Queens of the Night

The Entrance

It was a bright cold day in October, and the clocks were striking thirteen.

A mother and a daughter were just entering the large iron cemetery-like gates and the ominous sound made them freeze.

They looked around; the (barely) taller one then saw it and pointed at the bell tower in the distance: it had come from there.

Clutching hands again, they ventured on.

There was a suspended atmosphere. A soft breeze brushed against their faces and hair, lifted brown and orange leaves and made them fly and scatter on the walkway. Pipe organ music and shrieking noises from the gloomy mansion nearby seemed to attract and repel at the same time. Strange creatures of all sizes were moving about, usually in groups of two or more – little green pixies and pastel winged fairies coexisting with translucent spirits and dark light-sucking shadows; in a corner a coven of dwarf witches was gathered.

The two slowly moved on in silence, daughter half hiding behind her mother's legs.

They finally got closer to the large dead hollow tree and the being waiting therein.

She was clad in all black, dress flowing down from her shoulders following her lines to torn-hem sleeves from which long fingers ending in dark nails emerged. On the pale face crimson lips took the shape of a Cheshire cat grin while dark eyes were observing the chaos around with a sparkle. The big hair barely moved when she bent towards them.

"How can I help you?" she smiled kindly at the mother, trying to catch the little one's eyes from behind her back.

"Two tickets for us, the full experience. The 5 o'clock show's included right?"

"Yes, of course. And snacks at Hansel and Gretel's house, here," she showed on the map. "Or you can join the trick-or-treat tour after the show, it starts right outside the theater."

"Wonderful," she said but got sidetracked by the name tag pinned on the other's cleavage. Really?

"Elvira Mistress of the Dark, seriously?" she lifted her eyebrows.

"It's classic 80s trash!" the girl defended. "Mh... Miss..." she looked at the tiny woman's headpiece and green plastic tail disappearing between the white-draped breasts. "Cleopatra?"

She nodded. "Were you even born in the 80s?" she questioned.

"Irrelevant. Were you even born in Ancient Egypt?" she retorted. "And who might have you brought from the lands of the East?", trying to catch the kid's attention.

She chanced a peek from her mother's cape.

"What is it, what is it, I know, it's sly as a fox but is not a fox, and a loyal friend, and can jump real good..." she tapped her mouth in contemplation.

"Abu," the fez-and-vest furry warm monkey costumed little girl said.

"Rrright! Aladdin's very best friend," Elvira exclaimed brightly. The kid smiled happily.

"She's been obsessed with the movie ever since we watched the new version," the mother explained, tying the pumpkin shaped bracelet/passes around her daughter's wrist, and hers.

"It's an excellent film," Elvira said and handed them their maps. "And do you have a grudge against Princess Jasmine or something?" she asked.

"Please, there's enough Disney in my life," Cleopatra replied. "And this still kinda matches anyway, it's still the desert!"

"Mh yeah. Well, have a great afternoon!" she smiled at the duo. "Don't miss the fortune teller tent, you'll be right at home."

"Thanks," they smiled back and waved. "See ya!"

The two left the queue to start their adventure.

Maritza thought she felt a gasp near her left ear, but when she turned around it was impossible to tell who it might have been, there were just too many people. Oh well, she brushed it off.