Cherry’s Spectacular Theory

On the very next day, the moment Cherry submitted her ticket and crossed the glittering ornamental gates, she mentally prepared an apology for Charlie and her mother.

In the end, she snuck out of the house before anyone woke up. It was stupidly reckless of her to go without telling anyone, but she at least wrote a vague note that she’d be out for a few hours, and in case she did somehow find trouble, she also left a hint. That obviously wouldn’t cut it, but it was the best she could think of without worrying anyone.

She already asked Charlie a hypothetical question the night before, but he’d rather continue studying veterinary science than watch Monty Starman’s “ear-deafening and blinding” performances.

That answer nearly shattered her spirit. If her brother wouldn’t go with her, then who would? The Vamiers were too busy treating Eloi’s body and investigating Maribel’s death to enjoy a fun break. She pondered whether she should go at all, but what were the chances she’d get another opportunity?

The Spectacular Theory would only open every July, but the end of the month already drew near. The moment they close their gates for this year, her tickets would be nothing more than fancy paper. After that, it’d be back to fate rolling their dice.

Cherry swallowed and gripped tightly on her handbag.

It wouldn't hurt to take a brief look, right? She shouldn't waste Monty's tickets after all. Plus, this might be her only opportunity to lay her eyes on “that” place, and at the same time, she could prove it. She could prove to her mother that nothing would go wrong.

This trip shouldn't last any longer than an hour. At the very least, a short walk and a small souvenir would suffice.

Thus, there she stood alone at the peak of dawn, now taking in the fantastical view of it all in her breathless state.

Massive, towering cogwheels spun at a distance, powering a giant flat hand that waved at the new arrivals. Rows of vibrant stalls and stands housed inventions, games, food, and magical displays like an expansive collection of dreams—a scene so bizarre and mystical that Cherry had to pinch herself to confirm that she was truly awake.

It was, in fact, not a dream.

The newcomer could barely hold back the thrill and observed as many details as possible.

Elongated sunflowers stationed around the area acted as speakers, blasting lively music for the crowd. A few bubbles floated by, carrying tiny cogs and cards inside of them. Colorful balloons attached to every tent bounced around without any sign of wind. Hell, she could’ve sworn she saw a giant flower walking past a booth with a talking horse!

Cherry began her walk, eyeing at each display she passed. One stall offered exotic street food, and the other sold color-changing fabric. Another stall had a dancing robot, dressed as a clown and playing with floating cards. At a distance, a small group gathered as they watched a comedy skit between sock puppets.

It was true. This place truly was the land of miracles! Seriously, how could there be a tragedy here? Her mother turned out to be unreasonably paranoid after all!

Then again, an unsettling amount of ravens perched and flew around. Perhaps they were eyeing the abundance of street food much like she did.

Other than that, this whole place was packed with life! Children played with peculiar toys and gadgets, couples walked together, and families gathered around booths with star-struck eyes.

Wait.

Cherry rubbed her eyes, spotting a familiar man disappearing at a narrow gap between the lengthier tents. She rushed after him, leaned against a corner, and curiously peeked.

Walking alone was a middle-aged man in a black suit with long, silky white hair flowing behind his back. He hung his head low and trod slowly, mumbling something under his breath.

Cherry stepped into the alley, her chest warming up with anticipation.

That hair. She recognized that pretty hairstyle anywhere.

“Mister Horace?” she called out.

The man practically jumped in his steps, and a red pocket watch flew out of his hands. The watch smacked his head and bounced between his panic-stricken fingers before he clumsily snatched it back into his grasp. He spun around with wobbly steps and gaped his dark blue eyes. “Huh?! Ch-Cherry?!”

Cherry approached him and playfully waved an arm. “So it is you!” she chirped with a beaming smile. “I knew I saw a familiar face in the crowd!”

The fair man took a step back, gawking at her as if her mere presence was illegal. He cleared his throat, hastily recomposing himself. “Ch-Cherry, why are you here?” he asked worriedly. “A-Are the Vamiers with you? Aren't they too busy? Wh-What about your family?”

“Oh, them? They’re not with me.” She looked away with guilt. “I’m... all by myself.”

“What? Why?”

Cherry pursed her lips. “Well, it’s... a long story,” she muttered.

Horace raised a brow, suspicious. He frowned and looked down at the scarlet pocket watch, gripping it tightly. “Cherry, I highly urge you to leave this place,” he said sternly. “Did you know how many people went missing in this place? It’s too dangerous to wander off on your own. Next time, bring at least someone to accompany you.”

“Aren’t you by yourself too?”

Horace squeezed his watch. “I... am here for business, not pleasantries.”

She sighed and drooped her head. “I see,” she mumbled. I was planning to leave soon anyway.

He knitted his brows and looked down at his watch, concerned. “How fond are you of this place?” he hesitantly asked.

“Huh?” She looked up. “Well, I... have always dreamed of being here.”

She pressed a palm on her chest, gazing longingly. “I’ve always wanted to step foot here and see everything this place could offer,” she murmured. Her eyes practically glowed with stars at this point. “I mean, have you seen those crazy inventions out there? They all seem like they were all made by magic! They’re all incredible! And I’ve barely stepped foot in here too!”

Cherry bounced in her steps, smiling away. “Most of all, I’ve always wanted to see the Galactic Stage, the biggest, grandest stage in all of Theatreux! It’s so huge that everyone in the amusement park can watch Monty’s show! It’s my biggest dream to one day perform on such a stage! It’s an impossible dream, I know, but there’s still a chance, right?”

For some reason, her tutor looked terribly disturbed and conflicted.

“Mister Horace?”

He continued to stare at his pocket watch in deep contemplation. “Do you... truly cherish this place that much?”

“Of course!” She nodded enthusiastically. “I love it so much that I wish I could live here!”

Horace glanced up, staring back at the spectating ravens before looking back at his watch with a grim expression.

She tilted her head. “Mister Horace?”

For a minute, his grip wavered.

With a deep inhale, he stuffed his watch inside his pocket. “You’re more likely to come back some other day with your friends than you realize, Cherry,” he said with a gentle smile. “If you could share your feelings with them like you did with me, then I’m sure they’ll go with you next time.”

She blinked. “How did you know I was worried about that? Can you read my mind?!”

He snorted and shook his head. “Lady Maribel forced me to babysit you for about a year and a half, you know. By now, I can somewhat grasp your thought process.”

“Baby... sit? That’s how you’ve been treating our music classes?”

He cleared his throat. “Anyway, you were worried you wouldn’t have another opportunity to return here, correct?”

She shyly nodded.

Horace softly grinned. “Then allow me to reassure you that you’ll certainly come back with everyone next time—I can easily get my hands on as many tickets as you need.”

Cherry’s heart swelled back up with hope. Her smile returned, and she nodded with contentment. “Then let me at least get a souvenir,” she said. “I gotta prove to Mom that she’s missing out!”

Horace chuckled and walked out of the narrow passageway. “I do happen to know a stall selling interesting trinkets nearby,” he said. “I can guide you there if you’d like.”

“Oh? What about your business?”

Horace relaxed his gaze, oddly relieved. “I just realized this amusement park isn’t such a great place for my... 'job,' after all.”

“Really? What was it anyway?”

“I was... planning to complete an old vow—a promise that I can fulfill at any time, anywhere,” he murmured. “But if you deeply treasure this place, then..."

She stepped closer. “Sorry? I didn’t hear that.”

He shook his head, grinning. “Don’t concern yourselves over it. Let us go, shall we?”

“Oh, alright! Lead the—”

“Oh?” a third voice called out. “Where are you two going?”

Cherry twitched and turned around, widening her eyes at a familiar flamboyant man in a red suit with a golden cape and top hat. Horace stopped and glanced over his shoulders, gaping his eyes.

“Oh, M-Mister Starman!” She stretched her grin and bowed. “Good morning!”

“Haha, good morning to you too, Little Star! Just call me Monty, by the way. There’s no need to be so formal.” He tipped his hat and winked, briefly rubbing his left ear with a red earpiece. “I just happened to walk by and saw you! Have you been enjoying the amusement park so far?”

“Oh, certainly!” She nodded enthusiastically. “This place truly is amazing! I still can’t thank you enough for those tickets!”

Horace blinked. “Pardon? Cherry, you got your tickets from him?”

“Ahaha, don’t misunderstand, Horace. I just gave her the tickets because her mother threw her original ones away.”

“Cherry, since when did you start seeing him?”

“Ah, she’s only my fan—”

“I’m asking Cherry here.”

“Huh?” She glanced between the two. “Uh, we just happened to cross paths yesterday.”

“Is that so? What a coincidence.” Horace took a step away. “No matter. Come, Cherry. It’s time to go home.”

Monty blinked. “Eh? Did I hear that right? Little Star, you’re going home?”

She stepped back, the sudden tension throwing her off. “Uh, right, I, uh..."

“Aww, already?” Monty knitted his brows. “After when our gates barely opened? Why?”

“Uh, i-it’s just that... I just realized it’s better to go with someone else after all..."

“Didn’t I give you two tickets? What about your brother?”

“Oh, Charlie? He..."

She paused, blinking to herself before facing him. “Wait, how did you know that I have a brother?”

Monty twitched a finger. He laughed it off and scratched his head. “Ah, pardon me,” he said. “I remembered seeing you with your brother before at your school festival!”

Horace scowled at the Overseer.

“Oh, you were there?” She rubbed her chin. "How come I didn’t hear any news of you while we were there?”

“Well..."

Horace hurriedly approached Cherry and grabbed her shoulder. “Come on,” he insisted. “Your family is waiting for you back home.”

She glanced up at him. “Ah, right—”

“Huh? Hey, wait!” Monty snatched her wrist. “Isn’t it too soon to go home? You’ll miss out on all the fun events we’re hosting today!”

She glanced back at him. “But, I—”

“She can see them some other day,” said Horace. “With companions.”

“But they’re only exclusive for today!” Monty squeezed his grip. “She'll never get to participate in them again!”

“Aren’t you a little too pushy as the Overseer? She’s but one of thousands of your visitors.”

“Exactly. As the Overseer, it’s my job to make sure that all my guests get the entertainment that they deserve.”

Cherry grimaced, glancing down at her wrist. “O-Ow, Monty, you’re squeezing a little too hard—”

A fourth voice aggressively cleared his throat.

The three froze and turned around, facing a child with crimson eyes and short, raven-black hair with a golden crown ornament on his head. The boy fidgeted his arms, shyly approaching the three.

“Uhmm, sorry to bother you, but..." The kid pointed in a far direction. “I saw some people fighting over there.”

Monty hesitantly let go. “Is that so?” He gazed at a distance. “What about the supervisors?”

“I didn’t see any.”

The Overseer stared at the boy, analyzing him while adjusting his earpiece. “Then will you lead me there? I don’t believe I can see it from here.”

“Do I have to? It’s not too far from here.”

“I do insist so I can quickly be of assistance.”

The boy twitched an eye. For a brief second, he glimpsed at Cherry, his gaze desperately sending a hidden message that she didn’t catch.

In the end, the child sighed and turned around. “Fine,” he muttered.

The Overseer tipped his hat with a pleading expression. “Little Star, please consider it,” he begged. “It would mean a lot to me if you stayed here.”

With that said, he and the boy walked away with haste.

Cherry couldn’t help but bounce his words across her mind, her cheeks blushing.

Horace watched as Monty disappeared around a corner, and once he finally vanished, he sighed, turned around, and walked away. “Don’t let his words fool you, Cherry. He says that to all his fans.”

Even though her tutor said so, Monty’s words left her in a daze. Her favorite celebrity, her idol who illuminated her dreams, and the embodiment of who she wanted to be, went out of his way to urge her to stay in this magical park. How could she refuse?

Horace stopped in his tracks. “Cherry, you’re not genuinely thinking about staying, are you?”

The dedicated fan lowered her head and twiddled her thumbs. For a long moment, she stood there, hopelessly conflicted.

Horace gripped his fist and inhaled. “Listen, I couldn’t tell you this before because I promised Lady Maribel to keep it from you, but you leave me no choice.” He walked back toward her, his face dead serious. “The reason why she asked me to be your private music tutor and kept our relationship a secret from everyone else was to lure out a stalker who has been targeting you. The truth is, that stalker is—”

Something small and light soared across the air and struck his neck.

Horace flinched, gaping his eyes as he reached for his neck. He hastily yanked off the dart, staring at it before collapsing.

Cherry finally snapped out of her reverie and gawked down at him. “Huh? Mister Horace?!” She rushed beside him and kneeled, nudging his shoulders. “Mister Horace?! What’s wrong?! Hey—”

Something cold stung her neck.

Cherry winced, widening her eyes next. She reached for her neck and pulled out the tranquilizer. She whipped her head in the direction of the shot, her vision rapidly growing foggy.

Fast approaching her was a pair of men in dark red suits, carrying large, empty sacks and ropes.

Before she could have a chance to realize what was going on, everything went black.