Scareground by Angela Kecojevic

Author:Angela Kecojevic
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781915584557
Publisher: Neem Tree Press

“Waltzer—” She whispered his name in panic, and it was several breathless moments before the light and noise of the fairground spun back into focus.

“Are you all right?” asked Waltzer, searching her face worriedly. “One minute we were chatting, and the next…well, you sort of dazed out.”

“I s-saw a shadow,” Nancy stammered. “I…I couldn’t breathe.”

Waltzer glanced away. “Just a shadow, I’m sure.”

“Have you felt that before?” she asked, wondering why his cheeks were flushed.

He turned back to face her. “Me—and the boys—we’ve seen Skelter walk into the woods, slipping into the pathways between the tents, wherever he thinks he won’t be seen. He talks to himself, murmuring, whispering, although Shy once reckoned he saw him talking to…” He chuckled and shook his head. “A shadow. But that’s crazy, right? No one talks to the dark.”

Nancy shuddered. “These shadows…What are they?”

“A trick of the imagination,” said Waltzer. “Although, Madam Sixpence might see them as something different. You should ask her.”

“I saw her at the local market.” Now that Nancy knew the truth about the Tombola crest, it all made sense. The fortune teller would have recognized the mark, and the idea of it being on Nancy’s wrist must have terrified her. “Would Madam Sixpence know what Skelter was up to?”

“Well,” said Waltzer, nervously, checking that no one was listening, “I believe that she does other stuff too.”

“What sort of stuff?” Nancy’s heart creeped up high steps.

“Have you heard of a necromancer?”

Nancy shook her head. The word sounded terrible. “What does it mean?”

“They say a necromancer can summon a demon.”

Nancy’s heart reached the top step and faltered. “A demon?” She’d never imagined they were real. And, if they were, then…“Why would anyone summon a demon?”

“Power,” said Waltzer, matter-of-factly. “No one’s ever seen her do it, mind you. Although, sometimes, we can hear strange sounds coming from her wagon.”

“And Skelter?” she asked, trying to hold on to him for another minute longer. “Could he have seen Madam Sixpence summoning one of these…demon things?” She wondered where he fitted into all of this.

Waltzer shrugged. “I guess.”

The flush on his face gave Nancy the answer she needed. Skelter must have seen Madam Sixpence at work.

“That’s a yes,” pushed Nancy gently.

“Maybe,” said Waltzer. “Or that’s what Dodge reckons. Nancy, I need to go before I get into trouble. Why don’t you come again tomorrow?”

“That would be nice,” said Nancy, a sudden thrill rushing through her. Another visit to the Scareground! Although, without a feather, how would they get in?

He must have read her mind, as he dug into his pocket and pulled out two feathers. “One for you, and one for your friend.” He smiled. “It was nice meeting you, Nancy. I hope you and your friend make up.”

Impulsively, Nancy reached forward and hugged him. Waltzer smelled of bonfires and mystery, a million smells away from the bakery. “Thank you! And, if we do come tomorrow, I shall know exactly where to find you!”

They had left the tent for some fresh air, but now Nancy watched as Waltzer ran back to his ride.

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