The Dark Stranger Page #2

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today.

I think he's got a fever.

- God, my ass.

He probably just has a project

or a test

or something he doesn't wanna

do.

- Well, look I don't have time

to get into this with you right

now.

He's sick.

- Are you seriously buying this?

- Please just check on him

later?

My ta mark is coming by to

pick these up later so...

- Dad,

can't you just take them to

school and give them to him?

- No, no, I'm in class all day,

all right.

Please, I'd really appreciate

it.

- I know, dad, I'm not ready for

that.

Look, if you wanna be a part of

this

stupid art show that's fine.

I don't wanna be involved.

- Okay Leah, I don't

ask for much, all right.

I need your help it's important.

Please, can you do this for me?

- Okay, I'll try.

- Thank you.

Thank you that's all I'm asking.

Okay.

I'm just gonna leave these

by the door, all right.

- Oh my god I knew it.

You are such a little con

artist.

- Whatever, Leah, move out of

the way.

- Where are you going?

- Not to school if that's

what you're asking.

- You can't just skip school,

Toby.

- Watch me.

- Jesus.

- You know everyone has

to tippy toe around you

like you're the only one

that matters around here.

- That's not true.

- - Then turn around

and act like a total

b*tch to everyone else.

I mean you've cut out

all your friends, me.

I mean we used to look

out for one another.

Now...

What?

- Nothing.

Look, you can't just skip

school, Toby.

I'm gonna call dad.

- You're going to rat me out?

- Yeah.

- Sure, go ahead.

It's not like dad will care.

He barely knows I exist anymore.

- Yeah, he's gonna ground

you for like a week.

- I don't give a sh*t.

- Okay, good.

- Well, this is bullshit.

You're bullshit.

Guess I gotta be a suicidal nut

job

to get noticed around here.

- Don't ever talk to me again.

- Leah.

- Sh*t.

Far away in another world

there lived a little doll named

Alyra.

She longed to be a great singer

of songs.

Alyra was created by the powers

of Calah,

a beautiful good witch

who gave her not only the gift

of life

but also the gift of song.

Unfortunately

Calah was too curious for her

own good.

She liked to experiment with

forbidden potions and spells.

Alyra tried to stop her

but Calah was too strong

for the little rag doll.

Blaming herself Alyra ran into

the wild

banishing herself from the

world she once loved so much.

But she was stalked by

a troll witch doctor

who wanted her to atone for her

sins.

She made songs of her lonely

tears

not realizing that her voice was

heard

by a roaming spirit known

as the dark stranger.

He had been watching her for a

long time

patiently waiting for

her talent to blossom.

He finally found Alyra alone

and shivering in the forest.

The stranger promised

to take her to a place

where her voice,

her music would always be

appreciated.

Oh, my god.

Toby, someone's at the door.

Toby.

- Hi,

hello.

Hi, I'm mark professor

Garrison sent me over.

Leah.

Leah, your dad

your dad told me to come over

to pick up some paintings.

He said you'd be expecting me.

- Can you

can you just give me just a

second please?

- You know I can come back later

if you're busy.

Were you drawing?

- How do you know I draw?

- Well, you have a very proud

father.

He told me all about your work.

It sounds fantastic.

You know I used to wanna

draw like Dave Mckean.

- You like Dave Mckean?

- Yeah, yeah, he's pretty

brilliant.

Sandman is one of my all time

favorites.

- You like sandman?

- Uh, like

it was my go-to escape

whenever I needed one you know.

- Yeah, I do.

Look, I have kind of a nasty

cold.

Do you think maybe you could

go stand on the sidewalk

and I'll just put it on the

porch for you?

- Should I avert my gaze as

well?

- That's probably a good idea,

yeah.

- Okay, yeah, sure.

- Okay.

Okay.

- Thanks.

- Yeah.

- Nice to meet you.

- Remember I like mine well

done.

- You wanna wear it on your

head?

- Is that a smile?

You smiling?

Where did this come from?

- Nowhere in particular

I just had a good day.

I had a really good day.

- That's fantastic, that's

wonderful.

That makes me so very happy.

- Oh, hey, your ta came by

to pick up the paintings.

- I know thank you.

I know that wasn't easy for

you and I really appreciate it.

That means a lot to me.

- Hey, what do you know

about this Randall Toth guy

who's running the show?

- Not much but he seems legit.

- Yeah.

The guy's gotta be kind

of tortured himself

if he wants to see a show

about depressed artists.

What's his deal?

- Well, I'll find out more

tomorrow.

- What does that mean?

- Well, I'm a meet him.

We're gonna talk about the

exhibit more

and I'm hoping you'll

reconsider being part of it.

Hey, well you're looking better.

Where have you been?

- It must've been a 12 hour bug.

I ended up going to school

right after you left.

No, seriously, I went.

Look, I was late but

I made it in time for second

period.

Leah made me go this morning.

- Is this true?

- Yeah.

- Then this is a good day.

You need a hand with dinner?

- No, it's okay. You go relax.

- Hey, for what it's worth

thank you.

- Honey, you all right?

What happened?

- He's under my bed.

- See nothing under the bed.

- What?

- Hey,

some new stuff.

- Oh, no, no, no.

I'm just sketching.

- Yeah.

All right if you need anything

I'm just down the hall.

- Hey dad

am I turning into mom?

- Your mother had some serious

issues.

You just need time to work

through this

and you'll beat this I know it.

You sleep well, angel.

- Alyra couldn't

wait for the dark stranger

to take her from this

lonely place to where

she would always be happy.

On the journey she asked

why he was called the dark

stranger?

He said the world didn't

appreciate his talent

so he found a new life in the

shadows.

He chose the end of the world

to build his very own sanctuary

a carnival full of spinning

rides and colored lights.

The dark stranger promised to

make Alyra his star attraction

where many would come in

adoration.

However the beauty of her voice

invoked anything but adoration.

Instead they began to heckle her

trying to silence her.

Then their hostility turned

deadly.

Just a second.

- You seem happy today.

- Yeah.

I think I had a breakthrough.

I'm working on a new graphic

novel.

- That's wonderful, Leah.

So this must mean that you're

adjusting to the new medication.

- Yeah, I guess so.

I haven't felt this good

in a really long time.

- So can I ask

what is this story that

you're drawing about?

- It's kind of hard to explain.

This character

the dark stranger

it's like he created himself to

lead me.

- Where is he leading you?

- Well, I don't know but it's

gotta be better than here.

- I'd really like to take a

look at these drawings if I may.

- They're not really ready to

show so...

- I promise I won't be critical.

I'm just curious is all.

They're really beautiful, Leah.

What is this?

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