Under His Spell

23. Tailing A Magician

The Great Escape

The small town was buzzing with the shocking news. Detective Tar had been found dead months ago, but the details surrounding his death were anything but exordinary. Rather than a tragic suicide, investigators had begun to unravel a far more sinister plot, and it had been hidden well from the public. Evidence suggested Tar's death was an elaborate attempt to trap and expose Den, by Tar himself. According to him, the charming magician who had captivated the town with his sleight of hand and dazzling illusions, was actually the one behind Eno's disappearance, and Detective Tar only meant to have Eno rescued, and Den unmasked. But instead of being caught in his own web, Den had once again managed to slip through the fingers of justice, leaving behind a trail of confusion and fear amongst the authorities, Detective Tar and his Partner Aty to be precise.

As whispers filled the streets, Den felt a mix of exhilaration and anxiety. He had charmed his way out of tighter situations before, but the stakes had never been this high. The detective's pretend death was a heavy shadow looming over him, and with Eno still trapped in his house, the pressure mounted, especially now that all eyes were on him. "That witty and slippery prey... Tar Tar Tar... Detective Tar. So, as the rumours have it, you're still alive and kicking pebbles towards my magnificent web?"

Meanwhile, Eno had heard snippets of conversations outside the house. He was in a perpetual state of anxiety, trapped in a world of deception where reality felt like a dream—a nightmare from which he couldn't wake. He had been silenced by the horrors Den had forced upon him, but now, with whispers of Tar's plan to expose Den, a flicker of hope ignited within him. If Tar had truly attempted to trap Den, perhaps there was a way to escape this madness.

One evening, Den was in high spirits, convinced that his cleverness had saved him once again. He twirled around the living room, practicing his magic tricks, his laugh echoing off the walls. "A magician never reveals his secrets!" he called out, his voice filled with joy and arrogance. He was giddy, intoxicated by the thrill of his own deceit.

But as he danced around the room, he heard a soft thud coming from the closet where he kept Eno hidden. The sound made his heart race, but he quickly composed himself. "Just the house settling," he muttered to himself, dismissing it.

"Den..." came a faint voice from the shadows. It was Eno, his voice trembling with desperation. "I'm sorry. I won't do it again."

Den's expression shifted from amusement to annoyance. "Oh, Eno, don't be such a downer. We have so much to celebrate! I've gotten rid of that pesky detective, and now we can truly be together!"

"Let me out please. Eno shouted, a surge of courage filling him. "Don't be a monster."

The tension in the room crackled as Den's demeanor darkened. "Watch your tone! You're still bound to me, whether you like it or not." He stepped closer to the closet, his face inches away from the door. "You should be grateful I didn't end that pesky detective's life. Never forget that I'm the only one who cares about you."

Den's eyes glinted dangerously, a mixture of frustration and fear sparking within him. "I've worked hard to maintain this illusion!" His voice dropped to a low growl. "And I'll do whatever it takes to keep it that way."

Suddenly, Eno heard the faint sound of sirens in the distance, growing louder. It was a cacophony of urgency that sent his heart racing. If Tar had truly intended to expose Den, then perhaps help was finally on the way.

But before he could fully process it, Den's demeanor shifted again. "Ah, but let's not forget the magic!" He waved his hand dramatically, his smile returning. "How about a little trick to distract them?"

With that, he pulled a glittering wand from his pocket, the tips of his fingers dancing along its length. In a flash of movement, he snapped it, producing a bright flash of light that filled the room. The brilliance blinded Eno, and when it faded, Den was gone.