The Curse of the Mystic Cats

by R. E. Rose

  “Well, I know that much.”

  “ When Silvio laces the pot he and Temmie grow with Cheshire crystal, then whoever smokes it will slip between Cheshire and mundane dimensions, back and forth, at random causing the smoker to become imbued with the Cheshire magic from the tiny crystals that get inside the body.

  “But likewise, because they’re full of Cheshire enchantment, yet remain in the mundane world, they will experience the best “high” they’ve ever known, but really, they’re fluctuating between the two dimensions and, in both dimensions, they have the ability to do odd random magical things until the high wears off. If it ever wears off.

  “The moments they spend in Cheshire they’ll be lost there. They won’t know how to navigate, and they’ll be susceptible to some very frightening things. But even when it does wear off they’ve still got Cheshire crystal inside them, and that takes a very long time to be eliminated.”

  “How long?”

  “Several lifetimes.”

  “Yikes,” I said, “then it never really wears off?”

  “Exactly–at least I don’t think so, and Silvio and Temmie are using magic on the crops to grow them, so I don’t even know how that affects the whole conundrum. And in case you haven’t figured it out the carnies, once they leave here, will be taking a ton of this Cheshire crystal stuff with them to distribute throughout the land!”

  “Are the Silver Bullets and the Razors involved?” I asked. William gave me a look of disdain, as if the answer to my question was totally obvious.

  “Big time. They’re vying for control of Meadowvale.”

  “OMG !”

  “That’s why I had to go through my initiation!”

  “But what can you do?

  “Lots. I can do a lot, but only as a shadow panther.”

  The hammering stopped then. We saw Silvio look up to the ceiling of his shop. He put the hammer down. He carefully put the crystal shards into a small cloth sack and pulled it tight by the strings hanging from its neck.

  “I can hear you,” Silvio said. “Keep talking.”

  I pointed to the two of us and William nodded, yes, Silvio was calling to us. He could hear us whispering!

  “Don’t whisper, whatever you do,” William said. I nearly jumped out of my shoes. Surely Silvio heard that!

  “William,” I said in a whispered voice. He shook his head no!

  “He can hear whispers, but not normal talk. Don’t you get it?”

  “I do now,” I shouted at him. We remained very, very quiet. William pointed to the collar on my wrist indicating that I should remove it to return to my mundane world, but at that moment a blood-curdling sound tore through the Land of Cheshire:

  “Meeeeeroooowww!”

  William, still holding my hand, froze as did I. We both looked at Silvio; he had a big, crazy grin on his face.

  “There you are,” he said, but he was looking in the wrong direction, or so I thought. “Ha ha, I have you,” and I saw him pull out a Cheshire cat collar and wrap it around his wrist.

  “He’s coming,” William said. And no sooner did he predict Silvio’s arrival, when Theodosia walked in and behind her the ghostly shadow of Anesthesia. The two of them howling and meowling as only those cats can.

  16.

  Magic Acts

  William wasted no time in snapping off Sia’s cat collar from my wrist, and with only one hand (his other hand held mine), he wrapped the collar on Sia’s neck.

  “Perfect,” William said, and I didn’t know if he was being sarcastic, or truly relieved. He let go of me and the next thing I knew Sia and I were back home in my living room.

  Sia sat beside me and chatted in cat talk.,

  “Meow, meow…,” she said, all the way to the kitchen.

  I knew she wanted to be fed. But I’d deal with her later. I took the black candle and carefully packed it and the black feather back in the box.

  I refolded as much of the brown, paper wrap around the feather and candle package as I could and wadded it with cellophane tape to hold it all together. I didn’t want any magic leaking out of the cracks of that package. It looked pretty bad, like a small, deformed tree stump sitting on my mantle.

  Beside it sat the gift box with “nothing” in it. Maisie said I’d eventually see what was in the box when I’d worked on more of my magic. I figured that meant I wasn’t practiced enough. I took the lid off and looked inside, still expecting to see nothing. I staggered backward and sat on the couch. There in plain sight, was the shriveled, black panther’s paw! And it wouldn’t go away, no matter how hard I tried not to see it.

  When I got back to Maisie’s shop that night, she wasn’t there. She was too busy getting ready for her role in the carnival. Emilia, left in charge of the shop, locked it up so she wouldn’t have to deal with “crazy customers” as she put it.

  “That’s not a great business plan,” I said, as put my purse carefully behind the counter. She raised an eyebrow at me.

  “Listen to you,” she said. “You sound like you run the place.” She gave me one of her great big grins.

  It did sound like I ran the place, which was exactly what I never wanted to do!

  “Just sayin’,” I said, back peddling a bit, hoping I sounded a little less like I cared.

  “Now there’s the Jane I know.” She went back to polishing her sword.

  “You’re always polishing that sword. Don’t you have a tent you need to attend to? Doesn’t Maisie have you all lined up for something when the carnival starts?” I asked her as I moved to a spot behind the counter. As I examined the shop, I saw that once again it was disorganized and cluttered and I couldn’t stop myself. I began rearranging things.

  “We did discuss it,” she said.

  “Oh, really?” I was half joking when I asked her that.

  “Yeah, she had some really stupid and crazy ideas, so I thought I better come up with one of my own, that wasn’t stupid or crazy, that is.”

  “Good thinking,” I said. I found Maisie’s ridiculous turkey-tail duster and went to work back there. Emi went silent polishing and polishing that sword. Finally, I said, “Tell me your idea.”

  “Okay,” she said, as she continued to work on that sword.

  “I have an idea of what I’d like to do, but I need help with it, and I’m not sure I can find an assistant in time.”

  “An assistant? Like a magician’s girl?” It really wasn’t like Emi to need anyone else’s help for anything she did.

  “You know of anyone who might be able to help me out?”

  “Well, surely not everyone in the deck has an assignment?”

  “Oh, they do,” she said. “Trust me.”

  “I’m sure Devon–”

  “NO WAY!” She stopped polishing and looked meanly at me.

  I stopped dusting then. I’d never seen her so uptight about anyone.

  “Okay, well you know I’m dancing that night, but if I can help–”

  “Jane, you’re perfect for what I need.” She got up then and put her sword down in the spot she’d been sitting.

  “What do I have to do?” I asked, cautious.

  “Nothing, just stand there,” Emi said. I stopped dusting for a minute and thought about that. It occurred to me that she was telling me to “just stand there” right now, so I turned and –

  ZZZZZzzzwwwiiiiiiiing, ZZZZZZzzzzwwwwing two huge knives flew at me and embedded themselves in the cork board on the wall behind the counter. I dropped the duster. I felt faint. Emi rushed over and grabbed me.

  “You’re okay; you big baby,” she said, trying to comfort me.

  “WTF, Emi!” I said, as my knees folded.

  “You can’t do this in the show, get all limp,” she said, scolding me.

  “I won’t,” I whispered up to her.

  She smiled down at me, reassured by my words. “You’re the best,” she said and stared dreamily into my eyes.

  “I’m not doing your act,” I mumbled, and she let me drop to the floor.


  17.

  Twinkle Eye

  Emilia took me home and propped me up on my couch. She said she couldn’t stay because Maisie worked late at the carnival grounds, and she wanted Emi at the shop when she got back. But she did stay, because I was experiencing some kind of weird energy drain. Emi’s little trick with the knives wasn’t the only reason I’d lost my ability to hold myself upright. Before she left me at home, Emi had a few words with me.

  “You spent too much time in the Cheshire dimension. I’ve seen this happen once to Maisie when she did that. Your boyfriend should know better,” she said, holding my limp hand. “If I was your girlfriend, I wouldn’t let you do half the shit you do with magic. You’re already a powerful sorceress. The magical stuff you get away with before a mandatory recovery is remarkable.

  “A physical collapse seemed inevitable and yet, only now you’ve become weakened. But this collapse is good because you’ll be fully charged for the carnival, and you’re going to want to be fully charged, believe me.”

  I nodded. “Sure,” I whispered. I lay flat on my back and really didn’t move much. The energy I needed slowly returned. I definitely began to feel better.

  “If you went into the Star card you’d be right as rain,” Emi said.

  “Uh, huh. Can I get my energy back if I stay out of the card?”

  “You can, but it takes so much longer.”

  “S’okay, I’ll do it this way.”

  “Suit yourself,” she said and went over to the fireplace mantle. She studied the brown paper wrapped candle and feather. “You played with this junk, didn’t you?”

  “Yeah. I need a beer,” I said, hoarsely.

  “This is why you’re so drained. This sucked up almost all of your energy. You’re lucky you’re not dead.”

  “Yeah. Lucky. Beer?”

  “No beer. Not good for you right now.”

  I sighed.

  “And what’s this here?” She asked shaking the beautiful box Maisie gave me.

  “No, no, don’t touch that one,” I urged as hard as possible, which wasn’t very hard.

  “What? Who gave you this?”

  “Maisie. I think.”

  “She can be such a bitch at times,” she said and opened the box. “What the f—” She dumped the contents of the box on the coffee table. I didn’t even want to look at that old shriveled black paw. I tried to turn my head. Emilia started laughing.

  “Oh, yeah,” she said. “I remember this. Do you know who this belongs to?” she asked, as if I should know.

  “No,” I croaked out.

  “Well, you will soon enough,” she said, picking up the panther paw and feigning an attack at me. “Roar, roar,” she said, laughing.

  “S’not funny,” I said. “Tell me.”

  “Who owns this? You want to know?” she asked. She dashed the paw about like it was a short stabbing instrument.

  “Maisie won’t say,” I said.

  “Silvio Garcia. It’s his.”

  “He owns it?”

  “It’s his. I mean was his ‘til Maisie cut it off him.”

  By now, with some of my energy recovered, I sat up, or should I say popped up. “What? Maisie cut that paw off of him, but he’s human,” I said.

  “Not always,” she laughed.

  There was a knock at the front door. Emi and I both became silent and stared at the door.

  “It’s not going to answer itself,” I said.

  I really didn’t want to answer that door. Emi had taken the magic paw out of the box and made fun of it, and now I was sure she, or we, were going to pay for that disrespectful move.

  Emi moved cautiously to the door which made me more nervous. Whoever stood out there knocked again, impatiently.

  “Don’t open it,” I said.

  “Who’s there?” she called out at the door. She was answered with a knock.

  “I know you’re in there, Jane Starr. Your car is parked out front.”

  OMG. “That’s Glendie,” I said. “My friend.”

  “Girlfriend?” Emi asked, looking horrified.

  “Yes, well, no, not that,” I said. Emi yanked open the door.

  Glendie, caught off balance, fell into the house, her right arm in the air, hand balled into a fist ready to knock again.

  Emi caught her.

  They glared at each other.

  I stepped in between the two.

  “Glendie, beer’s in the fridge. Bring two.” I ordered her. Emi let her go. She stood behind Glendie and sized her up.

  I glared at Emi to stop. When I turned to face Glendie, I could see she was a storm waiting to happen.

  “Jane! I’ve tried to get a hold of you for days now. You don’t answer my calls! You don’t come by. We’re supposed to bowl this weekend for my birthday, and you haven’t confirmed! Our friendship is in the balance here. At the moment, it doesn’t seem to exist.” She threw her hands on her hips.

  I didn’t know what to do. Emi still stood behind Glendie and imitated her behavior and mannerisms, which really pissed me off and made me want to laugh at the same time, but I really didn’t have the strength to deal with Glendie’s admonitions.

  “Glendie, why don’t you grab us a beer and we’ll talk.”

  Off she went stomping her feet as she headed for the kitchen. Emi continued to imitate Glendie who seemed completely oblivious of Emi’s mocking. Thank goodness.

  “Stop it,” I said to Emi. “She’s my friend.”

  “So am I,” she said.

  “Well, then act like one.” Glendie was back with three beers. She offered one to Emilia.

  “Hi, my name’s Glendie. Sorry to bust in and act righteous, but I’m feeling neglected.”

  Emilia took the beer and nodded to Glendie who handed me one and drank one herself.

  “I’m Emilia,” she said, holding out a hand for Glendie to shake. Glendie did shake Emi’s hand, and I saw a twinkle of approval in Emilia’s eyes.

  Oh, no.

  “Jane hasn’t been feeling well,” Emi said.

  “Oh, really? Well, you might have let me know,” Glendie said to me.

  “Sorry,” I said sheepishly because that was all I could think of.

  Glendie knocked back her beer and went for another.

  “Actually, she’s a hottie,” Emilia said to me.

  “No, she’s the Sun card character, well not now, but when the Sun card spirit escapes, that’s who she is.”

  “But she’s so cute. Are you two, you know special friends?”

  “We’re not lovers if that’s what you’re asking.”

  “Yeah, I am. Does she like girls?”

  “Not that way. She’s a sausage lover.”

  “Well, how would you know?”

  “OMG ! Emi, don’t hit on Glendie.”

  “Jealous?”

  “Not hardly,” I said. My strength was returning. I was able to get up. I went to the kitchen and found Glendie putting a frozen pizza in the oven.

  “You hungry?” I asked her.

  “Yeah, you should serve your guest something.”

  “I don’t think she’s staying,” I said.

  “Have you asked her?”

  “No. I don’t really want to her to stay. She gave me a lift home, and I’d like her to leave, so let’s not make her too comfy.”

  “Really? I never knew you were so inhospitable,” Glendie said, staring me down.

  “Didn’t you hear her? I’m weak and tired, Glendie, give me a break.”

  “Okay, but I’m cooking the pizza anyway. We can watch a movie and eat it.”

  I turned on my heels to get out of the kitchen, but Emilia walked in just then, and even though I wasn’t feeling that great, I thought quickly.

  “I just a got a call from Maisie. She wants you to go back to the shop.” I told her. Emi nodded at me.

  “Sure,” she said, “whatever you say.” She went over to Glendie and extended her hand. They shook again. Emi winked at her. “See you next
time, Glendie.”

  “Of course. It’s too bad you can’t stay and have pizza.”

  “Yeah, too bad,” Emi said and gave me a look.

  “Later,” I said, gave her the bum’s rush through the back door, relieved to see her go.

  “The carnival starts tonight,” Glendie said. “I want to go, so get some rest.”

  The carnival! Tonight?

  18.

  The Mago

  I did get some rest, and when I got up, Glendie was gone. But she left a note that said she’d meet me at the carnival that evening. The note gave directions. I should go to Huckster’s Alley and look for the bowling building. That sounded fine by me. I wanted to check out the alley anyway, and I loved bowling. She’d arrive there about seven or eight in the evening.

  I took a shower and got dressed. I left a bowl full of food for Sia, who seemed to be hiding; at least I hoped she was hiding.

  By the time I got to the carnival grounds, it looked like the party had started without me. It was nearly dark, twilight, dark enough to see all the lights on all the carnival tents aglow; the largest tent, the main carnival building looked like a massive UFO that had frozen in mid spin and settled on the field–all its lights glowed like small moons, many of these lights dimmed and brightened and twinkled.

  I parked and sat in my car in a field that the city had rolled flat and grated into a huge parking lot that was located a few hundred yards outside of the fairgrounds. The lots weren’t full, yet. But people arrived in droves, and it wouldn’t be long before finding a spot to park would become difficult.

  A fence surrounded the entire setup. There were Ferris wheels, three of them, very pretty, with lights that reminded me of Christmas. The giant wheels, silhouettes against the twilight.

  The Ferris wheels wound slowly in the distance; the giant one was at least three times larger than the two smaller wheels. They were positioned in opposite areas of the carnival forming a triangle between them.

  Music blared through speakers. Popular songs and an intermittent voice, broken and full of static, spoke to the undiscerning ear.

  The fair, and the games and rides, and the entire gathering had somehow started without me. I wondered how I was going to find the bowling building and Glendie. I needed a map.