"Comfort, the child's eyes did preach,
As he took a place within his caretaker's reach."

Coryn found a quiet room to do his work.

He tapped on the door and was unsurprised when it opened by a crack. Every single entrance in the manor had been open since they arrived.

The study was too dark for his natural sight. So his robotic eye filled in instead, with shades of red, dark crimson to vivid vermillion.

Through the crack, Coryn saw nothing to raise alarm. He gingerly opened the door, stretching out nets of silky cobweb across the gap.

He took a good look around before stepping in. The room's branching swirl wallpaper was fading badly; its pattern broke off and disappeared in places.

It wasn't only the wallpaper that was old - so was the furniture.

But the woodwork was still strong - just creaky and dusty.

Coryn sat down on a padded chair. It was surprisingly comfortable; he didn't feel like standing back up. It was perfect.

He pulled out bundles of colorful red fabric from the rucksack. There was a roll of lace, another one of ribbon and several reels of thread.

His grimoire wasn't just a book of spells and enchantments; he'd added plenty of notes on how to use the magic for tailoring magnificent costumes.

Coryn set to work, his head diverted downwards to read from the grimoire as thread weaved its way around the study, trails of brilliant red ducking in and out of the floating fabrics.

~*~*~*~

Trick had gone against his brother's stern instructions to stay inside and decided to explore the manor's courtyard.

Alice wouldn't be swayed to follow him; she ran even further into the spooky building to find "Cory," intending to tell.

He scoffed at the thought. He didn't need his older brother anymore; he could take care of himself!

The young apprentice found an idyllic spot to sit down and gaze at the stars. So he did, hugging his knees to his chest as the Halloween night rolled past in front of him.

Nebulas - splashes of shimmering color across the twinkling sky.

He broke off a piece of the crumbling sidewall and threw it towards an algae-covered pond. It skipped across the surface, then hit some thick vermillion vegetation and sank.

Trick sighed and dipped his head back to gaze at the broken constellations.

According to Coryn, it was the night of evildoing. When wicked sprits came out to play.

He'd warned Trick to never look for those forces, said that some things weren't meant to be seen. And if he should ever encounter one-

Trick dipped his head back too far and fell over. A flash of red briefly crossed his vision as he toppled against a wall of the manor.

"W-Wha?"

He scrambled to roll onto his stomach.

Formed by dozens of trails. Simply there on the wall. Bold, striking red writing.

TIBBAR ETIHW EHT ERAWEB

Trick was paralysed for a fleeting second, forced to stare with horror at the words. He didn't know what it meant - but it sent an icy lance through his heart.

His memory flooded back in.

Coryn had been adamant that he learned about the dark creatures of their world. One fact rose from that long, boring summer lecture.

Demons wrote messages for their future victims.

Was an unimaginable monster watching from one of the manor's many windows? He closed his eyes, unwilling to challenge the anxiety.

Trick planted his hands on the ground, pushed himself to his knees and stood up straight. He took an unsteady step backwards, legs quivering.

I gotta find Coryn and tell him about this writing. Alice is somewhere there with him too, she has to be...

~*~*~*~

Yawning sleepily, Alice rested her head on Coryn's lap. "Is it okay if I take a nap on you?"

A tired murmur rose from his nodding head. Coryn was half-asleep already, while two garments lay side-by-side on the table.

The first was a soft black dress, with long frilly skirts and a sash of wine-coloured cloth. A top hat lay beside it, plush fabric roses threaded on the ribbon around it.

The second was almost the same, only a male version of it. The accessories were a cape instead of a sash, and three playing cards tucked into the band around the hat.

No sound entered the study; not even the wind outside. It felt like a sanctuary; a safe haven for them to rest.

Coryn hadn't ever felt so peaceful within his mind. He wanted it to last forever, just sitting motionlessly in that cozy chair while those sorrowful thoughts flowed away from him.

That's strange...

He sank lower in his seat, wrapping an arm around Alice to keep her from falling off. She was lying half on her chair, and half on him.

I just wanna sleep...

The glowing pupil of his right eye turned dim. His other eye was already closed.

Alice tossed to one side, gathering a handful of his cloak and snuggling it under her head like a pillow. She smiled.

~*~*~*~

Elsewhere in the manor, the bell chimed twice, one powerful ring after the other.

Trick was getting panicky; everything was pitch-black. Long gone was the sun; it would be at least six hours until daybreak.

I shouldn't have left... I should've listened to them and stayed inside!

"C-Coryn? A-Alice?" he stammered, stumbling blindly in the dark, his head clouded with confusion.

He tripped over something. It could've been anything, a footstool or gremlin. But when he tumbled to the floor, he couldn't find the will to move again.

What's... Wrong with me...?

The lull of sleep was forcing itself into his mind, pushing aside everything else to make room and spread itself like toxic smoke.

And just like that, he was trapped in the drowsy trance, his mind forced to wander elsewhere.

He thought of dreaming about chocolate coins, wrapped in golden foil. Sticky taffies, chewy gummies and tall boxes of jellybeans.

But those dreams never came.

[You haven't forgotten, have you? I-I'm still here! And I'm so glad you've decided to read on. Remember that brilliant white star button, if you think this chapter deserves it! With love and thanks, from Phantom.]