1 1. *The Pink Panther Theme Song*

         {Marigold's perspective}

Stop. Don't follow. I am tired of running. Why am I even running? I can't even keep a proper track of time. The amethyst clouds were turning to a darker shade. A cat yowled running after me. I had an idea. I tricked it into following me.

It was a cat following me not a leopard.

My hair came undone. I took shelter under a tree and wiped my rectangular-shaped glasses. I tried calling Ashley. But, cliché situation. No network. Does this really happen in real life..? No kidding, this was a forest on the outskirts of Wyoming.

Well, I dreamily gazed at the wallpaper on my phone. Nope. Not some sizzling celebrity, only a 2-D character.

A cookie fell off my bag. I tossed it in my mouth.

Damn, just why had I acted on my own? Just 'cause Eva had planned to scare us at night, I just stupidly went ahead and tried a practical joke on her only to get stuck in a pit. Well, she was trapped in a cave. Though the plan worked, it resulted in me being lost.

"Now, what am I supposed to do???" I sighed at my silliness.

I didn't notice but there was a well nearby. Marigold, no this isn't a good idea. Don't. Do not drink from it. This is a famous trope that you know happens often in horror movies. Somebody's gonna pull you inside. A scary face will.

"Oh well."

I turned and explored the woods with my torch. There it was. The Blackhole. Girl, you aren't in the space. Don't widen your imagination any further. Else you'll end up with your pen and book again. That will mark the record-breaking idea jot-down day of the week.

Well, writers do that stuff all the time. Don't blame.

A yawning cave-like hole leading upwards with a bizarre spiraling structure was perched before me. I shone my torch inside it. Good to go. Be a badass. Though you can't even cycle or climb trees or swim. Ok, too many flaws. But I am only fourteen. I shouldn't be judgemental about myself. I might grow up to be a sassy human. Who knows.

"Yahoo!" I squealed at my discovery, ignoring my inner thoughts. Quietly, I scrawled up. There was hardly any space to pass through.

I heard my cell beep twice. Must be a message? Gonna check it later. It must've been Ash. She will be asking why our group had separated. Really... This field trip was a hectic one. Our in-charge might be sending a search party back to our tents by now. C'mon, it was already night.

There was some kind of sound. Weeping? Maybe a child was weeping. Not a great hour, dear infant. You mustn't cry. Especially when it's dark, in a forest, inside a cave at night, and when Marigold is alone. Stop it. I am not scared. I convinced myself as I further moved up. My hands were turning sweaty. The torch was hard to hold. As I moved upwards, I could see the dim netted light coming through.

Something blocked my vision. What the..? It was the foot of the crying child.

Should I flee? Who abandons their babies in a forest? Maybe not humans. But the decaying form of humans. You know...

But, I have a conscience. Insane humane nature. Or just curiosity.

"Whoa! A baby?! How did it end up here? No. No. No. Stop crying first." I said as the child continued to moan. She was stuck, I believe. Or maybe it was her foot that got immovable. I pushed myself forward to help her pass through. I held her hand to console her as I freed her foot from the rock. "There. All done. Now, stop crying."

There was no sound. Wow. Did an infant obey me?

She turned to look at me. Her eye sockets had no eyes. They were bloodier than ever and a grin was spreading on her face.

Whoa. Way to go girl.

I stared at her as she looked at me. There was no movement made by either of us. There was a sound. What sound? It was my heartbeat that was breaking the silence. My phone beeped and my hand slipped off hers as I lost my footing and was hauled back to square one.

"Ow. Ouchie." I moaned as I stroked my back. "That hurt." I felt dizzy and nauseous. In short, sick. Ugh, that blood, and a ghost? Was that a prank on Eva's part? I'm sure. But, it was a baby. Logic. It says it is a ghost. Yup, my logic.

My foot hurt. But I'm glad it did. I escaped and that's what counts. I tied my hair back into a ponytail. Loose hair is obstruction if you are alone and the setting is that of a horror movie. Experience is the mother of all hardy situations. Horror movies are tutorials.

I checked my messages. Ash and Aunt Susan. Oh, of course, Aunt Susan must have gotten the news of me missing. Eva must have phoned her to report that her cousin, who she doesn't get along with, has disappeared. I sat crouched in a corner next to a tree. No network availability. With what little mobile data I had, I searched for the main road, and Google maps made it easy. I walked ahead and reached my destination. I had messaged Ash and Eva but there was no reply as of yet. Hell, are they even worried about me? I meant, Ash.

There were almost no cars on this road. Can any of the drivers, whom I would ask for a lift, be trusted? Especially those old men who look cool but are bad. I started waving my hands. No car paused. No luck...

A van stopped. I turned away. Or bad luck?

I pretended to be a person that was drunk and talking to air. A lady stepped out of the van along with...Her son? Whoa, she was as slender as a pencil. Her colored hair was tied in a bun. She had make-up on which looked good specifically because of her sugary smile. Oh well. She must be a nice person.

"What is a kid like you doing here in the middle of the night?" She demanded as I tilted my head to look up at her. I smiled awkwardly. What should I say...

A celestial being showed up before Marigold. She had a golden halo and a pair of white feathery wings.

"I got lost. I was planning to push my cousin into a pit while we were on a field trip and I ...I had blacked out. No, it was too short to be a blackout. I simply saw myself in that pit." I narrated as she frowned at me.

"Aren't you a genius." Said a boy, emerging from behind her. Ok.

Analyzing personality. He's about the same height as Marigold, just a few inches taller. Dark brown hair. So dark, it's almost difficult to make out any trace of brown. Next, eyes. Green gemstone eyes. Sharp features. Smooth cheeks and a frowning mouth. Looks like a kid. Must be a cutie. Analysation complete. System shutting down.

"That, I am. Thank you." I turned to the lady, "May I get a lift please?"

"Jane, let's take her to the BPRO first. We'll decide it when we reach." He stated, grabbing the torch from me and shining it on my face making an objectionable face, and staring at my cat-eared hairband.

Boy, do you know 'manners'?

Wrong. Not a cutie. System error. Re-check, please. Buffering...Process complete. A mean person not worthy of linking. Target lock-on. Aim for the heart.

"Alfred, that's bad manners." Jane gave the torch back to me as I stuck my tongue out at him. We went inside the van and I hopped quickly over to the window seat. They looked at me as though they had picked up a lousy snail.

The two looked at the innocent little snail-girl who had done nothing wrong but adopted trickery for defense.

"I've told you countless times to call me Alfren. Jane, you never listen to me." He moped. But that was so not cute. He was merely my age. Bossy kid.

We drove over to this place called BPRO. Maybe some police organization?

Jane handed a vanilla wafer to Alfren the great. "Share them with..." she started as they both looked at me as if waiting for an answer. "Well, your name?"

"Oh. Marigold McKenzie." I answered. "You could have asked. No need to be so shy."

"Right...So, how did you exactly end up in a forest?" Alfren the great asked.

"We were on a field trip and my cousin...I heard her planning to prank me with a ghost scenario. So I tried it on her and fell in a pit. And she got trapped in a cave while we were carrying out our respective plans." I bit on the wafer Alfren had given to me half-heartedly. "How old is your son, Jane? And why is he so disrespective?" I enquired curiously.

"You mean disobedient?" I nodded. "No, he's not my son. But I pretty much would love for him to be a son of mine. And he's only 15. So it must be just a phase." She replied as she brought the van to a halt. She got out and instructed us to not go out and went to a market.

"So, where is your mom? At home? Is she your Aunt?" I fired queries at him. It had been long since I had to talk to a human being.

"Why must I answer you? Anyway, I don't have a mom. And Jane is just a colleague. I answered you only 'cause we'd be asking you some personal questions too. So, there we'd be equal."He replied as he hugged his jacket. He was such a delicate being. Or just a brat. And what's with 'colleague'? Does he work with her? With the police? Interesting...

"Duh, FYI...I live with my Aunt and I don't have parents either."

"We'll be asking you anyway. And hey, don't spoil the seats. There was one more kid who ruined the seat behind you." He complained as I dusted the seat. He is more complicated than most adults. I shut my eyes in tranquility.

As Al, the demon king speaks...Marigold saw two red pointy horns protruding from his head. Long and sharp teeth accompanied the spiky, prickly tail. His cold laughter almost made poor Marigold quiver.

To be precise he resembled a demon king.

"...not to mention how much time it requires for...hey, are you listening?" Al entered my train of thoughts and the train reached its station.

"Sorry, Alfren the demon King. Whoops." I blurted almost laughing out loud.

"Funny."

Jane returned with some items in a bag. She plopped on the driver's seat and drove straight. We took off at such an alarming speed that I didn't even notice how we ended up in the face of a huge building. I got off the van and dusted myself. Turning to Al, I asked,

"You know...I feel that maybe you guys are some child-kidnapping gang."

"Unfortunately, I don't like kids akin to you," Al said uncaringly as he dug his hands even deeper into his coat pockets. Akin? And that means...? Egoistic little fella.

The structure before me was colossal. My jaw dropped at its vastness. A man approached us. Wow, he perfectly matched the colossal building. He was bald and resembled sapodilla. Not yummy though. He high-fived Jane and looked at me skeptically. I smiled rather reluctantly and before he could ask me, I, from my experience started to introduce myself.

"I'm Marigold McKenzie. 14 years old. I was separated from my camp while trying to prank my cousin and I was saved by Jane and Alfren the prince of pride alias the demon king."

"Hey Jane, some robotic mechanism? And what exactly has our young'un done for this little missus to dislike him so much?" The sapodilla asked, laughing and patting Al.

"Oh, she's Marigold. Matt, please lead her to the lobby. I'll return soon." Jane said, opening her bun. Blonde plus black is so cool...

Matt bid a short farewell to Jane and Al. He took me through a flight of stairs then an elevator, a couple of passages before we reached the ladies' washroom. My legs hurt. Is this a large kidnapping organization?

"Don't worry, we aren't bad people. Ok? Now, go and take a bath. Jane will come with the clothes. Call us if you need anything."

Is he a psychic? They're even gonna lend me clothes? Hmm... I frowned. Matt smiled and patted me.

"Hey, that's a bad touch. I believe. And just how am I supposed to call you if I need something in the bathroom? How should I trust sapodilla?" Marigold spat. Of course not on his face but...

...inside the mind.

"Ok."

Matt left. And after he left, I too left. And there was no one left behind.

I turned to the left and looked at the long passageway. Not a single human being? Where are Jane and Al? Oh, I didn't want to accept this but I seriously feel afraid, to be alone in this huge building. The forest was a different thing. Ghosts are scary, humans are scarier but stillness is the scariest. I moved forward.

Courage must be the weapon you must acquire at such times. No matter what difficulty, overcome it. This is an adventure. There will be no zombies or undeads. Yup, you can flee or find the duo you trust only 'cause they gave you tasty bits and pieces to eat.

As I walked forth, some rooms were locked and some which were grand ones. Though there was one room that was left open. A tiny ray of light peeked through. Very carefully, I walked over to open the door. Maybe it was Al or Jane...? I gulped as the door opened. When I entered, there was a bed, the bathroom lights were on and maybe the shower too. Did I just trespass?

Alright. This was a bad idea. But just like in the movies, I'm gonna go ahead.

I flipped my waist-length hair. "Excuse me, your door was open...Hello?" My coat made me seem so hideous. Aunt Susan is a weird one. She loves me and gives me what I don't like...?

It was dark. What if you tried to search for the switches and fall on some dead body or maybe accidentally touch a greasy nose of a witch...? Shoo. Shoo. Drive away these thoughts. Just inform the person here to kindly lock up his or her door. Ok. I'm not a person who treats everyone with goodwill. I was scared to boots so I came here to strike a conversation with a human. Oh someone just show up. "Whoa....!" I fell. Something had come in my way. I felt for it. A bat? Whatever. I should probably worry about my face being smudged with all powder. Which powder? Flour? Why is it placed in the...ugh.

"Water...water..." I walked towards the washroom.

My shoulders felt cold. They were damp. Was there a leakage in the roof? I felt for the wet area on my shoulders. To my surprise, it was blood. Nausea overcame me. I looked up at the ceiling. A face hung upside down. A clown. Blood drops fell on my face. The clown looked at me. I looked at the clown. I screamed. The clown screamed. We both screamed. I ran out and without turning back, without stopping. There was an office ahead. Al came out. I grabbed hold of his arm as he made a face of disgust.

"Al! Demon King! C-come with me! A ghost-clown! Blood! Come now!" I desperately clung to him.

"Almost didn't recognize you. Though the look suits you." Matt chuckled, appearing from the office. "Instead of taking a bath, you got yourself all dirtied!"

"What clown? What's with the look you are wearing?" Al questioned, casually running through some files in his hand. This creature..!

"I tell you there's a-!"

"Why didn't you do the task that was assigned to you?" He interrupted, staring at me. Is he my teacher or what?

"No, Jane I tell no lies! There was a witch!" A voice protested from behind.

"Liars lie, you know." Jane reasoned as I turned to look at the clown and Jane coming this way. "Ghost-clown!" I squealed, clinging to Al.

"Bloody Mary!" He exclaimed, grabbing hold of Jane. An eccentric personality surfaced.

"Trickster the Rickster!" another funny character emerged. Shoulder-length brunette hair, a tall giraffe-like personality. An official adult man, according to me.

Wait. Is this some comedy or parody?

"Jack, help me discard these loons." Al pleaded. Though it only seemed as if he were demanding. Yes, pretty much. Jane sighed. She whispered something to Jack and escorted me to the bath, I suppose...? What about the Rickster?

Will he be executed? Because of Marigold? Or tortured?

*

I had a nice time in the hot water. The bubble bath was so warm and comforting. When I got out of the bath, Jane dried me with a towel. Was I a princess? Not that I mind. She made me wear a pink frock and all pink accessories. Whoa, so girly. I love it.

"Oh no. How can I forget to inform my Aunt about this all?"

A forgetful creature too, I am. Jane asked me to stay here for a while. I took it as a joke. I mean, come on...how can I stay..?

"NO WAY! My Aunt won't allow it! I've never stayed away from home! Uncle will kill me!" I squealed, rushing out.

"But we'll need to ask you about the forest. For investigating!" Jane protested, following me speedily as though running after a child to feed her food she hates.

"I'll tell everything now then you leave me." I blurted and started revealing what all I had experienced. From the prank to the baby ghost and the clown one, too. Jane sighed as we paused in our tracks.

"Ok. Jack...Is this all the info. You need?" Jane asked as Jack came and nodded.

"Ok. Just a few questions. Describe the baby."

"Huh? Ok! Empty eye-sockets, bloody and a grin. Small torn frock."

"And the foot, where was it stuck? Be precise, please."

"Um, the rock...above me? Yes. It was hard to free her of it."

And..." his queries went on and I answered them one by one. "Ok. That's it. Wait, what is this bracelet on your hand? Looks old."

"Uh...Oh, it was..." I paused. Where did this come from? If I'm right, was it from the wrist of the baby? It was dangling loosely from her hand..."It was the baby's. It slipped into my wrist before I fell to the ground. Here," I gave a convincing smile and handed it over to Jack.

 I don't keep mementos of scary incidents.

Jack looked at Jane as if waiting for her permission to speak. Al turned up from behind. God, these people are the ghosts. Not the poor baby who scared me to death.

"She can keep it. A team had already gone to investigate but found it was fine over there. What Marigold saw was just a trick of her mind."

But I don't want it. 

"What's Jack to you?" I hissed curiously wriggling my fingers.

"Just a colleague." Al stated as Jack woefully replied, "How harsh. I adopt you and you show me such cruelty."

"You shouldn't have, then." He briefly commented, stroking a strand of his hair completely lost in thoughts.

"Come on, Al," Jack complained as Al kept playing with the strand of hair. His way of concentrating on something? How cool.

Maybe I should find some tic like that too. How about rubbing my chin...? Nah. I don't have a stubble.

Al looked at him. Jack nodded in assurance. Al spoke with regard to me, "You may leave. Just ask Matt to-"

"No, He's big and scary. Jane is good. Jack is cool. You too are fine. Wait, I forgot my bag in Rickster's room. I'll go fetch it. Be right back."

A chance to escape.

I hopped off. When I peeked inside, he wasn't there. Phew. I grabbed my bag and ran outside. Does he never lock his door? I casually walked to Al and Jane.

"...that she'll be scared. It's fine." Jack patted him.

"The baby's family was so shaken that they weren't able to find the little body." Jane hung her head.

"Hey, Can I meet the family?" I asked as I approached them.

We walked into the main office where a mother was crying with her two children and a father who was trying to console her. "I'm sure she was cursed. How then an infant could have reached a forest, you tell me. We should never have brought that doll. It's all because of that...!" She wept.

"Hey, how did they know the baby was in the forest?" I murmured to Al.

"They didn't. They had called us to find a missing baby by some voodoo or psychic stuff and we ain't into that stuff but she insisted, asking the address. We can't decline a client's request so the location was sent and they rushed right over. For over an hour the mother was pestering Jack to find her kid back. Ah, and when we were discussing about the baby you found in the hole, they overheard us, and now..."

Al spoke in a low voice and rubbed his forehead.

 Just then, a girl in a top and parka came running towards us. She was holding something tightly in her hands. She gasped when she saw me.

"Ashley!" I let out a squeal.

"Marigold...! Uh, excuse me...I found this...this..." she hesitated, cowering slightly with the wrapped-up thing in her hands as Jane helped to recover the object in Ashley's arms. No, wait.

"My baby!" the mother leaped at the baby. "She...she's breathing!"

Tears and joy were seen on the family members' faces. Jack let out a deep sigh. "Thank you, girls. You guys have saved a life!"

"Me, as well? Ok. You're welcome." I giggled, give me no credits when I did nothing. But...How did Ashley find the baby? And how did it end up...?

"This..." the mother approached Ash and handed over the bracelet to her, "...is yours. It may not be much but consider this as my thanks to you, girls." We smiled and accepted it.

I squinted at the bracelet with a gem on it, in Ashley's hand. If the baby is alive, then what I saw was...? A hallucination?

She giggled. "You want it?"

"Huh? No. You were given that, you keep it, thanks."

"Nah, keep it. I know you like it." 

I twisted my lip as Ash put it on me and told me how difficult it was to find me. She said her companions had given up on searching for me but she continued to hunt me. She's a predator and Marigold's the prey, yeah. In a forest, that too. She said she came across a van from where the sounds of a baby crying were heard and so she rushed over to the office of the BPRO.

"A van? Seriously?" I doubted at this point. What exactly was going on? If the baby was alive, then what I witnessed just couldn't have been an illusion. "Ash, we need to get outta here. I feel uneasy. I'll take you to where I saw the baby."

"Um, about that...Marigold...I can't return to my home nor the camp. Because mom, dad, and Kevin have gone to another city for Kevin's talent show. They won't be back before the next month starts. Dad asked me to stay at the BPRO. He says it's a trusted organization and that he has already paid the fee..."

Ashley let out a flood of unbelievable truths. Before I could swallow it all, I got a call. Aunt Susan was online.

"Marigold dearie, where are you? Are you okay? I've been so worried. Have you eaten anything?"

"Aunt Susan, I'm at the BPRO. It's near a...small store, I guess? Could you please pick me up? And, I'm fine..."

"Oh, so is it fine there? I'm coming, Eva darling! Yeah so, I had called to say that we'll be going to another city for Eva's talent show and we will be away for about a month or so. Ok, so do well. Jane will help you with everything. Eat well, sleep on time. Don't watch too many cartoons...bye." She briefed and disconnected the line.

Shit gets real.

What the heck, Marigold?! Isn't this all clearly a set-up? So, Marigold a normal pretty girl with glasses has been set up! It's totally not gonna be a normal environment. She's the main character of a drama/thriller movie. The adventures of Marigold McKenzie and romance with the debut of the broomstick starts now. Meet Ashley the housefly, Rickster the clown, Jane, Jack, Henry- the minor characters of this story. Stay tuned for the villanous Demon king who plans to thwart the girl's plans.

Ok, if I'm gonna stay here; I must at least know what the hell is this BPRO!!!

"Full-form of BPRO?" I questioned.

"Uh, don't you know? Bureau Of Psychic Research Org." Ashley declared. "I'm smarter than you. I've got the littlest knowledge of stuff that you don't know about." She turned to Jane and relayed all info she had briefed me on as Jane asked her to follow her.

"Marigold, shall I drop you?" Jack asked me, as he approached me moving away from the cheering behind.

"From the terrace? Yes please." I said, half-dead.

"What happened?" Jack asked Ash as she told it all to him on the way.

I was tired from all these worked-up tasks, so I quietly walked away from the chaos. I went to Jane's room and sprawled on her bed. She had already shown me around so I kinda remember this is her room. And I wanna sleep. Take a break from this chaos.

Whoa, Eva, you had me. This time I lost to you. I sleepily closed my eyes and went into a deep slumber. No, not death.

She's the main character. She just can't die....as of yet. Plot-armor. She just slept. Dreaming about her anime heroes etc. She didn't hear the knock on the door or Jane entering and seeing her sleep, she left. She didn't even notice how Al came in to consult Jane but returned with a pissed-off expression. She didn't even perceive how Ash came and hit her on her head because she had just left. Nor did she notice how the shadow of a petite person or, maybe the way a baby's shadow clouded over her.

I woke up with a start. I stared at the fan. What was that shadow? Are these people really psychics or are they just researchers?

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