me to her."

  "Why? Who are you? You've still barely told us anything."

  Christoph clenched his fists, not wanting to waste another moment.

  Jackson stepped forward. "We know her. Take us to her, and she'll tell you. If not, we'll leave and never return. You have my word."

  Freckles narrowed her eyes. "Fine. Bruno's coming with us. Don't try anything funny."

  "Bring the whole pack if you want," Christoph said. "I just need to see Ivy. And you'll find that we mean no trouble."

  Bruno stepped between them again. "That's not good enough. You want to go to her apartment. You need to provide proof of knowing the girl from Waldron's Gate."