The Turn Key

The Turnkey

By: Chase McQuade

The power of an Omnipresent being can be felt opening your child’s imagination before they slept.

Quinarrah and Odai run naked across a field and up a hill with a single tree to sit under. The fireflies covered their naked bodies the stars and three moons lit their night.

“Oh Odai! This is wonderful all of this is ours?” Quinarrah was panting with excitement.

“All of this and more.” Odai lifted his hand and plucked the moon out of the sky. He put one in his eye and did the same with another.

“I can’t believe this” Quinarrah brushed her hand across the field of tall grass and it lit up brilliantly.

“It will be just you and me together forever.” Odai leaned in and stuck out his tongue. Quinarrah squealed and brought it into her mouth.

“I can’t believe that Grandpa is finally gone.” Quinarrah’s smile beamed happiness.

“I know all that which was his is now ours.” Odai’s eyes circled.

“I must leave you Quinarrah there is much for me to do” Odai’s eyes hung for a moment suspended in the air then closed and vanished.

Quinarrah was left alone. She heard music, she saw herself underneath the night sky and revelled in it. The stars bathed her naked body with adoring ecstasy. She moaned and and brushed a part of her that she shouldn't. She fell backwards and laid looking up. She reached out and plucked a star from the sky then another and another she collected them in her hands and when there was to much she just snuffed one of them out. There was one last star she reached up and plucked it right from the heavens.

“They’re all mine…” Quinarrah cooed.

There was a tremor, then a quake ran through the ground... the sky began to fracture. Pieces began to fall, the light went out.

“Odai…?” She said

The ground filled with quakes and suddenly there was only one precipice, the one that she stood on.

Now she was screaming…

“Odai….Odai…”

Behind the heavenly firmament she has found endless death, the void seemed to loom around her. She found no God, no Savior and there was no judgement to be found. She looked down and saw herself high above seas of endless churning blood. The waves crashing on her horizon deafened her. She found only scars and wounds within her.

“To its place in its place” she heard high above her. “Now there is no star left to guide you.”

“Odai...what?... I don't understand.” Quinarrah was left questioning the sky.

The precipice vaults upward and she is propelled to a place few have been and returned.

To the place where nothing is where it’s supposed to be.

Screams with no answer so she is surrounded with screams. Quinarrah has looked into the mirror and it has begun to crack from what it holds in it’s reflection.

She hears herself saying and does not believe it she is hearing and she does not believe it she is seeing and does not believe it she is doing and does not believe it.

Lunacy heresy and false promises to a symbolic self is all she grasps at. With her hands her ears and her mind. The bell has been rung the trumpet has sounded these illusions made real by her hand is what’s left of her real.

She starts, she begins her becoming. She becomes like a tied together collection of springs. Her thoughts stretch her mind becomes unwound her neck springs out from her delicate shoulders. Her legs unwind and they cannot support her her arms flail about their hard to control. Her breasts disappear and she can see something like clockwork replace her chest and heart.

“Someone help me…” she cries

A disconnected voice mocks her…

“Once you try to straighten a spring it loses its bounce…”

“How dare you say that I steal your soul sing…” She reaches up but her arm doesn't have the strength or the focus to keep it together.

“Quinarrah you should see yourself. Your head is a patchwork of lies. You have only one good eye it’s going to be hard for you to see any depth. It kaleidoscopes when it's looked at use that to hypnotize your prey. Your mouth is drawn you’ve never said what you are and its stitched closed. Your beauty is gone and since you are dependant on everything a turn key is in your back.”

“Once get my hands on you…” Quinarrah pleads with her horror. She reaches out her left arm and a knife springs from it. It ejects and retracts separately from what’s left of her conscious mind.

The disembodied voice from the sky laughs a little.

“Child just as a wound up toy would claim that its real, that turn key is all that's left of your connection with it.”

There's the sound of a door closing. With only one eye looking through the darkness she seeks while crying and crawling on the floor. Every lit candle extinguishes when she draws near. She is so close she keeps saying but not close enough. Up and down she bounces as she tries to stumble about. She can only grasp with one hand for the other clacks a blade in and out. The straightened winds of her springs makes a noise as she moves about. When their heard death is all that's thought about.

She uses what’s left of her dissipating abilities, she propels herself into her bedroom. Her size causes her to leave scratches on the walls she destroys her bed. She looks into her vanity mirror… She see what she use to be…

“What’s this dinner!?” She is terribly hungry. But then the turn key stops. Where does she go when the turn key stops no one will ever know, it’s anyone's guess. Some believe she is finally happy some may think it’s finally ended. But the turn key beautifully inlaid beckons someone to turn it.

Children be careful when you sleep and dont play with dolls. Quinarrah is among them and she's not that small.

Mothers beware for there is another. Odai simply stares and thinks he's clever. He is always looking for his next little mother. Trust me when I say he wants your children like no other.

When you dream have all the dolls and soul sings stand against the wall. Focus to see be open to hear all the dolls know when she’s near. She has a turn key stuck in her back she wants all her thoughts to come back. Twist her key and you will see a fear that will never leave.

This is the fate for most demons. A piece of the puzzle they all hold. But never has there been a story like Quinarrah been told.

************

“Alright sweetie time to go to bed.” April’'s mother closes the book and tucks her in.

“There’s no such thing as Quinarrah is there momma?” Her eyes wide and bright from the nightstand light.

“No there isn’t...monsters aren’t real.” April’s mother insisted

“Monsters aren’t real?” April cooed

“No honey this story was written by your great great grandfather. He said he trapped Quinarrah so that you can go safely to bed.” April’s mother said trying to relax her.

“How did he do it...trap the Quinarrah.” April continued.

April’s mother simply smiled. “Oh that’s a hard one to remember.”

She cozied up next to her, held her tight and said…

“First if I remember right he would make the Quinarrah say everything three times.”

“Three times?”

“Yes sweetie if she says something three times it makes her remember herself. Then her clockwork heart skips a beat. She points to April’s heart.

“You see the Quinarrah doesn’t have a real heart. When it skips you can tell that’s the real her.”

“Thats funny momma who doesn’t have a real heart?” April giggled

April’s mother frowned. “The Quinarrah doesn’t thats why shes trapped in the place where nothing is where its suppose to be. Her heart April is not where it’s supposed to be.”

“What if someone gave her a heart?” April questioned.

April’s mother made claws and her shadow was on the wall behind her.

“What do you think she eats?” She tickled April and she squealed with delight.

“What next Momma, what next?” April was imagining.

“Ok let’s see… If I remember right there is a sword. Your great great grandfather always talked about his sword. He was always worried that she could come back.” April's mother looked at the ceiling in wonder trying to remember stories she was told when she was April’s age.

“A sword?” April insisted on knowing.

“Yes sweetie a sword that was given to him by his true love so that he could always protect his family.”

“Wow….”

“Oh honey, it’s just a family fairy tale, you should go to sleep.” April’s mother tried again to tuck her into bed. But April was sitting up.

“Momma how do I get a sword.” She was making cutting strokes with her hand.

April’s mother laughed.

“You know that’s funny. Your great great grandfather always said…

“”To discover the sword is to discover yourself. Free yourself from the fear and then you can tell if she’s near. Then he would say if you can figure that out the Quinarrah is just a mouse”

Or something like that. She paused for a moment and looked at April. She tossed her hair and said…

“Honey there is no Quinarrah there is no Odai. There is no clockwork turn key the Further is just a fairy tale.” April's mother stood up

“I want to see the Further.” April piped up.

“I know honey for awhile I did too. But not tonight it’s time for bed.” Her mother returned to Aprils bedside with her doll, Clementine.

“My suggestion when it comes to Quinarrah and Odai be like Clementine. Good night sweetie sleep tight.” She kisses April on the forehead and moves to the door. She takes one last look like most mothers do and turns out the light and closes the door.

April lies on her pillow. The nightlight paints pictures of stars on her walls. Faintly in her head she hears small whispers. They were talking in tongues, she couldn’t understand any of them. Suddenly...

“I hear your soul sing!” came out.

April wakes up in the early twilight before morning. She sees the shadows made by her nightlight on the walls. But they’re moving, playing out stories. She sees a distant land ruled by a would be tyrant. A young girl stands up to him and his castle falls and the inhabitants are all rejoicing. The nightlight starts to move faster. The tyrant didn’t fall he what looks like just went to sleep and now he’s waking up again. The nightlight blows out but the images keep going soon this monster is a looming shadow on the wall and it looks like it’s looking at her. Then the image disappears.

April sits up. Everything around her seemed normal. She yawns and stretches her arms. She looks around her room it’s very quiet. The shadows in the room seem alive when she steps on the ground they move away when she looks at something it’s there but when she turns away the shadow seems to envelope it. She briefly notices that her toys and furniture aren’t where they’re supposed to be. She is only in her nightgown and she is holding Clementine in her hand.

Then way off in the distance she started to hear music and laughter. A light pierced across the floor from behind her. She turned and faced her bedroom door. The outline of the door lit up as if there was a multi colored sun behind it filled with reds blues and yellows. The music sounded like it was from a carnival that she had been to before. On the other side of the door she heard a voice, a rich baritone almost singing….

“Come one come all and see the extravagance. Step up and take your chances, no backward glances anyone. Forget yourself for a little while I assure you what we have will make you smile. Win yourself a new sing, find out what your suppose to be. Here you can be anything you want and see everything that you can see.”

To a ten year old it didn’t seem to make any sense. The lights, the laughing and the music were more than enough. She pushed the door open. In an instant she was there. It took her eyes a second to adjust to the sparkling atmosphere she was just pulled into. What she saw defied her young mind of understanding. The colors the sounds slowly everything started to come into focus.

“Hey there little one.”

She rubbed her eyes when she put her hand down a young middle eastern man was standing behind an attraction. He was standing at the counter behind him was what looked like ears and eyes and…

“April right? I have something for you” He took a balloon from the stand and handed it to her..

“And whoa who is this I see.” He asked.

It took her a moment to figure out who he was talking about. She then saw what he was just staring at.

“Clementine.” She responded.

“Oh she is beautiful, Clementine would you like a balloon?” He paused as if expecting an answer.

“Clementine can’t talk she only talks to me.”

A frown appeared on the man’s face.

“That’s so sad a doll that can’t talk. What if I told you that I can make her talk.”

“Make her talk?”

“Yes I can give her a soul sing of her own. I’ve got so many it would be ashame if I didn’t give such a beautiful doll one.”

“I don’t know...I”

“I think she would say thank you how about that, don’t you think she would say thank you?”

“You want to give it a try? If she doesn’t want one then i guess I won’t give her one” The man continued.

April looked puzzled “Uh ok but don’t hurt her..”

“Do I look like someone that would do that” He smiled broadly

The man lifted his hand for two of April's hands was only one for this man. His fingers curled unnaturally around the limp woven doll.

“This is my speciality.” The man said proudly and with a small snatch pulled the doll from April.

“Let’s see…” He turned to what was behind him at first glance it looked like ears and tongues but then the sight settled on other dolls hanging from the top of the stand.

“This will have to be the most special one of all.” As the man sorted through the other dolls it looked like they were flinching some even looked frightened.

“Is Clementine a princess April?”

“Yes” she said shyly. The Man picked up on that and shot her an understanding face.

“Let’s see here's the one.” The doll looked like it was shaking its head no.

The man sneered and pulled the doll closer to him. The doll seemed to be faintly fighting his grasp and shaking its head no over and over. Odai opened his mouth and it opened larger then seemed possible. He began to inhale. One of the stuffed animals behind him seemed to be looking at her and she heard.

“Cover your ears deary”

The doll relaxed in the mans hand and a small globe of light popped right out.From the globe of light she heard “No, No..” and it pulsed when it came from it. With a flick of his finger his nail pierced right through it. With a flick of his wrist and a twist of his arm he put that light into Clementine. The man then pulled out a needle and thread and quickly stitched it as if he was making a balloon animal. Odai turned to the doll that was hanging from the ceiling and said.

“Sleep forever.” The doll dulled and looked more worn than it did before and he tossed it aside saying.

“Bleech. Useless.” The doll fell on the floor shadows seemed to devour it till it was no more.

He stroked his dark hair.

“April was it?” He asked

“Yes sir.” She was a little anxious to say the least.

“That’s right little one know your manners.” The man looked down on her.

“Uh where who am I?” Clementine sparkled to life.

“Go ahead tell her who she is.” The man leaned over and held his head up with his hand. Casually he wiped something black from his mouth.

“Clementine?” April amazed, said that to Clementine..

“Clementine.” the doll responded ‘Who are you?’

“It’s me April i'm your best friend.” April was ecstatic and hugged the doll.

“Friend?” the doll responded “I’m your best friend?” the doll continued.

April’s heart throbbed.

The man lifted his arms “Another customer served.” He leaned in “What do you think.”

But when he moved in closer his nostrils flared.

“What’s that smell?” He looked at her quizzically.

“Child who did you say your mother was?”

“I didn’t.”

“I see..” he took a moment and seemed to figure something out. He pulled out a monocle put it to his eye and said.

“Be a lamb and come into the light.”

April stepped closer. The monocle popped out of his eye socket. He paused then his grin grew ever wider.

“April my sweet do you know how special you are? You are so special I have a gift for you.”

He reached up and pulled the small bottle that was hanging from his neck. He pulled it free and it became a turn key.

“Take this...” he said. “It’s a special gift. For such a special little girl.”

“What does it do?” April asked.

“It does nothing by itself but when you find a truly special friend like Clementine here... put it in her back and give it a turn.” Oil started to drip from his mouth and it was building up in his eyes.

“You... won’t... regret it...”

The stand the man and the dolls faded from sight all that lingered was two eyes that just closed and disappeared.

The music from the carnaval seemed to grow louder to distract her from what just happened. Crazy undulating driving music. It sounded like it had to many bagpipes and tubas, drunk and slightly menacing.

Colors flared around her. There were clowns a theater rides and candy and it looked like April really had it all to herself. There were so many eyes watching her. She was a little nervous but clung unto Clementine.

“I’m here April they won’t hurt you.” Clementine said.

“Oh Clementine I’m scared.” She hugged the doll.

“There there there's nothing here that can hurt you here, Look over there.”

April focused her vision and saw a merry go round.

“Now doesn’t that look like fun?” Clementine pressured “Why don’t we go for a ride?”

“Oh Clementine you really think so!?.” April was once again excited.

When they got to the ride there was a sign crudely written.

“Must be able to walk to get on the ride.”

Strange April thought but it didn't concern her she walked towards the ride but something was holding Clementine back. She couldn’t get Clementine onto the ride.

“April I can’t walk.” Clementine said

“How do we get you to walk?” April asked.

The turn key in her pocket was noticed as it began to hum.

April reached into her front pocket. Her fingers grasped the key,It was warmer and slightly heavier than before. The key itself sparkled with fire red rubies from its golden inlay Madeline could feel it was drawn to Clementine. She put the key in her mouth and examined Clementine. There was a keyhole that wasn’t there before. April took the turn key and when it was close to the keyhole, it sprung into it.

“I think it’s working April, just give it a turn.” Said Clementine.

Lying face down on her lap, April tried to turn the key but it was stuck.

“Clementine, the key won’t turn,” April was startled.

“Madeline, in a place like this, what matters most is what you believe...Try more believing and then doing it,” patiently sighed Clementine.

April took the key between her thumb and finger and mutters to herself “I believe…” There was a click and the key turned one circle.

“Put me on the ground” Clementine demanded.

April did so.

Clementine’s feet started moving and her arms moved back and forth. And suddenly she began to grow two feet high.

The weaves in her fabric disappear and become more like porcelain. She had Alabaster-white skin; her clothes now seem more suited and she had little booties on her feet.

Clementine pranced around in a circle.

“I can move! I can see! I can dance! I can wonder what I’ll be. Oh thank you! April, thank you. It’s hard being carried everywhere.” Clementines face, which looked drawn, didn’t behave that way.

“Let’s go on the merry-go-round,” Clementine walked to the gate herself and went through. April followed all the seats and saddles of the rides were on top of creatures she did not recognize. April chose what looked like a Cheetah with wings. Clementine chose one with the visage of a goat playing the flute. The ride lurched and sparks can from the center of the circular ride. Briefly as she spun by, April caught a glimpse of an imp shackled to the controls in the center of it all. April could feel the wind moved through her hair, so she outstretched her arms and cried “Woo Hoo” into the air. Clementine added. “Isn’t this great! I can’t believe it!”

The framework of the ride began to fade from sight into her periphery. Soon all April could see is Clementine and her riding these life like creature that seem like they are reborn. Up and up they travelled into the sky all of them dancing and chasing each other some even breathed fire. They took off into the horizon. They crossed the border of this mystical land then dove down down towards the real world. Soon the were speeding fast over April's house and town.

“That's where I live.” and she pointed out that “That's where I go to school.” They went further... they flew over the town, in and out between and through the houses then over the ocean.

“I want to go to the North Pole.” April pleaded.

“Okay.” said Clementine. They lurched down and headed south.

On top of her ride April had another flash pass through her mind’s eye. She was suddenly ten feet above her sleeping body, in bed. Everything seemed fine. There was one thing there that did take some time to process. There was an older female in the room with her. Her eyes were smouldering embers. She was standing in the corner just staring at her.

“Closer...so close...”

April shook her head and the vision left as quickly as it fled. She was on top of her beast and she started to feel a little sick.

“Let’s land” April interjected.

Clementine supported that “Trust me I know the perfect place.”

They seemed to be at the North Pole, truthfully April didn’t know she only recognized all the endless snow. Funny thing was, she wasn’t cold.

They came to a landing in the perfect snow. It was easier to see the stars, they were bright and the Northern Lights waved across the sky. They landed in front of a gate. Behind the gate was a garden.

“Go ahead.” Said Clementine. “Open...the Gate.”

April reached for the gate but it was locked. Then she saw a glint of light right above her and there was a key. April jumped as high as she could to grab it, and right before she gave up she nabbed it. She put the key inside the lock and gave it a turn and through the gate did April and Clementine walk through. Inside they both could hear delicate music as snow flurries were playing. April really tried to sneak a peak and saw some of the strangest flowers, she didn’t even recognize them.

A snowball hit April.

“Did you feel that?! You did didn’t you!?” Clementine was excited. “I can’t believe I’m here!”

“Do you know where we are?” April asked while brushing off the snow..

“Of course I do...we’re at the North Pole. We’re in a soul sing garden!” Clementine beamed.

“A long time ago people brought these flowers here from a place called the Further. Soon there were many gardens, then it was decided that these flowers were to only remain in the Further. You see this garden shouldn’t even be here. The gardner is trying to take them back and steal them, keeping them forever a secret. You can keep a secret can’t you.”

The gardner stepped out from the back. Clementine seemed to know him. “His name is Odai he’s the one who tends the gardens.”

April curtsied and said “Pleased to meet you.”

Odai wiped his forehead and the kerchief turned black

“Nice to meet someone who has manners.” Odai’s broadvoice and smile was comforting enough.

April was taken back for a second.

“Do I know you?” April thought for a moment that he was the man from the carnival stand.

“Oh I don’t think so...and who do we have here?” Odai smiled again.

“I’m Clementine.” Clementine perked up.

“Well your looking better.” Odai commented then coughed. Oil came from his mouth again but hid it well.

“Clementine was it?” Odai stretched out his hand and shook the dolls hand.

Odai looked at the sky. Well you couldn’t have come at a better time. The flowers are in bloom and I could use a helping hand. Around the pair there were bouquets of flowers.

“If you would...would you water them they take a special water.”

The pair clapped their hands in enjoyment and took the watering cans.

“Better hurry sometimes a storm can just come outta nowhere.” Odai cupped his hand to his mouth.

They filled the water buckets from a well. The water was a translucent emerald green.

Over by another gate, Odai’s finger became a key he unlocked several locks so they could enter.

“Usually I don't let anyone enter my garden... But I can see Clementine really likes you so I guess I could make just one exception.” Clementine reaches up and kisses Odai on the cheek. Odai leans in closer to April.

“Do you have a kiss for me as well?” He smiled.

April did hesitate but followed suit.

“That wasn’t too bad. There just aren't many people like you around...anymore.” Odai looked at her and stared for a moment.

The gate screeched open. The girls skipped in.

What a vision laid before them they weren’t in the snow anymore. How the light of the sun plays miracles of color on the petals of the flowers galore.

When the sun basked them in its glory the petals twisted in circles and melodies could be heard. Souls Sings are very very rare. When you catch one in bloom something spectacular comes out. If you talk to one of these blossoms they can even sound like you.

“How do you get the flowers to sing together.” April asked.

“Your silly April just sing to them.” Clementine was running through them singing and they sang back.

Song: The flower patch

I sing freely when your around me

I sing quietly when no one's near me

But when their near everyone can hear me.

As clear as a bell never mind what’s... near...

“That’s beautiful.”April was amazed..

“They’re just flowers that’s what their purpose is.” Clementine coldly remarked.

The next comment came from within her.

“The Purpose of a flower is to be meaningless or to simply be pleasant?” April was confused for a moment that question seemed to come from her.

“No that’s not meaningful.” retorted Clementine.

“Then the flower has great meaning.” April beamed.

“How’s that.” Clementine indirectly was changing the subject.

“Well by the flower by being ugly or meaningless is not likely going to be picked. That's certainly a purpose.” April smiled. This garden was having they strangest unnoticed effect on her.

“Oh…? Gimme a break.” Clementine laughed again and went to dance with April.

Odai’s interest is sparked a little. He knows who this child is and where she comes from. How far does the apple fall from the tree? He was wondering. An apple appeared in his hand.

Odai turns to April and tosses her the apple.

“April what is consciousness.” Odai remarked inquisitively.

April smiled knowing the answer but not knowing where it came from…”Consciousness is like a stew.”

“What?” Clementine not being impressed “I was adopted.”

“First to understand consciousness since I am explaining it to you we first half to explore personal consciousness. Personal Consciousness has a few ingredients. First there is awareness. Second you have your ego. Third you have your conscience. And lastly you have a system forged by you that maintains the relationship between them all.

Awareness is simple to be aware. You can notice that there is direct awareness what is in front of you and then there is also periphery awareness. For example your reading a book. You direct awareness is reading but the periphery awareness reminds you that there is a book on a table in a room which is where you are. Ego. Ego is the system in place to reality test your environment basically by saying is this important to me or not. The Conscience is the right or wrong this or that basically a system to deal with dualities. The final would be the psyche. This system keeps the others in balance with one another.. Now that we can see personal consciousness lets move up a rung. Take ego out. By suppressing the ego you have become free to decide on what's real or not without and preconceived notions of the self. Second removing the conscience. By removing this there is no duality you see something as both and then nothing. Now the final is the most interesting because it’s the most fragile. The psyche. That's as far I will go defining that.” April snapped back.

“Don’t think about that April it’s the fragrance of the flowers that does that.” Clemintine seemed to have the answer.

“Magnificent Magnificent.” Odai yelled but was simply bored.

“April we’ve heard all that before.” Clementine yawned. April looked around this endless garden and asked a very obvious question directly at Odai.

“Why are you taking the soul sings back?” April asked Odai innocently.

“It’s simple if I find a soul sing then it will; be mine and I will live for all time.” Odai’s hands were spread over her. Sometimes I like to trick someone that a long lost someone is mine.” Odai teaches. “And then I’ll go even higher than before” Odai was pointing up and they both looked at the sky which was lit by millions of stars. “Wouldn’t you want to go up there?”

April nodded.

“You see all is forgiven.” Odai sang

Clementine begins to sing…

“This is how life works if you didn't know.”

“You can only get so far until you see the stars. Then you have to take what wasn’t given.”

My best advice is do it on to another.

Life can be so dreary, excitement is the spice of life.

If you want it more than than another take it until they can’t recover then you know its yours.

The sweet violation, it use to be yours now it's mine and that's how it’ll stay. What is a fight for what’s right between friends anyway.” Clemintine was dancing with April in her hands.

At the end of the song and dance April was a little upset. She spoke with a voice that was telling herself something.

“I was always told life worked like this. You plant the seeds in your garden. You get the hose which is energy of Love and compassion. You water the grass because you are the spigot. Then you watch your garden grow and soon it starts to give back.”

Odai and Clementine look at each other and start laughing. April frowned and went back to watering the lazidillies. Clementine and Odai seemed to be getting together great.

April finished with a flower and it began to cough up a ball. As soon as it left the flower..It started talking.

“April you need to run, run before it's too….” A toad swallowed it before it could finish.

“Dinners coming up.” Odai announced.

“April I need another turn on my key so I can help with dinner.” April reached into her pocket and pulled out the turn key. Clementine moved aside her woven hair and exposed the lock. April turned it three clicks. Clementine grew another foot and now looked like a real girl. They look the same age.

“Now we can be real best friends. Clementines mouth was now real her ars her eyes even her skin. They hugged and looked for Odai. He was a short way away just cutting the heads off the flowers. The flowers flinched and cried a bit before they fell silent. Odai saw April looking at him.

He sneered “Now they don’t suffer.”

“I love seeing him do this.” Clementine clapped her hands. “Oh wait there’s something I want to show you.”

“What?” asked April not knowing whether to be scared or believe in her best friend ever.

“Opps! Not yet it’s a secret.” Clemintine covered her mouth.

Odai laughed “You girls with your little secrets.”

Clementine continued “Go to the center of the garden.”

They both left and Odai trailed behind them. Clemintine was pulling April through the garden while laughing all the time. The garden seemed to move into the sunlight to frame this wondrous sight. There was a table filled with all sorts of delights.

“Is this all for us?”asked Madelyn.

“Yes it’s all for you.” laughed Odai suddenly appearing.

“Oh April you need to turn me one more time so I can enjoy and eat these.” Clemintine pleaded

Madelyn does four clicks. Clementine seemed to grow older than April. The light made the desserts sparkle and April was more interested in them.

April made no haste and went right towards the brightest gummy she could find.

Clementine did the same. It went on and on. April noticed first that she couldn’t get full. When she ate from the table she would only get more hungry.

“Stop Clementine stop. This is a trick.” stuttered April coming to her senses.

“I know... but taste this...” Clementine held out an exquisite truffle of heavenly delight.

“I’ve heard about this from my grandpa...it’s called the More. I remember from my fairy tales”

“You can’t eat anything. Don’t fall victim to the more.” April spoke out loud. April walked to a dessert, she cut it in half and returned the other portion. She then felt satisfied. The table disappeared.

“Oh man...” condescended Clementine making a slurping sound and throwing aside a glass half full of a milkshake into the surrounding garden.

“Ok... whatever... just grab the picnic basket there's a special place I want to show you.” Clemintine seemed to roll her eyes and pointed and sure enough a picnic basket appeared.

“Where is it?” April asked seeing nothing but flowers around her.

“It's through the jungle right over there.” Clemintine was pointing down a path that wasn’t there before. “Don't worry you’ll be safe with me around.” Clementine seemed very confident.

“Seriously! Grab the basket.” Clemintine pointed at the basket and then crossed her arms. Then she put and hand to her brow and muttered “Clemintine…” She shook her head and acted as if she was excited and put her hands on her knees. “Are we ready to go!?”

Madelyn went over and picked up the basket she could barely see under the lid but it looked like a Soul sing from the garden.

“What’s this doing in here?” April politely asked.

Clemintine leaned in “It’s your…”she hid a laugh. “It’s a soul sing we have top pluck its petals so we can leave a trail through the jungle.”

Before she could really process that another vision hit her once again of her in bed. In the corner there were now two of them. The were whispering to each other and one slowly drew a large sewing needle from her arm.

“Closer.” she heard distinctly.

April flashed back into the other reality. Inside the basket was the large soul sing and she was staring at it.

“All were hoping to do is pluck…”Clemintine reached into the basket and plucked som e petals from the flower.”The petals off and blow them a kiss.” And Clemintine did just that.

“We are going that way.” and Clemintine pointed off down crooked path.

Clemintine actually looked to Odai for some support.

“What are you looking at?” Clementine directly asked.

“Nothing I was wondering what Odai thought about this.”

Clementine came up with the answer immediately “Nothing.”

“Odais an angel can't you see that. April he’s an angel of God.

You’re beneath him, he doesn’t answer to you you answer to him. OK got it?

“Yes Clementine.” Madelyn was subdued.

Clementine laughed and said “come play with me and bring the basket we might need a snack.”

Madelyn picked up the basket and headed after Clementine to a jungle. The sounds from in there were truly frightful. There were screams there were growls sometimes April would hear her own mother crying out for her.

“Don’t pay any attention to that that's just the jungle messing with you just keep following me. And start leaving petals so I...we can find our way back.” Clemintine was looking frustrated for having slipped to often.”

They continued on further and further in… Then April heard something in her own voice, singing.

“The itsy bitsy spider went up the water spout.

Down came the rain and washed the spider out.”

Clemintine was skipping through the jungle down a path that seemed to open for her just slightly ahead. April took a moment and tried to look through the jungle.When she looked back at Clementine for reassurance she was staring right back at her taking a step and a step.

“Washed by the rain he does it all again.” Clementine was looking more and more menacing.

The sound started resonating with her deep within her she started singing along and she didn't want too.

The itsy bitsy spider…

April covered her ears and simply started repeating “I want to go home.” Over and over. The apparition came close but it disappeared.

“Keep up April.” Clementine yelled over her shoulder as if nothing had happened.

They came to a small mountain but rather a large hill on top of the hill was a well. They went up the hill in the middle of the jungle and stopped rig“ht at the well.

“April this is where we all come from. This is where I was before Odai found you. You believe me right?” Clemetine was holding out her hand.

“I think I want to go home now.” April whimpered

“Home April...really after everything…”Clementine huffed. “Everything I’ve shown you. Imagine what's next.” Clementine held out her hand again, a moment passed April did nothing.

“April do you want to be a princess for real?” Clementine was seducing her.

“Yes.”

“Well this is how you do it.” Clementine held out her hand again b it Thais time grabbed Aprils hand and it seemed that she wanted to throw her down the well. April’s resisted and took her hand back.

Then there was a growl. “Ok April I don’t know what to do give that key another turn so we can come up with something.” Clementine moved her hair aside and April reached up and turned the key again. Clementine now appeared thirty years old.

April begins to whimper “What's happening to you!?”

Clementine didn’t even see to notice. She rubbed her hips stroked her hair and took in a deep breath. “My Purpose.” she muttered.

She composed herself “almost there!” She turned back to April.

“Don’t you see how I can protect you. I'm’ like your big sister, ever have a big sister before? Well it’s great. If you do what I tell you you will be as big as me.”

“Where are we going.” April was getting persistent.

“I told you April the perfect place, once your there I can make you a princess.” Clementine reached into the basket and plucked a few remaining petals. “Shhhhh. There there now…”

April spoke up in fright but now her voice was definitely quieter.

“Now where is it?” Clementine starts knocking foliage to the side she disappears within it.

“Here it is!” She cleared the thicket of overgrown and soon a large door was seen. She opened it and a gust of wind came out it pushed April. April instinctively closed her eyes when she opened them there she was hovering above her bed. Thee walls of her room seemed to have cracks in them. The two menacing shapes had moved to the foot of the bed.

“Shhh...go back to sleep.” It was Clementine, when she recognized her voice she snapped back to the jungle.

April was becoming visibly shaken.

“Clementine I don’t like this.”

“Clementine...Clementine...you always” she paused

Look April I’ll make you a deal if it gets to scary in there just turn my key and everything will be alright... The perfect place is inside just follow me ok?” Clementine was looking directly into Madelyn's eyes. “I’m your big sister okay?”

“Okay.”

Clementine moved things around she was looking for something.

“There we go.” She fashioned a torch out of a leg bone and worn out clothes. She made a spark with her fingers whispering to something “I am conscious.” The flame grew. When Clementine approached the entrance. Thunder rolled and some lighting cracked and it began to rain.

“I swear every time why does that always happen.” Clementine commented to herself.

“Come on little one your very important.” Clementine headed in.

Inside the cave it smelled. Lizards and toads moved about on the floor. The walls glistened with a black putrid substance.

“Just a little further...” Clementine already down the cavern. April heard her as she moved wet leaves and mosses aside.

Then she stopped.

“Here it is…” she put the torch in a holder. She pulled a vine and most of the foliage fell down revealing a huge door made of Iron. Oil covered it. There were engravings of skulls being trampled underfoot not just human skulls but of beasts and children as well. In the center of the door Quinarrah in all her might stands aside Odai with their swords held high. A castle way off in the distance. They were standing on the people who were depicted with broken backs some were missing their hands and some yes their heads.

“Beautiful isn’t it?” Clementine admired it. “Some people never get to see true power too bad. Thats them Quinarrah and Odai. Their conquest shook the heavens. They wanted complete supreme power over all the cosmos. I mean come on right? Look how things are being run now, somebody has to do something.”

The door began to open.

“Watch out it's a big door.” Clementine remarked. “April, sweetie, I just need to ask you one question. Who was your great great grandfather?”

April struggled to remember “ I think his name was Chase.”

“Chase…” She leaned her head back and her eyes fluttered.

“Chase really what a great name, what do you know about him?” Clementine interrogated her.

“Not much really he just…”

“That's all I wanted to hear.” Clementine smiled to herself.

“Oh joy the door is open.” She skips in. April is right behind her.

The walk into an open room dimly lit. Clementine grabs April and places her in front of her self. She begins to take strained steps forward always checking her footing. A cloud issues out of the walls. Within it strokes of lighting it closes in on them and a single eye opens and a beam of light issues unto them. Clementine holds unto April.

“Can’t you see it’s her. It’s his bloodline” Clementine yells.

The wind subsides the the cloud dissipates.

“That was fun.” Clementine walks forward and kicks a skull with a hole in its head off to the side. They open up into a grand ballroom. The ceiling has been partially destroyed and some one eyed monkeys have made this place their dwelling. Clementine ascends thedias in the middle of the room. It is engraved in marble with images of children suffering to hold her up. At the top Clementine waves to Madelyn up her love. This is the perfect place.

“I don’t know if I should be here.” April questioned.

“April it’s our destiny.” Clementine reached out here hand.

“My darling all of your choices led you here.”

“Come sit beside me I have a present for you.”

April did not really know how she was going to get out of this.

Clementine sat for a moment and said what would make this more perfect.

“I could do your hair. You know just how a princess does it. You could tell me what you want in your kingdom and I can tell you what it looks like.”

“Okay.” April agreed. Clementine was behind her tugging on her hair with the comb and cutting it.

There was a flash April was above her sleeping bed again and Ashley was there shaving light from her head.

“You see you first have to remove this outer layer before you can connect with the first of the inner membranes and that's where the magic happens.” Ashley was teaching something about procedure to someone.

Clementine interrupted that visualization. “Don’t worry about that this is real not that.”

“Well don’t you look beautiful. Ok April it’s time. You need to turn my key one more time so I can send you home. Lickety split.” Clementine smiled broadly.

“I can go home?” April asked.

“Of course sweetie. Just give me one more turn.”

April reached back found the lock and put the key in and turned it one click two clicks three clicks four clicks five clicks then six.

Nothing happened. The key fell out and April picked it up.

Clementine looked at her hands “...strange”

“April maybe you should…” Clementine tried to continue.

She stopped and a huge smile lit up her face.

There was a whirring sound and her left eye popped out of place it bounced up and down connected to a spring.

“OOPS!” Clementine said as her hands began to grow larger until metal claws tore out from under her flesh.

“This is where you run April!”

Clementines neck then sprung loose and vaulted her head up high. Her legs just unwound and sprawled before her.

April started screaming.

“You can scream (whirr) all you want (clank clank) I’m real I’ll understand.”

Clementines last phrase trailed off into a non discernible mix of springs breaking and whirring sounds.

Then slam into the ground Clementines left arm became a ejecting and retracting blade. The rest of her was trying to pull herself together.

“You weasel…” Clementine scratched but it sounded more mechanical than anything.

She stood up tall reaching over ten feet. I am conscious, I am finally here. Quinarrah is a phoenix, I have returned!”

She immediately knocks over a stone pillar with one misshapen hand. Her foot falls dig into the ground and leave craters wherever her feet connected to it. Her laughter now sounding mechanical and maniacal staccatos throughout the citadel and reverberates against the walls.

“I know your smell child that stench has not left my mind in two hundred years!” Quinarrah was on the pursuit.

April screams and runs down a dark corridor.

“Oh dear me there is no sword...there is no deliverance. I just know. I hear music. The Universe is once again mine to control!” Her fervor picked up. “Oh child what are you thinking that where you are is really here?” She laughs even harder as the room changes into a maze. April could see up through the ceiling of the maze Quinarrah was towering over it. Quinarrah slammed her bladed arm into the maze. Rock and steel ripped from the floor. “All I have to do sweetie is POINT!” Another blade slammed closer to her. April suddenly felt a cutting sensation move across her head and her head start to peel open.

“How much time do you have left child?”

April ran to the edge of the maze there was a door she opened it and found another door.

Countless doors one right after another leading nowhere, leading to the beginning she didn’t know.

“Run! April! Run! were coming to get you.”

Quinarrah kept laughing

“You should see what we're doing to you”

April exhausted from the fear fell to her knees and started screaming.

Then she picked up on something...another voice of Quinarrah calm and collected.

“Right here cut right here this should change what she sees.” It was Quinarrah as well.

“You know we did say we wouldn’t do this again...but I gotta admit I do really miss this.” It was Odai.

Quinarrah giggled “Stop...keep your mind on removing the actuator in her frontal cortex. How many times do I have to show you where it is.”

Odai continued “I know I shouldn’t say this but remember when Chase was calling you a freelance lobotomist. I just gotta say you still got it.”

“I told you not to talk about him that's not funny.” cut Quinarrah.

“I mean where do you think he is now? Really he could be anywhere i mean think about it he could be in you or me. Odai playfully asked.

“He’s dead Odai I killed him he’s not coming back.:”

“Well what if he did.”

“I’d kill him again.” Quinarrah fired back.

“Right now all i'm interested in is how this little bitch can show up with our discovery. And she's related to that fucking man.”Quinarrah began to work faster.

“Odai you didn't seal off that bypass?”

Uh no I didn't see it.” Odai apologized

“She can hear us...moron.” Quinarrah grimaced.

There was a tug and April was standing in a corridor. There were doors on each side and stretched as far as she could see.

“Were coming April, were coming to get you.” Quinarrah was heard overhead.

“Run April Run.” Odai chimed in.

On top of her head she felt cuts and furious stitching. She put her hand on top of her head and looked a her hand and there was blood on it.

“How many licks does it take to get to the center of your tootsie pop April?” Quinarrah was just invoking fear into this ten year old. Suddenly a immense blade pierced through the corridor and lodged itself into the ground.

“Uh oh April we’ve almost made it to the cuckoo's nest. Such a shame she was so young.” Quinarrah just keep it up

Another blade slammed down April was running.

“You can’t run you can’t hide April I will always be by your HEAD April your head.”

Something drove itself into the top of Aprils head and started fishing around.

“Look up April were right there just look up. April was running down this endless corridor the plaster from the ceiling was raining all around her. But she did she did look up. The ceiling above her ripped away like tin foil only darkness and two larger than life heads loomed above.

“Ok how about here she pointed and then the blade came crashing down.” Quinarrah sulked

“Ok your turn.”

Odai paused “I'm feeling here.” The blade crashed down even closer. April was desperately trying to open any of the doors.and just before it was too late. A door opened and she fell right in. The door locked behind her.At first it was dark the light in the room brightened. It was somebody's bedroom. The first thing she actually saw was a large doll house. It was meticulously detailed. Only one room caught her eye it was the bedroom. Inside it all the furniture was broken except for the bed. It looked like someone tried to burn that room away. The daughter doll was in the bed but the father doll was at the foot of the bed. Truth was written across one of the walls. April looked up. Yes she was in that room. There were claw marks up and down the walls the furniture looked more like firewood. On the walls in bright red lipstick. The Truth. I just Know. Odai has the Answer. What is my Purpose. Faintly April heard them talking it was quiet but she could still hear it. It was coming from somewhere inside the room not from overhead. April looked around.

Suddenly Ashley said “God dammit.” Loudly and something fell off the Vanity mirror.

April investigated. Yes the mirror was vibrating to the rhythm of her speech.

“April...April” a gentle voice came through. We can only give you this one clue. Quinarrah is not here anymore something is holding her together. Look into the mirror but don’t focus on your reflection.

April turned to face the mirror. SHe looked into it. SHe saw her own reflection then she looked past her reflection. She could see herself in perfect view. She was sleeping in her bed.There were dark forms all around her. She unfocused her eyes and the forms came into detail. It was them Quinarrah and Odai. Odai was sitting on her chest holding her arms down. His mouth was too open to seem real he was inhaling as globes of light came from April’s chest through her throat and out her mouth. Odai would swallow them. Quinarrah was seen too her hands were cupped in front of her while translucent tendrils did the work. On her left a knife stood hovering while other extensions are busy stitching nonsense knots into her mind.

They were talking about the movie The Passion of Christ.

April took a step back from the mirror and another different image emerged. A woman named Ashley was sitting on the bed directly behind her in the dolls house. The apparition got up moved to the mirror.

“You’ll be Dead for seeing me!”

April screamed and flinched her eyes were even closed. Slowly she opened them. She was alone in a room of darkness.

“April...April I know your here...All you gotta do is think of something and I'll hear you, I’ll know where you are.” Quinarrah was stalking her.

April’s fear was so powerful that it blocked out most of her thinking and masked her thoughts. April took a step forward and her head bumped into something and it clanged against something else. Hanging from the ceiling were chains connected to knives and hooks on the end. Once she recognized one of them she could see thousands. Some were clinking together. April could hear her predator moving about trying to find her. It was hard not to hear the sounds of springs bouncing and metal being dragged across the floor. Then there was that knife which was very distinct clicking in then snapping out. April began to move about trying to stay away from this clockwork demon.

Quinarrah tried an old trick she tried to stalk April psychically. Quinarrah changed the sound to her voice to sound like April and her mother.

“April are you here sweetie!?” Quinarrah loves imitating the voices of loved ones. “April sweetie I'm here to take you home.””Your family misses you, I miss you are you hurt darling?” Quinarrah could move those voices faster through the darkness then her own body.

(It’s difficult being the one whos being is stalked because to even think about the fact their using your families voices gives you away.) April’s mother's voice trails off and disappears in the darkness. Next April heard her own voice moving around in the darkness. Using predictive calls to make her answer.

In April's voice…

“I’m so…..(scared...Quinarrah finishes slowly with a hiss.)

“Make it…..(Stop Quinarrah finishes)

“Mo…(Momma April finished the statement)

“There you are…” the whirring once again making her sound very mechanical.

Quinarrah was so close that April could hear the hiss her foot made when it connected with the floor.

Then April remembered something. April actually got it.

April mimicked Ashleys real voice.

In Ashley's voice…

I know the...silence

I know the….silence

I know the...TRUTH Ashley screamed.

Mirrors fell from the ceiling hundreds of them. Each of them dangled from a chain. They were slowly twirling around.

“Clever child very clever. You do show some talent. Too bad it’ll be too late. To bad just like your ancestors you will be cut short.”

April was frantically going from mirror to mirror trying to find the one that this clockwork demon comes from everynight. She did then receive a miracle.

Suddenly information seemed to pour into her mind. Being that she was so young her mind was able to take it all.

She was in her own mind. Each of these mirrors only holds the reflection of someone who stands in front of it. In your mind it's your memory. When someone is remembered or is even being socialized with they stand in front of one of these mirrors. When the person moves one or the\memory is lost they are no longer reflecting in one of the mirrors. The mirrors do not grasp the reflection is always lost.

April had to find the mirror that's holding Ashleys reflection. And only Ashley could lead her there.

Mustering up the courage she yells.

“I’m over here im over here.” April yells

“Smart girl. Know this young one I will take away all the pain.” Ashley menaces.

April began remembering all her friends and family all the way down to the last detail. They all slowly started to appear and recognized April easily. April told all of them to think of me. April knows what her family and friends think of her and since she did so did the apparitions.

Over head a large voice came out of nowhere.

“Part of knowing yourself is knowing what people think about you.”

In seconds there were dozens of April’s voices dancing around. Sometimes you would even see an April hide behind a corner.

“Where are you April I am growing tired of this” Ashley was lunging back and forth smashing

All the mirrors she could. But with each mirror she smashed more voices would come about.

“AAAAARGH Silence.”

You will never be Ashley yelled

“What?’ Said April.

You will never be she repeated

“I didn't hear you…” April responded

You will never be…” and there it was that missing beat as Ashley thinks about herself.

Madelyn moved right behind her. She started to approach her but she slipped.

“You will never understand...Silence.” Ashley was frantically breaking mirrors and pulverizing them into sand. April kneeled. She touched the slippery substance with her hand it was that noxious liquid that oozes out of those two. She followed the trail backwards. Ashleys voice was now in the distance. April was right in front of her mirror. She realized immediately why the mirror always held Ashleys reflection there was a clear red bloodied hand print on it. All the lies deceit torture and death left this incredible stain. A permanent reminder of who she is.

April reached over to one of the chains and pulled it down. The mirror reacted. Hundreds of thousands of images of Ashley torturing the sleeping flew by. A few images hung there in the twilight. When she made her first night and some of the times she strangled children while they slept. Her psychic research always making her stronger while leaving behind her empty husks of thought. Sometimes she even watched how their family reacted. The words began to flow out.

“I’m sorry I can’t stop really your just psychic research think of the benefit that will come to...I guess me.”

“Nobody will ever know we did this. How can they prove it.”

I can’t stop cutting them open I just get to much out of it.”

People are disgusting small insects all looking for someone to control them all.”

“Odai is the Truth Odai is a saint Odai…

April finished whipping the chain around the mirror. “I think Odai needs this…” and she let the chain fly.

The mirror frantically displayed more and more images and thousands of voices were heard. The chain did not listen. The chain hit its target and the mirror exploded into a thousand pieces. When the pieces settled to the floor some had eyes some had voices others just had\images. These shards are now free. Because Ashley is not here anymore the mirror that bound them together is no more.

Ashley the clockwork Ashley just spun into a hundred broken springs. The cogs in her clockwork heart just fell out.

Ashley the one at the top of April’s head looked up.

“Uh oh.” and that was it she exploded into a thousand fireflies and sparks.

On her bed April’s eyes fluttered open.

“No this can't be your asleep!” Odai gasped

He opened his mouth and his toxic venom spewed out. It flew at April but just simply evaporated when it got close.

April raised her hand and Odai wa vaulted off her bed and was pinned against the wall behind him. April sat up and simply addressed him. In this moment she was all of herself past present and future. She witnessed eternity and decided here in this moment at this time is where she wanted to be.

Odai’s flesh was curling back from this unseen pressure. All around the room tulips orchids and lotus blossom bloomed. April’s hair was the color of the rainbow. Her skin was glowing. Directly above her head a circle of fire was rotating.

“All things are in their place and all places have their things. Some things you can’t see through.

Odai the betrayer you have been seen. You shall be banished to 30 seconds in the future. May you always wonder if your present.”

“How is this possible? I am being put into the future how is that a punishment.”

Odai not all judgements come with punishments Somehow you’ve forgotten that. From the perspective of the future you will be able to see God communicating with Man and witness how unreliably Man relates back to him.

Odai explodes and April falls back into her pillow.

This time she wakes up and the sun is coming through the window.

She looks at Clementine picks her up opens a drawer hesitates for a moment and puts her in the drawer.

“Goodnight Clementine” It was time for her to start growing up anyways.

“April... breakfast.” she heard her mother calling and she went out the door

Underneath her bed a turn key rest with nolock.