Page 123 of Don't Make Me Beg
“Yeah, you like it?”
“Wait. Didyoudo this?” She asks, clearly shocked. “When?”
“About two months ago… when I got the idea for the show.” I lead her to the front row, where we take our seats.
The auditorium is completely dark, apart from the single spotlight illuminating the red velvet curtains, but it’s easy to see the whole theater looks brand new. The seats are cushioned and plush, and there’s extra leg space between each row.
Soft music plays in the background as people file inside, the air conditioning a welcome reprieve from the outside heat. I pullout the candy from my pocket and pass it to her, and Scout flashes me an excited smile.
I fucking love that smile.
Linking our fingers together, I press a kiss on the back of her hand just as Guy takes the stage and the crowd falls quiet.
“Welcome to the annual Ashford Falls Phantom Festival.” He opens his arms dramatically. “My name is Guy Kingsley, and today you’re in for a treat because…” Behind him, the curtains slowly begin to rise as the rumble of deep bass vibrates around our feet. “Our legendary Phantom is here in the flesh. And he wants to tell you his story, firsthand… If you’re brave enough to face him.”
Gasps of surprise fill the silence all around us.
I see Scout’s head turn to look at me out of the corner of my eye, and I squeeze her hand.
“But don’t worry… he’s friendlier than he looks.” Guy winks, and the lights go out, drenching us in pitch-black darkness. The faintest scent of pine and something earthy fills the air as the sound of bugs chirping and wind ruffling through trees fills the room. A gust of air blows around us, immersing everyone in the auditorium in the feeling of the eerie forest.
The lights flicker a few times, and a couple of people scream. Scout’s hand tightens around mine and the excitement in the air is palpable.
“I’ve been waiting for you,” a deep, gruff voice grumbles, and then the holographic Phantom appears before us.
Goosebumps cover my arms as screams of fear and excitement slice through the charged air like a knife. The Phantom towers over us on stage at a whopping ten feet, looking absolutely terrifying. His piercing emerald green, catlike eyes glow bright as he slowly saunters closer.
His long, knobby tail trails behind him, and his bat-like black skin stretches thin across his muscular frame. He’s absolutelyterrifying. If I didn’t know he was a hologram, I’d be shitting my pants sitting this close to him.
“There’s a story I’d like to tell you. Maybe some of you have already heard it, but I want to tell you what really happened.”
He begins to reenact the infamous story, capturing the audience’s full attention as he starts from the very beginning, and it looks so real, I almost forget I’m watching a hologram I created.
Scout’s eyes are wide as saucers, unable to look away. I know if I reached over, I’d feel her heart pounding in her chest.
I recognize the moment she makes the connection. “Wait a minute… is that…”
“Your painting?” I say for her. “Yes, it is. I needed something to model the design from, and I didn’t exactly have a lot of time to start from scratch.” I glance at her, trying to read her expression. “I think he turned out pretty awesome, don’t you?”
She shakes her head, a smile pulling at her lips. “It’s incredible.”
“You created him; all I did was bring him to life.” I settle back in my seat, but I’m not watching the show; it’s Scout that has my attention. “We make a pretty good team.”
The Phantom finishes his story, delivering the same warning we all know by heart, promising to bless the land and everyone in it as long as the people respect the land.
The audience erupts with applause, and Guy returns, the Phantom towering by his side. “I forgot to tell you the best part… Does anyone have anything they’d like to ask the Phantom?”
Scout gives me a questioning look. “How did you program him to be interactive?”
Her mouth falls open as hands shoot up all around us.
I give her a smile and nod toward the stage. “I didn’t… that’s L.O.K.I. up there. All I did was create the skin; he’s the one wearing it.”
“Holy shit.” She blinks in disbelief. “I think you’ve seriously undersold your skills, Luka.”
“Yeah… Maybe.” I wrap and arm around her and pull her closer. “I could say the same about you.”
After the show, Scout and I make our rounds one more time to check in with everyone before making our way over to the mural. So far, things have gone smoothly, not a single hiccup whatsoever. Trust me, I’m just as shocked as anyone. I may be able to take credit for the smooth schedule transition, but the real stars today are the volunteers who’ve followed the plan and served from the kindness in their hearts.
