Traveling Circus and the Skeleton Key

Chapter 1

Traveling Circus

And the Skeleton Key

Chapter 1

Whitehall, Michigan – 1 year later – September

The wood frame around the oil painting was smashed and a rip ran through the center of the canvas. The artwork barely fit in the metal trash can. All his hard work over the past year was for nothing and he wouldn't qualify for the art competition.

Flynn doused his painting with gasoline and lit a match.

POOF!

He watched his dreams of becoming an artist go up in smoke. The single white tulip shriveled on the stem and the oil pigment blistered orange. Purple smoke billowed from the fire. Slowly, the wood frame turned to blackened ash and crumbled to the bottom of the trash can. When the painting turned into a heap of glowing embers, Flynn soaked the remains with water from a garden hose. Steam chased away the purple smoke as he cursed his powers.

Fighting back tears, he stared into the trash can and pondered all the events that led up to this day. His trance was broken by the sound of his phone ringing inside the house. He tossed the hose aside and hurried inside to answer it.

"Hello."

"Hey Flynn, it's Rena."

" Hi, Rena," he said. His spirit lifted a little.

"I'm sorry what happened in school," Rena said with a hint sympathy in her voice.

Flynn winced in pain as he looked down at the bandages on his wrist.

"It's not your fault," he said.

"I know, but I never should've invited him to my concert," Rena said. "It was my mistake."

Flynn remained silent, absorbing her apologize.

"I know this is on short notice, but I was wondering if you wanted to go to the movies tonight?"

Flynn hesitated to question. Is she doing this because she likes me or because she feels sorry for me.

"I don't know," he replied somberly.

"Come on," Rena prodded him. "It will be fun to hang out together by ourselves."

It would be distraction from a rough year, he thought. Would this be a real date?

"Just the two of us?" Flynn asked, feeling a bit more interested.

"Yes," Rena said enthusiastically.

"Okay, I'll go, but I need to ask my parents when they get home from work. I'm sure they'll say yes. I would need to be home by 11, though."

"No problem," Rena said. "My curfew is at 11 pm, too. Can I stop by around 6?"

"That works," Flynn said.

"Well, see you tonight," Rena said.

"Okay, I'll talk to you later. Goodbye."

Feeling a little upbeat, Flynn hung up the phone. He waited a long time for this day.

I can finally go out on a date with Rena, by ourselves Flynn thought. Although, he was still embarrassed he didn't have a car to pick her up.

After hanging up the phone, he heard a rapid knock on the front door.

Who's that? Flynn wondered.

He walked into the foyer and opened the door. Stumbling backward, Flynn's jaw dropped when he saw Albert and Marcel on the front porch. Albert halted his pacing mid-step. His hair was a tangled mess and his eyes and cheeks were red. Bandages covered Marcel's burly right arm and hand.

Anxiety crept into Flynn's mind upon remembering all he went through at the hands of Marcel. Taking a giant gulp of air, Flynn's lanky legs shook.

Marcel's shoulders slumped and his brow furrowed. "We could really use your help."

"Cordelia is in trouble," Albert blurted out as a purple orb the size of golf ball hovered over his right shoulder.

"Albert!" Flynn replied. "Where have you been?"

"It's a long story," Albert groaned. "Can you help us?"

"I don't think I can help, I hurt my hand," Flynn said, showing the bandages on his wrist.

The purple orb whizzed past Flynn's ear and entered his home.

"What is that?" Flynn asked, pointing at the purple orb.

"The smoke from crystal ball purple escaped," Albert replied. "It led me to your doorstep."

"Wow," Flynn said. "Come inside, a lot has happened in one year."

"Yes, indeed," Albert said. "You can tell me about it."