A. Candle's Light Read online

we’re in a castle.”

  “What kind?”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Is it big? Is it blue? Is it wood?”

  “I’m getting to that part. It’s big, blue, and wood.”

  “Wow.”

  “Come on, here’s a tunnel.” They crouched down and went through the imaginary tunnel. “Watch out, it’s dripping.”

  “Ew, what is it?”

  “Poisonous oil.”

  “Ah! I think it touched me.”

  “No, you’re alright. We’re out.”

  They straightened up.

  “That was scary. Let’s find another way back.”

  “We will.”

  “Where are we now?” Elsie asked, looking around.

  “I don’t know. What do you see?”

  The little girl closed her eyes and shook her head back and forth. “There’s goblins.”

  “Where?”

  “Everywhere.”

  Elsie and Al jumped around the little apartment, waving their arms to fight off the hundreds of goblins that were appearing every moment. Elsie found swords and tossed one to Al. These were magic swords that made quick work of the goblins. Elsie wasn’t ready to move on until all the goblins were bloody messes on the floor. When this task was accomplished, Elsie led Al into the throne room, where the dark king was waiting for them.

  She spoke in a deep and rough voice. “I’ve been waiting for you Lady Elsie and friend Alfred Candle. You won’t get away.” Her voice returned to normal. “Al, he’s coming right at you.”

  Al shook his head and the hair swept out of his eyes. He punched and kicked at the air.”

  “You got him. But he’s coming toward me now.”

  Elsie punched at the air as well.

  “Good job.” Al said.

  Her voice was that of the dark king. “You two are too strong, but I won’t be beat.” She was then Lady Elsie. “You’re strong dark king, but not as strong as Alfred Candle.” She turned to Al. “Quick, hit him with your magic.”

  Al didn’t know what to do. He threw his arms out in front of him.

  Elsie shielded her eyes. “It’s so bright.” She looked. “You did it!” She screamed. “You killed him. He exploded. His guts are all over you.”

  “Gross.” Al wiped at his clothes.

  Elsie laughed. “I’m joking. His guts are a fiery mess next to his body. But we have to get out of here, the castle’s collapsing.”

  “It is?”

  “Yes, let’s go.”

  They ran in circles around the apartment. Elsie kept Al up to date on where they were. “We’re passing the kitchens; watch out for the flying plates. Now we’re in the pool room. There’s water everywhere. We made it to the gardens. Quick, get down.”

  They jumped on the couch, winded.

  “That was powerful magic.” She said.

  “I train every day. Are we out?”

  “Yeah, we made it. We didn’t get any treasure. It must of been really hidden. Thanks for playing with me. Daddy doesn’t play with me anymore. He thinks I’m getting too old. What time is it?”

  Al checked his watch. “Almost noon.”

  “Mommy should be back in a few hours.”

  Sitting so close to her, Al picked up the faintest smell. It was strong. He couldn’t place it. It seemed to be coming from her clothes.

  “What does she do, your mother?”

  “I told you.”

  “You said she made money.” Al said gently.

  Elsie looked seriously at him. He looked away.

  “Thank you for playing with me.” He said after a while.

  “Old people don’t like to play.”

  “Old? Did you say old? I just graduated from college a few—old? Old people need play more than you kids.”

  “Mommy doesn’t like to play with me. She says I annoy her.”

  “No you don’t.” He assured her. “She’s annoyed at other people, not you.”

  Elsie stared at her hands. “Do you get annoyed with me?”

  “No, you couldn’t annoy me.”

  She looked over towards the kitchen area. “Mommy should be back in a few hours.” She said again.

  “Where did she go?”

  “I don’t know. She told one of her friends yesterday about Stoneway Street.”

  “Stoneway? What’s out there? I think the courtho—”

  Elsie stared at the floor.

  “We still have time to play more.” Al said quickly.

  “I’m good.” She coughed loudly. “I think that stuff is wearing off. I’ll lie down.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “Yes.”

  Al went back over to the computer and brought the screen back up. He clicked the mouse a few times.

  “Hey.” He said happily. “I made two hundred dollars. I sold a review.”

  “Is that good?” Elsie asked unenthusiastically.

  “It means I can stay here longer.”

  Elsie nodded and closed her eyes. She really did take a nap this time. Al started typing again. In an hour he finished and started a new product review. When a knock at the door made Elsie jerk awake at three he had written another review and two more articles.

  He got up and answered the door. Elsie’s mother came right in. She smelled of cigarettes.

  “Come on Elsie.” She said, her excessive make up and overdone hair didn’t hide the aging and wear of her face.

  Elsie slowly got up from the couch and walked with slumped shoulders to her mother.

  “Thank you, Al, here’s ten dollars.”

  He took the money and walked to the door. “Elsie. If you want to come by some time you’re more than welcome. We still have to find the treasure.”

  Elsie turned back excitedly.

  “No.” Her mother said sternly. “If she’s not sick then I don’t see the point.”

  She pushed her daughter up the stairs. Al watched them go, shaking his head. Elsie really was sick.