Day 64: Things That Go Bump

	Marlon woke up refreshed and was ready for some adventure. He saw on the adventure board that a merchant at the relic shop needed help. He went into the store and spoke with the merchant. He explained that the museum was having a hard time keeping people employed there for security due to strange noises. Marlon had been to the museum before, so he was excited to head back and see what had changed.
	Well, not much had changed. He did find some chinese artifacts upstairs that were used for martial arts, though. He played around with it until he had heard some sounds coming from the next room.
	Marlon had thought that it was coming from the egyptian artifacts, but realized that it hadn't. It was coming from below somewhere. Interesting how the sounds didn't seem to bother him. His emotions must be numb to them considering where he had been living the past couple of months. He'll need to report back to the merchant and let him know what he discovered. That was enough for today, though. He was going to take time to relax too!

Day 63: Away From The Troubles

Physically, Meggan had a comfortable night sleeping in a beautiful bed. Mentally, Meggan was troubled by what had been done to her. She had been cursed twice. Once was something to her body, and twice recently with her face. She was beginning to feel that she may be stuck this way for eternity.
	She got up to exercise in the fitness room of Van Gould's mansion. She had to be careful not to run too fast in fear of breaking the machine. She needed to burn these frustrations out of her.
Temeka loved the winter here! She thought the town was full of weirdos, but at least the school closed every few days or so due to the amount of snow that had fallen. That was plenty fine, she thought as she started building a snowman. She noticed that the babysitter had arrived. Sigh, weirdos.
	Marlon had had enough. He had to get out of here for awhile. His whole life seemed to have turned upside down since moving to this place. He had reported in to work and saw Annalove there. She smiled as he walked in, and Marlon was glad to see her. He held her hand, "Annalove, I am going to leave town for a few days. I need to straighten things out in my head, and I can't do it here. I leave you in charge while I'm gone." "I'll miss you, Marlon," she said. Her lips looked so plump and inviting as she said that. Marlon had to restrain himself and call for a cab.
The cab had arrived, and he quickly got in.
	Marlon watched as the cab drove further and further away from Moonlight Falls.
Several hours later, Marlon's plane landed in France and he returned to the beautiful town he had once visited. He had thought about Annalove and wrote her a letter that he had made it safely. He really missed, Annalove. Maybe he should've kissed her before going? It would've made him feel better, and that can't be too bad.

Day 62: The Search For Peace

	The house was a mess, and Meggan wasn't about to pick it up. She had bigger issues at hand. She was hideous! Her husband nearly fainted, and her little baby screamed. Temeka was off somewhere with a friend. Meggan had to leave. She couldn't stay here.
Marlon was miserable. The house was a disaster and his wife was missing. He started cleaning a few things up and polished an old lamp he had purchased days ago.
	Pink smoke poured out of the lamp with such force that it nearly pushed Marlon back into the kitchen counters.
A beautiful, blue woman stood before him. Her voice sounded heavenly. "Your wish is my command, Master." What would he wish for? So many things to choose... wait. Peace. He needed peace of mind. "I wish to be at peace."
	The genie smiled. A glow came from within her and extruded through her eyes, nose, and mouth as she commanded the laws of the universe, "Zkkkdrahhd tuyii chaknot!!!"
Marlon was lifted in the air, sparkled, and came down gently. He was truly feeling at peace. There were no worries. There were no problems. "Be at peace, Master," the genie said, "for it will not last forever." Her essence oozed back into the lamp from which it came.
	It had been programmed into her mind. If anything were to go wrong, instinct would bring her back here. Whereever here was. It was a mansion. She should know this place, shouldn't she? She rang the doorbell, and seconds later Master Van Gould answered. He simply stared at Meggan. No fear, no pity, no humor... no emotion at all. "Help me! I don't know where to go or what to do. I'm hideous! I can't go on this way!" Meggan broke down into tears. "Fool, child," Van Gould responded. "Let this be a lesson to you for letting your hunger run wild and out of control. You will remain here until the curse runs its course, and you will do exactly what you are told." "Yes, Master."

Day 61: The Beauty Within; The Darkness Without

Temeka was not about to let this day go to waste! First of all, she needed to get away from her weird family. Well, her dad was fine although acting a bit strange. Not as strange as her mom, though. Temeka just wanted to get away from them, period. Temeka thought of one idea when going outside. She decided to build an igloo in the front yard. It would give her and her friends a place to hang out.
	Marlon felt like he was losing his mind. Things didn't feel right at home at all. There were times where he knew something was wrong with his wife, but then the problems faded from his brain like a weak dream. He decided to spend time at the spa today to get his thoughts in order.
Meggan had slept in. She was craving... something. She found some juice boxes in the fridge that were given to her by... someone. She couldn't remember. It was a temporary fix to her thirst, but only a fix. She needed more.
	Days like these are always best with a friend, so Temeka called up her friend Zoe. She showed her the igloo she made and asked if she was interested in going to the Winter Festival together. She was, and Temeka was silently thanking for the opportunity to get away from her freakish home.
Meggan ran to the art museum. This seemed like a fine place to hunt. Hunt? That should be odd, but it seemed perfectly natural to her. In fact, she could sense someone ahead. He had just what she was looking for!
	She snuck up close and bit into his arm. Oh, how refreshing! The taste, the sweetness. Much better than those plasma juice boxes! She'll need to wipe this man's memory once she was done drinking.
Temeka was up in the air on her snowboard. It was almost like flying and coming back down to land. With each leap into the air, she felt like she could forget about each worry that was happening back home.
	Meggan was in a hunger craze. She had to have more! A faery had hovered by her. She had to try some! She felt the magic blood flow into her lips as she fed. It was marvelous.
Temeka was getting hungry herself, but it was normal hunger. She was busy skating with another friend she saw at the festival. She was hoping her friend would take pity and buy her something to eat. Her life was incredibly rough at the moment with the way her parents were acting.
	Meggan had received a party invitation. Perfect! She could try some more flavors of blood. This was working out excellently today.
No, it wasn't. The same faery was at the party, and she was not very happy with Meggan at all. Before Meggan could react, the faery casted a spell.
	"You hideous creature! You will learn the importance of maintaining beauty within. Until then, people will see you for the hideous creature you are on the outside!" What had she done? Meggan had to get out of here. Quick!
She went home and saw her husband. She approached him tenderly and said, "Honey, I've had a rough day. How about a kiss?" Marlon about had a heart attack.
	Meggan had to erase the memory from his mind. Meanwhile, she went over to see her baby. Dillon was looking awfully cute. He'd know who his mother was.
She approached closer.
	As she wrapped her hands under Dillon, he let out a scream so loud that it would have curdled milk.

Day 60: Freedom Is Foolishness

	Her phone was ringing early in the morning. Too early. At least, it used to be too early. Meggan felt more alive at night. Working during the day was like working a graveyard shift. Meggan flipped open her phone and said hello. A voice greeted Meggan, and then her eyes became glossy and her mind went numb. "You have done well, child," the voice said through the phone. "There are a couple of new legislations that will come to your desk today on safety and reduction of taxes. You will veto them and pass a new law that raises taxes and further oppresses the people, so that they remain in our control. You will explain the higher taxes is for education, but you will explain no more than this. Once you have finished your work, you will come to see me. Remember, Freedom is Foolishness." It slurred out of Meggan's mouth as easy as drool, "Freedom is Foolishness." The call disconnected, and Meggan's eyes blinked. It was as if there had been no call at all. Must've been a wrong number, she thought.
The government limo came to pick up Meggan, but once she got to City Hall she couldn't wait to run to the door. She knew she could have ran faster than the limo took to drive into town. That shouldn't be possible, but there it was. The impossible was beginning to be more and more normal for Meggan.
	There's normal, and then there's abnormal. Marlon had noticed something in his front yard that wasn't there before. It was a gnome, covered in snow. Was it a gift? Perhaps a curse? He wouldn't put it past this odd town to do such a thing.
Dillon smiled as he looked up at Yellow Wings. He wanted to tell her that something was wrong with his mommy, but didn't know how to communicate. He also couldn't understand what had kept the fear away from him whenever his mommy picked him up and glared at him with those glowing eyes and sharp teeth.
	Work was finished, and Meggan was ready to head home. No... she couldn't. She had to go somewhere first. She wasn't sure where, but her feet led her in the direction she needed to go. Her feet were fast and a mansion stood in front of her. Meggan thought she remembered this place.
Master Van Gould approached from the mansion and greeted Meggan. "You are prompt, very good. Come in for a spell."
	"Report on your progress today," Master Van Gould said to Meggan. "I vetoed the bills that you told me about. It caused a lot of anger, however I explained that it was for the need of education. They still grumbled, but it did quiet the anger," Meggan responded. "Very good," Van Gould said with a hint of laughter. "Of course, they will not get that education. They must never be allowed to leave to pursue any forms of higher education or receive any here. The people must remain under our control, and that money will be used to keep them here so that we do not lose our feeding grounds." "Yes, Master." Van Gould chuckled with a low growl. "Of course you realize that you will not be permitted to remember any of this conversation. You shall return to your home and act as though nothing happened after you left City Hall." "My husband. He could be a great asset to us." "No, child. You are not to turn him. We have other plans for Mr. Tempest."

Day 59: It's For Their Own Good

Meggan woke up in the middle of the night. What was that odor? It was marvelous! It was a spoiled, gallon of ice-cream. It had been left sitting out.
	Meggan couldn't resist the flavors and sensations of this spoiled treat! She should be absolutely sick from eating this, but it was delightful. Regular food seemed bland by comparison.
After throwing the remains away, Meggan called up a friend she hadn't spoken to in awhile. Quiara answered and they agreed to meet at a tavern.
	They met and joyfully greeted each other. Quiara thought Meggan looked really sick and pale. She also commented on how Meggan's skin sparkled. Meggan explained that it was the sun sparkling off of the snow.
Quiara then asked questions regarding the odd changes and reorganizations happening in City Hall. She wasn't pleased, but figured there had to be an explanation. It was one too many questions, and Meggan had had enough. She stared directly into Quiara's eyes and emptied her thoughts and worries for her. Carlie stood there, drooling. She also looked... delicious. Meggan was thirsty. Very thirsty!
	Meggan brought Quiara back into the privacy of her own home, where no one else could see. Her instincts took over and she bit into Quiara's arm. The blood was sweet with a hint of honey. It was fabulous and was just what Meggan needed. Quiara didn't know whether to respond in pain or pleasure.
Meggan told her it would be okay and caressed her back and shoulder. "It will be okay, my friend. I will take care of you." "What is going on here?" Marlon was home! What was he doing back so early?
	This could not be allowed! Meggan stared into Marlon's eyes and wiped what he just saw from his mind. "You are mine, my love!" Meggan was going to make sure her husband's attention was refocused. "You will love me and give me all of your attention for the rest of tonight, and you will forget about Quiara."
When Marlon came out of the trance, he couldn't resist the beauty of his wife standing there. He kissed her, deeply. There was nowhere else he would rather be. There was nowhere else he had to be.
	Actually, there was. Marlon had went home early, because he forgot something he needed for work. He never got what he came for and forgot about returning to work. He never heard the fire alarm blaring and wasn't there to put out a fire that consumed a family's home.