By: CM

*TS*

Mason, Claire, and Frances walked through the town- the festival's guests leaving the event satisfied. Mason held his baby sister- his mom nearly walking out of the place without her. "I feel so strange," she whispered as they stopped in front of France's restaurant. 

"No kidding- you almost ditched that infant, the people of this town aren't necessarily sane." Frances explained.

Mason thought about earlier, what happened with the woman and how she reacted to seeing him. "She didn't really seem sane.... she wouldn't have tried to get at me.... someone else had told me that too... but who..?"

*FB*

"Get behind the cage, Mason. The town's folks are crazy.." a soft voice whispered.

*FB*

As soon as he thought of Maria, a small smile found it's way on his face. He blushed lightly, thinking about what they did. "Maria.... even her name is beautiful.... Maria... Maria... how could I forget you...." he thought, not noticing his mom and Frances smiling at him- until Frances chuckled. Mason looked over, jumping a bit- he then turned away red faced. "W-What?" he asked annoyed at how he just started dozing off right in front of them. He handed Judith to her, his face a bright red.

Then it hit him- remembering what he had told her. 

*FB*

"I'll come back later.... My mom's probably having a heart attack."

*FB*

"M-Mom! I'll be back- I forgot something at the event! I'll see you at home!" Mason called before running back to the event's area.

"Oh- okay baby! Hurry back home! Dinner should be done by then!" Claire called, Frances waving.

"Be careful, Mason! Night time in Maybell town is dangerous!" he called.

"Will do!!" Mason called back, Claire and Frances watching him run out of sight.

"Want to come in? I don't know how I feel about you walking home with a baby in your arms all by yourself...." Frances muttered, nervously taking her hand in his paw.

"Oh your such a dear," Claire giggled, blushing a bit- I might as well, we could easily just order here- save time, y'know~"

"I understand," Frances smiled before ushering her to the building.

*TS*

Mason slid to a stop, in front of the stage. Maria stood on the stage, shackles at her feet. She faced the other side of the curtains, a shadow standing there. "I understand..." Mason heard her say. "But why do you ask that?" Maria asked the figure.

"Because it would do the shop good- if you were more then just... what you are. You could lure customers." the voice told her.

The voice caught Mason's attention, "Ms Pen...."

"But--"

"If you except, I'll let you be with.... that. rat." Ms Pen's voice hissed.

"He's not a rat! He's the only human that actually understands me..." Maria hissed back, seeming to get angry. "But.... I kinda wanna except..... but...." she trailed off, looking down. "Could you actually....."

"I can." Ms Pen replied, Maria looking down in thought.

"...... okay. Deal." she said not thinking any more of it.

"Very well." a snap was heard, Maria's body glowing. "Have fun~" Mason heard Ms Pen walking away, her heels tapping on the wooden back stage.

Maria gasped as the glowing slowly dimmed- her wooden body being replaced with soft peach skin- her cheek bulbs turning into rosy cheeks, her glossy robot eyes turning into human, eyes- as soon as the glowing stopped, she dizzily fell to her knees. "Ow...." she muttered before falling onto her stomach with a thud.

Mason climbed on stage, running over. He held her in his arms, her unconscious body laying there. "M-Maria?" he asked, holding her close. He frustratedly pulled at the metal chains, his anger allowing him to break it off the wood with a snap. Mason caressed her cheek as her eyes fluttered open. "A-Are you okay?? Are you hurt in anyway???" he asked, inspecting her trembling body- his hand moving down her arms, her hips, and checking her face.

"I-I'm okay, I'm just a little frightened is all-- wait. W-What're you doing here???" Maria asked, sitting up in shock. "Your gonna get cau--"  she let out a scream when a cage fell over Mason- trapping him.

"W-What???!!!!" he exclaimed, standing up and kicking at the cage. "M-Maria! Let me out!!!" Mason exclaimed.

"I see you failed to take over one of their minds- we can take care of that~" Ms Pen said as she walked out of the shadows, "Why don't you sing him to sleep..? He can't escape this time~" she said Maria glancing over in horror.

"B-But--" Maria stayed quiet when Ms Pen pointed at Mason. She glanced over at Mason, closing her eyes and taking a deep breath. She began to hum the last part of that familiar song from earlier and from his dreams.

"M-Maria......" Mason whispered as he felt drowsy, his head throbbing in pain as the song progressed. He felt.. wrong again. There was something of the song that sounded.... less like a mermaid's song.... more like a siren's lure song..... soft... attractive.... yet.... dangerous... "O-Ow...." he whispered, leaning against the cage- his headache getting worse. It felt like someone was drilling a hole in his brain. The pain was too much, his eyes filled with tears as he covered his ears. Mason's eyes widened when strings came out from behind Ms Pen- the strings attaching to his wrists and legs. With an aggressive snap- he felt the strings quickly pull his limbs like the other night. Then he felt it- his joints. An aggressive crack sounded all around them as he felt his joints break. He let out a shriek when a strong grabbed him by his head, pulling his head.

"STOP!!! Y-Your gonna kill him!!!!!" Maria screamed a snap was heard from his neck. Ms Pen gasped when she rammed into her creator, her strings freeing Mason. He fell over, blood spilling out of his mouth as he laid there, close to death. Claire, and Frances walked into the events area searching for Mason. They both froze in complete shock when they saw Maria on top of Ms Pen. "DON'T FUCKING TOUCH MY MASON!!!!" she screamed, taking Ms Pen's cane- Mason dizzily turning towards her as she swung down on the owner of Pastel Puppets. She finally stopped, the cane in mid air. Her pupil shook as her heart began to beat in her chest. She dropped the cane, backing up. "I... is she.... No.... she's...... dead..." Maria whispered, "M-Mason... w-what do I--" Maria gasped, seeing Mason laying there, his vibrant green eyes turning pale. "MASON!!!!" she screamed, running over and trying to pull the cage off. "N-NO!!!!" she screamed, trying her best to pull the cage off. She wasn't strong enough. She cried in frustration, picking him up and pulling him closer to the bars- hugging him through the cage. Her arms around him as his new tears ran down his face. "M-Mason.... p-please......" she whispered. Maria gasped when Frances and Claire ran over, Frances taking the cage by the bars.

"Push, Ms Jones!" he exclaimed seeing not even he can pick it up. They both pushed at the cage, attempting to tip it over. "Little miss, help us!"

Maria stood up, running over. She backed, Frances and Claire backing up. "M-Mason.... hang in there...." she told him as he turned to face her weakly. Maria rammed into the cage, it knocking over with a loud CLANK! Mason weakly sat up, crawling towards her. They all ran over, Maria picking him up and cradling him in her arms. "B-Baby.... S-Say something... w-we're gonna get help and..." Maria whispered as he laid in her arms, looking up at her dim eyed- tears running down her cheek as he carefully lifted his hand towards her face.

"It's okay..... I'm n-not gonna-- gkh!" They all gasped when he choked a bit, blood trickling out of his mouth- Maria's eyes began to water as Frances ran off.

"Someone!!! Help!!!" he exclaimed, running off. Mason looked up at Maria and his mom, both of them crying over his weak body.

"Is this how I go.....? Broken...... tired..... sleepy...... my life is fading..... And I can't do anything to stop it......"