The Ringmaster's Keeper

Chapter 14: Persuasion

My head was hyperactive from the scenario I was in and I quickly kicked my foot and heard a grunt. I looked down to see Autumn moaning.

"Oh my gosh, sorry." I tried whispering, but spoke in a normal volume. She just moans and I tell her to go back down into the house, but she just shakes her head. I drag her up the ladder onto the soft grass and sit her down. I close the hatch and turn to her.

"I'm so sorry. I was told about monsters out here and my mind must've assumed you were one." I said trying to justify the kick.

"It's ok, I'll get you back." She said with a smirk. I grab the torch and look back at where I saw the glimmer in the trees. There's no moon in the sky, making it tar black and near impossible to see, even with the torch. I look for the spot where I saw the glimmer, but had no luck finding it. I heard rustling in the trees behind us and quickly turned around to investigate. I saw a young man standing in the clear holding his hands up in defence with a rifle hanging over his shoulder. He had bleach blonde hair and blue eyes.

"It's ok, I won't bite." He said with a cheeky grin.

"Stay back!" I shouted running over to Autumn, like a mother bird protecting her eggs from a human boy. "I know what you are, and if you think you can trick me, then you're wrong." I warned, feeling surprised with my sudden confidence.

"What? Ohhhh, you think I'm one of those creatures. No it's ok, I'm a normal human. I come out here to hunt you see."

"No, I don't see, and if you don't step back, away, I will through my crystal at you, and it will unleash its power on you." I made up the last bit, but was still willing to hurt him.

"Oh, I see, you're one of those crazy people, aren't you. The ones who think that they're trapped in some guys mind or something. I figured that when you mentioned those stupid crystals." What? This creature sure was convincing, but I refused to fall for his rubbish.

"Stop it!" I shouted at him.

"Stop what?" He said with innocence.

"Stop trying to make out that this is a normal place on earth. Stop lying so that you can lure me into your trap, and then probably end up eating me or something." I should've just stayed in the house, but I felt like I had to stay and fight.

"Whatever. Go tell the crazies that you saw a creature that tried to persuade you, or something. I'm sure they'll believe every word." He turned to leave but I stopped him.

"Where are you going?!" I said trying to sound condescending.

"Home. Why, do you want to stay and fight?" He said with a mock smile.

"Yeah, in fact I do." I held up my fist pretending to punch an invisible opponent.

"Mm,hm." He hummed sounding amused.

"You think I couldn't fight you, you too weak." I mocked, feeling like I was winning the conversation.

"No, it's just that I don't want to hurt you." He smiled as he said it. I was getting pretty annoyed with this guy.

"You're stupid." It probably didn't hurt him much, but I couldn't think of anything else. He looked shocked then collapsed to the grass. I reacted quickly and ran over to him to see if he was ok. I leaned down over him and checked his pulse, it was still going and he seemed fine. I looked over his face and got close to listen for his breath. I turned my ear to his nose and heard him breathing fine. I was very close to his face now and was checking his blue eyes. They seemed fine. His arms suddenly shifted and he put then behind my head, pushing his face to mine. His lips found mine and he kissed me long and hard. I struggled and pushed him away as he roared with laughter.

"You're disgusting! I thought you were hurt!" I'd fallen for his trick and felt ashamed. I got up and walked to Autumn who was standing and looking at me in disbelief.

"Don't say a word about this." I threatened Autumn as I was walking towards her.

"Umm..."

"What?" I said, feeling flustered at her vagueness. She just pointed to something behind me and I quickly turned around.

"See," the young man said as he held up something in his hand," If I was a monster, would I be able to hold your crystal." What? My Crystal? I felt at my chest to find my crystal gone. How did he obtain it? I ran over to him and shoved him.

"Give it to me!" I said, reaching at his hand. He held his hand higher, putting it out of my reach. "Give it!"

"Only if you come home with me."

"What? No! Now give me my crystal, I only get one."

"Is that what they're telling you now?

Damn, they like spinning the web of lies don't they. You do know that these things are found all through that mountain." He said as he pointed to a mountain behind him.

"No, and I don't care if you can get more of them. Give. It. To. Me."

"Will you come home with me?"

"No!"

"Then say goodbye to your crystal." He said as he sighed with mock sadness. He turned around and started walking away.

"Come back with my crystal."

"Does that mean you'll come home with me?"

"NO!" I screamed at him.

"Ok, bye." He turned, waved me goodbye, and merged into the wall of trees. I couldn't let him go, so I did what I could.

"Fine! I'll go home with you!" I said as I ran after him.