Dry - 9

"What do you people want with me?" Monster tried to ask, but it came out "Hmma grar piff, hah?"

 

"Please don't eat me." The fairy said, except… she didn't look like a fairy any more. She looked like a woman in a costume.

 

Could this insanity finally be wearing off?

 

Monster tugged at the sack on his head again. He thought he heard a stitch give, but it still wouldn't budge.

 

He had to figure a way out of this place. Maybe… maybe he could use her to do it. He snatched the woman up by the arm.

 

"My friend…"

 

Monster whirled at the sound of Cazir's voice. At first he didn't see him, but he spotted him floating by a tree.

 

"My friend, there isn't much time."

 

Cazir's English had gotten a lot better. Wait, Monster realized he wasn't speaking English. Whatever it was he could understand the man perfectly.

 

"You were not supposed to wear the sack on your head. You should have had a mask like me. I didn't realize you would have someone with you. We could have observed tonight together in safety."

 

"What?" Monster tried to say.

 

"I'm sorry, my friend, but I do not understand you."

 

Apparently, whatever allowed Monster to understand Cazire wasn't a two-way connection. He gestured for him to continue.

 

"It will be over at midnight. This is tradition in my village. We wear masks and drink the wine and then the spirits inhabit us.

 

"The spirits—while they are inside of us we are immune to death… mostly. But the tradition is meant for us to exact vengeance on the spirits that have wronged us. They are evil. All of them."

 

Evil spirits.

 

"Bahrspah," Monster said.

 

"My friend, it is true. Had your cousin put on his mask he would be safe. As it stands, he is dormant."

 

"Dmah?"

 

"Yes. After midnight he should awaken. Unless…"

 

"Unff?"

 

"Unless something happens to him before he is to awaken."

 

"Ahrr narrrr."

 

Three feet of dirt might do the trick. He had to get back there ASAP.

 

There was noise from the woods. They had to move. He snatched off the woman's purse and dug out her ID.

 

"Hrr," he growled, pointing to the address on her license.

 

"You want me to take you home?" the former fairy said. She put her hand to her chest and fluttered her eyes. "What kind of lady do you think I am?"

 

"Hrr!" Monster screamed.

 

He had to get off the street long enough for this mob to pass him by. He had to get back to Uncle Bill before it was too late.

 

And he needed a drink. He poured the last of the Crème-de Menthe over the burlap sack and tossed it. His head was getting hot again.