Chapter 88 - The last kidnap

— Holy shit, what a mess — Rafael assessed the mirror, looking from side to side as he began to remove it from its place — They're bringing the new one, are we going to put it in the same place?

— Oh yes, just release the hooks that hold the mirrors in place — Diablo pointed with his injured hand — Wait and I'll take it off for you.

— No, stay there! — Gustavo intervened, puffing out his cheeks and pursing his lips — Honestly, I asked you to look after your hand! Let me take the hooks out of the mirror.

— But I'm fine...

Gustavo completely ignored the illusionist's grumbles. He just crouched down to help Rafael remove the hooks holding the mirror and carry it outside. The tent was busy with foremen tending to the broken mirror. It was also necessary to clean up to avoid shards of glass scattered on the floor.

Although the humans were noisy and fragile, it was fun to persuade them to do as they were told. All you had to do was sustain a silly injury and you'd win their sympathy. Diablo didn't usually resort to such feats, seduction was his greatest weapon. However, to attract that thin, shy human, he wouldn't need to resort to such tricks.

All he had to do was pretend, and then he would have his attention and sympathy. 

Unfortunately, the drummer couldn't stay any longer as his break would soon be over, which was a pity.

— Please take care of your hand, understand?

— Yes sir — smiled the illusionist, although he didn't give Gustavo much confidence — I swear I will, there won't be any scars.

Peering into his eyes, Gustavo remained suspicious.

— I really hope so. After I've finished rehearsing with the band, I'll come back to see if you've looked after the wound.

— Haha, in that case I'll look forward to your visit, my good friend.

Diablo waved goodbye to Gustavo and the foremen, finally alone in the silence of his tent. His friendly smile faded as he noticed the foremen playing with the drummer. 

Humans were really fun to play with. It only lost its fun when they decided to play with someone they shouldn't have.

— You're quite the trickster, Diablo.

He didn't have to look back to realise who the nuisance was. He'd been listening to that annoying little chap talking at his elbows for years.

— Why would I be?

— You're trying to catch that boy, aren't you?

Over his shoulder, Diablo stared at the hooded boy in the mirror's reflection. Peering at the reddish pearls in mild discontent, the demon closed the doors of his tent to be alone.

— Our little bet was about Leonardo Evilian inheriting Dreamland. But we didn't agree about me intervening in his plans.

— Of course, think what you like. I can see your desperation now that Leo is acting like the owner of Dreamland. I won, and you know it.

That boy was annoying.

Gritting his teeth, Diablo approached the mirror without trying to hide his disgust at the figure reflected in it. A lowly soul trapped in a mirror, hiding like a rat while acting like a great know-it-all.

He was as annoying as he was alive.

— It's not time to sing victory yet. A food court has been built in the park, but the public is still unable to recognise its new attraction.

Ah, he could see it. Those dark eyes full of anger staring at him intensely. His desire to kill him was palpable. He could feel her hatred.

— All I have to do is recognise her as an attraction and this problem will be solved, Diablo.

— Haha, silly. You can empathise with those toys, but at the end of the day they still belong to me — Diablo leaned in front of the mirror, flashing a pretentious smile — After all, I created them. 

— Not Viola. It's still incomplete. Isn't that why you've been walking around the park looking for her?

— Looking for that girl? Come on, I know where she is. 

It was the boy's turn to smile victoriously.

— She's always under Leo's protection. Just like these boys. They're all being watched by Dreamland employees, and the attractions are trying to track you down. 

Despite being deplorable and annoying, that boy was right.

Leonardo Evilian had already set up a surveillance network throughout the park just to look for him. However, he was still a lowly human coward, using the attractions as his front line.

Diablo would take advantage of this, of course.

— As long as that detective stays on Viola's side, you won't be able to get near her so easily to finish your little job.

Crossing his arms, Diablo grinned at the chance to prove that annoying brat wrong. Of course, as a demon, he could do whatever he wanted and whatever he wanted. But humans were too rational, so using logic to defeat them was still delicious.

— That's precisely why I decided to join the game. Tell me, brat, who will your beloved Leo choose? A girl who only works at Dreamland or your friend who you've been living with for ages?

— I'm warning you, don't you dare touch that boy.

Diablo's reddish eyes glowed, and his demonic presence intensified in front of the boy. Although it didn't show, he hesitated in front of that dark, shadowy face.

— Put yourself in your place, noisy boy. You're just a wandering soul who refuses to move on. Do you think you can go against me?

The boy didn't answer.

That was satisfying.

— Your beloved Dreamland exists because of me. If I wanted to, I could devour the souls of everyone in this park right now.

— So why don't you devour it straight away?

Diablo put his hand to his chin in a failed attempt to hide his malice, but the boy noticed all the same.

— Because I found something interesting. Apart from him, I don't care about anyone else.

Before the boy could continue to complain and tease him, Diablo waved his hands in the air, getting rid of his reflection. He was still in the park and had to be careful not to get caught. Although the attractions wouldn't find him so easily.

Staring at the hand with the rolled-up piece of fabric, Diablo brought it close to his face, smelling Gustavo's scent. A floral scent that he had never smelt before, and which seemed appetising to him.

He could dispose of that wound, but the boy's sympathy wasn't so bad. For this reason, the demon disguised as an illusionist was going to wait anxiously for the end of the afternoon to meet his "good friend" again.

In any case, Gustavo kept his word.

In the late afternoon, as promised, Gustavo returned to the park to visit the dark tent. Diablo was waiting for him with a chocolate milkshake as thanks for his help earlier, and as usual, the two sat on the same bench where they had met and chatted.

Diablo acted like a mysterious guy, but kind and elegant. He was also very handsome, which helped in the seduction game. Because of their routine of talking every afternoon, the human boy was already at ease with his presence.

Sitting on that bench under the gradually darkening sky, the two of them were silent. The breeze was gentle, he had got used to the movement in the park. The calm was welcome. Distracted in his own world, Gustavo was startled when Diablo brushed away a lock of his hair.

— Oh, I'm sorry. You look tired lately.

Gustavo looked embarrassed, but didn't move Diablo's hand away. Preferring not to take a step too far, the illusionist avoided further contact and gave him space. As if to say, "I want to be close, but I'll respect you".

And it worked.

— Well... It's been kind of hard to sleep lately.

— Hm, is it because of what appeared in the mirror? — Before the drummer could question him, Diablo held up his hands — Forgive me if it was too intrusive of me, but I tried to get you out of the attraction when I saw that you looked desperate. For your safety, of course.

Gustavo seemed reluctant to tell, stirring his empty milkshake glass and keeping quiet. Without being pressurised, Diablo just waited. Just as before, the boy started talking.

As soon as he started counting, he didn't stop. The words just poured out of his mouth without any filter. Nor could he stop, if that had been his wish.

That's how all that good vibes from before disappeared. 

— My goodness, things are very complicated at your house.

— It's always been like this, we're just in a bad phase.

— And yet you're still kind enough to help someone like me — sighed the illusionist, stroking the drummer's hair.

— I didn't do anything.

Oh, he did. He really did. Humans often feign kindness to get what they want, but that boy was different. Ever since they met, Gustavo didn't use his problems at home as an excuse to win the sympathy of others, he tried to hide it and survive as if it were natural.

It was inevitable not to look at him.

— In your attraction, I was surprised that you didn't have a dream. You said you showed people their dreams, but I felt I didn't have any.

— Maybe you haven't figured it out yet. Since you're a new boy.

Gustavo let out a low laugh.

— Haha, you're right, I haven't reached my twenties yet.

— You see, there's a lifetime ahead of you.

— You must be a lot older than me. I reckon you're nearly 30?

Diablo laughed internally. Should I add a few zeros to your attempt?

— You got it right.

And so he managed to restore the good atmosphere between them. As the evening wore on, the crowd grew smaller and the fog slowly lifted. Looking around, Diablo was pleased to see that the remaining customers were carried away by their desire to see more and more of Dreamland.

Joy surrounded them in the haze.

Leaning his elbows on the bench in a sloppy pose, Diablo just waited. Distracting Gustavo with small talk until night fell, Diablo got up from the bench and put his coat back on.

His reddened eyes glowed with excitement again. He had even considered going slow with the boy, but the conversation with that brat had irritated him enough to put his plans on hold. 

Turning round, Diablo held out his hand, pleased to see Gustavo's eyes staring at him mesmerised.

— Come, my dear. Let the great Diablo help you find your dream.

Without any hesitation, Gustavo took his hand and stood up. Escorting him through the park, Diablo disappeared into the mist, personally carrying his precious victim.