Arthur and the Djinn: Chapter 9

Chapter 9

Isabelle walked between the large bushes and remembered back to the centre's earlier days. A decade ago, Isabelle marvelled in delight at the topiary and themes. Tall shrubs had always been adorned with lights, tidy hedges would add presence to the perimeter and beautifully carved animals appeared to prance motionless all year round. Children would play with and amongst them. Locals named them. The children spoke to them. Now, the bushes were clipped back, tidy but ordinary and very low maintenance. Now maintained by volunteers the shrubbery no longer boasted its former glory yet the memories always remained.

Isabelle saw glowing lights bobbing ahead in the dark. Other lights streaked across boundaries and up trees. There were Imps here. Why did they leave Queen's Square and why did they come here? Wisps of fog crept, but just barely. What was happening and why? When the Imps ran through the shrubs faint trails of smoke were seen. They carried fire in their tails but the cold greenery held enough moisture to not catch light. It would not be long though. It felt warmer her and it was not likely the weather. The large number of Imps brought warmth like fire travelling through the cold.

'Careful' said Leonard 'Don't let them touch you'.

'What are they doing here?' asked Isabelle, turning to Leonard.

'The darkness grows every day'

Isabelle pointed to an Imp in a bush and looked at the Djinn. The Djinn smiled as frost shot from Isabelle's hand, hitting the Imp, which fell, bursting into ashes. The Imps seemed to quicken in response, as if in a frenzy. While some continued to run with no particular pattern or purpose some had now turned their attention to Isabelle.

'Keep going, dear' said the Djinn. Isabelle paused and thought. The Imps came, disorganised but definite.

Isabelle held up her hand. The Imps stopped, unmoving. Isabelle waved her palm toward her, over and then palm down away from her. The Imps collapsed to ash which swirled outward before coming to fall on the ground.

Isabelle began walking forward towards the clearing at the back of the centre. One at a time some of the shrubs came alight with fire. This seemed to excite the Imps who had been otherwise preoccupied with their own mischief. More Imps came out from the darkness of the unlit areas into the centre's expansive open area. Now with the fire creating it's own light Isabelle saw to the furthermost corners. Imps crawled, darted and whizzed over, through and around the garden gazebo, once a popular location for exchanging vows. The vines that had twined themselves around the supporting beams now beginning to trail smoke skyward.

Isabelle motioned, backhanding towards some of the Imps which collapsed to dust. Motioning with two palms out more Imps paused in their moment. Isabelle made a crushing motion with her hands. Imps crumbled and ash floated in the air.

'We need a whirlwind' said Isabelle to the Djinn, Isabelle's arms outstretched.

A strong wind picks up and blows hard in a circular motion, growing larger in size, slowly drawing in Imps who turn to ash. The wind snuffs out fires in bushes and trees as it expands. The gazebo catches fire but only briefly. The cool wind extinguishes the fire and most of the remaining Imps are swept inside, Isabelle's then dropping her arms to her side. Now dark, a few glowing streaks disappear around the far side of the building as Isabelle runs after them.

Isabelle, now in the loading area and side entrance to the centre looks around, catching her breath, confused and worried. There is a strong smell of sulfur and burnt greenery in the air. Isabelle Looks franticly but is unsure where to go. As her breath slows and and her pulse steadies she notices the music playing from inside. The live band must be finished. Isabelle looks to her left and sees the large wooden double doors a now unused entrance. Several medium size holes are in it's lower parts. The holes are black with scorch marks and pass through to the other side. Isabelle approaches the door, retrieving her key, turning it in the lock. Isabelle pulls hard before trying the key again. Stiff, the doors finally unlatch completely from the lock, groaning as it opens as if in complaint that Isabelle had disturbed time itself. Isabelle enters, leaving the doors wide open and peers around into the darkness. Isabelle found herself in a long dark concrete corridor and began feeling her way along in the darkness.

'Isabelle' said Leonard, to her left 'this way'.

Isabelle walked towards Leonards voice until she found herself stumbling into another large dark room, feeling the flooring change to softness. Carpet. Isabelle could now see the glow of an Imp in the corner. The Imp jumps from wall to floor to ceiling before darting around the room. Isabelle misses as she motions towards it with her hand.

Frustrated, Isabelle rushes towards the Imp grabbing it briefly before quickly letting go. Pain sears up her hands and arms as she cries out in pain. Isabelle looked to the Djinn who heals her but the pain remains. Isabelle held her arms. Leonards silent figure stand motionless, facing her in the partially glowing room. Isabelle doesn't notice fire has already caught light to the furnishings. The Imp runs and jumps over what appears to be a serving counter and into the kitchen which Isabelle had been in prior. Two other glows fly past her, following. A third appears to do the same but continues out the door on the other side to the ballroom where the guests were still being entertained.

'No!'

Isabelle rushes through the kitchen to the ballroom on the other side, stopping on the other side of the door.

Isabelle looks across the floor. People dance, laugh and smile, unaware of the Imp.

Now distracted, Isabelle notices Arthur. Smiling and talking with others, still here. Jen's laugh makes Isabelle shudder. Isabelle began to feel rage at Jen befriending Arthur as she jokes along with him and the others. Isabelle reached for her mobile phone and sent Arthur a text, asking him if he knew what Jen did. From across the room Isabelle watches Arthur check his phone, pausing a moment and then returning it to his pocket before continuing as normal.

'No one cares' whispered Isabelle, shaking her head.

Isabelle now notices there are Imps in the room, more than the one that Isabelle had followed. She watches as they come in the windows and the front entrance. Could no one see them?

'Isabelle?' questioned the Djinn patiently.

'No' said Isabelle quietly. 'I can't.' Isabelle could feel the heat of the flames from the kitchen and carpeted area beyond her back.

'Isabelle!' demanded the Djinn, impatiently.

'No' whispered Isabelle again, walking to the wall on the far side of the hall.

Leonard stood by the fire alarm release as Isabelle broke the glass covering the lever.

'You will be blamed' said Leonard neutrally.

'It doesn't matter' whispered Isabelle, pulling the lever.

Metallic clangs echoed through the building. A woman squealed as an Imp lit up the corner of her dress and smoke began to escape the kitchen from under the door. Screaming, people evacuate as Isabelle turns her back on them and heads upstairs.

Isabelle checks each room in case anyone had been upstairs. A small number of people rush towards her and the way she came.

'Fire' she urges. 'Get outside quick'

The second level became very hot. Isabelle wipes her forehead with her hand as she gets to the last of the rooms, all appearing empty on this level. Isabelle calls out in case there is anyone there. Sound doesn't appear to travel far. She turns around as part of the floor falls in between Isabelle and her doorway to the room. A large rush of air and flames pours into the room from the room downstairs. Isabelle raises an arm to her face, which she turns away. Now unbearably hot she turns to the Djinn as Leonard watches silently.

'Take me outside' said Isabelle, feeling faint.

'I can't take you far, Isabelle' said the Djinn weakly.

'Please' begged Isabelle.

'I want to' said the Djinn, 'but my time has come.'

Isabelle did not understand and could not think of anything to say.

'I cannot recharge. Not here' said the Djinn 'I may perish too.'

Isabelle leaned on the wall behind her. Her breath heavy and silent against the flames. Isabelle breathed as deep as she could, her face upwards towards the ceiling. Isabelle watched the flames as they travelled along the paint and delicate shapes of ceiling. Once beautiful now destroyed. The floor groaned and Isabelle could hear crashing, although not too close.

'Can you take me to the roof?' asked Isabelle weakly.

Isabelle appears on the roof with the Djinn and Leonard. Gasping at the air she takes deep breaths and brings herself to the side of the building and looks over the edge. Pain sears her arms again as she leans against ledge, hot from the heat of the fire. Isabelle cries out in pain again and quickly pulls away. She looks at the Djinn who who frowns sadly.

'What is happening to you?' demands Isabelle weakly, confused.

'Oh Isabelle' said the Djinn. 'I'm sorry that my time has come...... at this time'

'Did you know?' asked Isabelle, in disbelief.

'Yes...' said the Djinn pausing 'I think you did too'

'But we did so much!' begged Isabelle.

'We did so much' smiled the Djinn softly.

'Get us to the trees' said Isabelle, hopeful. 'You can do that from here'

'You will be blamed' said Leonard.

Isabelle remembered the other people. Did anyone see anything? No, not possible. Isabelle remembered Jen and how no one cared.

Now angry, Isabelle yelled 'Lets go'

'Where do you want to go, Isabelle?' asked the Djinn.

'You will be blamed' repeated Leonard.

Isabelle became flared up in anger. Gritting her teeth, coming closer to the Djinn, now face to face.

'I don't care about them' she growled quietly. 'I don't care about me'

'Isabelle,' whispered the Djinn leaning in closely. The Djinn whispers something in Isabelle's ear. The Djinn pulls back and speaks again, this time a little louder and with her hands on Isabelle's shoulders. 'I would always be with you or you with me'

'Choose Isabelle. Make a wish'.

Isabelle and the Djinn face each other. Flames roar around them. Isabelle cries out in pain and into her hands, crying dry hot tears. Isabelle collapses to her knees with her hands to her face, now screaming.

Leonard watches. Silent. Still.