“Where are we going?” Maggie Beautiful whispered.
“To wait by an exit,” Mitch informed her.
“Why—” She caught my sidelong glance and finished with, “Never mind. It doesn’t matter.” Then she mouthed the wordsneakat me.
“Toto,” Mitch said, “I don’t think we’re in Kansas anymore. I think we’ve fallen down the rabbit hole and woke up in Never Land.”
“How many stories was that?” Violet wondered out loud.
“Three,” Juliette answered.
We stopped as a group. Knowing the layout on paper was all fine and dandy, but being submerged in reality, only candlelight to light my way, the map inside of my mind proved to be somewhat of a hindrance.
Brando was the explorer of our group, having a weird sixth sense about where we should be. Even my feelings couldn’t compare. He had an internal compass that never led him astray.
“You’re lost!” Mitch hissed at me.
“What makes you say so?”
“You’re answering a question with a question!”
“No! I’m not lost! I’m just directionally challenged.”
“Don’t worry,” Juliette said, pointing to the floor. Nuts littered the marble, a trail of them behind us. “I left breadcrumbs for us to follow. Scarlett is not known for her sense of direction.”
“That makes four stories,” Violet said.
“We’re going back!” Mitch ran a hand through his hair, and for the first time, I noticed that he had a few silver pieces too. They were just better hidden.
Before I could protest this decision, the five us nearly jumped out of our skins, a chorus ofAHH! JESUS! DON’T DO THAT, OSCAR! MAMMA!came screaming out at once.
Nino had somehow detached from the shadows and appeared before us like an apparition. An apparition that wore the rest of Maggie Beautiful’s drink.
She’d thrown it in his face, claiming it was a natural reaction to being startled.
Nino’s eyes were shut tight. He blew out of his mouth, the liquid touching my skin. Digging in his inner coat pocket, he pulled out a handkerchief and wiped his face.
“My eyes,” he said, his voice even, calm, “are on fire.”
Juliette leaned forward and blew at him.
“Grazie,” he said, though it came out laced with sarcasm, his thick black brows pulling in. No humor. “I am sure a tender wind will extinguish a forest fire!”
The five us looked at each other, our lower lips pulled in. The more serious Nino attempted to be, the funnier he became. No question about it, though, his entire being screamed—I’m on edge!
“How do we get to the exit, man?” Mitch asked.
He shrugged. “There are quite a few. Are my eyes red?” They sprang open, peering at us.
We all took a step back. Maggie Beautiful might as well have clawed out his eyes. They were bloodshot, the lids swelling as he stood there. Before long, he wouldn’t be able to open them.
Not that I ever wished ill on anyone, but since it happened, it might help me find the room Brando was in. If I could only lose the cast of—whatever story this was.
A few watered-down reassurances were offered, but he had to know the truth. He had to squint.
“Nino,” I said. “You need cool water.”
“There is no time for such frivolities. I was instructed to take you to the room where the auctions will take place.”
