Wobbly and confused, we stumble out of the Arena. Outside, the night sky is clear and crisp. A lustrous line of stars forms a celestial smile that brightly welcomes us back to reality. Broadly, I smile back, thankful for the three-hour experience we have just had. While deeply inhaling the fresh air, my sensory world gradually shifts back to normal. I turn around and look once more at the colossal stone building while everyone moves sluggishly forward. The crowd slowly proceeds in the direction of the vehicles, and it feels as if we’re all awakening from a dream.
Looking to the left, I see the camp in the meadow. The dark wooden cabins have small round windows through which warm lights shine. Each cabin has a different colored lantern pending in front of its entrance. I think of the main performer from the show and wonder which cabin is his. I don’t have much time to look for it since the herd of people moves on slowly.
The legends and rumors say the Didelians are very strict when it comes to privacy; after the performances, the audience isn’t allowed to leave the path. Snooping around the cabins in search of performers is strictly prohibited, and I quickly give up my mischievous idea of finding the man who captivated me for the last three hours.
Chapter 2
Flambeau River State Forest, Wisconsin
October 24th 2014
Monstry’s Surly Demeanor
When my feet bump into something soft I almost trip. Confused, I halt my march to see what I have stumbled over. In the darkness, I distinguish two large green eyes that peer at me from below. It’s a big white… cat. Quickly, I crouch to the ground to inspect if I’ve hurt the animal with my big leather winter boots, but before I can get to it, the cat jumps to the side while keeping its green eyes fixated on me. I look up at my friend Psyrah and ask her to wait. When I crouch down to reach out to the animal, the cat leaps even further to the side. It doesn’t take its eyes off me, not even for a second. As it makes its way through the dense forest of legs of visitors, it feels as if it is asking me to follow it.
“Meet me by the car,” I whisper to Psyrah. “I’m going to follow the cat.”
Psyrah looks puzzled but before she can ask anything, I am already chasing four soft paws through the crowd. The green eyes have an enchanting effect on me and I keep chasing. Before I realize where I am, I’ve stepped out of the line of people. I’m a lot closer to the cabins now. Should I follow the white animal any further? I’m undecided. What if the Didelians discover I’m on their grounds? Will there be immediate consequences?
The feline doesn’t seem to have patience for my internal dialogue and disappears in the direction of the wooden houses. With the four paws fading in the distance, I silence my common sense, take a breath and follow, which is very out of character for me. I’m not a risk-taker. This animal has a strange effect on me.
When I’m next to the closest cabin, I realize what I’m doing. My heart starts to pound. People have been thrown into jail for trespassing. Everybody knows the Didelians are off-limits. Even for the authorities. My fear becomes too overpowering. When I turn and prepare to run, but suddenly a deep voice rings like a bell.
“Wait.”
It comes from the shadows between the cabins. In a glance I see movement and a dark silhouette travels in my direction. Behind it, I distinguish two familiar green eyes. The cat. I freeze. My body feels like an icicle, and I can’t even move my fingers. I’m terrified.
From the shadows, a man in a cape appears and approaches me. Within an instant, he stands in front of me. His face catches the light of a nearby lantern and shock penetrates my body. It’s the main performer of the show. It’s the man I’d been staring at all night.“Eh… it… it was the cat,” I stammer but I am not sure even the grass around me could have heard my trembling voice.