“What?!” She screamed in delight, kohl-lined eyes turning to face me. “You actually got tickets?!”

I smiled, pleased with myself. “I suppose so. You like magic, yeah?”

“Yes!” She continued in that high voice, “This is so cool!”

“Cool enough for a second date?” I asked, a little too quickly.

The blank face returned, “No. I told you Charon. This is only because you have no chance of going out with anyone, and my brother feels sorry for you.”

I sighed as she referred to our non-existent relationship for the seventh time that night. After parking my dad’s car just outside the main hall, I took Beatrice’s arm and led her inside the theatre to watch the magic show. We passed a huge poster of the magician, and for a brief moment, I thought that he and his white mask would look more comfortable in a Phantom of the Opera performance than in some magic show. But his eyes seemed to draw me in, their glittering blackness seemed so familiar…

A squeal from her over a pile of cards drew my attention back to her. She had three or four decks held in her hand and was fiddling with a few dollar notes. I quickly took out my wallet and paid for them, garnering an appreciated grin.

***

I could see the silhouettes of the people sitting in front of me jumping up and raising their hands to be chosen. The magician’s eyes passed over them, and then locked on mine with intensity.

“What about you?” He called out into the microphone, “Yes you, that pretty lady in red over there in the second row!” He pointed at me with a graceful hand and at once; two spotlights shone down. I stood up, sharing an excited grin with Charon.

I stepped out of the aisle, and the Great Salaam got down from the stage and ushered me up. I stared in amazement, so startled to be holding hands with my idol. He looked much better in person than on some HD-TV screen. His mask shone a blinding white, and his hand was smooth and well manicured.

I collected myself and flashed the huge audience a dazzling smile. He told me to step onto a blue square marked out on the stage, and with a grand flourish, draped a cloth around me. I saw his tall frame in front of me before feeling a sudden lurch as a trapdoor opened beneath my feet. Through my terror, I could hear a roar of applause from the audience.

***

“Where is she?” Thomas demanded, holding me in a vice-like grip.

“I don’t know!” I shouted back, glaring.

My friend stared at me with those eyes that promised agonizing pain if I didn’t return his sister in one piece. “I swear Charon, if she’s hurt in any way-”

“I know, I know.” I tried to placate him, “I’ll look for her. Whatever it takes, I promise I’ll find her.”

“How could you misplace your date?” He asked, still exasperated but seemed mollified.

“I told you, she didn’t return after the show and the magician said that she’d taken a taxi home.”

“Weird sort of magician,” He muttered, turning away. “Oh, here’s your phone back. Remember to charge it after you play the game, it really eats your battery.”

I took it back and pocketed it, “Thanks, the downloading was okay right? Nothing froze or anything.”

“Nah, don’t worry. Did Beatrice enjoy the show?”

“Yeah. She was chosen for the vanishing act.”

***
I waited outside the tall gates after ringing the doorbell, anxious to see the magician and the interior of his mansion. I’d done some research on him before bringing Beatrice out on our date and found out that he was a secretive man, and hadn’t let any media people inside his house ever before. I was looking forward to telling Beatrice about my experience here when I saw her. My musings were interrupted by a mousy man peering out at me through the gate.

“Yes?” He asked in a stuffy tone that seemed nauseatingly familiar.

“Hi. I want to speak to Mr. Salaam please?”

“Charon? Is that you?”

“Yes.” I replied, “Mr. Mentink?”

“The very same. Why do you wish to see him? He already called you this morning regarding your next job. Don’t show up and tell him you forgot, he won’t be pleased.” He warned me.
“What?” I asked, now thoroughly confused.
***
Upon entering the main hall, I winced. No wonder it all seemed so familiar…
I looked for Beatrice’s dark skin among the women and girls lying or sitting on the sofas, drugged and tractable. A few other men moved around them, with figures hovering at their sides and I could feel their probing eyes from where I stood. I watched in studied quiet as one of the men gestured to a young teenager and nodded. The figure by his side stepped towards the girl and injected something into her arm.

I felt a hand on my shoulder and looked up to see the ‘magician’ smiling down at me. Without a mask, it was obvious who he really was. I felt even more controlled panic when I thought of Beatrice in the hands of this madman.

“Charon!” He said with a grin, “Fancy seeing you here, never knew that these children were your type.”

I gave him a wry smile, almost a grimace. “I’m not here for that. Great show last night though,”

“Aha you recognized me!” The ‘magician’ from yesterday grinned, “Fantastic choice with the girl. She’s a marvelous specimen, remarkably exotic. Beautiful eyes, really bring out her skin.”

“What are you talking about?” I demanded, “She was my date.”

“Well that’s strange,” He mused, “Her brother sent her name to me, and mentioned where I’d find her in the audience.”

I was stunned. I couldn’t believe that Thomas could do something as cruel as this. I knew he didn’t like his sister all that much, living in the shadow of her popularity and all, but his jealousy had gone beyond mild resentment. I guess I’ll never know why he did it, but at least Beatrice and I can now start all over again. Maybe with a proper relationship, since I rescued her. Maybe.

And maybe the next disappearance won’t be that of Beatrice’s, but her brother.




End.