3.38 Such A Success

A mental battle was a new experience for Dena, it felt like the world was disappearing beneath her feet as she found herself following the Lemurians toward the gates. It was scary, she couldn't help herself but question her mental state, it wasn’t just that she was behaving like a sheep, she was flocking with a flock of Lunies, was she under some spell?

         Was it the Love? Was it real Sorcery? Why was it that in spite of Mel's screaming that tore her apart, she kept walking toward the gate? She wanted to save Mel so bad but here she was, abandoning her... Her feet kept plodding towards the ship, she couldn't resist the desire to go, her thoughts were swinging from one precipice to another, preventing her from thinking straight. Why was Mel being sacrificed in this hideous Dog Show? In her gut she knew for sure, this would be a one way trip to Lemuria. Had she completely lost her mind?

         Nepheus noticed her sweaty palms, her wide eyes, he could tell she cared about Mel. Even though he had deliberately wooed her, done his best to win over her heart, he felt a spark of genuine love inside for the struggling goddess. Deep inside he figured she still had some Phoenix embers in need of some fresh kindling, perhaps they were already sparking inside? Would it be strong enough to free her from the darkness that had enslaved her?

         "HE-E-E-E-E-ELP!" Mel screamed louder, begging for someone to rescue her, but no one was authorized to do such a thing, no one knew how, everyone was terrified for their own lives, no one wanted to go near the dogons, how COULD they save her?

         The aribu, huddled up at the back of the bleachers, sat in frozen stupor, unable to look, unable to look away from the dogons, so desperately prying at the bars, whimpering so loudly, so wildly aroused by the sacrificial offering. No one could deny what they saw, Malodon appeared to be in full control, pleased with the show. He waved his arms in time with the drums as if intentionally making Mel scream, as if conducting her heart pounding crescendo… What was this?

         Everyone could see the golden bars gradually giving way, bending as as the beasts grew more aggressive, now howling loudly between growls, desperate to satisfy their hunger, intensified by Mel’s terrifying and desperate vanilla scented screams.

         Atalon clapped wildly as the energy turned so dramatically in his favour, watching the Lunies scurry away like rats was the best thing he had seen all day.

         "HA! Look Malodon!" He pointed toward the entrance, from the stage it was clear to see the Lunies gathering by the gates. "The serpents are SLITHERING AWAY!"

        

         Adon closed the tablet file, feeling defeated again, the feeling that there was something fishy going on was only getting worse. He locked the lab and headed up the stairs, hoping there was still time to catch some exotic fare, but when he stepped out into the late afternoon sun, things had changed. The music had stopped… Screams could now be heard... Was that the dogons howling?

         Concerned, he glanced up at the Villa, only Medena and Hedena were standing on the balcony now... Alarmed, he trotted down the steps toward Main St. The familiar drone of drumming was a stark contrast to the musical interlude that had been, the screams and barks were an ominous development, was this related to the earlier fallout?

         Quickly, he hurried toward the Grand Courtyard, something wasn't right. Main St was still vacant, the only life on the street was Vikkar’s men hauling their gravel carts down to the ship. And when he reached the entrance, the gates were closed and heavily guarded by no other than Bell and his moving box crew.

         "Why are the gates closed?" The screaming and dog barking was perhaps so loud they didn’t hear him. "WHY ARE THE GATES CLOSED?"

         "You have to wait outside" Bell ordered, barely acknowledging him.

         "Let me guess" Adon felt the blaze of rage re-ignite instantly, he wasn't about to let Bell pull rank on him like that. "I have no need to know that information?"

         It took all Bell had to refrain from taking Adon's lights out, his own inner rage had re-ignited too.

         "You want in? Okay, go ahead!" He smiled, opening the gate, calmly. "I'll bend the rules just for you, Brother. Go ahead, go inside! Enjoy the show!"

         Adon hesitated as Bell broke his command.

         "Go on!" Bell waved him in, holding the gate open just enough to let him in.

         Adon backed off, sensing a trap.

         "What's wrong? Are you afraid the dogs will smell the drugs on you?"

         Adon felt his fists clenching, he had to remain calm. "Where's Josh?"

         "In the courtyard watching the Dog Show" Bell gestured for him to enter again.

         "Dog Show?" Adon craned his neck to see inside, but all he could see was the Lemurians approaching the entrance, packed up and looking like they were leaving… Realizing now… It probably wasn't part of the Lunie show...

         "It's okay" he declined, now his bad feeling was looking justified. "I'll just wait outside, like you said." He gestured towards the Lemurians. "Looks like the party's over anyway."

         Bell turned to see the crowd of Lunies approaching the gate, rapidly.

         "Very well then" he snapped, closing the gate. "Your loss!"