Keeping Fantasia: The Third Book of the Fantasia Series

Chapter 132: Bite Me

Chapter 132: Bite Me

"Um..." Dolores was the first to speak. "We don't talk about Bruno."

The Madrigals all nodded. Although Wendy wasn't close enough to touch their shadows, she could sense their fear. Even Mirabel was struggling to hold the portrait steady.

Wendy studied the man in the picture. Bruno was older, perhaps in his forties, smiling shyly behind thick, curly bangs. He seemed a meek person, and Wendy found herself commiserating with the sadness in his eyes.

She looked at Mirabel. "What do you mean Bruno is like me?"

Mirabel opened her mouth, but Tinkerbell snatched the portrait.

"Some people will do anything to get on camera, won't they? Poor Uncle Bruno kidnapped by Oogie Boogie! Seriously, Four Eyes..."

Tinkerbell tossed the portrait. The glass shattered. "You couldn't think of a better story? Everyone knows Oogie Boogie is fake --- "

"No he's not!"

Angrily, Mirabel collected the broken frame. She looked over her shoulder, begging her family for help.

"Oogie Boogie kidnapped our Uncle Bruno two years ago! It was Halloween, the only time our abuela let him leave the house! The villagers were afraid of him, but Halloween was special. He could blend in, he was part of the holiday magic, and all he wanted to do was pass out tons of candy! But after sunset, someone knocked on our door and yelled trick or treat! Bruno answered and I saw this huge monster – "

"Oogie Boogie – " Tinkerbell said, glancing worriedly into the audience. "Is a fantasy, created by King Arthur. It's a scare tactic to make Fantasians think we need his protection – "

"But I saw him!" Desperately, Mirabel spun to the cameras. "Listen to me! He's real – I swear – I saw him! Oogie Boogie came to my house – he kidnapped my uncle – Oogie Boogie is out there and he will kidnap anyone!"

She turned to Wendy. "Uncle Bruno had powers. He could see our nightmares, he could sense our fears. The villagers said Oogie Boogie came for him because he could control shado –"

"Oogi boogie is a myth!" Tinkerbell shrieked, almost in hysterics. "There is no proof that he exists –"

"Are you kidding me!?" Mirabel jumped up and down, hands on her head. "There's butt loads of proof! That's the whole reason Jak Triton is in Gatorade commercials! Jak is famous for rescuing the King's nephew and the fox kids from Oogie Boogie!"

"He also happens to be in the military, sworn to blind obedience!" Tinkerbell placed an erect finger on her crotch. "Wink, wink yes Your Majesty, I can pretend to see a fake monster if you increase my rank and make me famous."

Ariel straightened. "My son wouldn't lie, Tinkerbell!"

"She's right!" Mirabel was emphatic. "They don't just give Gatorade commercials to anybody!"

"We've seen Jak's evidence first hand." Ariel raised her voice. "Including video footage of Oogie Boogie himself, which – by the way – is way more evidence than we had during the Battle to Take Fantasia. The first time we saw those villains was at a school dance, after the first attack – "

"Or did you forget?" sneered Ariel. "Because, you know, you ultimately joined them."

"Daaaaamn." The Madrigals hummed.

Tinkerbell clenched her jaw.

"Like mother, like son." she said. "Nothing that you or your son say is credible because you are puppets to the king. And as for you – "