The tiny vial is surprisingly heavy. There is some kind of ornate pattern carved on its sides- little pictures of cats and hands? Your eyes are locked on Parker's irresistable gaze, but you can't help but flinch as you taste the nastiness in that vial. Formaldehyde, rotten potato pulp and fox urine, you guess. Worse still is the texture, which manages to be both slimy and powdery as it coats your convulsing tongue. You really want to hurl, even though Parker is watching, but the stuff seems to press itself down your throat. His/Her face is still, but his/her eyes dance. "What was that?" you try to gasp, but all that comes out is "GLAAAAAGGH!" Your throat is numb, and the numbness seems to be spreading to your chest, your face, shoulders... You drop to your hands and knees. Everyone is looking at you, but you don't care. Your body feels like a bag of eels. Parker steps in front of you, "I'll deal with him," he/she says, and hauls you into a bedroom. "Lie down," he/she says gently, "you're going to be fine."
And you seem fine. Who knows how long you were lying there with Parker smoothing your fevered brow, but suddenly you feel...quite grand, actually. You stand up, embarrassed. "Whoa, that was really something," you stammer, wondering if you'll ever hear the end of this little episode. But your voice sounds different, rougher and deeper. You see something move in the corner and your eyes dart to a hulking, ragged spectre standing there. Its eyes shine yellow and deepset in its strange, gaunt face. You and the creature startle one another in the same moment. "GLAAAAGGH!" it screams. Just then, you realize that you're looking at a mirror. You turn to Parker. "Glaagh?" you whimper. "Come on," Parker says, glazing your muddled heart with a winning smile. She takes you by your yellowed, papery claw and leads you right out the window.
He/She leads you through the dark night, all the way to the harbor. There is a strange-looking ship rocking gently on the water. It is long and delicate, and so old that you are astounded that it stays in one piece. Parker gives your claw a squeeze and leads you on board the vessel, into the single, rickety stateroom. Inside, the room looks enormous and luxurious. Rich fabrics adorn the walls and fine golden things are strewn all about. You feel a gentle press against your leg and look down to find a sleek black cat gazing up at you. Parker turns to you with sudden concern. "I hope it's okay," he/she says, "you just seem so nice and I've been so alone for such a long time. This was the only way I could bring you with me." You couldn't be more pleased. "It's wonderful," you grunt in your rough, booming voice. Parker smiles. He/She claps her hands once, and the barque begins to rise up into the air, sailing freely into space...into the sun...into eternity...
The End.
HAPPY HALLOWEEN!
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