82: The Cost of Doing Business – Pt. 1

“Marcel. Hello. Um…can you open the door?” Marcel grunted, but didn’t move. “Come on. Your master is waiting for me. Are you really going to do this now?” Marcel shrugged then stood more erect. “Wait, are you still mad about me shooting you?”   

“It took 8 hours to dig that bullet out of my shoulder! Every time I got it close to the surface, it burrowed back down again,” he growled before his face turned into a pout.

Victoria snickered and hid it behind a cough. “I’m sorry, Marcel.” He grunted again and repositioned in front of the door. “I am. Really, Marcel. I’m very sorry. I was angry seeing you hit Derrick like that and I…overreacted.”

“‘Overreacted?’ You could have killed me!”

“No, I wasn’t aiming to kill; only wound. But I really am sorry. I wasn’t thinking straight that day; surely you can remember why.” He looked away from her and sighed. “Please?” she gently rested her hand on his bicep and his eyes followed the motion. With a frustrated grumble, he stepped away from the door to allow her inside.

Continue Reading: "82: The Cost of Doing Business – Pt. 1"

81: The Dollhouse – Pt. 3

“Um, excuse me,” Victoria turned to find a group of garden gnomes standing in front of her. “We heard you were a witch. We could use your help.”

“Uh…sure. What…?”

“Our brother has gone missing. He’s been away now for quite some time.” Randy Red spoke with obvious fear in his tone. “Would you please help us find him?”

“Couldn’t someone have come in and purchased him?”

“Oh, no, we’re not for sale.” Amber stated.

“None of you?”

“We’re part of a personal collection of the Warner family. Fred makes one of us each year as a celebration of sorts.” Greg the Green replied.

“Yeah, there’s a big party and everything!” Amber exclaimed.

Continue Reading: "81: The Dollhouse – Pt. 3"