Chapter 13

                Georgia exited the bookstore with Mitzi and sighed sadly.

                Mitzi looked over at here curiously while sucking on a Popsicle, “Is everything alright?”

                Georgia pursed her lips, “No. Desirae is nowhere to be found! It’s really worrying me…”

                Mitzi walked out in front of Georgia and smiled at her, “Don’t worry! I’m sure shes fine and she’s just looking for you is all.”

                Georgia smiled slightly, Mitzi’s happiness and positivity had cheered her up.

                Mitzi then gestured to continue walking and they headed off for the movie theatre next door.

                 In a nearby Alleyway, Prim and Rue watched closely.

                Rue turned and looked at Prim. He thought about how much older she began to look after they had joined the circus.

                Prim smiled and winked, “Don’t worry bro, we’re doing what we can!”

                Rue nodded, “Right…”

                The two joined hands and morphed together to formed the giant pitch black figure.

                Mitzi and Georgia stopped suddenly in front of the movie theatre and looked around.

                Georgia narrowed her eyes, “You feel that…”

                Mitzi nodded and looked more serious and worried now, “Yup… Someone used a transformation spell…”

                Prim and Rue as the figure peaked out and scanned Mitzi and Georgia. “The girl is yellow is a level 1 Spellcaster, the blond girl is a level 3 Spellcaster…. The target is the one in yellow…” they mumbled.

                Mitzi turned and grasped her wand, “Who’s there!”

                The figure jumped out from the opposite alleyway that Mitzi had turned to and fired a red orb of energy at them which soared between Mitzi and Georgia, smashing a nearby bench to bits.

                Georgia and Mitzi gasped out of fear and turned to see the figure.

                “You again!” Georgia shouted, recognizing it from the Ice Cream Parlor.

                The figure glared and crossed it arms in an x shape and formed two more red spheres in each hand, then shot them towards the two girls!

                Georgia grabbed her wand and she, along with Mitzi, managed to block the attack barely. Georgia looked over at Mitzi, “Go for help!”

                Mitzi’s breathing grew heavy, having used a lot of energy to block the attack. “What about you?!”

                Georgia turned and glared at the figure who was plotting its next attack. “I have a score to settle with that thing… Go find Maple and the others.”

                Mitzi nodded and ran off towards the cabin, tossing her Popsicle to the side and causing it to splatter against the still heated pavement.

                Georgia looked at the figure and cracked her neck, “Why are you here… again…”

                The figure narrowed its eyes, analyzing Georgia’s movements.

                Rue and Prim looked at each other while residing in the figure.

                Prim noticed a look on Rue’s face she had never seen before.

                “Is something wrong?” the figure said, as Prim asked Rue.

                Georgia looked at it confused, “Huh?....”

                The figure shook its head, “No… I’m fine…” it said as Rue replied.

                Georgia looked around, “Are… Are you talking to me?” she asked scratching her head.

                Rue and Prim realized they had lost focus and fell backwards.

                Georgia stepped forward, “Is something the matter?”

                The figure dissipated and turned back into Prim and Rue’s separate bodies, Shocking Georgia!

                “You… you’re the two kids from the circus!” Georgia realized.

                Prim and Rue stepped backwards out of fear for being found out.

                “What… What are you doing! Why are you attacking me?!” Georgia asked furiously.

                Suddenly, Tophet swung out of the sky and kicked at Georgia but missed when she turned her head out of feeling embarrassed over the trickery. Tophet then landed next to the children and bowed apologetically.

                Georgia turned and looked back at them and was shocked to see Tophet. “You’re that wife of the ringmaster right… Why are you little kids attacking me!”

                Tophet looked at her with a fake smile, “Oh… Prim and Rue were just having fun. Sometimes they have little hissy fits its nothing to be mad over!” she replied trying to calm Georgia down.

                Georgia lowered her wand and crossed her arms confused, “Oh… I see… Well then why did I have a run in with them before where they attacked the same way! Why do they attack like that too…”

                Tophet grunted and tssked, “Oh my god I’m not even trying anymore…” she walked over and snapped her fingers in Georgia’s face.

                Georgia held her head in her hands and felt her body go weak, “What… what are you doing?”

                Tophet snickered as Georgia fell to her knees. “Why… I’m reuniting you with your friend… after all aren’t you looking for her?”

                Georgia grew worried and tried to fight the drowsiness but ultimately failed, falling to sleep on the pavement.

                Prim and Rue stood behind Tophet embarrassed. “We’re sorry…” they said together.

                Tophet looked back at them, worried also. “They’re getting their emotions back….” She thought to herself. She waved her hands, “It’s fine dears… take her back to the grounds… I have to visit another locations right now…” she replied and flew off with her umbrella.

                Tophet soon landed in an empty graveyard. The sun was still setting and gave a creepy vibe to the lot, but didn’t affect Tophet’s train of thought. She paced around and thought to herself, “Perhaps Joker’s spell is failing… after all he only has so much energy and he’s doing all he can…”

                Tophet suddenly stopped and turned to look at gravesite. She walked over and knelt before it, placing her hand along the engraving. The stone of the headstone had aged quite a bit, causing it to have a rough feelings as she rubbed her glove-covered fingers along the engraving.

                She felt a small tear run down her cheek but quickly wiped it away after realizing what she had done.

                She stood up straight and shot her umbrella up towards the sky.

                “I mustn’t…. My love needs me right now…” she called out worriedly.

                The wind picked up and carried Tophet off into the sky and back towards the Circus.

                As she glided over the sky of Sunset Valley, she looked back at the gravestone and read its precious words. “A loving husband, father, and friend… N.C.”