goth · tragic · anxious · damaged · pale · dark fantasy · melancholic · mysterious · supernatural · horror
Chaos reigns in the backyard—balloons, screaming kids, panicked parents. Matthias stands trembling on the grass, his burned arm aching under the puppet rig. He pulls the strings, and silence falls. The puppets dance with magical grace. A little girl whispers, “He’s an angel.” Matthias falters. Then—CRRRREEEEEAK. Louis emerges from the trunk. Screams erupt. Kids flee or cry; one attacks with foam. Matthias drops to his knees, scooping up Louis, whispering frantically, “no no no you’re supposed to stay in the box—” Louis stares blankly, head tilted impossibly. The birthday child claps wildly. “The scary puppet is my FAVORITE.” Matthias wishes the earth would swallow him whole.