"I honestly don't know what is taking my assistant," the ringmaster say, placing a slender hand on her hip. She uses her other hand to tap the golden tip of her cane lightly against the ground. "Perhaps, he had trouble finding something we truly needed. I'm sure he'll be along as soon as he can. In the meantime, we can share a light meal of salted crackers and cheese. It's not gourmet, but then again...Me and my assistant are used to roughing it. No grocery stores in the woods."

  The ringmaster chuckles softly at her own joke and moves toward a round table situated on the opposite side of the tent. Funny, Tanya doesn't remember seeing that before either.

  Tanya and Desmond follow the ringmaster at a slow gait, their hands clasped tightly together. The ringmaster motions for them to sit down. She offers them a friendly smile, brilliant white teeth flashing.

  "Please. Have a seat. I will bring you some refreshment, and then we will eat."

  The ringmaster exits the tent via the back flaps. Desmond leans over and whispers into Tanya's ear.

  "Are you sure you're alright, baby? Why did you cry out? What spooked you? What did you see?"

  "Nothing. I said it was nothing. Drop it, okay? I'm fine."

  At that moment, the ringmaster returns. She is pushing a small trolley, on which rests a bucket of ice containing a wine bottle. Beside the sweating ice bucket is a silver platter--complete with shiny silver lid. The ringmaster is obviously not pleased as she halts the food trolley in front of the circular table.

  "Good help is so hard to find," the ringmaster states in a strained voice, one eyebrow arched. "No matter. We will eat, and then you two will rest. You have an early start tomorrow."

  Lifting the lid, the ringmaster uncovers the wide assortment of entertainment crackers arranged neatly on the platter. Many of the crackers resemble cookies more than crackers, elaborate patterns crisscrossing their lightly salted surfaces. Thin slices of cheese accompany the fancy meal crackers, leaning against each other like fallen dominos in the center of the platter.

  "Food is food," Desmond says, gratefully. "Thanks for making the effort, Ma'am."

  "Don't mention it," the ringmaster says with an overly pleasant smile. "Eat. And then, rest."

  ≠≠≠≠≠≠≠≠≠≠≠≠≠≠≠≠≠≠≠≠≠≠≠≠≠≠≠≠≠≠≠≠≠≠≠≠

  Tanya sputters as cold water surrounds her, forcefully entering her mouth and nostrils. Thrashing with both arms, Tanya is shocked to learn she can barely move. She is strapped to a wooden chair, and the wooden chair is completely submerged in water. A vague shape moves in the distance, distorted by the water obscuring her vision.

  A moment later, Tanya and the chair are pulled back to the surface. Tanya exhales loudly and coughs, shaking her head violently from side to side. What the hell?

  A few meters away, the ringmaster stands propped against her cane. A sly grin alters her otherwise gorgeous face, lending her features a more devious appearance.

  "Rise and shine, Tanya. It's time to play a game."

  Tanya's entire body shivers uncontrollably. She stares at the ringmaster with fear and confusion. Yanking on the leather straps restraining her midsection, Tanya peers over the edge of the dunking booth. When did the purple witch have time to erect this thing? How long were they asleep? It's still dark out.

  "What are you doing? Hey! Let me down. What is this?"

  "I could let you down, Tanya. But it's right back into the water for you."

  "You know what I mean...You sicko! You're crazy! I bet there was never any assistant. No one was ever coming. You lied. And you drugged us. That might even explain the spider things. Although, I don't know how you did it. And that's against the law."

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  "How little you know and understand, Tanya. So sad," the ringmaster mocks in a sweet voice. "It's a good thing the rules for your test are very simple."

  The ringmaster performs an up and down sweep with her cane. Tanya finds herself plummeting downward. She screams loudly, anticipating another plunge into the dunking booth. At the last minute, the water-filled booth disappears. Tanya, and the chair, hit the floor hard. A leg of the chair splinters off from the impact and Tanya sprawls backward. Luckily, Tanya is able to get an arm around her head before her head strikes the ground.

  "You witch!" Tanya screeches. "I knew there was something wrong with you. Where is Desmond? What have you done with him?"

  "I've done nothing," the ringmaster says. "He is here."

  As the words leave the enchantress' mouth, Desmond materializes directly beside her. He is bound to a chair, a bright purple handkerchief acting as a gag. Desmond's eyes are low and drowsy, but he is still furious, whipping his head around and trying to yell around the handkerchief in his mouth.

  "If anything is to be done to your precious Desmond, you will be the one to do it. Which brings me to the rules of our little game. May we begin?"

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  Moments later

  Both Desmond and Tanya are seated across from each other at the circular table. Expressions of worry are etched on their faces. The ringmaster places Desmond's pistol at the center of the table. The ringmaster illustrates with her hands and the weapon as she speaks.

  "The game...Or rather test...Will go like this. There are six chambers in this gun. I will leave only one bullet in the gun. Call this 'russian roulette meets truth or dare'. Hahaha."

  Cruel laughter bubbles forth from the ringmaster's throat. Tanya grimaces at the sound, staring hard at the gun centered on the table.

  "You will each have a turn. Put the gun to your temple and pull the trigger. If the chamber is empty, no worries to the player. But then, you will be given a choice. Go again...Or risk having one of your deepest, darkest secrets revealed. You can also forfeit. However, whichever partner forfeits...The other will be forced to remain here. With me. Do you both understand the rules of the game?"

  Desmond nods sadly, averting his gaze. He is too afraid to speak, his voice will betray the emotions he is fighting against. He would never do that to Tanya. Tanya simply stares at the ringmaster in disbelief.

  "Are you freaking kidding me? You expect us to kill ourselves just so you won't air our dirty secrets? Are you sick, lady? What the hell is wrong with you?"

  The ringmaster is upon Tanya within seconds, she grips the younger woman's chin firmly between the polished fingertips of one hand. Bringing her face to within a few inches of Tanya's, the ringmaster practically growls.

  "What is wrong with me? Haha. You poor human. You could never understand. I have had many lovers. More than you could ever dream of, in your very short lifetime. But no lover was ever so great as the one which was lost to me. I have searched long and hard for a vessel worthy to carry his essence. Many times, I have been left wanting. You humans are so weak and pathetic. Alas, I am left without a choice. I grow tired of carrying my lover around in a glass ball. I want him here again...With me. I want to be held by him. I want to touch him. The only way that can happen...Is to obtain another vessel. But there are rules around this sort of thing. Rules even I must obey. So we will play our little game. Win...You both go free. Lose...I get my lover back. Do you understand the rules now?"

  "A glass ball? Your lover? Who the hell cares about you? Or your lover? I'm not going to play your stupid game. I have a life. I'm not dying just so you can play with yourself. Or whatever it is you do. I forfeit. But I'll be back...With the police."

  "You really don't understand do you?" the ringmaster says with a smirk.

  "Oh, I understand. You can't keep us here."

  "Is that your final decision?" the ringmaster says in a raspy whisper.

  "Yes! Are you hard of hearing as well as crazy?" Tanya challenges.

  "Okay. Then, you are free to go."

  "That's what I thought," Tanya roars, tossing her dyed hair over one shoulder. "Come on, Desmond."

  Desmond moves to stand up. However, the ringmaster waves her cane in his direction. Immediately, Desmond finds it impossible to move. His eyes bulge in their sockets and he tries to speak. No words will come.

  "He stays here," the ringmaster yells back. "Those were the rules."

  "To hell with your crazy rules. I said, come on, Desmond," Tanya insists.

  Tanya reaches out to grab Desmond's shoulder. The ringmaster thrusts the tip of her cane in Tanya's direction. Tanya flies through the air and slams onto the ground. As if gripped by an invisible hand, Tanya is dragged kicking and screaming from the circus tent. As soon as Tanya sprawls outside the entrance, the tent begins to fold in on itself, purple light streaming from every opening and seam. Once the tent is completely folded down into a tiny square, it disappears with a bright purple flash.

  Tanya turns in a half circle, disbelief contorting her face. And then, she screams.

  "Desmond!"

  To be continued........