Fantasmical 2023 Entries

A Cursed Tattoo

I have more scars than friends.

Emotionally, I mean. My soul is battered and bruised, abandoned and without value. But most of all...lonely. I'm surrounded by people, yet I'm all alone in a world so harsh. My opinions and decisions don't matter.

Those feelings packed into a tight ball create anger. They make up vengeance and revenge.

But most of all, anger.

That's why when I stomp out of my father's throne room after a heated argument, I resolve to do exactly what he forbid me from doing.

With my combat boots on, I pocket my phone and swing my handbag onto my shoulder. The guards bow their heads as I walk through the grand hallways of the palace and head out onto the perfectly paved streets of the Vampire Kingdom. Trees adorn every path, and the little lake glitters under the morning sunlight. Another set of guards opens the gate separating the palace from the rest of the land.

"Lady Nyx!" A guard calls out to me. "You must take a bodyguard with you, it's the King's orders."

I spin around, staring him in the eye menacingly.

"Don't. Tell me what to do." I whisper. His jaw drops as I leave the palace grounds, grinning to myself.

Throwing my hood on, I weave my way through the bustling crowds of citizens and peasants. Along the roads are stalls and small shops, displaying packs of peanuts wrapped in a newspaper or handbags woven from yarn. Cars honk in the distance. I keep lengthening my strides until I reach my destination.

I step into the rickety building, nudging my hood off. At the corner stands Clyde, polishing his supplies. The entire store is empty again - no people at all. He glances up, then bows with a gracious smile.

"Lady Nyx," he greets me. "You've come at last."

"I want that tattoo we talked about," I say. "Now."

With a nod, he rapidly readies my seat. Once I sit down, he rubs my arm with alcohol, then applies some ointment. My skin burns, but I don't feel any of it; instead, exhilaration washes over me. I squeeze my eyes shut while Clyde gets his equipment and sits down with utmost focus.

"Stay still, Your Highness."

I clench my right fist, gritting my teeth as the tattooist does the tracing. It feels like a butterfly crawling up your arm; except the butterfly's legs are replaced with sharp, pointy daggers. My breaths turn heavy as the needle continues to pierce my skin. Eventually, the pain turns into steady rhythm - a pulse - and I get used to it. Clyde switches to a different set of needles and proceeds to do all the shading. After he's done, he sits back to admire his handiwork for a moment, then leads me to a full-length mirror.

I can't help but gasp. A red-orange phoenix swirls up my left arm, rising from a pile of gray ashes. His eyes burn with intensity, and his feathers fade from bright crimson to a deep iris purple. I can imagine his call, shattering the atmosphere, as he gazes up towards the heavens. 

"I hope you're pleased," Clyde says, hopeful.

"I'm more than pleased," I breathe. Digging into my bag, I bring out a handful of bills and coins - much more than necessary. The tattooist's eyes turn into little dollar signs as he gladly accepts his payment. 

"My utmost gratitude," he says, then waddles off into another corner of the store. Pulling down my hoodie sleeve, I exit the building discreetly and put my hood back on again.

I stop dead in my tracks once I'm outside. Kingdom commoners stroll past me like water flowing around a rock. "What the hell?" I mutter. My head swims in confusion.

Because the expanse of the landscape doesn't just consist of people and buildings anymore. 

Horrifying monsters lurk at every corner, almost making me shriek. Their yellow eyes peer at me from under tables, bushes, benches, windows - everything, basically. They crawl on top of houses, sleep on tree branches.

Maybe I'm delusional? I shake my head to clear my mind. 

Nope. Still there.

Panic bubbles up inside of me as I hurry back to the castle. Yet they seem to follow me, watching my every move. I break into a run, ignoring all the strange looks I receive. It takes a while to reach the gates and they open for me once more. 

The monsters are here too, swimming in the lake I once thought was so breathtaking. They hiss and snarl ferociously. They gather and form a large cluster, sort of like an army. Backing me up, they lick their lips and sharpen their claws in glee.

I pat my pockets for Esmeray, my sword, but all I feel is the thin fabric hugging my figure. Shit. I must've forgotten it when I stormed off in a rage.

What do I do now? My options have run out. Even if I use my strengths, they outnumber me by - well. A whole fucking lot.

The beasts keep creeping up. My heels hit the cold stone wall, and then I know I'm dead meat for sure - quite literally. I have no escape.

"You alright, Lady Nyx?" 

A young guard starts strolling my way casually as I exhale in relief. As he comes over, the monsters retreat to their hiding spots. Strange...

"Did...did you see that?" I ask the guard. He shakes his head, puzzled.

"See what?" 

Wait, no one else can see them?  I rewind my day in my head; now that I think about it, the citizens on the streets didn't seem fazed either.

Is this real, or am I just going crazy?

"Never mind," I say. "Thank you, you're dismissed." He bows and returns to his assigned spot, right by that small lake. It still glitters, but it seems lethal now, dangerous.

I flick my eyes to my arm. Suddenly, it all seems too suspicious - the completely vacant store, Clyde's too-greedy eyes, the monsters appearing right after I get my tattoo. 

Oh god, what have I gotten myself into?