A Normal Life

config.header.center : "" config.header.left : "[[The Truth About Dark Magic|https://krelig.com]]" config.header.right : "[[A Normal Life|tadm04]]" config.footer.left : "Copyright 2024 Viktor Krelig" -- [align center] __I__ [continue] I couldn’t decide what was worse: the chunk of wet ceiling spread across the floor of my waiting room or that the management company sent Walter to fix the leak. They could have sent any of their dozen maintenance workers and it wouldn’t have bothered me. But instead they sent one of the five adult children of the company’s elderly and superstitious owner. Like all of her children, he searched and schemed for a reason to kick me out. Their effort inevitably gravitated toward attempting to prove my paranormal investigation business was defrauding the public. I did not enjoy interacting with any of them. However, out of the five, Walter had the slight redeeming quality of being the least talkative. Walter chewed like there was something bitter in his mouth. It was a cue I had come to recognize that he was preparing to speak. Perhaps he experienced some physical discomfort when he spoke and that could explain why he doesn’t talk as much as his siblings. I’ve never asked. Not out of lack of curiosity, I just don’t want to talk to the guy anymore than I have to. “You think a ghost did this?” Walter paced out his syllables. People who use the slow rate of his speech as a yardstick to measure his intellect learn the hard way that he’s a brilliant, albeit unlicensed, engineer. Well, brilliant for every other tenant except me. But that was probably because he wanted me to find a new place with a different landlord. “No, Walter, I think water did this.” [[Back |tadm04]] [[Next |tadm04.01.02]]

config.header.center : "" config.header.left : "[[The Truth About Dark Magic|https://krelig.com]]" config.header.right : "[[A Normal Life|tadm04]]" config.footer.left : "Copyright 2024 Viktor Krelig" -- [align center] __II__ [continue] The light in Igraine’s eyes gave away her private enjoyment of the new information that I was at one time, a long time ago, married. She couldn’t stop smiling while she entered Dolly’s contact info into her phone. It was as if her mind was celebrating, but her smile made it clear that the party was invite only. Her innocent gesture tugged at my doubts. I was uncomfortable sending anyone to Dolly for help, especially someone who came to me looking for assistance. But more than that, I was bothered with the realization that Dolly could be helpful, at all. Dolly’s career choice was weirder than my own. But I get it. Becoming a post-paranormal life consultant was her way of getting back at me after I dragged her so far into this life that there was no escape. Before she met me, she hadn’t seen anything paranormal, and she just wanted to go back to the way things were when the world made sense to her. The only successful step she made on that journey was leaving me. She couldn’t figure out that next step, so she decided to dedicate her life to help others return to what society considered everyday life, in hopes of one day finding it for herself. I told myself one more time that it made sense to volunteer Dolly’s information, but that didn’t straighten out any of the knots my gut had twisted into. It isn’t right that the world rejects what people have experienced. On some level, the world needs to change, but that’s not going to happen on its own. I’m not going to put that burden on Igraine. She can figure it out herself if she’s so inclined. [[Back |tadm04.01.10]] [[Next |tadm04.02.02]]

config.header.center : "" config.header.left : "[[The Truth About Dark Magic|https://krelig.com]]" config.header.right : "[[A Normal Life|tadm04]]" config.footer.left : "Copyright 2024 Viktor Krelig" -- [align center] __III__ [continue] Dolly agreed to meet Igraine for breakfast later that morning at Bunny’s Bright & Right Breakfast Café, a trendy morning place downtown where obsessive morning people like to harvest rays of sunshine and talk about how they’re better than the rest of us. A bit too energetic for my tastes, and most of the locals too, who simply call the place “Bunny’s.” Igraine was the first of the two to arrive. Bunny’s greeted her with the aroma of freshly ground coffee beans and the sight of perky perma-smiles. A bell over the door announced her arrival. The walls had a chunky grain texture covered in chipper yellow paint. Replicas of old knickknacks nailed to the walls next to black-and-white photographs gave the two-year-old café a fresh vintage feel that corporate chains aspire to evoke. Bunny’s was full but not crowded, loud but not noisy enough to drown out jingling from the bell over the entrance. It was late for their patrons, and more people were finishing their meal than starting one. Everyone seemed to be in their Founding Day red, white, and gold. And toting their new plastic New Carissimi flags with the same color scheme. Predominately red, some white and gold accents. The red is a specific shade named “Beloved Red,” and the gold is used to portray a pincer, which originated from the shape of the New Carissimi coast-line. Igraine’s only two choices were a booth that offered some privacy or a table that would have been better used in a kindergarten classroom. And since she wasn’t five years old, she slid into the booth and had an eye on the door. Waiting for Dolly. She double-checked that the parade route did not go through the street Bunny’s was on, but it was close to the staging area for the start, and she could catch glimpses of people in their costumes running to find their assigned locations. The parade wouldn’t start for another half hour. She’d be stuck here for a while, so she considered ordering a larger meal, skipping lunch, then having an early dinner. She had skipped breakfast, and it didn’t take much effort to convince herself to order a larger meal. [[Back |tadm04.02.02]] [[Next |tadm04.03.02]]

config.header.center : "" config.header.left : "[[The Truth About Dark Magic|https://krelig.com]]" config.header.right : "[[A Normal Life|tadm04]]" config.footer.left : "Copyright 2024 Viktor Krelig" -- [align center] __IV__ [continue] Questioning reality was something Igraine had done so many times she should have been more comfortable with it. Instead, she stared at the empty bench where Dolly had been sitting. Had her life become more complicated? Was there any way she could put her life together? Some way she could feel more like her old self, without causing more harm? The waiter arrived and set down Dolly’s order and then Igraine’s, saying, “Here’s your Cloudy Morning with Oinks-ies on the side.” Igraine blinked out of her confusion and looked up at him. He was waiting with his pad out and his pen ready. “Is there there was anything else you’ll be needing?” “No thanks, two meals is plenty for me.” The comment flew over his head, and he replied with a chipper, “Okay then, have a fantastic day!” and tore the bill from the pad and placed it on the table. She picked it up and mumbled, “Sunshine and freaking rainbows.” The bill was snatched out of her hand, and Dolly slid back into her vacant spot. On instinct, Igraine started to object, but Dolly beat her to the punch whispering, “I’ve got that.” Dolly slouched down, trying to keep her big hair below the booth’s tall back. Then she added, “But first I need you to do me a favor.” Igraine raised her eyebrows, but otherwise held still. “A man is going to come in here—” The bell above the door jingled and Dolly shook her head, whispering, “Don’t look.” [[Back |tadm04.03.10]] [[Next |tadm04.04.02]]

config.header.center : "" config.header.left : "[[The Truth About Dark Magic|https://krelig.com]]" config.header.right : "[[A Normal Life|tadm04]]" config.footer.left : "Copyright 2024 Viktor Krelig" -- [align center] __V__ [continue] They were out on the street before Igraine managed to get any words out. The late summer humidity hit her before an oncoming tuba player did. “Watch it, lady,” he said as he ran off to find his marching band. She was about to issue him a stern “WTF! You’re the one who’s running with a tuba!” when the breeze off the ocean brushed lightly against her cheeks. It didn’t smell good, but it momentarily swept away the sticky heat. It was just enough to give her a moment of clarity until she remembered she was standing closer to danger than she was to safety. Panic began to rise. She looked around for Dolly, and almost lost her within the crowd of people dressed in red trying to get to the parade grounds in time. It was her enormous blonde hair that gave her away. Igraine sprinted to catch up and called out to her. Dolly straightened up a bit, but didn’t change her pace or even look back. Dolly crossed an intersection with the crowd, and the light changed to Don’t Walk, before Igraine could follow. She promptly stopped at the corner as the light changed and car traffic flowed. All the drivers were eager to get out of the area before the parade started and cut them off from their destinations. The farther Dolly walked away, the faster Igraine’s feeling of abandonment grew. She fought back, determined that whatever service or assistance Dolly had to offer, she no longer wanted it. She wanted to let Dolly walk away. But Igraine did not like unanswered questions, and she had too many for her to stay put. [[Back |tadm04.04.07]] [[Next |tadm04.05.02]]

config.header.center : "" config.header.left : "[[The Truth About Dark Magic|https://krelig.com]]" config.header.right : "[[A Normal Life|tadm04]]" config.footer.left : "Copyright 2024 Viktor Krelig" -- [align center] __VI__ [continue] The subway car rocked gently back and forth, and the only thing that could be heard over the rhythmic clicking of the wheels on the track was Igraine’s stomach. She avoided Dolly’s offended gaze and tried to shush the noises inside her. When she looked up, Dolly was still staring at her, expecting an explanation. Igraine defended, “What? I never got a chance to eat at the Bright & Right Café.” “Bunny’s,” Dolly corrected. “Whatever, and then I had to chase you down. So, ya, my stomach’s a little vocal at the moment.” “Well, when we get off at our stop, you can go get food, while I talk to my contact.” “So you can run away again? Stop trying to ditch me!” The words came out louder than Igraine had intended, and she surveyed the train car, but none of the scattered people seemed to care. Dolly spoke at a volume that required Igraine to lean in. “This isn’t your problem.” “I don’t know this life. I’ve got to learn how to protect myself and who to protect myself from.” Dolly’s phone vibrated from inside her purse. Igraine nodded that she should take it. “I’ll just let it go to voicemail.” “No, just take it now.” Dolly pulled out the phone and answered. “Hello, Sundrop… Oh hold on now… we need to get that donkey back in the hen house…” [[Back |tadm04.05.06]] [[Next |tadm04.06.02]]

config.header.center : "" config.header.left : "[[The Truth About Dark Magic|https://krelig.com]]" config.header.right : "[[A Normal Life|tadm04]]" config.footer.left : "Copyright 2024 Viktor Krelig" -- [align center] __VII__ [continue] The “Bear’s Den,” or officially “11th Street Station” was a hub for several lines and normally packed with crowds of commuters switching trains, but at this time on Founding Day, it was the slowest one could possibly see it. That meant all the mosiacs of Giusseppe “the Bear” Bruno, an early New Carissimi settler, confronting an aggressive bear were in full view. Igraine had never seen them without being obstructed by rushing commuters trying to make their transfer. The mosaics were a tactful protest against renaming Bruno Boulevard to 11th Street in the 1920s when all the through streets were renamed to numbers. They also inspired citizens to take matters into their own hands and sticker over any signs labeled 11th Street. No one I know called the street by either name. Most won’t acknowledge it or refer to it by any other name than “Bear Boulevard” and the subway station by Library Market Square as “the Bear’s Den.” “Oh honey, don’t look too long at those murals,” Dolly said to Igraine. “You’ll wind up like Viktor convinced there’s a ghost of a bear walking the subway tunnels.” “Wait, that’s not an urban legend?” “Viktor has a bad habit of chasing things that don’t lead anywhere. That’s what I’m trying to keep you from doing.” Then she started walking at a pace that lacked the frantic energy earlier. “C’mon now.” Igraine wondered if the rush had really been to catch the train, but those ran every few minutes. Unless it was different on Founding Day? [[Back |tadm04.06.03]] [[Next |tadm04.07.02]]

config.header.center : "" config.header.left : "[[The Truth About Dark Magic|https://krelig.com]]" config.header.right : "[[A Normal Life|tadm04]]" config.footer.left : "Copyright 2024 Viktor Krelig" -- [align center] __VIII__ [continue] They left Library Market Square with the Butcher’s black metal ring and specific instructions on how it should be used to make someone forget. Complete with magic phrase and all. Dolly complained, “This is the dumbest idea.” Igraine said, “Well, you didn’t have any ideas.” “So what? This isn’t about you.” “Burton threatened the two of us, and now I might be on his list of people he considers fair game.” Dolly tugged at her elbow and looked her square in the eye and spoke without a noticeable accent. “Not if you put this all behind you.” Igraine did not take this suggestion well. After all, she had come to Dolly for help in returning to normalcy. Somehow, Igraine remained civil. “Can’t exactly do that, now can I.” Dolly’s voice returned to the sweetened drawl, “Sure you can, darling,” and then she held out her hand with the black metal ring. “All you have to do is forget it ever happened.” That morning, Igraine had set out to find a way to escape from a past that involved magic. Two types of magic, to be specific. The first kind was an unknown magic that had subjected her close friend to a gruesome and deadly curse. The second kind was dark magic, which offered an immediate benefit but involved an obligation to do something terrible. [[Back |tadm04.07.10]] [[Next |tadm04.08.02]]

config.header.center : "" config.header.left : "[[The Truth About Dark Magic|https://krelig.com]]" config.header.right : "[[A Normal Life|tadm04]]" config.footer.left : "Copyright 2024 Viktor Krelig" -- [align center] __IX__ [continue] The trip from Library Market Square was a long one. The official parade had ended, but the streets were filled with inebriated pedestrians, which backed up traffic worse than the parade. They found the door to my office locked. Igraine tried to convince the knob that it was unlocked by turning it in quick succession. When it didn’t work, she said, “Oh no, don’t tell me he went home for the day.” I had not left. I was sitting at my desk, and in the seat across from me was a guest. We tried to ignore the knocking. I figured it was Walter, who had finally returned to do the work he had set out to do this morning. It was a 50/50 chance his solution would do more harm than good, so I was content to let him think the office was closed for the day. I extended my hand across the cluttered tanker desk and waited for my guest to place the item we had been discussing in my open palm. The knocking continued, this time with the voice of a woman shouting to get my attention. I tilted my head toward my guest, looked down at my hand, then back to him. He took the hint and relinquished the item. I took the silver necklace with the turquoise ornament and placed it in the inside jacket pocket of my second-hand sports jacket. Then I excused myself to see who was at the door of the suite. I made sure to close the door to my office after I stepped into the waiting room. With the blinds into the office shut, my guest would have a good chance of remaining unnoticed. And if the visitor were like to figure out someone was in there, they at least would be able to keep their anonymity. Not everyone likes to admit they hire a paranormal investigator. [[Back |tadm04.08.04]] [[Next |tadm04.09.02]]

config.header.center : "" config.header.left : "[[The Truth About Dark Magic|https://krelig.com]]" config.header.right : "[[A Normal Life|tadm04]]" config.footer.left : "Copyright 2024 Viktor Krelig" -- [align center] __X__ [continue] I returned to the office much later than I intended. The other suites in the building were closed for the night. All their lights were out, and I presumed their doors were locked, as well. Just like mine should have been. Instead, it was cracked open. In dangerous situations, people are said to respond in fight or flight behavior. It’s like nobody ever considered freezing as a perfectly normal instinct. But then again, maybe the ones who freeze like me never really earn the title of survivor. My panic faded when I heard Walter’s slow voice carry into the hallway. “What time will he be back?” Igraine muffled an answer back through a mouth full of food. “I don’t know, he said he’d be here when I came back.” “Not surprised,” replied Walter. I stepped into the suite. “Sorry about that, but I’m here now.” Igraine was sitting on the worn-out green couch along the wall, with a fast food burger in her hand and the grease-stained bag on the coffee table. Walter had a folding ladder out, and at the sight of me, started to climb up. Almost like he was waiting for me to get started on his work. It was my turn to throw him a suspicious glance. Igraine finished chewing and asked, “Are you all here?” “Don’t think I dropped any part of me on my trip.” She was relieved and took another bite of food. “How’d you get back so fast anyway?” “Bernie is fearless. And it’s kinda like he knows where all the speed traps are.” [[Back |tadm04.09.08]] [[Next |tadm04.10.02]]

config.header.center : "" config.header.left : "[[The Truth About Dark Magic|https://krelig.com]]" config.header.right : "[[A Normal Life|tadm04]]" config.footer.left : "Copyright 2024 Viktor Krelig" -- I had spent the night on the cot in my office and found the mess in the waiting room after the sound of dripping woke me up. It was a miracle it missed the vacant receptionist desk, as any damage to the original furnishings would have caused problems with my lease. Walter stood with the posture of a tree. His eyes gazed everywhere except for the ceiling and where it landed. From my office, the digital alarm clock sounded at a volume so loud it felt like it was compensating for all the times it never went off. “That a smoke detector?” “Walter, I’ll take care of the alarm clock. I need you to focus on the leak.” I turned away and walked into the office where the digital clock rested on my vintage metal tanker desk. The whole suite was frozen in time, as per the conditions of my controversial lease. I flicked the switch on the clock off, but it kept going. I tried again without any luck. I grabbed the cord and yanked the plug out of the wall. Of course this was the one time the battery inside had enough charge to keep the alarm going. I picked up the heavy book of Arthurian legends I had been reading last night and whacked the alarm clock with the tome. It made one final pathetic beep before it went silent for good. There was a brief moment of serenity in the fresh silence and I was about to breathe it in but Walter startled me. “You sleep here?” He stood in the doorway to the office and pointed to the cot with the mismatched blankets. He could move fifty times faster than he could talk, but only if I wasn’t looking. [[Back |tadm04.01.01]] [[Next |tadm04.01.03]]

config.header.center : "" config.header.left : "[[The Truth About Dark Magic|https://krelig.com]]" config.header.right : "[[A Normal Life|tadm04]]" config.footer.left : "Copyright 2024 Viktor Krelig" -- “I’m between apartments. You know how it is in the city.” Not only was I between apartments but I was also between cases, which would be necessary to pay rent. “Nah, I just fix things. Family takes care of the business stuff.” The sound of water dripping from the ceiling as he spoke was more disturbing than the alarm clock had been. Why couldn’t they have sent someone else over, just this one time? I don’t blame Walter or his siblings, even if their antics irritate me. Their mother hired me to look into the haunting of this unit, only there was no haunting. I was upfront about it, but then she insisted I use the space. When I said I couldn’t afford the rent, she waived it. When it comes to hauntings, most people will go to great lengths to deny the evidence. No matter how obvious it is. She, on the other hand, denied the lack of evidence. She wanted or needed to know this particular office was haunted. In between the sound of dripping water, a young woman’s voice called from the waiting room. “Mr. Krelig? Are you in?” I glanced at the calendar on the desk to confirm there was nothing scheduled for today. The fact that it was on the wrong month didn’t matter at the moment. I grabbed my latest second hadn’t sports jacket from the back of my desk chair and walked past Walter. “Excuse me.” The slender young woman held two cups from a local coffee shop and was captivated that walls of the waiting area were lined with overflowing bookcases. The contents of which was a concern for my plumbing problems second only to the furniture. If the leak got worse, the books would be difficult to replace if they were ruined. Without looking at me, she said, “That’s a lot of books.” [[Back |tadm04.01.02]] [[Next |tadm04.01.04]]

config.header.center : "" config.header.left : "[[The Truth About Dark Magic|https://krelig.com]]" config.header.right : "[[A Normal Life|tadm04]]" config.footer.left : "Copyright 2024 Viktor Krelig" -- “Can I help you?” She turned, revealing her face, and said, “I know it’s early, but I was hoping I could get to you before you had any appointments.” Walter laughed without modesty. The woman had long, straight brown hair, and sunshine radiated from her face, but I recognized a familiar gloom to her voice. She handed me one of the cups. “I brought you some coffee too. If I remember correctly, you drink it black.” I nodded my head, trying to force a memory that wouldn’t surface. It was an effort that I failed to conceal. “You don’t remember me, do you?” “I can’t place you, if that’s any different.” “I’m Igraine, Avalon’s roommate. From, you know…” “Wow, you’ve changed!” I said with too much enthusiasm. The last time I had seen her, she had been struggling with insomnia and hadn’t left her apartment in months. She smiled with ease when before it took considerable effort. “Amazing what some sleep, decent food, and much needed self-care can do for a person.” “It’s only been, what, six weeks?” “Closer to six months.” “I can’t believe I didn’t recognize you.” Walter crept into our conversation. “You hired this ghost doctor?” he asked with heavy skepticism. [[Back |tadm04.01.03]] [[Next |tadm04.01.05]]

config.header.center : "" config.header.left : "[[The Truth About Dark Magic|https://krelig.com]]" config.header.right : "[[A Normal Life|tadm04]]" config.footer.left : "Copyright 2024 Viktor Krelig" -- “Not really. Um, is your ceiling ok?” “Any time a ceiling is on the floor, it is not ok,” I responded and then looked at Walter, who gave me a vacant stare. I nodded in the direction of the door to the hallway out of the office. He massaged his jaw. “Ya ya ya. I’ll go check the unit above,” and then made his way to the door. “On the way there, could you” —Walter slammed the door—“turn off the water?” Igraine took in the scene and said, “Hope you don’t lose your deposit over this.” “I’m not worried.” Have to put up a deposit to lose one. “What brings you into my office?” Six months ago, I was hired by her roommate’s grandmother to find out what paranormal trouble her granddaughter Avalon claimed to be in and what it would take to get her out. The case was tragic. Avalon was in over her head. And she wasn’t alone. As her roommate, Igraine had unwittingly gotten tangled up in the whole mess as well. Avalon was compelled to do a terrible thing to satisfy a debt for casting a dark magic spell, and the two of us helped undo it. Or at least we tried. In the end, Avalon had vanished without a trace. Presumed dead by the two of us. I had left Igraine my business card and said if she ever needed a friend that she could call. I probably should have emphasized the word “call,” but drop-in meetings work well too. She moved a stack of books that were taking up a spot on one of the old green leather seats and then sat down. The facade of warmth faded from her face. She fell back into the tired and frustrated person I had originally met. [[Back |tadm04.01.04]] [[Next |tadm04.01.06]]

config.header.center : "" config.header.left : "[[The Truth About Dark Magic|https://krelig.com]]" config.header.right : "[[A Normal Life|tadm04]]" config.footer.left : "Copyright 2024 Viktor Krelig" -- I considered all the things I could do to put her at ease, even smiling, but nothing could change her mood. She had been hurt in a way no one understood, including herself. “I can’t do it, Viktor. I need to move out of the apartment.” “What’s keeping you from doing that?” “Can’t afford a place on my own. Avalon’s family is still covering the rent for some reason.” Avalon had met with her grandmother and requested this arrangement in the event of her disappearance, but it seems no one had told Igraine. She continued, “And I haven’t worked in ages, so I have this gap on my resume because…” she struggled for the words. I offered, “You were taking care of Avalon.” “Taking care” was a polite and roundabout way to side-step her paranormal trauma. “I can’t move in with any of my friends or family because they all think I’m nuts.” “Did you tell them about…” The polite words didn’t come to me in time, before there was banging on the pipes in the ceiling (presumably Walter at work). I waited to hear a different rhythm of the water dripping, but nothing happened. Igraine picked the conversation back up. “I didn’t tell my family the details. I started alluding to what had happened, but each time they looked at me like I was so strange. Like I needed help. Serious help.” We heard a muffled swear from Walter, and then the steady drip became a small and thankfully brief waterfall that splashed on my floor. It was followed by the return of the drip, which had resumed its original pace. [[Back |tadm04.01.05]] [[Next |tadm04.01.07]]

config.header.center : "" config.header.left : "[[The Truth About Dark Magic|https://krelig.com]]" config.header.right : "[[A Normal Life|tadm04]]" config.footer.left : "Copyright 2024 Viktor Krelig" -- I sighed and rubbed my temples, trying to focus on our conversation. I could check on the books later. “Do you want to go back to your old life?” I asked with misplaced frustration that Igraine thought was directed at her but didn’t get upset over. “Yes, but I don’t think I can.” For an instant I thought I could be helpful. I knew a person who worked with people in Igraine’s situation. My stomach made a terrible twist as I remembered who the person was. I kept silent. Igraine continued, “I need a new life, but don’t know where to start.” “Dammit,” I muttered under my breath and shook my head. Igraine is exactly the type of client Dolly looks for. “What was that?” “Sorry, the leak is distracting me,” I lied. Walter walked back into the office, rubbing his jaw. “Well, that ghost of yours really worked a number on the pipes,” he said. Igraine asked, “This place is haunted?” I looked directly at Walter, who was watching me like a hawk, hoping I’d tell her that it was. “No, the office isn’t haunted.” Walter’s jaw moved around in an angry dance, before it calmed down and he said, “I need some things from the warehouse. Be back this afternoon. Maybe tomorrow.” “Tomorrow! What could take so long?” Walter shrugged and simply said, “Founding Day.” [[Back |tadm04.01.06]] [[Next |tadm04.01.08]]

config.header.center : "" config.header.left : "[[The Truth About Dark Magic|https://krelig.com]]" config.header.right : "[[A Normal Life|tadm04]]" config.footer.left : "Copyright 2024 Viktor Krelig" -- Of course, one of the days on the calendar I forget exist the moment it’s over and surprised by every year when it reemerges. Igraine asked, “What’s that?” I sighed. “It’s like New Year’s Eve and St Patrick’s Day had a problem child and they shipped the kid to New Carissimi.” “Wait, that was the big thing last year? It happens every year?! I thought we won the Super Bowl or something.” Walter spoke atypically fast to Igraine as he packed up the last of his things. “Super Bowl is in February.” “World Series or whatever. God, that parade was so obnoxious last year.” Walter was one foot out the door when I resigned to the fate of the leak in the ceiling and said, “Could you at least get a bucket for the drip?” He slammed the door behind him. There was a brief moment where we both stared at the closed door waiting for some kind of response. When it was clear none was coming, Igraine asked, “Did he not hear you?” “No, he most certainly did.” “How can you tell?” “Because he slammed the door.” “You’re saying if he hadn’t heard you he would have closed it gently?” I nodded. “You have quite the effect on people.” My mind jumped back to Dolly. [[Back |tadm04.01.07]] [[Next |tadm04.01.09]]

config.header.center : "" config.header.left : "[[The Truth About Dark Magic|https://krelig.com]]" config.header.right : "[[A Normal Life|tadm04]]" config.footer.left : "Copyright 2024 Viktor Krelig" -- “You have no idea,” I replied. “Come on, give me a little credit, I have some idea. I mean, I’m pretty sure I threw a coffee mug at you, or hit you with a notebook or something.” “Your point?” “I don’t throw things or hit people. That’s not who I am. I knew you for like a day and—” “I know someone who can help you,” I blurted out. “What?” I took a moment to get a clear head before continuing. Igraine was right. I frustrate people, and just because Dolly was mad at me didn’t mean she would take it out on Igraine. I spoke in an even tone almost as slow as Walter. “Her name is Dolly. She's what I would call a ‘post paranormal life consultant.’” “A what now?” “She helps people return to their lives after a paranormal encounter.” “Does it work?” “Don’t know. Dolly and I haven’t been on speaking terms for a long time.” “How long?” There was no point in lying. “Fifteen years.” That earned a suspicious expression. “Don’t look at me that way, you said yourself I have an effect on people.” “Is there anyone you haven’t pissed off.” “The only ones on that list are people I haven’t met yet.” Igraine laughed, and a smile returned to her face. [[Back |tadm04.01.08]] [[Next |tadm04.01.10]]

config.header.center : "" config.header.left : "[[The Truth About Dark Magic|https://krelig.com]]" config.header.right : "[[A Normal Life|tadm04]]" config.footer.left : "Copyright 2024 Viktor Krelig" -- “How do you know she’s still doing this?” “I might not know every paranormal professional in the city, but I know of them.” I paused. She seemed interested and I wanted to go on. “But you’re not here to know more about that type of stuff.” I pulled up Dolly’s number on my phone, which I had never called or received a call from. In fact, I wasn’t sure why I had gone through the trouble of entering it in the first place. “Here’s her number. Just don't believe anything she tells you about me.” “Why?” “Because Dolly is my ex-wife.” [[Back |tadm04.01.09]] [[Next |tadm04.02.01]]

config.header.center : "" config.header.left : "[[The Truth About Dark Magic|https://krelig.com]]" config.header.right : "[[A Normal Life|tadm04]]" config.footer.left : "Copyright 2024 Viktor Krelig" -- I wished her luck and followed her out of the office on my mission to find a bucket to catch the water that was stubborn enough to continue dripping. Igraine didn’t waste time and dialed Dolly while we walked down the hallway. The volume on her phone was set to obnoxious, and it was possible Igraine had put it on speaker in order to poke fun at me. I stopped at the maintenance closet by the staircase and waved good-bye. If the day went well for Igraine, we might never cross paths again. While I presumed that Avalon had not survived her ordeal, I had not given up on finding a witness who could explain what had happened. If Dolly could successfully readjust Igraine, then she’d never have that closure if I uncovered the truth. But there were no guarantees that I’d uncover anything either. I couldn’t ask her to hold out for something that may never come. Up from the stairwell, I could hear Dolly’s overworked southern drawl, “Who did you say referred me?” The voice of my ex put a steel rod in my spine. I reconsidered my immediate need for a bucket. The pot from my coffee maker could do just fine, even if it meant I couldn’t brew any for a while. The rest of the story is all second-hand, but most of it checked out when I ran it by witnesses and the Butcher. The parts of the story that couldn’t be confirmed are second only to the ones I embellished. [[Back |tadm04.02.01]] [[Next |tadm04.03.01]]

config.header.center : "" config.header.left : "[[The Truth About Dark Magic|https://krelig.com]]" config.header.right : "[[A Normal Life|tadm04]]" config.footer.left : "Copyright 2024 Viktor Krelig" -- The next few patrons who walked into Bunny’s didn’t pause to look at the tables. They weren’t meeting anyone but their cup of overpriced coffee. One of them carried a folding chair for the parade. Igraine halfheartedly flipped through the menu. Bunny’s wasn’t a chain, but you wouldn’t be able to tell that by the menu. They renamed standard dishes with nonsensical nicknames that appealed to children and adults who were convinced that adulthood was something that could be escaped. All the while Bunny’s purchased their food from the same vendor as every chain restaurant in the city. A server showed up to wish her a fantastic morning and drop off a pitcher of lemon water. He poured her a glass and asked, “Just you?” “No, one more.” The server poured a second glass and asked, “Would you like some coffee to go with your fantastic day?” It was a relatively benign question, albeit phrased in an unusual way, that Igraine needed a moment to consider. During her ordeal, she had wrestled with a sleeping disorder. Getting that part of her life under control involved cutting out caffeine. According to everything she read, a cup of joe was safe for her to drink as long as it was consumed in the morning. Even though she knew this, her doubts still had their grip on her. “No thanks,” she said, then added, “not this morning.” [[Back |tadm04.03.01]] [[Next |tadm04.03.03]]

config.header.center : "" config.header.left : "[[The Truth About Dark Magic|https://krelig.com]]" config.header.right : "[[A Normal Life|tadm04]]" config.footer.left : "Copyright 2024 Viktor Krelig" -- She was trying to find a Denver omlet on the menu when the bell at the front door chimed ten times louder than it had since Igraine arrived. Taking up the entrance was a short woman with a smile brimming with superiority, an enormous head of blonde hair flowing onto a red business suit covering a conservative white top. The suit’s red was a shade off from the Beloved Red, as it was something Dolly wore during the year, while everyone else was wearing garb they only wore one day a year. A white leather purse draped over her right forearm, and her left hand rested on her hip as she scanned the room. This was a person in search of a punching bag, and Igraine hoped this wasn’t Dolly. But her hopes were crushed as Dolly Decorah-Dawlton marched over to the booth. In a gentle southern twang, she asked, “Miss Boniver?” extending her hand. “That’s me.” Igraine shook her hand without standing up. Fighting her instinct to ask if Dolly was really my ex-wife. Dolly sat down across from her, pulled her phone out of her purse, and placed it on the table. She opened their conversation with, “Well, I have to say there is a first time for everything. Never thought I’d be getting a referral from Viktor Krelig. That man is about as sour as a pickled lemon.” The only thing Igraine could manage to say with a straight face was, “It certainly is an odd set of circumstances.” Dolly asked if she had ordered yet, and when Igraine said no, she took it as a cue for small talk. Which Dolly treats as an endurance sport. How do you like living in New Cari? How long have you lived here? Do you have any plans for Founding Day? Are you going to change before the parade? Isn’t sunshine amazing? Don’t you wish there was more sunshine so there would be more birds chirping? [[Back |tadm04.03.02]] [[Next |tadm04.03.04]]

config.header.center : "" config.header.left : "[[The Truth About Dark Magic|https://krelig.com]]" config.header.right : "[[A Normal Life|tadm04]]" config.footer.left : "Copyright 2024 Viktor Krelig" -- During the interrogation, Dolly’s phone sounded an obnoxious ringtone, and she would let it go longer than it needed to, before swiping it to voicemail. Igraine answered Dolly’s questions with direct answers until finally it made more sense for her to ask Dolly a question. “What part of the South are you from?” The phone rang again, and she spoke to it as if the person on the other end could hear her. “Well, darling, I’m going to have to put you on silent now,” then turned to Igraine and asked, “What was that you were saying?” Igraine repeated her question. “Oh, I’m not from the South.” Igraine’s jaw dropped, but before she could ask a question Dolly’s phone interrupted. This time it vibrated and rattled the table. It had almost been as loud as the ring-tone. Dolly shoved it in her purse to muffle the sound. Igraine wondered if Dolly really knew how to silence her phone. She put that aside because she really wanted to know why Dolly was speaking with an accent. She was trying to formulate a tactful way of asking what Dolly was trying to pull when the server arrived to take their order. “Let’s see, I’ll have the Walla Walla Waffles,” Dolly ordered. “That’s a fantastic selection.” Igraine couldn’t find the clever name for regular food, so she ordered, “Two eggs over medium.” [[Back |tadm04.03.03]] [[Next |tadm04.03.05]]

config.header.center : "" config.header.left : "[[The Truth About Dark Magic|https://krelig.com]]" config.header.right : "[[A Normal Life|tadm04]]" config.footer.left : "Copyright 2024 Viktor Krelig" -- The server stopped as he was writing the order and stared at her. “I’m not sure we have those.” “You’re kidding, right?” “Oh, darling,” Dolly interjected. “She’ll have a Double Cloudy Morning” and made a pouty face. “Would you like Oinks-ies or Squeals-ies with that?” Igraine guessed, “Bacon?” Dolly interpreted, “Oinks-ies.” “That’s a fantastic choice! What a fantastic table.” As the server spun around, Dolly celebrated, “Best morning ever!” And when he was out of earshot, she stiffened up, “Alright now, down to business. You want your life back, don’t you?” “I guess so,” said Igraine, who was still caught up on how she could have possibly known that Oinks-ies was bacon. “Did Viktor rob it from you?” Igraine had not been giving Dolly her full attention as she was wondering if Squeals-ies was code for sausage. “What?! No,” she responded. “It’s ok, you can tell me, darling. I know from personal experience, that man is about as useful as a storm drain.” Igraine hesitated, recognizing that storm drains serve a purpose and are useful, but didn’t bother to correct Dolly. “No, he helped as much as he could.” “Viktor Krelig was helpful?” [[Back |tadm04.03.04]] [[Next |tadm04.03.06]]

config.header.center : "" config.header.left : "[[The Truth About Dark Magic|https://krelig.com]]" config.header.right : "[[A Normal Life|tadm04]]" config.footer.left : "Copyright 2024 Viktor Krelig" -- “He tried his hardest.” “But let me guess, it didn’t go according to plan?” “Look, I don’t feel comfortable talking about what I went through. Could we just talk about how I can readjust?” “Of course, I offer a few services, but it all boils down to the three rules for returning to a normal life after a paranormal experience.” She sipped her lemon water and continued on. “Deny, deny and deny.” If Igraine had any ambition to play poker professionally, now would have been the time she would have realized that she wasn’t cut out for it. “Are you kidding me?” she shot back. “That’s it? That’s your advice?” “Denial is not just a river in Egypt, sweetie. It’s also a tried and true coping mechanism. And I am the only one who will be able to help you embrace it.” “Is this how you get through the day? I can’t deny what I went through. The things I saw. Everything I did. Had to do.” “Think about it. If you deny the experience enough times, the people around will believe you, and eventually you’ll believe them.” Igraine was regretting not ordering the coffee earlier. She would have liked to have been sharper. “Does Viktor know about your approach?” “I haven’t had a good reason to talk to that man in over fifteen years, and I’m not looking for one.” [[Back |tadm04.03.05]] [[Next |tadm04.03.07]]

config.header.center : "" config.header.left : "[[The Truth About Dark Magic|https://krelig.com]]" config.header.right : "[[A Normal Life|tadm04]]" config.footer.left : "Copyright 2024 Viktor Krelig" -- As much as she didn’t like this, Igraine knew that Dolly was her last choice on a very short list. “Has it worked for you?” Dolly smiled. “I have several happy customers.” “But what about you?” “I don’t need denial, because I’ve accepted that this is who I am now. I’m the person who helps people forget all the scary stuff. I suffer, Miss Boniver, so others don’t have to.” Despite all the red flags Dolly was waving in front of her, Igraine still held out hope that she could really help. “Can I have a referral from one of your clients?” Dolly shook her head. “Out of the question. They don’t want to be reminded that there was a time in their life when they needed my services.” “How many clients do you have right now?” “Just you. But over the years I’ve helped eight people readjust to normal life.” There weren’t enough numbers for any reliable math, but the equation Igraine worked out was that Dolly’s services were either really expensive or this was a side gig. Igraine asked, “How much do you charge?” “It’s a percentage of your future earnings.” “Wait, like a talent agent?” “Precisely. That’s the line of work I was in before Viktor… Well, you don’t want to talk about him.” [[Back |tadm04.03.06]] [[Next |tadm04.03.08]]

config.header.center : "" config.header.left : "[[The Truth About Dark Magic|https://krelig.com]]" config.header.right : "[[A Normal Life|tadm04]]" config.footer.left : "Copyright 2024 Viktor Krelig" -- “I didn’t say—” Dolly reached across and put a finger over Igraine’s lips. The effect was that Igraine’s body froze from the awkwardness of the situation. “And I can understand why you don’t. I don’t want to talk about him either.” “You seem like you want to talk about him,” Igraine said while Dolly’s finger was still over her lips. She removed her hand and wiped it on a napkin. “Did he tell you about how he ruined my perfectly ordinary life?” This was spiraling out of control. “You know what, you were right. I don’t want to talk about him. So let's move on. What about this percentage stuff?” Dolly sighed as if not telling the story of our love and its subsequent demise was depriving someone of a rich and insightful history. “It's simple really. You will never earn a respectable living without becoming normal again. So, by increasing your earning potential, I am entitled to a cut of that potential.” “For my entire life?” “No, just your professional life.” “But what about your clients not wanting to be reminded about their previous life?” “To them I’m a career coach. It’s actually what I do most of the time. But I will be honest with you, this is far more lucrative.” [[Back |tadm04.03.07]] [[Next |tadm04.03.09]]

config.header.center : "" config.header.left : "[[The Truth About Dark Magic|https://krelig.com]]" config.header.right : "[[A Normal Life|tadm04]]" config.footer.left : "Copyright 2024 Viktor Krelig" -- Igraine hated this. If there was magic, couldn’t it be as simple as there being a magic spell to forget it all? She looked at the door and considered leaving. If she walked out, there were no other options. There was no harm in asking more questions. “Before I sign on for anything, I want some assurances.” “Fine, but you’ll have to spill the beans on what you went through.” “My roommate was caught between two curses. One caused her to die every night and the other kept her alive long enough for her to fulfill a terrible obligation. After the second spell was completed, she went missing. We don't think she survived the second curse.” Dolly stood up stiff but couldn’t help trembling. She whispered in rage. “Viktor. I just knew I shouldn’t have gotten involved with someone he referred.” “What did I do?” “That’s not normal. Not even for abnormal.” “What kind of people do you normally help?” “People who think they’ve seen a ghost.” “Wait, you do this for people who haven't had a real paranormal experience?” “Honey, I don’t judge people. I help them.” “Why would a paranormal investigator send you someone who didn’t have a real paranormal experience?” “To try and get me back. Well, it won’t happen.” “You’re a fraud.” [[Back |tadm04.03.08]] [[Next |tadm04.03.10]]

config.header.center : "" config.header.left : "[[The Truth About Dark Magic|https://krelig.com]]" config.header.right : "[[A Normal Life|tadm04]]" config.footer.left : "Copyright 2024 Viktor Krelig" -- “What are you going to do, report me to the better business bureaucrats? We both know they won’t take you seriously.” Dolly stopped a moment, settled herself down, and reversed course. “Look. I don’t deal with curses, alright? Sorry, I can’t help you.” Dolly stood up, looked down at Igraine with a shade of disappointment, and walked away. “There goes my last chance,” Igraine mumbled and then reached for a coffee cup out of habit only to frown at its emptiness. [[Back |tadm04.03.09]] [[Next |tadm04.04.01]]

config.header.center : "" config.header.left : "[[The Truth About Dark Magic|https://krelig.com]]" config.header.right : "[[A Normal Life|tadm04]]" config.footer.left : "Copyright 2024 Viktor Krelig" -- But Dolly’s earlier antics lost her credibility with Igraine, who ignored the command. In the doorway was a muscular man with a short untrimmed beard, and he was about as angry as a hungry bear whose meal had been stolen. If Dolly hadn’t suddenly reappeared, Igraine would have assumed that the man’s anger was caused by his uncontrollable sweating. But that was also because he was wearing an outfit and layers that were out of season for this time of year. “Is it him?” Dolly whispered. Igraine shrugged her shoulders as if to say, “How should I know?” but then lifted the empty coffee cup to her lips and took a pretend sip, saying, “I think so.” Dolly winced. The man paced over towards them. His heavy boots sounded like a slow-pounding hammer. Dolly picked now of all times to brief Igraine. “His name is Burton Maurer”. He stopped at the table across from their booth where a man and a woman were enjoying their coffee. They were old enough not to be mistaken for children but not old enough to have any gray strands of hair. Burton asked the man, “Is this chair taken?” It took a moment for the pair to realize that what he was really asking was, “Is your chair taken?” The woman across from him stood up and grabbed her purse and said, “Here, you can have mine.” Burton kept his eyes on the man and said, “That’s not the one I want.” Then he moved in closer to the stranger and said, “I want to know if anyone is using this chair.” [[Back |tadm04.04.01]] [[Next |tadm04.04.03]]

config.header.center : "" config.header.left : "[[The Truth About Dark Magic|https://krelig.com]]" config.header.right : "[[A Normal Life|tadm04]]" config.footer.left : "Copyright 2024 Viktor Krelig" -- In a broken voice, the man said, “Fine. Take it.” He stood up, and he and his date left Bunny’s. Burton slid the chair up to the end of Igraine and Dolly’s booth. Igraine saw a familiar weariness in him. He hadn’t slept in days. And then she recognized that he hadn’t bathed in twice as long. Burton slammed his fist on the table, making the coffee cups rattle and both women jump in their seats. Igraine remained motionless as she tried to take stock of the situation. The man was clinging to a psychological edge, and letting go was becoming increasingly appealing to him. For a moment, Igraine saw a bit of her own struggles in him. But she handled hers in solitude, while he was searching for someone he could unleash his pain on. The man was going to snap. He was going to swing his fists and he wasn’t going to miss. All he needed was a reason to make him feel good during the coming rage. Dolly started talking her way out of the situation. “Burton Maurer! It’s been ages—” Burton cut her off with his gruff voice, “—I said!” and then slammed his fist down again on the table. If the disturbance had gone unnoticed by the other patrons the first time, it was unavoidable now. The man was going to make the whole place suffer if he didn’t get his way. A few patrons rushed out the door, and some of the wait-staff walked urgently back into the kitchen. Igraine scanned the room trying to find someone calling the police, but couldn’t see it. Dolly said immediately, “I apologize, Mr. Maurer. Is there something we can help you with?” [[Back |tadm04.04.02]] [[Next |tadm04.04.04]]

config.header.center : "" config.header.left : "[[The Truth About Dark Magic|https://krelig.com]]" config.header.right : "[[A Normal Life|tadm04]]" config.footer.left : "Copyright 2024 Viktor Krelig" -- Igraine threw a dirty look toward Dolly. She was not warm to the “we” part of Dolly’s ploy. This man’s fuse was lit, and it would only take a few moments before everyone saw how explosive he could be. While she wanted to help Dolly get away from danger, she also didn’t want to be a human shield. He looked at Dolly and said with a playful grin, “Watcha talking about?” With his attention turned toward Dolly, Igraine considered the options she had to defend herself. The knife was an appealing thought, but she knew the blade might not be any sharper than the handle. The fork, however, could give her a chance to land a quick stab before bolting away. Maybe she wouldn’t need to. Igraine’s thoughts went back to the police. Someone must be calling, or has called. They’re on their way. They’ll be here any second. Why aren’t the police here? Dolly hadn’t answered his question, and he made it clear he wasn’t going anywhere. He picked up the fork Igraine had been staring at and stabbed one of her eggs. He lifted the runny mess off her plate and put it halfway into his mouth. He chewed as the yoke ran down his chin and over his beard. Igraine suspected this act was his warm up. He wanted his victims good and scared before he attacked. As much as Igraine didn’t want it to work, she knew it was. Dolly’s voice shook when she said, “My friend here was asking me about a career change.” Igraine wondered how someone who earned her living through dishonesty could be such a terrible liar. Burton picked up Dolly’s coffee and dumped it on Igraine’s plate dousing the last egg. [[Back |tadm04.04.03]] [[Next |tadm04.04.05]]

config.header.center : "" config.header.left : "[[The Truth About Dark Magic|https://krelig.com]]" config.header.right : "[[A Normal Life|tadm04]]" config.footer.left : "Copyright 2024 Viktor Krelig" -- Igraine ran through the details of what was happening, preparing for what she was going to tell the police. But would they believe her? She already had one incident with them that had not gone well. They’d put more effort into convincing her she was delusional than taking her statement. But it wasn’t like every cop in the city knew about the incident. It wouldn’t matter. For the present situation the police just needed to stop the problem from escalating. Her history would have nothing to do with preventing them from intervening. “You know what I dislike more than a lie?” Burton’s ability to be subtle was about as good as Dolly’s was to lie. Igraine couldn’t wait for the police any longer and moved to leave the booth. Burton blocked her exit. “Not so fast there.” Dolly attempted to intervene. “She came to me for help. What was I supposed to do?” “If you were smart, you would have done nothing. Even better, you could have told the truth,” he said, still blocking Igraine’s exit. What truth? That magic exists. That curses exist. That if you start speaking the truth, no one would look at your the same. That knowing too much of the truth would change you. Whatever truth he was referring to, it couldn’t be any of those. And the way he was on the cusp of a violent outbreak, it couldn’t be any truth she wanted to know. Igraine said, “I know the truth. You can’t tell me what it is.” “That’s where you’re wrong,” replied Burton who moved uncomfortably close to her, “The truth is that whatever you think you saw, it’s all in your head. And the thing about the truth is, anyone can speak it.” A virtue held by some of history’s most dangerous sociopaths. Dolly replied, “Burton, what’s it going to take for you to let us walk out of here?” [[Back |tadm04.04.04]] [[Next |tadm04.04.06]]

config.header.center : "" config.header.left : "[[The Truth About Dark Magic|https://krelig.com]]" config.header.right : "[[A Normal Life|tadm04]]" config.footer.left : "Copyright 2024 Viktor Krelig" -- Burton did not break the lock he had on Igraine’s eyes. “How much cash you carrying?” Dolly’s face had long since lost its cheerfulness, and now it lost its optimism. “Burton, I have to pay my rent.” It was an appeal to humanity that couldn’t have gone more wrong. His eyes lit up. Rent wasn’t cheap in the city. The prospect of a windfall added some energy to his voice, but did not soften his mood. He replied, “You know the rules. If you want to keep your money, then find a better way to earn a living. One that doesn’t have so many… hazards.” Igraine was witnessing a robbery. As much as Dolly had rubbed her the wrong way in the short time she’d known her, she didn’t deserve to be robbed in broad daylight. As Dolly reached into her purse, Igraine blurted out, “Don’t. He can’t hurt us in front of all these people.” Burton laughed, and Dolly gave Igraine a disappointed gaze. He motioned for Dolly to continue to retrieve the cash from her purse. “Why don’t you educate your friend, Dolly.” “Igraine, no one will stop him, and no one corroborate our—” He slammed his fist again. “—your story.” “But the police?” asked Igraine. Burton replied, “They’re not coming.” “That’s insane, Why?” She still didn’t understand the amount of danger she was in. [[Back |tadm04.04.05]] [[Next |tadm04.04.07]]

config.header.center : "" config.header.left : "[[The Truth About Dark Magic|https://krelig.com]]" config.header.right : "[[A Normal Life|tadm04]]" config.footer.left : "Copyright 2024 Viktor Krelig" -- Burton answered, “Because you’re the one who’s insane. Talking about ghosts and magic as if all that make-believe garbage were real.” Igraine did not appreciate that her life, as disturbed as it had been, was considered garbage by anyone. “Here’s everything, Burton.” Dolly slammed a stack of cash on the table. At least three months’ worth of rent was held together by a few well-worn rubber bands. “Well,” he said with a smile. “It’s my lucky day.” Then he turned to Igraine, the egg yolk still dripping from his face, and said, “Remember, I saved you from being swindled from this con artist.” Dolly’s phone vibrated again. He rolled his eyes and then signaled for her to get up, as his attention was now captured on counting his prize money. Before Igraine knew what had happened, Dolly had stood up and pulled her along, and out the door of Bunny’s Bright & Right Breakfast Café. [[Back |tadm04.04.06]] [[Next |tadm04.05.01]]

config.header.center : "" config.header.left : "[[The Truth About Dark Magic|https://krelig.com]]" config.header.right : "[[A Normal Life|tadm04]]" config.footer.left : "Copyright 2024 Viktor Krelig" -- She bolted into traffic without looking, causing an oncoming car to slam on their brakes. At the sound of the screeching tires, she put out her hand as if she were capable of stopping it. The car halted inches in front of her. She simply said, “Sorry” before running off. If the driver swore at her, he didn’t waste time lowering the window so she could hear it. Igraine pushed past several people and almost took a cheap plastic flag to her eye before she grabbed Dolly’s arm. “What the hell is going on?” Dolly finally turned around and was ready to swing her purse, but thought better of it in the crowd. Her face had lost the smile and held a tight frustration in its place. But the sense of superiority was still there. That never went away. Igraine loosened her grip on Dolly’s arm, and Dolly yanked and reversed the hold, leaving Igraine bewildered. Dolly pulled her forward to keep pace with the crowd. Dolly asked, “Remember my first rule of coping?” “Denial?” “Good, you’re a quick study. You’ll do fine.” Dolly released her hold on Igraine and picked up the pace. Igraine waited for a signal from Dolly to follow her, but there was none. “Wait!” she squeezed through the crowd after Dolly. “I just want to know what that was all about.” One of the paradegoers had started blasting music from a local group that had made it big years ago. The crowd erupted in cheers. Dolly’s response was diminished by the noise. “Keep up and I’ll let you know.” [[Back |tadm04.05.01]] [[Next |tadm04.05.03]]

config.header.center : "" config.header.left : "[[The Truth About Dark Magic|https://krelig.com]]" config.header.right : "[[A Normal Life|tadm04]]" config.footer.left : "Copyright 2024 Viktor Krelig" -- For being short, Dolly was fast. I think it’s the muscle she builds up from the drag on her enormous hair. It’s like natural resistance training. If you could call the glue used to keep her hair that size natural. They had reached the next intersection and the light was about to change against the pedestrians when Dolly set foot on the crosswalk. There was no way she would make it to the other side before it changed. This time Igraine followed. She caught up to Dolly again, who asked in a bitter tone, “Viktor didn’t tell you about the conspiracy theorists?” Igraine, who was almost out of breath, huffed, “People who believe in aliens and stuff?” Dolly abruptly turned left away from the crowd onto the walkway which was practically clear by New Cari standards. She slowed a bit, but was still clearly rushing, and said, “No. People who have an interest in keeping the paranormal from being normal.” “I think we’re talking about two different types of conspiracy theorists.” “I take back what I said about you being a quick study.” Igraine was a little hurt by Dolly’s remark, but didn’t interrupt her when she continued to speak. “There are groups and organizations that try to suppress the stories of people like you.” “Why?” “You’ll have to ask Viktor about that. All I know is that there are a bunch of them.” “More than that psychopath back there?” They approached a set of stairs descending into the subway, and Dolly took them. “Yes... no. There are groups. Burton’s just one member of a particularly violent group.” [[Back |tadm04.05.02]] [[Next |tadm04.05.04]]

config.header.center : "" config.header.left : "[[The Truth About Dark Magic|https://krelig.com]]" config.header.right : "[[A Normal Life|tadm04]]" config.footer.left : "Copyright 2024 Viktor Krelig" -- “This is so weird.” “We didn’t even get to the groups full of magic users and the ones filled with true believers like Burton.” Igraine opened her mouth to speak, but Dolly cut her off. “No, a true believer isn’t someone who believes in the paranormal. It’s someone who believes the lie.” “Wait, there are magic users and paranormal deniers working together?” They reached the turnstile, and Dolly swiped her card. But Igraine didn’t have one and couldn’t follow. Igraine shrugged her shoulders at Dolly, who gave a look that she would probably regret doing this and reached over the turnstile and swiped her card for Igraine. “Thank you.” Dolly kept talking instead of acknowledging the bit of kindness she had just demonstrated. “No. The mages and deniers work to the same goal in their own way. Never together. The groups like Burton’s tend to have the word ‘Truth’ in their name.” Igraine’s pace started to slow as she was processing all the new information, while Dolly followed the signs to the train with the bear logo, which was local shorthand for the stop at Library Market Square. Signs with the official name of 11th Street Station were covered in stickers. The more courteous graffiti artists made sure to use stickers with bears on them. They made their way to the platform just as the doors to the nearly empty train were getting ready to close. Dolly broke into an impressive stride, pulling even farther away from Igraine, saying, “Gotta keep up if you want to hear more.” [[Back |tadm04.05.03]] [[Next |tadm04.05.05]]

config.header.center : "" config.header.left : "[[The Truth About Dark Magic|https://krelig.com]]" config.header.right : "[[A Normal Life|tadm04]]" config.footer.left : "Copyright 2024 Viktor Krelig" -- Igraine ran to catch up and watched Dolly step into the car only for the doors to start closing. She silenced the voice inside her that said it was too late to get on. She pushed her way through the narrowing gap of the closing doors. She had one foot planted in the car and was reaching out for something to stop her momentum when the door closed on her ankle. A buzzer sounded, and the doors released their grip on Igraine before shutting all the way. As Igraine was catching her breath, she waited for Dolly to continue speaking. But Dolly stared back in disbelief and said, “You know, hun, you could have caught the next train.” “Would you have waited?” Dolly shook her head and then walked back in the car. It seemed to Igraine that none of the seats were up to Dolly’s standards. They were still scouting for a spot that was the optimal blend of clean and as far away from other passengers as she could get when Dolly continued on her explanation. “The group Burton belongs to has this rule where if they catch you talking about something paranormal in public, they'll harass or outright beat you until you give them the cash you have on them.” “Sounds like a reason not to carry cash. Wait, why did you have so much cash on you?” Dolly pulled out a handkerchief and wiped a perfectly clean seat before occupying it. The seats were hard plastic, and no matter how light a person was, they always made a noise when someone sat down. Her hair was so full that had anyone been sitting in that space they would have had to move. Igraine sat down across from her without cleaning the seat first, and Dolly shuddered. [[Back |tadm04.05.04]] [[Next |tadm04.05.06]]

config.header.center : "" config.header.left : "[[The Truth About Dark Magic|https://krelig.com]]" config.header.right : "[[A Normal Life|tadm04]]" config.footer.left : "Copyright 2024 Viktor Krelig" -- Igraine reminded her that she had been asked a question. “So, why were you carrying—.” “Shhh!” Dolly waved her down and whispered, “I don’t want anyone to think I’m still carrying it.” Igraine gestured that she still hadn’t answered the question. “It was my protection money.” “What?” “I pay protection to a magic user, and this is the type of thing he’s supposed to protect me from.” “So what will he do about it?” “We’re about to find out.” [[Back |tadm04.05.05]] [[Next |tadm04.06.01]]

config.header.center : "" config.header.left : "[[The Truth About Dark Magic|https://krelig.com]]" config.header.right : "[[A Normal Life|tadm04]]" config.footer.left : "Copyright 2024 Viktor Krelig" -- Igraine rolled her eyes at Dolly’s made-up colloquialism and then closed them as the train picked up speed. There was no doubt that she was talking to a client, which meant she was lying. It was one thing for Igraine to hear the absurd takes from Dolly when she was the only person hearing them, but it was harder for her to listen to Dolly speak to someone who took them as fact. Igraine focused on the rocking motion of the car to help tune out Dolly’s conversation. It only worked a little. Dolly was soothing the caller, but she eventually said, “You’re making as much sense as a meat pie in a chicken salad… I can’t talk right now, I’m in a train… yes, a train… they have wi-fi in these things now… look, I don’t want to miss my stop, so just call back later. We’ll figure it all out.” The moment it ended, Dolly continued on with Igraine as if she hadn’t just been talking to someone else. “So you’re not looking to go back to a normal life? Sounds to me like you’re giving up.” Igraine opened her eyes and sat up. “You said you didn’t deal with curses, and there is no way I can deny that every night I locked my roommate in a coffin and then anguished over whether or not she would be alive in the morning.” Her stomach growled again as if to offer a resounding “Amen.” She choked up a bit and noticed Dolly was seeing if anyone on the nearly empty car was listening. She continued, “I never got used to it. And now I learn there are like these people, bad guys or whatever, who can rob me in broad daylight without anyone to stop them or protect me?” She didn’t know the right words, so she asked. [[Back |tadm04.06.01]] [[Next |tadm04.06.03]]

config.header.center : "" config.header.left : "[[The Truth About Dark Magic|https://krelig.com]]" config.header.right : "[[A Normal Life|tadm04]]" config.footer.left : "Copyright 2024 Viktor Krelig" -- “So, how am I supposed to protect myself?” Dolly didn’t respond. Igraine insisted, “I need you to tell me.” “Someone put a curse on your roommate. You knew there were bad actors. Ones that were much worse than Burton.” “But I never saw them. She only told me they were some cult of magic users. I don't even know what they called themselves. Wait. What if they come after me? Should I be worried about that?” Igraine could tell the conversation was making Dolly uncomfortable, but she wasn’t going to back down or lower her voice. Dolly spoke softly. “Did your roommate think you would be in trouble?” “She never said anything.” “Then, I’m guessing you’re probably going to be ok.” The train pulled into the station at Library Market Square and squealed to a halt. Dolly stood up and said, “It's our stop. The Bear’s Den.” [[Back |tadm04.06.02]] [[Next |tadm04.07.01]]

config.header.center : "" config.header.left : "[[The Truth About Dark Magic|https://krelig.com]]" config.header.right : "[[A Normal Life|tadm04]]" config.footer.left : "Copyright 2024 Viktor Krelig" -- They ascended the stairs and returned to the humidity of the day. It was a bit more tolerable with the breeze rolling off from the bay. Library Market Square is the most aptly named space in the city. It’s a large public market that lives in the shadow of the city’s massive public library. It was a sight that demanded attention, and Igraine obliged. “Stop looking like a tourist,” Dolly said. “What?” “I need you to focus. We’re going to cut through the market and go to a stand on the outskirts. No stopping for knickknacks, trinkets, souvenirs, or postcards. Got it?” “Yes.” This is a tall order for everyone since the market grew out of a Hooverville, and several attempts to regulate the space were always met with resistance. It has remained a crowded, unorganized nest of tents, tables, and shoddy construction. The offer made by the city to the vendors was, “Be strange and safe enough to bring in tourists and we won’t force you to operate your businesses under the regular license,” and the merchants happily accepted. Dolly stood still and was scanning for the best route to traverse the market. “Is something wrong?” “No, I just need to get my bearings.” “It’s Library Market Square, it’s kinda the only thing here.” “Shh,” Dolly snapped. “Mama needs to think. I’m not used to seeing it with so few people.” It is well-known that the market is deserted on Founding Day. A few stands and shops stay open, but most take off to partake in or avoid the citywide celebration. [[Back |tadm04.07.01]] [[Next |tadm04.07.03]]

config.header.center : "" config.header.left : "[[The Truth About Dark Magic|https://krelig.com]]" config.header.right : "[[A Normal Life|tadm04]]" config.footer.left : "Copyright 2024 Viktor Krelig" -- “Well, which way do we go?” “Shh. It’s been a while.” “What do you mean? Don’t you need to pay on a regular basis?” “Of course I do… just not lately.” “You aren’t current?” Dolly spoke through a clenched jaw. “I had enough to make me current this morning.” “So wait, your plan is to walk up and demand the person you owe money to beat up the person who took the money you were going to pay him with.” “That sounds better than what I was planning.” And she stepped off on a brisk walk toward the market. Igraine was once again chasing after her. “Hold on, what were you planning?” “I was considering a variety of options. The most appealing was causing a public stir and threatening to call the health department on him.” There was a lot for Igraine to unpack, and she started with, “But there really isn’t anyone here. The place is dead. Kinda defeats the point of a public scene.” “Just one of the two reasons why I liked your plan better.” “What was the other reason?” “It didn’t work the last time I tried it,” said Dolly as she jaywalked across the street. Dolly’s contact was the proprietor of a tiny butcher shop just across the street on the far side of the market. His legitimate business was to supply meat to the unlicensed food vendors in the public market, and since he was not in the market, his product and storefront had to be kept up to health codes. It was well-known that if someone wanted to sell food in the market they had to buy from the Butcher, whether their stand sold hamburgers or fruit smoothies. Some portion of every transaction involving food in the market went to the Butcher. [[Back |tadm04.07.02]] [[Next |tadm04.07.04]]

config.header.center : "" config.header.left : "[[The Truth About Dark Magic|https://krelig.com]]" config.header.right : "[[A Normal Life|tadm04]]" config.footer.left : "Copyright 2024 Viktor Krelig" -- It sounds unusual at first, but it makes more sense that he was brought in by the other vendors to enforce an unofficial health code after there was a food poisoning scare that almost forced the city government to break the original deal and shut down the entire market. Dolly weaved her way in and out of the aisles of the market. The rule of thumb for navigating it is that if you find yourself in a straight aisle, you are headed for a dead end. The most direct path through the market is a curvy one. They were only a few feet from exiting when Dolly stopped. One of the struggles of being so close to the paranormal is figuring out how much to tell someone. There’s a point at which if someone learns too much, they stop listening. Which puts them in the worst position possible: knowing too little. Because a person who knows too little in this world is a hazard to themselves and others. “There’s something else you should know about where we’re going.” Igraine ventured, “Is this place going to be dangerous?” “That goes without saying. But it’s dangerous in a way that you aren’t used to.” “Magic?” Dolly nodded. “The Butcher is what’s known as a ‘gazer.’ When he wants to, he can cast his gaze on a person and have a more threatening influence over them.” “He can force people to act against their will?” “Only under certain conditions. But don’t worry. I’m told he’s one of the good ones.” [[Back |tadm04.07.03]] [[Next |tadm04.07.05]]

config.header.center : "" config.header.left : "[[The Truth About Dark Magic|https://krelig.com]]" config.header.right : "[[A Normal Life|tadm04]]" config.footer.left : "Copyright 2024 Viktor Krelig" -- Igraine was doubting whether she wanted to follow her in now. Dolly added, “I’ve never had a problem with him, because I know the three ways to limit the effects of his power.” Igraine guessed, “Deny, deny, and deny?” Dolly shook her head. “Cute, but no. First, if you are out of his line of sight, he can’t use his ability. Second, his ability is ineffective on anyone making eye contact with him. Under no circumstance should you take your eyes off of him.” Igraine nodded, and then Dolly marched out of the market. “Wait, what’s the third thing?” “Simple. Don’t say or do anything to upset him.” Igraine wondered if Dolly had ever once followed her own advice. Dolly swung the door open. Just like at Bunny’s Café, Dolly used an abundance of force on the door that the bell above it rang a warning to everyone else in the shop instead of a gentle chime. And again Dolly stood still in the doorway so everyone in the tiny shop with a maximum capacity of ten customers could see that she was the one who made the ruckus. On this day, there was one person eating a sandwich at one of the three tables. Once he turned his attention to Dolly, she entered the deli, and Igraine followed her in. The Butcher had been sitting behind a raised counter display of deli meats, reading the newspaper, but stood up as Dolly approached. The elevated platform behind the counter forced Igraine to look up at him. Like all butchers, he wore an apron that had once been white and now had blotches of pink stains on it from the more gruesome parts of his work. [[Back |tadm04.07.04]] [[Next |tadm04.07.06]]

config.header.center : "" config.header.left : "[[The Truth About Dark Magic|https://krelig.com]]" config.header.right : "[[A Normal Life|tadm04]]" config.footer.left : "Copyright 2024 Viktor Krelig" -- He spoke first with an accent Igraine couldn’t place. “Miss Dolly, I am surprised to see you.” “I ran into some trouble,” Dolly said ignoring the greeting. The Butcher wiped his hands, but Igraine noted they didn’t appear to be dirty. “What kind of trouble?” “The kind you’re supposed to protect me from.” “You want me to talk to someone? Make them forget you?” “That's what I’m paying you for, isn’t it?” Igraine questioned Dolly’s confrontational methods to herself. Was it smart to pick a fight with a person who had a magical ability? A customer walked in, and Igraine instinctively turned to toward the sound of the bell above the entrance. The Butcher yelled, “Closed.” At the sound of his voice, Igraine forgot how to breathe and if she stayed where she was, she wouldn’t last long. It was like she was about to drown, and leaving the shop would be like getting to the surface. The customer who came in quickly ran out, and Igraine was set to follow, but Dolly grabbed her shoulder to pull her back without taking her eyes off the Butcher. By the time Igraine recalled what Dolly had said about the Butcher and the risks of not keeping her eyes directed at him, she saw the man who had been eating his sandwich leaving, still holding the half-eaten meal. The Butcher continued as if nothing out of the ordinary had happened. “But, Miss Dolly, you haven’t paid me in quite some time. I was getting worried my reminders would need to become more assertive.” [[Back |tadm04.07.05]] [[Next |tadm04.07.07]]

config.header.center : "" config.header.left : "[[The Truth About Dark Magic|https://krelig.com]]" config.header.right : "[[A Normal Life|tadm04]]" config.footer.left : "Copyright 2024 Viktor Krelig" -- “I swear, I had all your money this morning, but I was robbed by someone from the Brotherhood of Ever Loving Truth, or whatever it’s called.” “You know the one who shook you down? The one who took my money.” “I do.” “Well, I can’t do anything if you don’t tell me their name.” “I want to know you’re going to do something about it.” “I’ll take care of it, just tell me the name.” “Burton Maurer.” There was a flash of recognition on the Butcher’s face. “I changed my mind, I won’t get involved.” “What have I been paying you for?” “Protection, and up until now I’ve done a good job. But if I fix this for you, you won't be able to afford me.” “What are you talking about?” “It’s like when you have a claim on your car insurance. The rates go up. Get into a little fender bender, rates go up a little. Wreck two cars while totaling yours, the rate goes up a lot. Same thing for your butcher. You need your butcher to solve a problem, then butcher's price goes up. And Burton Maurer is a bigger problem than he used to be.” Igraine recognized the signs of a window of opportunity closing. The Butcher had already said “no,” but in a few moments the answer would be “never.” Igraine decided to play it fast and dumb. She blurted out, “Are we talking about meat, or magic?” [[Back |tadm04.07.06]] [[Next |tadm04.07.08]]

config.header.center : "" config.header.left : "[[The Truth About Dark Magic|https://krelig.com]]" config.header.right : "[[A Normal Life|tadm04]]" config.footer.left : "Copyright 2024 Viktor Krelig" -- This attracted Dolly’s attention and the Butcher’s. It was clear she had missed something in the conversation. “Or insurance?” The Butcher asks, “Who is this one?” “She’s a new client.” “This is not a place to bring your clients.” “She’s a new kind of client.” The Butcher scrutinized them for a tense moment before changing the subject. “Rumor is Burton's gone rogue.” Igraine took this to mean that her silly question had worked. “Joined another group?” “Left them altogether. He’s targeting people on his own.” “That sounds like he’s asking for trouble. Wouldn’t his former group force him to stop? After all, he’s sheering their sheep and keeping the sweaters.” “They’re afraid of him for some reason. Sounds like they’re keeping their distance for now. I think he’s holding on to some important information that they don’t want to get out. But you’re right. Eventually they’ll stop him. The real question is, why aren’t any of the magic user groups intervening. And that suggests he has dirt on them too.” Dolly asked, “How’d he get dirt on both sides?” “Don’t know. Don’t want to know. What I do know is that he’s got enemies on both sides. And both sides see it best to leave him alone. Man is untouchable. It is only a temporary status. One side will find a way to deal with him that is permanent.” [[Back |tadm04.07.07]] [[Next |tadm04.07.09]]

config.header.center : "" config.header.left : "[[The Truth About Dark Magic|https://krelig.com]]" config.header.right : "[[A Normal Life|tadm04]]" config.footer.left : "Copyright 2024 Viktor Krelig" -- There was no subtlety to his meaning. Burton would be murdered, and Igraine didn’t like the fact that she felt relieved that he would be. But she couldn’t bring herself to feel any other way. Igraine interjected, “Dolly, what’s this guy going to do about it? Doesn't he owe you protection?” “As much as I don’t want harm to come to Miss Dolly, I'm not throwing myself into whatever Burton is in the middle of. The fool has signed his own death warrant, and I have no interest in signing mine.” Igraine continued, “There must be something you can do.” “A person who knows too much will almost always need help forgetting. Miss Dolly wants to get back into good standing? Make the man forget. Then all sides happy clams.” The two women stood still and silent. Trying to look for an exit for the impossible task ahead of them. “I have a ring I can loan you. Whoever wears it can be convinced to forget something or someone.” Dolly leapt at the hint of an offer. “Perfect, we'll take it.” Igraine objected, “Wait, how much convincing is needed?” “It’s easier if the person is willing, but it also depends on how much needs to be forgotten. Sometimes, it can lead to partial memories.” Igraine asked, “And if he is unwilling?” The Butcher held a grim look. “You remind him of the risks he takes with the memories he has.” Dolly spoke up again, “Like I said before, We’ll take it.” [[Back |tadm04.07.08]] [[Next |tadm04.07.10]]

config.header.center : "" config.header.left : "[[The Truth About Dark Magic|https://krelig.com]]" config.header.right : "[[A Normal Life|tadm04]]" config.footer.left : "Copyright 2024 Viktor Krelig" -- “Not so fast. I am the steward of this magical item, and I do not take my responsibility lightly. I am giving you a dangerous thing for exactly one purpose I have deemed appropriate.” “Ok, we’ll only use it on Burton.” “And how will you be paying me for this favor? You don’t have any money.” “You’ll get what you were owed to begin with.” “That goes without saying.” Igraine tossed out, “She’ll give you an IOU.” Dolly did not like the idea. “I’ll pay the next time I get my commission on my clients.” “What about Viktor?” Igraine asked. The Butcher laughed heartily. “What's he going to give me?” Dolly asked Igraine, “And why would he do it for me?” The Butcher laughed again. “Don’t be so self-centered Dolly. He wouldn’t do it for you, but maybe for your ‘new client.’” Igraine asked, “Is there anything you need investigated?” Dolly said in her southern accent, “Honey, investigations aren’t like back rubs. Most people don't want one.” The Butcher corrected her again, “No. There is something I would like to know more about, and maybe Viktor could be helpful.” Dolly rolled her eyes. “If he agrees to it.” “He has no choice in the matter now.” Igraine went to pull out a notebook. “Hold on, let me take down some notes. What is it you want him to look into?” “No. I will speak no more of it. Only to Viktor.” [[Back |tadm04.07.09]] [[Next |tadm04.08.01]]

config.header.center : "" config.header.left : "[[The Truth About Dark Magic|https://krelig.com]]" config.header.right : "[[A Normal Life|tadm04]]" config.footer.left : "Copyright 2024 Viktor Krelig" -- She didn’t think this ring fell into either of those two types of magic, which suggested to her that the ring was a third kind. The two types of magic she knew about had rules, and disobeying those rules had consequences. When it came to Dolly’s suggestion of using it on herself, Igraine was eager to distrust the ring. “I don’t think that’s a good idea. Besides, the Butcher said we should only use it on Burton.” Dolly waved the objection aside. “It’s the best idea you’ll ever forget.” “No. I’m trying to heal. Not forget.” There was a brief moment of guilt for Igraine. The words were the right ones, but she didn’t feel their meaning. Then she worried about whether Dolly picked up on her insecurity. To reinforce her point, she nodded in a small repetitive motion. “Alright,” Dolly put the ring back in her purse and pulled out her phone, which had been ringing on silent. Actual silent mode. “It’s the same person. I’ve really got to take this. Could you give me some privacy? I’ll be done in two shakes of a cottontail.” Igraine didn’t know what that meant, but she needed a break from Dolly’s company. She ran into a nearby stand in the market that sold reprinted retro magazines. Someone had figured out people still enjoyed reading magazines, especially historically significant ones. They just didn’t enjoy getting their news from them. About half in the stand were counterfeits, easy to spot because of the granular font of the text. The authentic reprints were clear, professional, and updated with a few current ads. After she maxed out the socially acceptable browsing time allowance, she went back to check on Dolly. Her phone was put away, and she was gazing up at the library. Almost like a tourist. [[Back |tadm04.08.01]] [[Next |tadm04.08.03]]

config.header.center : "" config.header.left : "[[The Truth About Dark Magic|https://krelig.com]]" config.header.right : "[[A Normal Life|tadm04]]" config.footer.left : "Copyright 2024 Viktor Krelig" -- “Ready?” Igraine asked. Dolly’s gaze went from the library to Igraine without a spark of recognition. “Do I know you?”. Dolly was clutching her purse while trying not to appear as if she were clutching her purse. And on one of those fingers tightly gripping the white purse was the ring that had been meant for Burton Maurer. “Oh no.” “What’s wrong?” “No. No. No.” “Am I in some kind of trouble?” Dolly was genuinely worried, and Igraine didn’t know what to do. Maybe there was a reverse switch of some kind. She had two choices. Take her back to the Butcher or take her to the only other person who would think this was ordinary. “Let’s get you to Viktor’s. He’ll know what to do.” “I don’t know if I should. I think I’m waiting for someone.” “Who?” “I can’t recall at the moment.” “It’s me. You were waiting for me. You took a call—” “A call, honey, I don’t own a cell phone. I’m not rich.” And then the phone vibrated from in her purse. Dolly, with unblinking eyes, pulled out the phone and stared at the screen that said in enormous letters, “Incoming Call.” Dolly turned to Igraine and asked, “Is Viktor nice?” [[Back |tadm04.08.02]] [[Next |tadm04.08.04]]

config.header.center : "" config.header.left : "[[The Truth About Dark Magic|https://krelig.com]]" config.header.right : "[[A Normal Life|tadm04]]" config.footer.left : "Copyright 2024 Viktor Krelig" -- A breath of relief escaped Igraine, and she held Dolly’s hand to lead her away. “He’s your ex-husband.” Dolly laughed. “I’ve never been married.” [[Back |tadm04.08.03]] [[Next |tadm04.09.01]]

config.header.center : "" config.header.left : "[[The Truth About Dark Magic|https://krelig.com]]" config.header.right : "[[A Normal Life|tadm04]]" config.footer.left : "Copyright 2024 Viktor Krelig" -- I crossed the waiting room, avoiding the old tin watering pot I borrowed from a supply closet to collect the water leaking from the ceiling. It was about halfway full. I gave my response without opening the door. “I’m busy, come back tomorrow.” “It’s Igraine.” “And Dolly!” a familiar voice said. It was cheerful and energetic. I gave the only appropriate response. “Go away and never come back.” Through the closed door, I heard a softer, “I thought you said he was nice.” Igraine didn’t argue the matter. Instead, she spoke through the door, “We need your help.” I gave in and opened the door. Dolly, the woman who blamed me for every strange thing that occurred in her life, smiled and said, “I wouldn’t marry this guy, he’s twice my age.” I had questions, but Igraine didn’t wait for any of them. In one breath she sprinted over her day. “We were confronted by Burton Maurer this morning and he robbed Dolly of the money she was going to pay to a protection racket. And then the protection guy, the Butcher, said he wouldn’t do it but he gave us a ring that makes people forget and we were supposed to use on Burton but Dolly used it on herself.” Of course she did. I didn’t understand everything Igraine had relayed. About the only thing I understood was that Dolly had wiped her memory. And if she thought I was twice her age, she’d wiped almost two decades’ worth. If it was possible for her to understand what she did. Imagine, waking up one day and you’ve lost twenty years of your life. As fired up as Dolly gets me, she deserved better. I waved them over to the well-worn couch in the waiting room. [[Back |tadm04.09.01]] [[Next |tadm04.09.03]]

config.header.center : "" config.header.left : "[[The Truth About Dark Magic|https://krelig.com]]" config.header.right : "[[A Normal Life|tadm04]]" config.footer.left : "Copyright 2024 Viktor Krelig" -- “Have a seat.” Dolly said, “God, this place is awful.” Igraine tried to shush her, but Dolly couldn’t stop. “Does he know the ceiling is leaking?” “Of course he does! Don’t be rude,” Igraine scolded. “What about the hole in the ceiling? Does he know about that?” Igraine was going to say something else while they sat down, but I cut her off. “Don’t bother,” I said, “she hasn’t spoken a kind word to me in over fifteen years. I'm not expecting that to change just because she doesn’t recognize me.” We were all ready to listen, but no one wanted to talk. They sat on the couch along the wall of my narrow office suite, and I sat on a chair to their side, purposefully blocking their view into my office windows. My guest was quiet and I suspected he might also be listening. I mean, that’s what I would do. “Well…?” I tried to get things rolling while trying not to look like I was rushing them. “Dolly isn’t going to understand and I'm worried she might freak out.” Interesting. That explains why she rushed through the explanation a moment earlier. Say it so fast Dolly wouldn’t be able to comprehend anything and I might comprehend just enough. This was not the first time Igraine had demonstrated good instincts. “I think it’ll be safe. Talking about what she went through doesn’t even approach the level of trauma of going through it.” Igraine relayed to me the events of the day, and Dolly just laughed. Igraine was getting flustered. “Dolly, this is serious!” “No it’s not,” I corrected. [[Back |tadm04.09.02]] [[Next |tadm04.09.04]]

config.header.center : "" config.header.left : "[[The Truth About Dark Magic|https://krelig.com]]" config.header.right : "[[A Normal Life|tadm04]]" config.footer.left : "Copyright 2024 Viktor Krelig" -- “You can fix her?” Igraine asked. “Not even a little. No, this is what she wanted, even if her current state isn’t exactly what she envisioned.” Dolly shook her head and giggled some more. “You two are silly.” I smiled at the young woman inhabiting Dolly’s body. “That is a lovely ring, may I take a closer look at it?” “I’m not wearing a ring.” Igraine replied, “Dolly, look at your hands.” She held them out and gasped at the sight of the ring. “I don’t recognize this. I’m not sure it’s even mine. I would never wear something like this,” she said and began to take it off. From personal experience, I knew that Dolly would only wear jewelry that had precious gems. Anything else was “unfit to adorn her person.” A phrase, I recall, she picked up from her grandmother. “Wait,” Igraine said, and Dolly paused. She was being cautious again, but I was fairly certain this was safe. The Butcher had a reputation. Or rather, several reputations. Some good. Some bad. None were careless. “It’s ok. May I have it? I think I know the rightful owner.” “Sure,” she said and handed it over to Igraine who wasted no time putting it in my hand. “You know Dolly, I’m going to have Igraine take you home. Do you mind, waiting outside in the hall while I have a word with her?” She agreed and then said, “It was nice to meet you.” [[Back |tadm04.09.03]] [[Next |tadm04.09.05]]

config.header.center : "" config.header.left : "[[The Truth About Dark Magic|https://krelig.com]]" config.header.right : "[[A Normal Life|tadm04]]" config.footer.left : "Copyright 2024 Viktor Krelig" -- I choked back the emotions in my voice. “It’s been real.” When Dolly stepped out, I gave Igraine the keys to my 1971 Mercedes-Benz. “I want you to take Dolly to her parents’ place. Reality will probably sink in when she sees how much older they are. At the very least, she’ll begin to ask more questions.” “Shouldn’t you take her?” “No reason for them to hate me more than they do already.” I imagine they’ll be happy to have their daughter back in a reality they accept. Even if it came at an irreversible cost. I gave her the directions and added that if she got lost, the car would still get her there. Bernie, the mechanic who haunted it, knew the way. Bernie’s name brought back unhappy memories for Igraine of the day Avalon went missing. I tried to redirect her attention. “I’ll be here when you get back, and you can tell me more about everything. But one last thing, could you tell me how the Butcher said this works?” And held up the ring. Igraine relayed the instructions, along with the magic phrase and how the Butcher said there would be a short span of time to remove the ring to prevent the wearer from retaining any memory of the object. Burton would not be as willing as Dolly had been to give up a mysterious ring that he was wearing. Then she threw me a suspicious glance. “Wait, tell me you’re not going to do the same thing Dolly did.” “Don’t worry. Like I said, I’ll still be here when you get back. All of me.” She still wasn’t sure, but at this point she didn’t have many choices. She stepped out, and through the closed door, I heard the two of them talking. [[Back |tadm04.09.04]] [[Next |tadm04.09.06]]

config.header.center : "" config.header.left : "[[The Truth About Dark Magic|https://krelig.com]]" config.header.right : "[[A Normal Life|tadm04]]" config.footer.left : "Copyright 2024 Viktor Krelig" -- If Dolly had gotten what she wanted after all these years, I hoped that Bernie wouldn’t take it from her by being… well, Bernie. But who was I kidding, he only had it out for grumps like myself. After the two of them left, I spoke loud enough so my voice could be heard in my office. It didn’t take much to hear a conversation from the waiting room if you were quiet enough in the office. “How much of that did you catch, Burton?” My office door squeaked open, and a remorseful Burton Maurer stepped into the waiting room. Burton somberly said, “Ya, I heard.” He walked around and stared at the black metallic ring I held in my hand. “How much for it?” he asked. “Seems to me you recently came into a large sum of money,” I said with a grin. He pulled out a thick envelope and tossed it to me. Anger on his face. I placed it in the other inside pocket of the sports coat. “Oh, come on,” I said. “It’s not like you’re going to remember ever having it.” I tossed him the ring and repeated the instructions, just in case he hadn’t heard them clearly. This wasn’t something either one of us wanted him to get wrong. Before placing the ring on, he wrote a note to himself and gave it to me. He placed the ring on a finger and spoke the magic words. There was a moment when the magic was doing its work where he couldn’t move. I slipped the ring off and placed it in my pocket. [[Back |tadm04.09.05]] [[Next |tadm04.09.07]]

config.header.center : "" config.header.left : "[[The Truth About Dark Magic|https://krelig.com]]" config.header.right : "[[A Normal Life|tadm04]]" config.footer.left : "Copyright 2024 Viktor Krelig" -- Burton shook his head. He put his palm on his head, as he tried to clear a mental fog. For a moment, he didn’t look like his angry old self. Then he recognized me and his anger returned. “Wait!” I said, “I’m just delivering this message.” and handed him the letter he had written a moment ago. I assumed his words did the trick because he didn’t shake me down. He just grumbled, balled up the paper, and threw it on the ground before leaving the office suite. I hoped Igraine had gotten Dolly far enough away where they wouldn’t cross paths with Burton. As calm as I had been in front of Igraine, I did not enjoy holding something that belonged to the Butcher, especially since he had not given it to me himself. But I couldn’t send Igraine back there by herself either. My choices were to either hold the thing that would put me in more danger the longer I held it, or return it to the rightful owner as fast as possible. I decided to let Burton get some distance before I set out for Library Market Square. While I waited, I uncrumpled the letter he wrote to himself: It’s Founding Day. You had too much to drink. Go back and deny everything. The mission failed. Don’t let this loser tell you anything else. If Burton had been smarter, he would have mentioned something about the pile of cash. Then again, the Burton who wrote the letter was focused on more important things. [[Back |tadm04.09.06]] [[Next |tadm04.09.08]]

config.header.center : "" config.header.left : "[[The Truth About Dark Magic|https://krelig.com]]" config.header.right : "[[A Normal Life|tadm04]]" config.footer.left : "Copyright 2024 Viktor Krelig" -- Leaving the office to run my errand was a bit of a risk, having just told Igraine that I would be here when she came back. And then reassured her on top of that. All the same, I’d still be coming back, and I had no interest in using the ring the way Dolly had. Plus, Igraine had farther to go than I did. I pulled out a notepad to leave her a note as a courtesy. But what I lacked was a pen. I searched everywhere and came up empty. I’d be back in no time. I made sure to lock the door to the office suite before I left. [[Back |tadm04.09.07]] [[Next |tadm04.10.01]]

config.header.center : "" config.header.left : "[[The Truth About Dark Magic|https://krelig.com]]" config.header.right : "[[A Normal Life|tadm04]]" config.footer.left : "Copyright 2024 Viktor Krelig" -- “Did Dolly suspect anything?” I could feel Walter’s attention sharpen on our conversation. “No, I kept my hands at ten and two the whole time. A couple of times, the brakes didn’t work, but I just told her it was all your fault and she seemed to believe it.” “Smart not to blame Bernie.” “More like common sense. I’m not blaming someone whose driving that fast while they are driving that fast.” “Must have been record-breaking fast, not only did you beat me back, but you had time to get food too. Did you bring me any?” “Yes but no. Sorry. I hadn’t eaten all day.” “You ate two meals?” She nodded with a guilty but satisfied smile. Damn. Another night of microwave noodles for me. Walter started banging on a pipe in the ceiling. I leaned in and spoke a little softer. “Before you and Dolly showed up, Burton Maurer walked in.” Her eyes widened with fear. “He was looking for us? How did he know to look here?” “He didn’t. And he wasn’t looking for you, he needed my help on another matter.” “Why would he hire you?” she asked in surprise, which had once again caught Walter’s attention. I lowered my voice. “That’s between me and him, or rather just me, since he used the memory-wiping ring Dolly handed over.” [[Back |tadm04.10.01]] [[Next |tadm04.10.03]]

config.header.center : "" config.header.left : "[[The Truth About Dark Magic|https://krelig.com]]" config.header.right : "[[A Normal Life|tadm04]]" config.footer.left : "Copyright 2024 Viktor Krelig" -- “Wait, you said he came here before we did.” I nodded. “So how could he use the…” She gestured putting on the ring. “He—” “He was here when we were here!” She was beginning to get mad. “Are you crazy?” Walter had started stepping down the ladder, and the surprise of her outburst nearly knocked him off. We didn’t acknowledge him. I responded, “On occasion. But not this one. He had confessed to what had happened at Bunny’s, and he promised that he wouldn’t do it again.” Well, mostly confessed. He had understated the amount Dolly had been carrying. Walter chimed in while packing up his tools. “You had two client’s today?” I suspect his interest was in whether or not his family should step up their half-assed surveillance on me. “If a client is someone who paid you, then I had no clients.” I should take solace in the fact that Dolly’s money was used to clear her debt with the Butcher as she had intended. Still, it hadn’t been easy to part with it. Igraine countered, “Wait, so he didn’t hire you? Why exactly was he here?” “I’m keeping that to myself, for now. But what you may be interested in is that after everyone left, I returned the ring to the Butcher.” Igraine’s eyes showed a different kind of fear. The guilty kind. I continued, “Now, imagine my surprise when I learned the Butcher expected a favor from me.” [[Back |tadm04.10.02]] [[Next |tadm04.10.04]]

config.header.center : "" config.header.left : "[[The Truth About Dark Magic|https://krelig.com]]" config.header.right : "[[A Normal Life|tadm04]]" config.footer.left : "Copyright 2024 Viktor Krelig" -- Igraine waved with her hands as she spoke, a sign she was thinking on the fly, “I can explain.” Her hand waving stopped in a position that signaled she needed a minute. I waited for an explanation, and apparently so did Walter because he was the next one to speak. “Well?” She gave up, “Ok, I can’t explain.” I didn’t need an explanation I knew all the players, and Igraine navigated her and Dolly out of a dangerous situation. However, there was another part of the Butcher’s story that needed clarification. “He said my business partner promised him I’d look into something for him.” Her eyes lit up again, this time with complete shock. “I never said I was your partner.” I sighed in disappointment. “Too bad, because if I had a partner I could share the details of my conversation with Burton.” Walter folded up his ladder. Igraine and I paused our conversation. He picked up the watering can that had been catching the water. “You shouldn’t have used this. When I came in, there was water all over the floor. I had to mop it before I could use the ladder.” The floor was no longer wet, but it was covered with broken drywall and dust from the ceiling. Walter had carved out a much larger hole than had been here in the morning. I asked, “Are you done for today?” [[Back |tadm04.10.03]] [[Next |tadm04.10.05]]

config.header.center : "" config.header.left : "[[The Truth About Dark Magic|https://krelig.com]]" config.header.right : "[[A Normal Life|tadm04]]" config.footer.left : "Copyright 2024 Viktor Krelig" -- “Be back tomorrow to patch up.” And he walked out with his tool kit, his ladder, and the watering can I had borrowed from the maintenance closet. Igraine waited to make sure Walter was really gone before asking her next question. In the meantime, I snagged a stray fry from her bag of fast food. “Are you asking me to be your partner?” “Let me first ask a different question.” I took the Butcher’s black metallic ring out of my pocket and placed it on the table. “You told me earlier Dolly offered you the ring, and you refused because it went against the Butcher’s wishes. I’ve secured his permission for you to use it now. So the question is: Do you want to use it?” “No, not after seeing what Dolly went through. Plus, what if it’s like the magic that cursed Avalon? Or dark magic?” “Good question. There isn’t an action, magical or otherwise, that is free of consequence. But, if you use this ring, you wouldn’t be obligating yourself to anything, the way Avalon had.” She stared at it as if there was a chance it could tell her what the right decision to make was. I continued, “If you become my partner, you can’t go trying to deny this life or encourage anyone else to deny it. It’s your normal now. People from your old life won’t like it. They may even try to rescue you from it.” “I know. They kinda don’t like me right now.” “So… what will it be?” [[Back |tadm04.10.04]] [[Next |tadm04.10.06]]

config.header.center : "" config.header.left : "[[The Truth About Dark Magic|https://krelig.com]]" config.header.right : "[[A Normal Life|tadm04]]" config.footer.left : "Copyright 2024 Viktor Krelig" -- I’ve worked with a lot of people over my career, and the ones who’ve experienced the paranormal I would expect would take the ring. Still, something about Igraine told me she wouldn’t. “Tell me why he was here, dammit!” She smiled, and her posture was more relaxed. I’m not sure if she knew that her acceptance was a relief. “Just to be clear, you’re the junior partner.” “Fine!” “Alright. Burton was a member of a group of paranormal deniers. Part of what I like to call a ‘web of conspiracies’ to keep the existence of magic—” She was impatient and cut me off. “I know this. Dolly already told me about these weird groups that oppose each other but oddly work toward the same objective.” I did not appreciate being cut off, but I also acknowledge that I struggle to hear people when they tell me something I already know. “Did she tell you that every once in a while a group of deniers tries to infiltrate a group of magical users?” The case was beginning to click. “And Burton was one!” There was a pause. “You’re an investigator now, see if you can—” “He saw magic and couldn’t not believe! Or couldn’t disbelieve? How do you say that right?” I ignored her question in favor of continuing her correct line of thinking. [[Back |tadm04.10.05]] [[Next |tadm04.10.07]]

config.header.center : "" config.header.left : "[[The Truth About Dark Magic|https://krelig.com]]" config.header.right : "[[A Normal Life|tadm04]]" config.footer.left : "Copyright 2024 Viktor Krelig" -- “He left the magical group because he could never oppose them, but couldn’t go back to the one he originally belonged to either. So he tried going out on his own.” A light bulb went off in Igraine’s mind, “That's why he was following Dolly! He wanted her help.” “Good guess, and you’re on the right track. Burton originally wanted Dolly’s help, but he was skeptical. So he wanted to hear from one of her clients. He had been following her for a few days, and this morning, before you met her at Bunny’s, she met with one of her clients. Burton followed the client after their meeting and asked the individual a few questions. Didn’t take long for Burton to realize Dolly was running a scam.” “I bet that was the person who kept calling all day.” “Could be.” “Why was he here, then? I can’t imagine you could help him get back to his old life.” “He told me he saw something familiar in the second client of Dolly’s that he met today.” “Me?” I nodded. “And whatever that familiar reason was, he wanted to clear his conscience.” “That’s it?” “Not necessarily. He did give me a case, even if he couldn’t pay for it. I’m putting you in charge of it.” She looked perplexed. “Burton and I didn’t get a chance to talk about the details before you arrived. He only gave me this to work from.” [[Back |tadm04.10.06]] [[Next |tadm04.10.08]]

config.header.center : "" config.header.left : "[[The Truth About Dark Magic|https://krelig.com]]" config.header.right : "[[A Normal Life|tadm04]]" config.footer.left : "Copyright 2024 Viktor Krelig" -- I pulled from my coat pocket a silver necklace with a turquoise ornament. The light of recognition shined in Igraine’s eyes. It was the one that Avalon frequently wore. Igraine took the necklace and then hugged it. I wasn’t being entirely honest about everything. Burton hadn’t brought this to me on his own. I had been asking around for it. Thinking it might bring some closure or finality. It brought me something else instead. Information. “He was there. He witnessed Avalon’s curse in action and how an agent of the cult lifted it just in time.” “She’s for sure alive?” “According to Burton, she was alive when the cult took her away.” “We’ve got to get her back.” “Agreed, which is why it’s your case. But I want you to run everything by me, for everyone’s protection.” Including my own. She stared down at the necklace. And didn’t have any more words for me. I picked up the ring and said, “I should get this back to the Butcher.” “Viktor, what happened to Dolly’s money?” “The butcher has it. He took it in exchange for the services you promised.” “Dang, I was hoping I could use some of that for rent.” “And I was hoping to use it for new… everything.” —Viktor Krelig [[Back |tadm04.10.07]] Next: Planned Release in 2025