Page 7 of The House of Whispers

“Fix this, or death will come out to play.” He opened his palm, twisted his fingers as vermillion magik flowed from his hand reaching the doorknob. The lock clicked, unlocking the door. “Tick-tock.”

Min slammed into the door, shoving it open. I blinked. Jakkal had instantly disappeared. Min pushed the door wide open as I stepped away, turning to face her.

“Why did you lock the door?” Her sterling eyes glared at me full of concern. She grabbed my arms, shaking me. “Casper, are you okay?”

I struggled to regain my composure. I needed to keep her calm, to protect her. Min couldn’t know of Jakkal or the crimes we committed together. I took a deep breath, preparing myself for the many lies I was about to tell.

“I’m okay,” I gently lowered her hands, “I’m sorry, with The Ripper out there killing people—” I sighed, “I must’ve locked the door out of fear and forgotten. Can never be too careful right?” I showed her a faint smile. She seemed puzzled by my answer.

Lie better, Casper.Jakkal’s words echoed in my mind.

“Since when are you fearful of others?” Her eyes glistened in confusion. “Why didn’t you open the door when you heard it was me?”

Smart little fairy that one. Lie better, Casper.Jakkal was right.

“I was sleeping.” The lie was almost instant. Her eyes narrowed. She knew I was lying.

“But you’re a light sleeper… you always have been.” She crossed her arms, sensing something was off. Min knew everything about me. We had grown up together, inseparable since we were children, begging in the streets of Bedeville. I was a little older, always looking out for her, protecting her. We had relied on one another for years, keeping each other safe trying to survive this hellhole of a town.

“Look, Min.” I sighed, taking her hand. Ihadto lie. “I didn’t want to tell you, but you know I can’t lie to you.”Ironic. Her eyes softened as I stared into them. “I–I took some fairy dust.” She gasped, pulling her hand back. “I know, I know! But I only took a pinch—just enough to help me sleep! I just wanted to get some rest. This killer has me up at night, worried about you and the Whisps, and I needed to calm my nerves.”Not a complete lie.

Min sighed, rubbing my arm. “Oh, Casper,” she hugged me, “please tell me you’re not back to your old habits?” I shook my head, reassuring her it had been a one time thing—despite never really occurring. “Besides, you needn’t worry so much; we’re safe inside the house.” She pulled back, smiling at me. “Don’t let the shadow of this madman burden you. With the most recent murders being not far from here, Nathier ordered a policeman to remain stationed outside at night. You know how worried he always is about me.” She winked.

Of course. Nathier. Min’s beau. He was a detective with the Bedeville police. He could be the solution to fix Jakkal’s mess. We had met Nathier back when we first were welcomed into the House of Whispers. Back then, he had been a simple policeman. He’d been called to the house to settle a scuffle between a few Johns, and fell head over heels for Min the minute he laid his jade eyes on her. Over time, he frequented the house just to catch a glimpse of my sister. Eventually, the two started interacting, and not long after, they became inseparable. Nathair spent all his free time at the house, sneaking what few intimate moments he could with Min. The more he was around, the more he had been roped into Madame Chepi’s grip, helping clean up the gruesome aftermath of unruly Johns I had to personally handle. He could help straighten all this out. He’d doanythingto protect Min.

“Where is Nathier?” I asked.

Min giggled. “You know where.” She blushed.Of course. He was here. Probably in Min’s bed.

“Can I speak to him?” She slightly tilted her head, confused.

“Why?”

Think, Casper.

“I want to know who he has patrolling, see if they’re really doing their job right. I’ve got to make sure my little sister is safe.” Min may not be my blood, but she was every bit my sister.

She smiled. “He’s asleep right now. His shift was pretty hectic, especially after the latest murders. He drank some Snake Venom to calm his nerves. Scaleys, right?” She playfully rolled her eyes.

Of course. Snake Venom was an acidic alcoholic drink preferred by Scaleys. It looked and worked similar to Absinthe—only the effects on Scaleys were far more intense. When consumed lightly, it created a euphoric state, allowing one to relax. Smaller doses helped with sleep and calming the nerves. For Scaleys—individuals with reptilian features such as serpent eyes and brightly colored scales—Snake Venom was their preferred drink of choice. Whisps—the mostly female winged beings, or Fairfolk—preferred Fairy Dust. Dwimmers—magik wielders—preferred White Rabbit, a white pill that affected magik folk the most, producing hallucinations. Our minds would fall down a ‘rabbit hole’ of nightmares and dreams, spiraling into madness. Our poor town of Bedeville was filled with different types of unique beings, all dark and twisted in their own way. Others—a term used to dub the simple-minded humans—ventured in our little town to divulge in their sinful cravings. They looked down on us during the day but indulged themselves in the shadows after nightfall.Hypocrites.

“Can you let him know that I’d like to speak to him when he wakes up?”

Min nodded. “I must tend to the laundry.” She hugged me one last time. “Madam Chepi has me handling all the chores tonight. Seems one of the Whisps wandered off, so I’m picking up her slack. Oh, that reminds me—she’s looking for you.” Fear washed over me.

Greatness. Jakkal’s deadly games have pulled me away from my job too long.

“I’m going to assume that she’s upset with your recent absence from work these past few nights. You need to do whatever you can to please her.” I nodded. “Be careful, Casper.”

“I’ll handle Madame Chepi. You keep working; we can’t have her finding an excuse to make you a Whisp.” Min nodded, prancing from the room. Her silver wings twinkled in the flickering hall light as she floated down the hall.

As I turned, shutting the door, Jakkal’s sudden presence startled me. I stumbled back against the weathered door, frightened.

“Better hurry, little ghost.” He leaned over me, his arms stretched out firmly holding his body from the door, peering down as the mesh eye holes in his fox mask stared into my violet eyes. “For every day you waste, I’ll claim one of your lovely Whisps.” His head tilted and his mask shifted, “Tick-tock, Casper.”

He vanished within a blink.

I shook my head and frantically began dressing myself, fumbling as my fingers shook while I buttoned my shirt. I needed to check in with Madam Chepi—not just to secure my job, but to find a way to protect the Whisps.

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