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So How Does Your Costume Fit, Chapter 8

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Chapter 8-Sinister Encounters


Sara stormed outside from the school building. Tears sprang to her eyes as she remembered that horrid Sylvie's face. Her cheeks burned with humiliation. That girl had come prancing in there in that horse costume with that awful bikini and had stolen everything!

She turned her tear-stained face up to the moon. Somehow, she decided. Somehow she was going to come out on top. Let Sylvie win this year. Sara didn't care. Next year she would come out on top. Her costume would beat everyone's, and the spotlight she craved so desperately would be hers again!

A feeling of dread washed over her, snapping her back into reality. She looked around fearfully, trying to control the panic welling up inside.

"He…hello?" she stammered. "Is anyone there?" She prayed there would be no answer.

"Excuse me miss." Came a startlingly deep voice right behind her.

She yelped, her heart in her throat as she spun around. Staring at her was a stylishly dressed man, with a gold-buttoned suit, cane, and top hat. His face was creased in a polite smile, but it was the terrible eyes that held her captivated. They were a deep blue, with dark centers that seemed to tug at her.

She was captivated. Those eyes are so deep. She thought. I bet they really do show his soul. Nervousness stole over her, making her trip over her next words. "Hi. I didn't expect to see anyone else out here. Are you late for the party?" she halted in mid-rush, afraid of saying anything that might upset this stranger.

"No." said the man gently. "I'm afraid I hadn't received an invitation. I was simply enjoying the night air on my evening stroll when you came out of school clearly upset. I simply came to offer my assistance to your lovely personage."

Sara smiled, flattered that this stranger had come to help her. "Thank you." She said politely. "However, I'm afraid I don't need any help tonight. You see, I was simply upset that I lost to that complete cow!" Her voice rose at the last, and bitter disappointment filled her.

"I see." The man said. He appeared to think for a moment. "This young woman who defeated you, she wouldn't have happened to be a centaur now would it?"

Startled, Sara looked up at him. "Yeah. Both she and her friend Taryn. How did you know?"

The man gave a small half smile that pulled at one corner of his thin lips. "I have my own ways." Was all he would say.

With an abruptness that caught her off guard, he briskly hooked his cane on his left hand and offered the crook of his elbow to her. "Enough of this!" he announced. "My dear young lady, may I offer you escort to your home or car tonight. Along the way, you can tell me more about this terrible female who dared to beat you, and her nasty friend."

In the back of her mind, warning bells were ringing loudly. Something about the situation seemed off, however it was strangely muted. The warnings sounded like dim whispers in a dark room, hard to hear and easily ignored. Accepting the strangers arm, she giggled. Maybe this was how a real lady felt! Irrationally, Sara wished she had put on a princess costume instead of the Matrix one.

As they walked away from the school towards her house, she chatted with him like he was an old friend. For his part, he seemed the perfect gentleman. Polite, deferential even. Sara ended up telling him all she knew about the horrible Sylvie who had hated her since she arrived here, and her snobbish friend Taryn.

When she got to her house the man politely bid her good night. As she stepped through the threshold, his voice caused her to stop.

"Perhaps," he said, "we can find a way to stop this Sylvie centaur… creature from tormenting you."

She opened the door a little and peered at him quizzically "How could we do that?" she asked.

The man shrugged. "I'm sure that you will find a way. After all, with beasts like her, it would be a shame to let her go unpunished."

He held up his hand with the fingers splayed. With a flick of his wrist, he suddenly produced a business card. Sara couldn't help but clap at the display.

"My card." He offered it to her. "You may call me at any time of day. Perhaps we can find a way to make your problems go away."

As she accepted the card he bowed low to her and turned away. Sara looked down at her hand. In golden letters were the words: ALFRED P. NIGHTSHADE-RINGMASTER! And beneath them was a phone number. She looked to thank him, but he had disappeared. She looked everywhere, but didn't see him. With a slight chill, she closed the door with an audible snap.

Inside, she turned the card over and over in her hands, her mind whirling ever faster. What did he mean? Could he have been sincere in his offer? And why did he keep referring to Sylvie as beast and centaur? Did he know something that she did not?

Oh, she brightened as the thought came to her. Perhaps there was something. She flashed back to the party when Sylvie had reared in excitement when she had won. A person can jump, but she had reared. Also, that tail of hers. It had seemed too natural to Sara, not fake at all. Even its movements were what she would expect. And she should know, she had spent her previous summers on her uncle's Georgia ranch taking care of their horses until moving out here.

It just didn't make any sense, she thought. There was no way that Sylvie turned into a centaur. She must have bought an expensive costume to beat her. Sara felt a little flattered that Sylvie would go to such lengths to defeat her. It made her a worthy rival for Jason's attentions.

She slammed the card down on the counter. Of course it was just a costume. In fact, she would prove it! Sara quickly slid her black coat back on her shoulders. Leaving quietly, she locked the door and hurried down the street. She wasn't worried about being caught; her parents were attending another Halloween party at a friend's house. It would be hours before they came home. She darted down an alley, intending to take the shortcut to Taryn's house. She figured that Sylvie would most likely head there after the party, and she would see for herself.

"I can't believe we won!" Taryn said excitedly. Sylvie smiled at her friend's exuberance as she discussed the evening's events. Beneath them, the trailer swayed over the road as her father drove them home. Occasionally there was a bounce that shook the trailer and made Sylvie and Taryn stumble as the trailer hit a pothole, but for the most part it was a smooth ride to Taryn's house.

The outside world had been reduced to slits in the side of the trailer to Sylvie, through which very little could actually be seen. Waiting patiently was not something that she did very well, and she began to get antsy. She began shifting her weight from side to side, feeling antsy for some reason. She longed to put it down to wrought nerves from the party, but didn't think that was the cause. She felt as if hostile eyes were still upon her. She wondered if Sara might have been following her, but dismissed it as ridiculous. After all, she wasn't one to walk in her pretty costume in the dark. Besides, she had left the party right after the winners had been announced and hadn't been seen since. She was probably back home in her bed crying.

Strangely however, that thought didn't give Sylvie any comfort. She rolled her shoulders trying to ease the tension in them. Eventually, she moved her eyes right up to the slits, thankful that she was so tall in this body. Able to see much more of the world, she could see that they were on Oak Street, not far from her house. Taryn's was only another block beyond.

It will be good, she reflected, to get out of the trailer and into the garage for some sleep. Her mother had told her that she was going to bring some things over to make it more comfortable to the girls while they solved the case.

A pair of police cruisers passed by, reminding her that Ben was still looking for Roland, even on the biggest holiday of the year. She was glad that Ben was on the case. If anyone could find Enchanted Threads, it would be him. She remembered a story her father had told her of the time when Little Beatrice had gotten lost in the woods. The searchers had stayed for two days before searching elsewhere, while Ben had gone in the woods and not come out for a week. Folks feared he was dead until he emerged with the little girl in his arms. Folks then gave Ben his nickname of Bulldog, in respect to his tenacity.

The gentle deceleration warned Sylvie that they had made it to Taryn's house. She waited impatiently for Greg to turn the truck around and back the trailer into the drive. Fortunately, she mused, this early in the evening, people were still at the parties that were being thrown around town, so there was almost no chance that they would be seen.

The sound of the doors being opened pulled her out of her reverie. Smiling at her father's relieved face, she trotted down the ramp. Not worried about being seen, she moved naturally, and at speed. Taryn was at her heels, excitement still on her face.

"We won! And Josh said he'd love to go get ice cream with me!" she gushed. In the grip of such emotion, she frisked about like a horse at play. Sylvie felt excitement pour through her at her friend's display, and joined in with a kick of her heels. Greg laughed at their antics as their hooves thundered on paved drive.

"What's going on?" asked Anna as she came out from the garage. She watched the girls as they reared and ran across the drive.

"The girls are happy." Greg told her unnecessarily. "They won the grand prize tonight, and are celebrating a little."

"Well, they are going to have to calm down and come inside. We can't let anyone else see this." Her mother sounded alarmed.

Sylvie had been listening in to the entire conversation. It was nice to have enhanced hearing. Panting slightly, she slid to a stop in the yard. "Sure mom!"

Taryn stopped as well, although she still quivered with excitement.

"Hey," Sylvie laughed. "Remember, I'm supposed to be the excitable one, you're supposed to be more reserved!"

Taryn made a face and threw a mock punch at Sylvie, who dodged it easily. Laughing, the two made for the garage. Greg and Anna watched them pass by and followed them in.

Inside, the garage had undergone an almost magical transformation in their absence. The bare walls of the garage had been covered up with old sheets and rugs to provide insulation. The floor had two mattresses near the back corner away from the door for them to lie on. A drinking fountain with full water bottle on top had been added that Sylvie suspected of having come from her mother's firm. Also, Sylvie spotted three trunks lined against the side wall. Anna explained.

"I couldn't find a spot for the trunks, so I lined them along the wall. One has tops for you Taryn, the other for you Sylvie, and the third has blankets for each of you tonight."

Sylvie was impressed. "Thanks mom."

"Yeah, thanks Mrs. Mathison." Echoed Taryn. "How did you get this done so fast?" Shock showed on her face at the decorations.

"It was nothing." Said Anna, clearly embarrassed. "It's just some old sheets your mother and I had lying around. This way you stay a little warmer tonight."

Sylvie bent down and hugged her mother tight. "Thanks mom. This is great."

Anna returned her hug with surprising strength. "I love you." She whispered. Sylvie simply hugged tighter.

Anna broke the embrace, stepping back and adjusting her hair. Sylvie recognized the lawyer face slam down on her mother's features, like an iron portcullis hiding her emotions "Taryn dear." She said briskly.

"Yes Mrs. Mathison?" asked Taryn.

"Your mother has asked that you visit her tonight."

Taryn looked panic-stricken. "But Mrs. Mathison, I can't go up the stairs! Not like this!"

"Not to worry, dear." Said Anna soothingly. "With the help of some neighbors, we were able to get her moved downstairs into the spare room. She's waiting there to see you now."

With something akin to joy on her face, Taryn rushed through the door that led to the house, slamming it open with such force that wood cracked and groaned. Sylvie winced slightly.

"That's going to need some repair work." She remarked to her mom.

Anna sighed. "That girl is going to have to learn to moderate her strength."

Greg just shook his head. "I'll get some spackle and wood tomorrow. I should have the door fixed by tomorrow night."

"Okay. Thanks dad." Sylvie said. She felt that she should apologize for Taryn in some way, but wasn't sure how to do so. Instead, she cast her mind out, searching for a topic to say. "Erm, nice weather tonight." She finally said. She flushed at her father's cocked eyebrow.

"Yes, very nice." He echoed.

Anna laid her hand on Greg's jacket. "Come dear." She said softly. "Let's go home. The girls are tired and need to rest."

She went over to Sylvie and gave her one last hug for the night. Happiness took Sylvie in hand as she returned the gesture.

"Remember. If there is anything you need, anything at all, you call us right away." She said as she broke the embrace.

"Thanks mom". Sylvie managed. Her throat was all choked up, an unfamiliar feeling.

Greg and Anna bid their last good-nights and left out the human side door. She watched them go feeling that she should run after them. She suddenly longed for a chance to sleep in her own bed and snuggle on the couch with her mom and dad and watch a late movie. Those things were gone from her now.

Taryn came in through the other door looking just as sad.

"How's your mom doing?" Sylvie asked, seeing her face.

"Fine." Replied Taryn quietly. "Just tired. I think the move wore her out. All she wanted to do was talk about it. She was so happy to move out of the room, even just downstairs."

Sylvie thought about how Mrs. Grogan must feel, trapped in one room because of a failing body, unable to run or enjoy the sunshine. She shuddered.

"Well, maybe she'll start feeling better now. She's been doing so well before."

"Yeah." Taryn said listlessly. She seemed to be thinking about something.

"What is it?" Sylvie asked concerned.

Taryn looked upset for a moment. "Mom wants to know if I could take her outside tomorrow."

Sylvie's face blanked for a minute. "What?" she asked carefully, sure she had misunderstood.

"I said she wants me to take her outside tomorrow, if I'm still a centaur." Taryn said slowly.

"But… But your mom hasn't gone outside in…well, as long as I can remember." Protested Sylvie.

"More than twenty years." Taryn agreed solemnly.

"So what are you going to do?" Sylvie finally asked.

Taryn shrugged. "She's my mom. And it's likely the only chance she'll have to go outside."

Sylvie nodded at her friend's decision. "Well, we'll go together then." She announced.

Taryn gave her a smile, which made Sylvie feel happy about her decision. Both girls got ready for bed. The last thought on Sylvie's mind as she awkwardly lay down for the night was how she wished to be normal again.

Sara turned away from the window, stunned. She desperately wanted to refuse what her eyes told her. Dazed, all she could think about was home. She desperately wanted to get into her nice, safe bed, pull the sheets over her eyes and wake up from this fever dream.

As her feet raced along the coal black roads, she reflected that this was how they had cheated her from victory. They hadn't just gone in costume, they were the real thing!

Mind churning, she hardly realized that she had run all the way home until she pulled up short of her door, panting. Surprised, she opened the door. Once inside she locked the door and fled to her room.

Once ensconced inside the comfortable blue walls, she sat on the edge of her bed to think. Okay, the probability that this was real was impossible. There was no way that Sylvie and Taryn could have turned into centaurs. The entire idea was ridiculous. And yet there was the living motion of tail, the smoothness of their gait that convinced her that what she saw was no illusion. She hadn't the faintest idea of how it was possible, but Sylvie and Taryn had been turned into centaurs.

Shock at the revelations threatened to stun her. Blackness darkened the edge of her vision for a moment. After a moment, she relaxed. Perhaps she could use this to her advantage, she mused. Yes, perhaps that man Nightshade was right. After all, the way they were running around in the yard, snorting and kicking, made them seem more like animals than actual humans. Besides, Sylvie was always being mean to her. What harm could there be in just scaring her a little? She could have her revenge simply by threatening to reveal them. And if she was very lucky, she might just get that evil witch Sylvie run out of town. Everyone would be much nicer to her if that hag was gone.

Nodding to herself, she gleefully ran downstairs to the card. Snatching it up, she rushed to the phone. Dialing the numbers, she impatiently waited for the call to go through. Surprisingly, it picked up on the second ring.

"Hello, Mr. Nightshade? I have some information you might find interesting." A sly smile lit up her face as she listened to the voice on the other end.

This chapter reveals Nightshade is slowly creating a net tight around the girls, using his special talents to get in close to Sara Kendall, Sylvie's chief rival.

Sara Kendall, Sylvie Mathison, and Taryn Grogan are characters of the Phantom-Inker. Please respect others characters.
© 2011 - 2024 snore23
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GreenHa's avatar
..........what a bitch