Mr. Faire's Scarebrooke (special preview)

“Oh now, now,” Bram comes back towards me. “That is why I came to you. I remember your act, it was beautiful. You were beautiful.” He goes to touch me, but recoils his hands. “I wanted to offer you the role of the ballerina in the music box again.”

I scowl up at him. “But in your creepy little horror show!” I jab at his chest with my finger. It feels hollow, like I’m only stabbing at a shirt, but I don’t quite put this together. “I wouldn’t be a beautiful dancer there. I’d be some freaky sideshow attraction!”

“Key word there is attraction,” Bram smirks. 

I snarl and shake my fists at him. “I have no desire to be something so ooky and spooky! I’m a Doll! I’m supposed to be something beautiful and graceful and-”

“You can still be all those things,” Bram’s voice is smooth and low. “Beauty can be haunting. You’ve haunted me for years.” He clasps his hand over his chest. “Those Button Eyes  have been my demons and my prayers.”

I give him a scowling, dirty look.

“Even now when you look at me with despise.” He takes off his hat and bows low before me. “You would do me a great honor by bringing your talent and elegance into the Neighborhood.” He then stands erect again. “Your talents are going to waste filling up claw machines and giving out fake fortunes.”

I glance into the claw machine, seeing the stuffed animals have shifted some and others have toppled over. I sigh and look at the ground before I look up at Bram and try to see beyond his thick bangs that cover his face. 

“Let me think on it,” I grumble. 

Bram claps his hands together. “Oh, wonderful! You have no idea how happy you’ve made me. A thinking woman is a glorious woman.”

I give him another once over. “Calm down, I’ve not said anything to give you such high hopes.”

“Oh, but you’ve said many things to lighten my mood and put the spring in my step,” he grins. “How about you come over to my place for tea tonight? Even if you’ve made up your mind, I still want to tell you plans and dreams for the music box.”

“Well-” I mutter. I want to turn it down, but I also want to make sure my music box isn’t going to be turned into something stupid. 

“You’ve never been to the Neighborhood, have you?” Bram’s mouth hangs open in shock. “That’s right! You never have! Then I must insist on a tour.” He lays his hands over his heart. “Tonight, I’ll show you all of the Neighborhood of Nightmares and I’ll prove to you once and for all it is a place deserving of your music box, as well as your gifts!”

“Calm down, damn,” I huff. I rub my temple. “Ok, fine. I’ll come.”