Board Thread:Writer's Workshop/@comment-26996853-20150918183640

(So far I have corrected any spelling errors, but wasn't sure if that was the problem. I am also unsure if I have to add something in or remove some things out. I'd appreciate the feedback.)

I remember my first magic show, and my last. Most people when older would just leave the memory at the back of their mind, but this one, this one I would never forget.

It was my 8th birthday, and my parents had decided to take me and my older sister to a magic act. It wasn't much, as it was taking place at a youth club we had went to a few times before. My sister, being a hormonal teen was reluctant to go, but my parents threatened to ban her from all electronics if she didn't come.

So our parents drove us there, and we arrived.

Once we got out, we were greeted by signs and lights around the doorway, and a small stretch of red carpet going inside. We all walked in, and took seats at the front. There were quite a few people there, some young; some old.

There were red curtains covering one corner of the room, where I was sure the magician would come out.

I shifted in my seat, excited to see what tricks this person would do, my sister looked at me.

"How can you be so excited? Magic isn't r-"

"Laura." My mother quickly cut her off with a stern look towards her. Laura rolled her eyes. We then fell silent when the lights dimmed. A voice seeping out of the speakers in the corners of the room. My excitement growing more.

"And now ladies and gentlemen, please welcome...Mr Manson!"

As that was announced, a spotlight that was set up slowly moved towards the curtains, and sure enough someone came out.

He was rather tall and slender with long legs. He looked like he was in his late 30s. He was pale, but not ghost white; he had rosy cheeks too. He had a big smile on his face and looked into the crowd, his eyes landing on me for a brief moment whilst leaning on the staff he carried.

He had shoulder length black hair which was a little messy, and deep blue eyes from what I could see. He also had a slight stubble on his chin.

He wore a white shirt with a black jacket and a red bow tie. Matching the jacket were black dress pants and smart shoes. He also wore white gloves. A top hat finished his attire.

But what was the most noticeable of all, was the bird on his shoulder. Instead of the usual dove or parrot, it was a crow. It was also looking at the crowd and landing it's eyes on me.

"I am Mr Manson...and this is my lovely assistant, Ravenna. Say hello to the audience Ravenna." He motioned to us.

The bird let out a harsh 'caw' and looked at the man. He chuckled lightly. "Good girl. Now...let's get this show started!" He exclaimed as he put his two index fingers together. As he separated them, a want was growing between his fingers.

I remember catching my mother look towards Laura. She merely rolled her eyes again and we continued watching.

The man done several tricks, such as the usual card trick done by magicians I used to watch on television. He had to use a volunteer for that one. I didn't want to do that one. He even removed his hat and pulled out a white rabbit!

The more tricks he did, the more fascinated I became. He even had a few tricks involving Ravenna; even arguing with her in some. It had seemed like the show had gone on for hours, until someone rolled out a large box.

"Alright...for this, I need another volunteer. Who'd like to go?" He asked looking around the crowd. As a few people raised their hands including myself, he tapped his chin with a thoughtful look. His eyes then landed on Laura.

"Ah! You young lady!" He said. I frowned, a little disappointed I wasn't picked, but smiled at Laura. She sighed and slowly got up. Mr Manson grinned at her when she reached him.

"What is your name?" He asked her.

"Laura."

"Well Laura, it is nice to meet you. Now what I need you to do is go into that box for me please." Manson said pointing to the said object with his staff.

Laura rolled her eyes and walked past him.

"This is lame." I saw her mutter and for a brief second I swear I saw the man frown. Had he heard her?

Mr Manson followed her, and she stepped into the box. Mr Manson shut the door and locked it.

"Now Laura is in the box, I will now let you witness as I make her disappear!" He exclaimed. He waved the want in his other hand and tapped the box.

"Alakazam!" He said. He unlocked the door and opened it. I couldn't believe it! She was gone!! A few gasps were heard from the audience. Manson bowed a little. "Oh, but there's a problem! We need her back! I need you to say the magic word with me! We have to say it loudly or Laura won't come back!" He told us closing and locking the door again.

He counted down, and when reaching one, we screamed "Alakazam!"

"Louder!"

"Alakazam!!"

As he tapped the box and unlocked it, the door flew open to reveal Laura standing there. She almost looked as if she hadn't moved!

The audience quickly began applauding, and Manson bowed. He thanked Laura as she returned to her seat.

"Well now, unfortunately I have nothing left to show you..." He said with a sad frown. A few awww's came from the kids there, including myself. "But never forget...magic is real." He said, his eyes landing on me once again as he said that. I smiled widely.

Soon, everyone was leaving. I watched as Mr Manson disappeared behind the curtains. I looked at my parents and Laura. They were getting ready. So whilst they were distracted, I ran over to the curtains. I went through to see the tall male packing up.

"Mr Manson!" I spoke up, making the man straighten up and look towards me. Ravenna let out another caw.

"Now, now Ravenna. Calm down." He said as he smoothed under her beak head with his index finger. He looked back at me. "Hello there young man." He said.

"I liked your magic show!" I told him with a bright smile. He smiled back.

"Oh that's sweet. I'm glad you liked it." He said. It was then he spotted the birthday badge I had on. "Oh! You're the birthday boy, Jack?" He asked. I nodded. He grinned wider and crouched down to my level.

"Well...since it's your birthday, how about I give you your own private performance?" He asked. My eyes lit up.

"Really!?" I asked. He nodded with a smile. However I looked back towards the curtains. "Actually, I don't know. I think I have to go home." I said as I began walking back out. That was until I felt the man's gloved hand grab mine.

He began leading me back in, and through another pair of curtains.

"It will be quick, your parents won't even notice you were gone." He said smiling down at me. Thinking back now, his smile...it was just...off. I just looked up and nodded without words.

As we walked, I remember him taking me through the back doors of the youth club. As the door closed I could hear my mother calling me. Those were the last words I heard before everything suddenly went black.

The last thing I saw being Mr Manson and Ravenna, the smile still present on his face.

I woke up when a strong light suddenly came on, I slowly opening my eyes, but my vision was rather blurred. My eyes slowly adjusted before I froze.

This wasn't the youth club. This was some kind of theatre. With a proper stage and lights, and on it stood Mr Manson with Ravenna on his shoulder.

"Ah, you're awake birthday boy." He said smiling down at me. I noticed I was in a chair.

"W-Where am I?" I asked him, tears gathering in my eyes a little.

"You're in my theatre! After the people who owned it dumped it, I re did it!" He said. I went to get up, but I couldn't move my arms or legs. I looked at my limbs and gasped. Duct tape binding me to the chair I was sat in.

Then I heard a moan, and looked around; letting out a scream.

There were other children and people taped to the seats, only...

A child a few seat away from me had bruises all over him, his eyes puffy and red from crying and clothes dirty. Then next to him was a man...with no eyes. The more I looked around, the more grotesque things I saw. The theatre was full of people either dead or dying. All taped to the chairs.

"These are the people that believe in magic. Unlike your sister, Laura. The little bitch." I heard Mr Manson. I looked up at him and began crying, trying to release myself from the tape. He jumped down from the stage. A sad look on his face. "What is wrong Jack?" He asked me.

"I-I W-Wanna Go H-Home!" I sobbed. His sad expression soon faded, and a large smirk made it's way onto his lips.

"Oh, little Jack. I thought you wanted this. Now you have to stay. Or else you'll end up upsetting Ravenna." He said motioning to the bird. "That man certainly did..." He said pointing to the eyeless man. I cried more, but he brushed it off.

"Anyway! The show is about to begin!" He said jumping back up onto the stage. He looked back down at me.

"Don't worry Jack...this will be magical." He said. He began the same routine from earlier, talking to everyone as if they were all alive. Looking back now I wonder if he really thought all of them were alive.

"I want to go home!!" I yelled. Mr Manson fell silent and looked at me. Suddenly, he burst.

"No! You are not going home!! You will watch my performance and you will like it!!" He yelled, his voice echoing in the large room. "You were one of the people who really liked me, now you get to watch my performance for a life time!! You will pay attention to me!!" He said giving a wide grin. He calmed down, and continued with his act.

But as he was about to reach the box part, a large bang was heard. As I turned my head to the back door, I saw police officers with dogs run in with my parents and Laura close behind. I looked back at Mr Manson, only to see the box door close.

"Jack!!" My mother screamed, my father and Laura almost vomiting from the decaying bodies around me.

"He's in the box!" I screamed with tears rolling down my cheeks." The officers went up onto the stage with their guns and opened the door quickly, which caused my eyes to widen.

He was gone.

The police searched the theatre; he was nowhere to be seen.

Mr Manson had ripped a bit of his glove as he had to pull me through some thorns, and the police's dogs had tracked us down by his scent.

I was taken to hospital for a check, before I went home. The people still alive in the theatre were probably taken to the hospital, then home like myself. The dead bodies in the place were probably put in the morgue and contacted their relatives.

Mr Manson was never found. 