Page 216 of Gathered Sparkle

We’ve set the stage perfectly. The right words. The right lies. We got them here.

Now, all that’s left…

… is to make them fall.

“Gentlemen,” Koen addresses the three men. “Tonight, we’re going to show everyone here just how powerful the human mind can be. You’re about to experience a little hypnotization.”

The crowd cheers, and Koen lets the sound swell before continuing. “It’s simple, it’s harmless, and I promise, it’s going to be fun.”

Foster takes a step back, shaking his head. “Nope. No way. This is all bullshit.”

“Ah, fuck,” I mutter to myself.

“What’s wrong?” Sparkle whispers. I don’t like that she’s talking while she’s supposed to be stealthy.

I need to keep my reactions to myself.

Koen doesn’t miss a beat. He steps in front of Foster, cutting off his retreat. His smile is gone, replaced with an intense focus that makes even me sit up straighter.

“Where do you think you’re going, Harold?” Koen asks like a hunter cornering his prey.

“I said this is bullshit,” Foster scoffs, glancing at the crowd like he’s searching for backup. “I’m outta here.”

Koen raises one hand, his index finger extended. “Look.”

Harold hesitates for a split second before doing as Koen asked, and right when he does, Koen grabs Harold’s shoulder and taps his forehead with two fingers. “Sleep,” Koen commands, his voice an octave deeper than usual.

Foster slumps, his torso folding forward as if a string inside him has gone slack. Koen keeps a steady hand on his shoulder, holding him upright for the audience.

I’ve seen him do this a thousand times, but it’s still impressive as fuck.

“When you wake up, you’ll feel fine. Completely normal. But your feet will be glued to the street, unable to move no matter how hard you try…” Koen pauses for effect as if the commands need time to settle, then adds softly, “Wake up.”

Foster jerks upright, rapidly blinking as Koen steps back, his smile returning as he addresses him. “So, Harold, do you still think this is bullshit? That it doesn’t work?”

Foster blinks a few more times, his bravado clearly shaken, but he still answers, “Yeah, it’s bullshit.”

“All right, fair enough.” Koen motions to the crowd. “Go ahead, leave.”

Foster scoffs as he tries to step forward, but his feet stay planted firmly on the pavement. He tries again, but he’s all flailing arms and awkwardly bent knees.

I chuckle.This is gold.

The crowd erupts into laughter, the sound swelling as Foster looks down at his feet in confusion.

“Sylus?” Sparkle whispers again in concern, and I realize I never answered her.

“All good, baby. Koen has it under control. You better be safe over there.”

“What the hell,” Foster mutters as he continues to struggle, but it’s no use. He’s stuck.

Koen grins and extends his arm toward Harold. “A round of applause for Harold, the skeptic-turned-believer!”

The crowd roars in approval, clapping and cheering.

“All right, fine. It’s not bullshit.” Foster looks up at Koen, his face flushed with embarrassment. “Now release me.”

Koen nods, stepping forward and lightly tapping Foster’s forehead. “There we go. Your feet are free. Go ahead, take a step.”

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