Page 11 of The House of Whispers

My body hardened in defense as my eyes narrowed. “Ikilledyou.”

“Did you now?” He looked around tilting his head. “Then explain how I’m standing right here.” He waved his arms around, the remainder of the room seemingly unaware of his presence. His muted red iris clashed against his other iris, a pale blue. His dual-colored eyes were unsettling.

I scrambled to collect my thoughts, recalling the night I killed him. I ran my blade along his neck, cutting from one end of his face to the other—Ihadkilled him, Dr. Reynard. I remembered slicing his throat—washing his blood from my hands. Min saw me. Jakkal saw me. How could he be here?

Dr. Reynard snapped his fingers. “Focus, Casper. I’m not sure what fantasy you’ve created in that beautiful mind of yours, but I’ve come to collect my take. You know our deal.”

Dr. Reynard had been a regular at the House of Whispers. He was a doctor of psychology, working down at the old Bedeville Hospital not far from here. He’d often visit the brothel, buying his time with the Whisps instead of working. Years ago, I caught Reynard secretly dealing drugs amongst the Whisps, something Madame Chepi forbade. Instead of stopping him as I should’ve done, he roped me into his dealings with sweet promises of euphoria. He convinced me to not only help him deal the drugs, but my weak self had become easily convinced to try White Rabbit myself. Over time, I had become addicted to the wretched pill. Every few weeks, Dr. Reynard would appear with a new supply in hand and we would make a trade. An exchange of money for drugs. Last month, Min found the stash I had hidden. She confronted me, threatening to tell Madame Chepi everything if I didn’t stop immediately. I was ashamed. The risk of being kicked from the house or worse had weighed heavily on me. It was then that I decided to kick the habit. I spent weeks detoxing. The night I killed Reynard, I told him no more. He refused to take no for an answer and threatened to expose me. IknowI killed him. I watched his life fade away from him. How could he possibly be here?

“Oh, come on, Casper. I haven’t got all day.” Reynard extended his hand, a small purple velvet pouch in his gloved palm. I knew the contents of the pouch all too well. Part of me struggled with the urge to snatch the pouch, but I had to fight to resist. I promised Min no more and never again.

“No. I’m done with the pills.” I had to force my eyes away as I crossed my arms and grumbled. “You need to leave.”

“What a pity.” He stuffed the pouch back into his coat pocket. “I tell you what, Casper,” he stepped closer, “I’ll return in a few days or so,” he tilted his head, “just in case you happen to change your mind.” He winked, grinning as he returned the top hat to his head. “Until then.” Reynard turned and left the brothel unnoticed by the lively Whisps and Johns interacting in the house parlor.

What the hell was happening? I know I killed Dr. Reynard.

My brain was scrambling, swirling as pain fluctuated around my skull. I felt lightheaded and confused. I couldn’t leave the parlor until the end of my shift later in the evening, but I needed to speak with Min. I had to try and make sense of this mess.

Reluctantly, I remained still against the corner of the parlor, watching as the Johns and Whisps interacted. My thoughts drifted as minutes bled into hours. The light outside peeked through the thick, heavy velvet curtains, slowly shifting to a dull glimmer that faded across the room. Time flew by as occupants piled into the house, filling it with the sound of laughter, raised voices, and music. The House of Whispers became alive as night crept into play.

My glowing violet eyes scanned the faces, blank from my lack of focus. Part of me was worried I’d see that horrid, blood-stained fox mask. The other anxiously wondered if Dr. Reynard’s face would reappear.

Inhaling sharply, I struggled to remain sane.

Tick-tock.

As my break neared, The House of Whispers had become bursting with all the creatures of Bedeville intertwined with simple Others from our town and beyond. My face curled in disgust as I observed high class Other men drooling over the Whisps, who dazzled the ordinary men with their glistening wings. The Whisps blew glittering silver fairy dust into their faces as they gawked. I could see the men’s pupils dilate as the drug took over, creating a hungry lustful drive. The fairy dust controlled them, unlocking their deepest carnal desires, forcing them into spending every coin in their crisp tailored pockets. Such a pathetic display.

My gloved hands reached, stretching as I popped my neck. My shoulders wiggled, shifting my muscles as I stood tall, arching my back. I had become stiff, resting in the same position for such an extended period of time. Being the house bouncer was bittersweet. Some days, I could sit and let my mind wander. Other days were more chaotic and eventful. I would constantly fight off drunk Others who couldn’t control themselves once the fairy dust took over their nervous system. It didn’t help that Madame Chepi heavily encouraged the Whisps to taunt the Johns, making them jealous as they interacted with more than one customer at a time. Drunk, drugged, jealous Johns were not something I enjoyed handling. More times than not, I would end up having to drag the misbehaving, aggressive bastards out back, using my Hexer magic or knife to subdue them. At times, I’d have to act quick, snuffing them out before the residents of Bedeville noticed. Typically, Nathier would then involve himself, helping me clean the crime scene and dispose of the body. Min hated involving him, but he wouldn’t have it any other way. He’d do anything to protect her, even if it meant losing his job.

Slowly weeding through the shadows of the lively parlor, I stalked toward the mahogany stairs remaining alert to everyone’s movements and my surroundings. I waited a moment, scanning the room once more before I scaled the stairs. The wooden steps creaked beneath my silent steps as I made my way to the top floor of the house.

Moans and cries of pleased men floated from behind the many doors as I quietly crept past the active Whisps’ rooms. I could hear Whisps goading the men as they finished, crying out in euphoria, chemically enhanced by the fairy dust. I moved like a shadow down the narrow hall searching for Min. Laughter ruptured from behind me as a curvy Whisp with ebony skin and curly midnight hair led her stumbling John down the hall. Her crisp cobalt eyes met mine as she smiled, nodding that all was well.

“Have you seen Min?” I inquired as she approached.

“Not since she gathered the laundry.” Her silver wings fluttered as she continued past me, the drunk fool winking as he slurred his words and hung his arm across her shoulder. His eyes darted from me to her swollen bosom as they zagged into a room, locking the door behind them.

I felt exhausted and didn’t have much time left in my break. If Min was handling the laundry, she’d be preoccupied in the basement, working near Madame Chepi. I’d have to wait until later to find time to speak with her. A stray yawn escaped my mouth as my eyes felt heavy. If Min was busy, I could at least take a small nap and rest until my break was over. Thankfully, my room was just a few doors away at the end of the hall. I continued walking to the end of the hall, tuning out the sounds of the working Whisps.

As I neared the end of the long hall, I noticed the door of the room next to mine slightly cracked open. Curiosity overcame me as I stopped and peeked through the thin slit. The room was dark. A single candle sat atop a small night stand emitting a small glow onto the face of our newest Whisp. The light from the candle’s flame illuminated her dark face as she applied an ointment to her healing brand, the golden scales along her hand reflecting the warm light of the small flame. She was humming, alone in her room as she tended to her wound.

Poor thing, all alone.I flinched, pulling away from the door at the sound of Jakkal’s voice in my head. It was as if he was standing right next to me, muttering softly into my ear.

I shook my head, trying to clear my mind as I turned to my door and gripped the handle. Hearing his voice when he wasn’t near was proof I desperately needed to rest while I could.

Once inside my room, I locked the door and curled onto the bed. I pulled the knife from the sheath and held it tight as I rolled to my back. I struggled to close my eyes, alert to all around me, listening to the ongoings of the house.Sleep, Casper.I couldn’t stop thinking of Jakkal or Dr. Reynard. Nathair’s words echoed as I forcefully tried to keep my eyes shut.

“The Ripper sent a note.”

Why would Jakkal send a note if he didn’t want to be caught? How was Dr. Reynard alive? My brain ached as I tossed and turned for a few minutes, struggling to silence the overlapping voices bounced around my head.

I'd fallen asleep for what felt like a brief moment, successfully fighting off the thought of Jakkal and Dr. Reynard, when a sudden, familiar scream alerted me back to consciousness. My eyes shot open as I sprung up in the bed, my knife firmly gripped in hand.

Min. I rushed from my bed, bolting from the room, instinctively searching for her.

As I exited my room, I found her. She was standing in the doorway of the room next to mine. Her face was absent of color as all traces had been drained by fear. Her hands covered her mouth as she trembled with fear. I searched her body from top to bottom, looking for the cause of her scream as she seemed paralyzed by whatever caused her affliction.

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