Page 64 of The House of Whispers

Turning the corner, the back door of the brothel flew open, sending in an overpowering wave of cold autumn air and with it a fearsome sight. Standing in the doorway was Casper. She was dressed in what I assumed were the clothes she wore the day she disappeared. Nothing looked amiss, except the expression plastered across her pale face. Her violet eyes seemed to be glowing brighter than usual, staring blankly ahead.

“Casper?” I flew to her side, shutting the door behind her as she moved, almost as if in a trance, toward the hidden staircase. She didn’t seem to hear or see me, remaining focused only on what she was doing. “Casper?” I grabbed her arm. The presence of my touch didn’t faze her as she kept walking, pulling her arm from my grip. She ignored my voice, moving in what appeared to be automatic motions.

After all this time, she just disappeared and reappeared, acting as though nothing happened. As if she didn’t even register my existence? Anger burned my cheeks as I shot toward her, turning her to face me.

“Casper!” I shook her violently, her empty violet eyes looking through me. “Answer me. Sister, answer me.” Casper’s head shook as I violently tried to wake her from whatever drug-induced sleep she seemed to be in. Frustrated, I intrusively slapped her, gasping as I did. She grabbed her cheek as my hands covered my mouth, shocked by the aggression I just showed. “Forgive me!” Her face seemed to change. “I’m so sorry.”

Casper blinked repeatedly, rubbing her cheek as she looked around the hall and then at me. “Min?” Her gaze softened, tainted with fear. “What happened? Where am I?”

Whatever plagued her mind had released its hold on her. “Oh, Casper.” My arms wrapped tightly around her frame, squeezing tight as she remained perplexed. “You’ve been missing for days.”

“Missing? How?”

Pulling back to stare up at her, I tilted my head, “Do you have no idea what day it is?” Casper shook her head. “Tonight is the Festival of Samhain. Madame Chepi’s masquerade ball is set to begin any moment. Come,” I grabbed her hand and led her up the hidden staircase, “we can discuss everything later; right now, we must get you ready. Tonight, we end this deadly game.”

Casper allowed me to guide her up the stairs and sneak her into her room. I did my best to remain unseen. Madame Chepi couldn’t know she had returned, or she’d kill Casper herself. We needed this plan to work, for all our sakes.

As I opened the door to Casper’s room, Chesmu had reached the top of the main stairs, catching sight of her. “Casper?” he called. She turned to look at him, but I forced her into the room before they could make eye contact. We didn’t have time for them to catch up; the doors to the brothel would open soon and Casper needed to get ready. Chesmu sprinted down the hall towards us as I tried to duck into her room. Quickly, I tried to shut the door, but his foot blocked me, leaving the door cracked enough for him to speak through. “Min, let me see her.”

My arms were weak, struggling to fight him back as I tried to force the door shut. “I can’t, Chesmu,” I strained, “she needs to get ready.”

“You don’t honestly think I’m going to just ignore the fact that she’s been gone for days, do you? Now, let me see her.” He growled the words.

“Chesmu, I can’t!” I forced the door shut, locking it immediately. Chesmu slammed his fists into the door, demanding for me to let him in. The feelings he had for Casper were intense. He cared deeply for her and I felt terrible stopping him from running to her. I turned my face against the door as he punched it again. “Please, just let me get her ready. Then, you can speak with her.”

The banging stopped. I could hear him breathing heavily, slumping against the other side of the door. “Please,” he whispered, “is she okay?”

My heart ached, keeping them apart. I glanced back at Casper who was now sitting on the bed, her head in her hands as she moaned faintly. She was trying to understand what had happened herself, but physically she seemed okay. I turned back to the door, lying, “She’s okay. What matters most is that she’s back and she’s safe.”

A relieved sigh hit the door. “I thought I lost her, Min.”

So did I.

My brain was a complete fog, unable to grasp what had happened or where I had been for days. The entire lapse of time was gone from my existence. I tried to ground myself in the moment as Min approached me. She appeared angelic, dressed in a high-low formal gown made of soft gray tulle soaked in glitter. Her large skirt ruffled in layers to the floor, trailing softly behind her as her stocking-covered legs were completely exposed, ribbons tied into bows above her knees. Her waist was pulled tight with a large, pale gray bow that sat atop her lower back. Tulle flowers were scattered around her torso and waist, adorned with silver crystals and ribbons. Her hair was styled up atop her hair, powdered with silver flakes and ribbons that dripped toward her pale face. She wore such glamorous makeup, her eyebrows silver like her eyes, her lips a vibrant pink. Her mask was simple yet elaborate. A gray lace mask with silver branches that extended from one side, tulle flowers and butterflies adorned the metallic branches. She appeared breathtakingly innocent. She reached her hand toward me, touching my face softly. Her skin seemed to sparkle.

“Casper,” she whispered gently, raising me to my feet, “do you rememberanything?” I shook my head, causing her to sigh. “It’s okay.” She hugged me. “Right now, let’s just focus on getting you ready. The rest can wait until after tonight.”

Min was right. The important thing right now was stopping Jakkal. Everything ended tonight.

I sniffled, wiping my face as I pulled from her. “Were you able to get what I asked for?” Min nodded, fluttering to my wardrobe, retrieving a small box. She extended it to me. My hands shook as I gripped the small white box, knowing what it contained. “And the dress?” I asked, my focus remaining on what was in my hands.

“In the wardrobe. It’s all I could find at the last minute.”

My eyes moved to hers, offering a faux smile. “As long as the attention isn’t pulled from Madame Chepi, I think we’re fine.”

Min smiled in return, “That’s the plan.”

Leaving Casper to dress, I shut her door behind me, noticing Chesmu still waiting outside in the hall. He, too, was dressed for the masquerade ball, wearing similar attire to his everyday wear, only, his chest, arms, and face were covered in menacing black and white paint that created symbols I didn’t know. He wore a cracked deer skull atop his head, his wild hair pulled back and braided with colorful beads throughout. He looked otherworldly, his dark eyes covered in a thick layer of clay-colored paint.

“How is she?” He pushed from the wall, uncrossing his arms. “Is she alright?” I tried to rush past, but he grabbed my arm, yanking me back. “What happened to her?” He leaned over me, demanding an answer, passion burning behind his eyes.

“I don’t know.” I growled back, tearing my arm from his grip. “All I know is that she’s getting ready. There’s no time to stop and converse, we need to move quickly.”

“We can’t just continue as if nothing has happened. She was gone fordays.”

“I know this!” I glanced around, quieting my voice, hoping no one could hear us arguing. “Look,” a soft sigh exited my pink lips, “she doesn’t remember anything.”

“Nothing?” His face showed he was unsure if I was being truthful.

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