Envy & Evil

Innocence And Emptiness

Parker glanced at the air next to him that used to hold Hava. “Now, Mala. What did you do that for?” He asked with a sassy, child-like demeanor.

            “Parker, you must know the answer to that question, boy. Why on Earth would you ask such a thing?”

            Belle piped up with some input of her own before Parker had the chance to reply. “So you can be with me, silly! Don’t you know I just love you?” Belle hopped over to Parker, looking almost if she was flying from happiness. She ended her thought by placing her hand on Parker’s arm.

            “Gross, Belle! What even is love, anyway?”

            “It’s when you kiss me lots and lots because I’m just so amazing. Right, Mal?” Belle turned her focus to Mala for confirmation.

            Mala’s response was a simple sigh and a bit of eye rolling.

            “That’s just weird, Belle. Stop it!” Parker tried freeing himself from Belle’s grasp to no avail.

            “Why don’t you love me, Parker? I’m pretty, I’m rich, and I have a best friend with magical powers. Love me, dang it!!” Belle stomped her foot to emphasize her point.

            Parker glanced at Mala and lifted a finger to his head. He spun the finger in circles and raised his other finger to point at Belle. He finished the motion by mouthing, “She’s crazy!”

            Mala replied by saying, “Ok, Parker. Now, if my work here is done, I’m leaving. This house is way too cramped for my taste. Ugh. Bye, B.” She didn’t give Belle a chance to respond. Instead, she waved her hand and left without another word.

            It was at that moment that the shock finally hit Parker. “Wait! What exactly just happened to Hava? She’s my friend, you know.”

            Belle giggled at his naivety. “Parker, silly. She’s gone now. Don’t you worry your cute little self about her. It’s ok. I’m here for you now.” She smoothed his hair down in an attempt to comfort him.

            Parker was less than amused. He jumped away, screaming, “Did you kill Hava?!”

            “Of course not, dear,” Belle replied. She then muttered under her breath, “without the not,” hoping Parker wouldn’t hear.

            “Then where is she?”

            “Stop worrying about her. Pay attention to me!” Belle whined.

            “I don’t want to pay attention to you! I would rather find my friend,” Parker said sternly. He crossed his arms and waited for a real explanation from Belle.

            Belle ran over to Parker and grabbed his arm. “Come sit on the couch with me, Park. It’ll be okay, I promise.” She ran back to the couch, pulling Parker along the way. When they arrived at the couch, Belle put her arm around Parker.

            “Stop it, Belle! Just stop it, okay!” Parker ran over to the counter where Mala’s golden staff laid just minutes earlier. He started searching for clues as to what the magic elixir was so he could find a way to reverse its effects. Belle got up from the couch and took a spot at the table next to Parker. She instantly picked up on what Parker was doing.

While he was distracted, Belle picked up the empty bottle from earlier. She held the glass up to the light to do a little bit of inspecting of her own. It seemed that the girls hadn’t used every bit of the potion, after all. There were a few small drops of the sparkling liquid still left in the bottle. Belle glanced around, a mischievous idea forming in her head.