Juniper Berry by M. P. Kozlowsky

shadows were of an altered, twisted world and wanted nothing but to consume her.
    Beyond the room there was another hall, this one kept in complete darkness.
    As Juniper and Giles entered the room, the man stood. He was extremely tall, taller than any man Juniper had ever seen. In fact, almost everything about him had length. Each body part was extended: long legs, long arms, long neck, long fingers. He was enveloped in a ratty hooded cloak, his elongated face concealed in shadow. His bony pale fingers wrapped around a wood staff, and Juniper noticed his nails were long as well, and dark, as if painted midnight blue. As the shroud pulled tight against his body with each movement and gesture, it was clear how very feminine it was. There seemed to be no fat whatsoever and little muscle—a fragile, lank, and stretched frame. Barefoot—his feet were nearly skeletal—he leaned against the staff, hunched over and shifting all his weight to one hip. He was a gangly creature, and would have seemed close to the point of breaking if it were not for how he slithered about, his limbs like anacondas in their movement.
    The man, if he could be called such a thing, stepped closer, slinking his way toward the children, his face still hidden but for a smile that glowed like moonlight. It was all teeth, long, yellowed teeth that stretched his purplish lips wide across his face—a twisted triangle of sneering terror. “I’m so glad you came,” he nearly squealed.

    Juniper didn’t know what to say for she wasn’t glad to be in that room with him; far from it. She considered running, fleeing for safety, but convinced herself to remain if she wanted to help her parents. She had to be brave even as a fearful voice repeated over and over in her head, He has too many teeth. He has too many teeth. He has too many teeth.
    The raven flew over to the man’s shoulder and settled.
    â€œMy name is Skeksyl. This is my raven, Neptune. And you are . . . ?” He pointed at Juniper.
    She didn’t want to answer, but her name somehow slipped free from her lips. “Juniper.”
    â€œAh. Of course.” He looked at Neptune. “He’s told me about you for years now. He assured me you’d one day pay me a visit.” The raven uttered some croaks and garbled notes, and Skeksyl turned back to Juniper. “He’s a very smart bird. I take it you already communicated with him, but did you know he can actually speak? To some people. The special ones. They can hear his voice trickling between their ears like a conscience. What a privilege it is. He tells me he’d like the two of you to get to know each other. He says you are a very, very interesting girl.”
    To this, Juniper could only stare. Something about his voice simultaneously soothed her mind and agitated her soul. He was a paradox.
    â€œDon’t be so shy. It just so happens I’m a dear friend of your parents. Both of yours. But you already know this, don’t you, Giles?” Incredibly, his smile grew even larger, as if new teeth suddenly popped into existence.
    Giles swallowed bitterly and nodded. His knees were nearly knocking together and his face paled.
    â€œGiles and Juniper. Juniper and Giles. Are you here to have your dreams come true as well?”
    Quizzically, the two friends looked at each other. “We . . . we’re here for our parents,” Juniper said, finally.
    Skeksyl smiled even wider, if that was possible. “Oh, Juniper, I can give you two much more than that. I have the ability to hand you everything you could ever want but believed to be unattainable. There will be no doubt. There will be no obstacles anymore, no pitfalls or setbacks. Your parents are great talents all, but they couldn’t fulfill their destinies alone. No, they needed a hand. Mine.” He laughed a sinister squeal of a laugh, a high-pitched lunacy that shot through the room, chilling it.