The Darkest Trick

The quiet suburban street buzzed with sirens and flashing red and blue lights. Police cars surrounded the gruesome scene, and yellow tape cordoned off the area where something, or rather, someone, had been found. Neighbors stood at a distance, murmuring, trying to peer through the crowd of officers.

Rumours spread quickly. Word was that it was Eno. Den's long-lost partner and presumed assistant, dismembered, his body strewn in pieces across the road.

The air was thick with dread.

Detective Tar arrived at the scene, grim-faced, his hand resting on his belt as he approached the officer standing nearby.

"What do we have here?" Tar asked, his voice low.

The officer swallowed, his face pale. "It's... well, we think it's Eno. Den's partner. There are... body parts, but it's hard to tell. It's been..." The officer hesitated, unable to finish the sentence.

Tar nodded, signaling for the officer to continue. As they moved closer to the scene, something caught Tar's eye. A female figure casually walking toward the police line, whistling as if they didn't have a care in the world.

Den.

"Greetings, officers!" Den called out cheerfully, her voice ringing out over the murmurs of the crowd. Her magician's cape fluttered slightly in the breeze, and her ever-present smirk played on her lips. She strolled toward the scene with the ease of someone completely unfazed by what was happening around her.

Tar narrowed his eyes, stepping forward. "Den," he greeted cautiously. "You... heard about what we found?"

Den's grin widened, her eyes glinting with mischief. "Heard about it? Oh, dearest, I came to see it for myself! Everyone's talking about how it's Eno lying there in pieces." She chuckled softly, shaking her head. "But I think there's been a bit of confusion."

Tar frowned. "Confusion? Den, we found a body. Dismembered."

Den's laugh was sudden and sharp, catching everyone off guard. The onlookers fell silent, their eyes flicking between Den and the crime scene. "Oh, please!" Den exclaimed. "You think that is Eno?" She waved a hand dismissively at the covered remains, as though it was a minor inconvenience.

Tar's jaw tightened. "This isn't a joke. And the fact that it's close to your premises, shouldn't you be concerned? Your neighbours certainly are."

"No, no, of course it isn't a joke detective. It's they times the season for spookiest festivities so cheer up a little," Den said, her tone mockingly serious. "But I hate to break it to you, Detective... that's not a body."

A ripple of unease ran through the crowd. Tar's eyes narrowed. "What are you talking about?"

Den's grin stretched wider. "It's just another one of my magic tricks! Where is your Halloween spirit detective? Look around the town. Everyone and everything is decorated to successfully scare, spook, and prank!" She spun on her heel dramatically, extending both arms toward the covered 'body' like a magician about to unveil her greatest illusion. "Ladies and gentlemen, I assure you that what lies under that sheet is not what you think it is!"

The tension in the air was palpable. No one spoke, not even the police officers who had been guarding the scene. All eyes were on Den.

With a flourish, Den reached down, pulling the corner of the sheet with a dramatic yank. The crowd gasped, the officers recoiling slightly as the fabric fluttered away to reveal... a plush toy.

A large, floppy teddy bear, cut into pieces and stuffed with red fabric to mimic blood. Its head was detached, a stuffing heart lying beside it, and its button eyes stared lifelessly at the sky.

The crowd froze, momentarily unable to process what they were seeing. Tar stood there, stunned. The tension that had gripped the air moments before was replaced by utter confusion.

And then Den laughed, a loud, triumphant sound that seemed to echo down the entire street. "See? Just a toy! Nothing more."

A few nervous chuckles escaped from the crowd, unsure whether they should be laughing or still horrified. Slowly, more people began to laugh, the absurdity of the situation sinking in. The police officers glanced at each other, dumbfounded, while Den continued to bask in the attention.

Tar's face, however, remained hard as stone. He wasn't laughing. His eyes stayed fixed on Den, the magician's easy, breezy demeanor setting off alarm bells in his mind.

"You had us thinking there was a dead body here, Den," Tar said, his voice tight with barely controlled anger.

Den grinned, tapping the side of her nose knowingly. "That, Detective, is the power of suggestion! Isn't magic wonderful? I believe I aced this Halloween season. It will be difficult for anyone to beat my prank." She leaned in, her voice lowering to a conspiratorial whisper. "I simply gave you what you wanted to see."

The crowd, still giggling, began to disperse, murmuring about how Den had "fooled them all." But Tar didn't move. He stared hard at Den, searching for something...anything that would explain the gnawing feeling in his gut.

"Where is Eno, Den?" Tar asked, his voice cutting through the fading laughter like a blade.

Den tilted her head, her grin never faltering. "Oh, Detective. Eno? He's around. Somewhere." She shrugged nonchalantly, however, still annoyed by how everyone kept asking her about Eno's whereabouts. This masterpiece was her little revenge. "But isn't the mystery half the fun?"

Tar's hand twitched at his side. "You're playing a dangerous game, Den."

"Am I?" Den's eyes gleamed with that same wicked mischief. "Or am I simply giving the audience what they paid for? As a matter of fact, this was free entertainment if I do say so myself."

With one final flourish, Den tipped her hat, gave a little bow, and turned to leave, the crowd parting before her like the Red Sea. As she walked away, her laughter echoed through the street, rich, full of charm, but carrying an undercurrent of something much darker.

As the last of the laughter died down, Detective Tar remained standing at the edge of the crime scene, his eyes fixed on the plush toy lying in pieces on the asphalt. The trick had worked. The crowd had been entertained. But deep down, Tar knew there was more to this story, a truth that Den was keeping hidden, wrapped in layers of deception and sleight of hand.

And as Den's figure disappeared into the night, Tar made a silent vow.

The next time Den performed, Tar would make sure the show ended differently.