Palace of Demons

Authors Note

 

Once upon a time… I bet that’s what you’re expecting, well let’s get this straight right here and now this is NOT some fairy tale. The guy doesn’t always get the girl and all the villains aren’t always slain. In this case though because you may believe this is a simple thing, let me tell you it’s not. Maybe you wish it was, but it isn’t this is a whole new world that has just been created and a whole new chain of events are going to come from this. Life isn’t simple and my stories aren’t either, when I write I put a little piece of me into each story because I care so much.

Prologue

 

Weston, Weston is where I live it’s the town where all your dreams come true… well that’s what they advertise at least. I live in a small cottage over by the woods, a stream is seen in my backyard and it’s very peaceful. I live alone since I moved out at 16 after graduating college, I haven’t really depended on anyone for years. Apparently I am smart seeing as I graduated high school very early. My name’s Marcie, I’m 19 and turning 20 in November. I have blonde hair that’s dyed green at the bottom and crystal blue eyes. Weston is a small quaint town, but people aren’t able to see what I can. There’s a whole other world living in harmony with our own, I believe only I can see it because I traveled into the forest when I first arrived. People claim it’s haunted, but it actually holds the core of the other world.

The First Meeting

-We are all searching for someone whose demons play well with ours

 

I quickly finished up at the bookstore since my shift was over, I high fived Daniel as he took over on his shift.

“Bye Dan,” I stated and received a nod in reply. Dan was a nice guy he has brown hair and brown eyes. He’s 24 and helped me a lot when I first came across this town. As I exited the store I noticed some of the other worlds creatures I smiled and then remembered to use the actual name of their safe haven,

“Clarencia,” I whispered while looking as the adorable creatures heads whipped my way. I waved and continued to walk down the parking lot, I pulled the keys for my truck out of my pocket and climbed in. Some of the creatures, were sitting up front with me, I giggled and patted the goblin’s head. Goblins had to be one of my favorite creatures. Most people thought they were disgusting, but they didn’t know these little guys were adorable and as sweet as pie. I smiled and pushed my thoughts away, I placed the key in the ignition and listen to the gentle roar of the truck.

 

As I soared down the street in my silver truck I noticed some little fluff balls had appeared, I smiled as the coal tars charged happily down the road with me. Suddenly I noticed someone jump out in the street, I immediately slammed on the breaks as the guy just stood there clasping something in his hands. I got out of the truck as fast as possible,

“You shouldn’t jump in the road like that! You okay?” I asked while clasping my chest, trying to even out my breathe.

“Huh? Oh yeah I’m alright, sorry…” he stated in a way that was gesturing for my name.

“Sorry, but I don’t give my name out to just anyone, what are you holding by the way?” I asked curiously.

“Oh okay then and I’m holding a fluff ball, see?” He stated and unclenched his hands. My face paled as I saw the poor coal tar trapped in his grasp.

“If it’s just a fluff ball why don’t you let go?” I asked, while trying not to freak out. I noticed we had moved to the side of the road and he said,

“I…. Wait most people can’t even see the fluff. You see it too?” He asked in shock.

“Yes I do. Now please let her go she’s struggling to breathe,” I stated and stepped forward.

“Alright, sorry little guy…” he whispered and released the poor coal tar. I slowly stepped away carefully retreating to my truck.

 

“Hey wait!” He called as I opened the truck’s door. I didn’t even glance at him before jumping in the truck and slamming the door shut. I quickly hit the lock button and turned the key, starting the ignition. The goblin could detect my fear and came over to nuzzle it’s large head on my lap. I gave a small smile and patted him before slamming my foot on the gas peddle. I maneuvered around the man and took off to my home.

Talking Forevermore

-I never learn anything when talking, only when I ask questions

 

As I pulled into my driveway and was about to shut the door of my truck I looked at the goblin. I smiled and picked him up, then I shut the door and locked my truck. Then I struggled to open the door to my house, after finally getting it open I sat the goblin on the floor and collapsed onto the couch.

“Clarencia,” I whispered again with my eyes closed. Suddenly the world was filled with the voices of all the tiny creatures.

“Marcie!” The goblin cheered.

“What’s up Scar? I asked and pulled my head up.

“Who was that guy, the one crushing Poppy?” He asked worriedly.

“I’m not sure Scar, he didn’t mean to hurt her I can tell that much. I think he’s new to this way of living,” I responded and stretched, waking myself up in the process.

“Oh okay imma go take a nap then,” he replied and climbed into the dog bed that sat in the corner. I smiled and stood up, grabbing my keys and phone.

I shut the door quietly and quickly locked it before running into the forest. I followed the markings, that would be invisible to normal people, down to my favorite hiding place. I climbed the tree with my abnormal gloves, these gloves were black and purple. They could stick to anything, making them the perfect climbing partner.

“Now that I think about it these gloves could just be an illusion and I’m doing the actual climbing myself,” I mumbled to myself, contradicting life as always. Anyways as I made it to the correct branch, I stood on it and hopped to the next tree, landing inside my own treehouse. The tree house had been here for years, though it’s hard for normal people to reach.

“I’m stuck alone some more,

and people need to stop listening to folk lore,

because it just strangles the truth killing everything that really exists,

It takes this world and places messes into it,

there’s nothing good and nothing bad,

only things that make you sad,

everything is new and everything this old,

but not all friendships are made of gold,

things are crazy,

but everyone’s too lazy,

no one cares anymore,

the truth doesn’t always lead to the core,”

I sang while sitting on the window ledge. As I stared at the ground I heard a thud near the entrance to the treehouse. I whipped my head around and saw the guy from before, his black hair blowing on the wind and his shining emerald eyes.

“Was that you singing?” He asked.

“Um… yeah. First of all why do you care? Second of all why are you here?” I asked while slipping my legs out the window, ready to jump if needed.

“I care because I do and I’m here cause you wouldn’t let me talk back there,” He stated and approached a chair. As he flopped down on the grey bean bag I just stared.

“I don’t bite come on over!” He called.

“Alright speak!” I demanded as I landed on the purple fluffy chair.

“I’ve never interacted with these creatures before and that fluffy thing brushed up against me. I… I don’t know why, but I chased it and then caught it as I jumped in front of your truck. Thankfully you stopped otherwise you’d kill the fluff and me,” He stated while sighing.

“First off that creature is called a coal tar, her name is poppy. Second of all you were most likely compelled to chase it because it touched you. Third of all if I see something jump in front of my truck, no matter what it is I stop….” I trailed off. He blinked and then stated,

“How do you know the gender and name?” He asked surprised.

“You can’t hear them huh? You need to visit the core…” I mumbled.

“What was that?” He asked confused.

“Follow me!” I cheered and then jumped out the window.

 

Explaining Life

-Life isn’t about finding yourself, it’s about creating yourself

 

I latched onto another tree’s lower branch, pulling myself up with what little experience I had. The guy looked down at me and shouted,

“ARE YOU CRAZY!”

“It’s always been a possibility!” I stated quietly. He sighed and sat on the ledge of the window. With one swift push he flew through the air, arms stretched out ready to grasp the tree’s branch. I moved over as his hands collided with the tree, I stuck out my hand to help. Only to have him push it away and perfectly push himself up.

“Ready?” I asked, as I grew closer to the end of the branch. He gave a nod and I trusted myself onto the next branch, not looking back I continued to hop from tree to tree.

The only sign that he’s was there was the faint huffing, from him catching his breathe.

“You alright?” I asked as he landed beside me. He held his hand out one finger held up, noticing he needed a minute I took a seat.

“Where are we going? How are you not out of breathe?” He asked with surprise hinting in his voice.

“We are going to the core. I do this for fun everyday and I was in gymnastics when I was little,” I replied and stretched my arms out. He nodded, then gave a thumbs up signaling he was ready. I smiled and once again began jumping from branch to branch.

After traveling for ten minutes or so, thanks to the guy, we arrived at the core. I smiled and took a deep breathe in, letting my sorrow flood out.

“Welcome to the core, also known as Clarencia!” I announced happily as the voices from the creatures flooded into my skull.

“I can hear them?!” He stated in surprise.

“Yep by the way…. What’s your name?” I asked stupidly.

“Oh it’s Trey,” he replied and continued to stare at the creatures who are also known as demons.

“Okay Trey I’m Marcie, nice to officially meet ya,” I stated and held out my arm for a handshake. He accepted my handshake and then asked,

“How is this possible?”

“Who knows it could be a figment of our imaginations or we could be mentally unstable. It’s also possible that this is all a dream and this is fake or maybe were in comas. It’s possible our brains have somehow mind linked as well, but who knows,” I stated and shrugged. He looked at me with wide eyes and was about to speak, but I shushed him.

“Don’t speak don’t try to speak, just take it all in. Don’t think too much, just let your mind wander. Nothing matters when you’re at the core,” I said and took a seat on an old log, he soon then followed in suite.

 

Chasing Away Sanity

-Sanity is a cozy lie

 

After a half hour he finally adjusted to hearing the voices.

“How long have you been able to hear them?” He asked. I shrugged my shoulders and stated,

“About three years. As soon as I arrived here I entered the forest and found a slip of paper saying Clarencia. I read the name out loud like in every classic horror story and this happened.” He looked at me and poked my shoulder, gaining a smile as he did.

“Have you interacted with any of them?” He asked a small amount of carefulness hidden in his tone.

“I’ve interacted with the goblins, coal tars, kitsunes, cat sidhe, reapers, greenman, and a few more types,” I responded with a yawn.

“Follow me,” I stated and stood up. He gave a nod and followed as I began to walk through the woods.

As we arrived upon my cottage I pulled the keys from my pocket.

“One thing to warn you about, beware of my goblin Scar…” I said out of nowhere.

“Alright,” he replied as the door clicked open. After he walked in I shut the door and ran to my couch. Then performed a front flip, landing with my feet balanced on the cushions. He applauded with a smile,

“AND THE CROWD GOES WILD!!! The judges are holding up their scores and what do you know 10, 10, and 10!!!” He cheered goofily. I laughed as plopped down the on couch, suddenly a ball of green and red flew its way onto my lap.

“Clam down Scar! I’m sorry we didn’t mean to scare you,” I whispered and slowly rocked my little friend.

“Hehehehehe… TAG YOU’RE IT! He screamed. My worried face then dissipated as an evil grin approached.

“Scar~ what happens when we play tag?” I cooed. His smile faded and took off running into the kitchen. My neck cracked into place as I turned my head towards Trey.

“Have a seat while I deal with this,” I commanded and stood up beginning to walk out of the room.

Scar was cornered standing in the kitchen with fear in his eyes. I dove straight him, catching him in my arms.

“Tag~ you’re it,” I whispered and carried him to the living room. I brew the goblin on the couch and began to gently tickle his belly. I heard someone clear their throat and I gasped,

“Trey I’m so sorry I forgot all about you! I have no clue what came over me.”

“Heh it’s fine not the worst thing that’s ever happened,” he responded with a yawn.

“That’s good… I guess. I’m what time is it anyways?” I asked curiously.

“Around 11:19,” Trey responded tiredly.

“I have a guest room, you can spend the night if you want,” I told him with a straight face.

“If it’s not too much of a bother,” he responded somewhat happily.

After I  showed him where he’d sleep, I waltzed down the hall into the bathroom. Soon enough I was done with my shower and realized I forgot my clothes in my bedroom. I opened the door and peeked out into the hallway, taking a few quick glances I sprinted into my room. I quickly changed into shorts and a tank top and hopped into my bed smiling as Scar came to cuddle with me.