Crown The King Killer

03. Wolfish

"Well Master Alexander, how is your first glimpse of the place I call my home?" Parkis asked jingling keys in his hands.

Alexander shivered holding the candle in his hands waiting for Parkis to unlock the door. "It's dark, cold; I think first impressions should be more... energizing."

"Unfortunately, we cannot take the main way into the land, we must go this way; a secret tunnel from under the house." Parkis wiggled the key into the locks and swung the door open causing the candle to blow out. "I hope you're not afraid of the dark," there was a hint of pleasure in his voice. "Put on the mask, you will then see."

In the dark Parkis passed the mask towards Alexander who was more than happy to wear it in the dark. His eyes adjusted to the strange light the mask gave to him. He could see everything in sharp but low light. Details he'd almost miss if it weren't for the lack of new vision. He stepped through the door into a long hallway completely dark. It smelled of old wood and moth balls; like a closet. Lamps hang in the corridor but Parkis did not stop t light them. The coldness crept under Alexander's skin as they made their way down what seemed like a never ending hallway of darkness. Then something odd happened, Alexander realised they were walking backwards as their backs hit a door.

"What the hell?" Alexander shot around and pressed his hands against the door.

"Ah, we have arrived Parkis classed his hands together and brought the key to the locks.

Alexander was confused and a bit shaken all at once. He shifted his fingers over the metal door as Parkis unlocked it. It swung open and Alexander almost tumbled forward into the darkness once again.

"That did not take too long I hope," Parkis' voice was just as full of contentment as ever.

"We're still in the same house..." Alexander looked around and realised the candle was lit in his hand. "Nothing is different..."

"Nothing but all is different and the same," Parkis chimed in. "Home sweet home!"

As Alexander waved the light source around in the room, Parkis was lighting the other candles in the room. He looked closer and took the mask off when the vision grew too bright and blurry to see in the light. In this room everything was different, but it was also the same. Everything was new, bright, untouched almost. The three legged round table was perfectly smooth and shiny with glaze. The mirror was sitting on the floor in the upright position with glass fully intact. The wallpaper was bright and smooth against the wall. Floors did not creak, there were no holes or gashes or boards missing. The railing upstairs was smooth like stone and would not case splinters. China was neatly stacked in the cabinet; un-chipped and unbroken. But there was also another catch; everything was in its opposite place.

"Do you like it?" Parkis walked around towards the table with the silver plate that was covered in a pile of apples. He picked one up and gingerly ate it with a smirk on his rabbit face.

Alexander's eyes winded as he saw Parkis standing beside the mirror. "You're..." He muttered, his mind started to twist.

Parkis took another bite. "A rabbit?" He smirked again. "Well yes, to you I appear as one, quite the catch isn't it?"

"H-how?!" Alexander stepped forward almost dropping the candle and the fox mask.

"These are enchanted," Parkis raised a hand, or, paw to his face and pulled the mask slightly so Alexander could glance clearly into the mirror to see the pale coloured flesh of Parkis' face.

For a moment Alexander thought about what Parkis actually looked like. He bit his lip watching the reflection melt away as Parkis went about being an anthropomorphic rabbit.