Episode 4

"Places people, places... Ushers out front, actors backstage, Matt you're coming in from- w-where is the... Why aren't you in costume? Macy, you're on in fifteen, you still have to do hair and makeup!"
Aaron ran like a chicken without its head. Tonight would commence their first ever evening performances at Wonder World, consisting of the magicians, and a warm-up comedian. A lot of pressure rested on Aaron's shoulders, being the director and the one who convinced the park owners to open the theater.
"Calm down," Macy waved as she glided past the stage, wearing only a pink bathrobe, "My makeup is 24 hour, I'm basically ready."
Aaron grimaced, not mentally prepared to deal with the new line of divas. Everyone warned him night one could have its malfunctions, however, Aaron felt determined the shows a hit anyway.
He started losing his cool when he realized two of the backstage helpers were missing, but luckily he had his stars and the customers located their seats without a struggle. Feeling reassured, Aaron gave his usher team a thumbs up.

"14 and 15 B, right this way," Zach helped an elderly couple once they entered the theater. He didn't consider part-time jobs to be fabulous, and even less fabulous when the hours took place at night, but it was Wonder World. Zach's cousin, Taylor, found him the job when the two of them were looking for a summer work. She had an usher position also, filing in the new people to see the new show.
They planned to get a bunch of coworkers to watch the show from the balcony once the lights went down, at least until Zach and Taylor had to stand by the doors during intermission.
He spotted his cousin across the river of red cushioned seats when a girl with dark hair ran up to her, looking wide-eyed and out of breath. Was her name Natalie? She looked like one of the new girls, one of the witches, Zach thought. He tried continuing his work without letting his curiosity get the better of him, but now the two girls looked equally panicked.
A third arrived, her dark hair tied back, and a similar expression on her face. Now Zach felt worried. Maybe something happened backstage or with one of the guests? But before he could make his way to them, the lights began to dim. He could wait to ask until they made it to the balcony.

"Ha-HAA!" Matt, or Matholemew, appeared on the stage, followed by an intense light show mixed with fog and floating objects. What little Zach knew about Matt and Macy was their love for creating loud and colorful spectacles. Macy, sporting what looked like a red ballerina dress with gold ribbons and a purple flower brooch, descended from the ceiling along with a cloud of diamond-like glitter. From her wrists to her elbows she wore sheer black sleeves with red ruffles, giving the full ensemble a very costume-ish and old school feel.  
Matt's attire stayed clean and classic, an all-black suit, but not forgetting the traditional top hat. After their grand entrance, the two performed a series of magical tricks, some basic and some exotic. Macy disappeared and reappeared in several spots around the theater, making the crowd cheer in playful pleasure.
Zach escaped to the balcony in time to find a few employees already there; Gerald, Blake, Spencer - even some of the actors not currently performing like Andrew, Jordan, and Jacob. However, he didn't see his cousin or the two brunette girls from earlier. The area stayed empty, leaving the group alone up there to watch the show from above. Spencer, one of the game hosts, brought an assortment of goodies that surprisingly they still indulged - considering these foods became part of their everyday diets. Popcorn just never lost its touch.
"They're doing well," Spencer commented, handing Zach a plastic bag full of cotton candy.
"It's alright," Blake shrugged. His eyes lingered on Zach for a moment before returning to the stage.
"You're just bitter Taylor isn't here," Jordan jabbed Blake in the side. It was clear Blake didn't want that to be common knowledge as he grunted in annoyance.
Zack took a seat by Jacob, who watched the show like a hawk. When he offered the actor some candy, Jacob reached into the bag without removing his gaze, "Thanks," his tone dull.
"Guess they skipped ahead to the hypnotizing," Zach said.
Jordan snickered, flicking her hair behind her ear, "He's been like this since they started. In his own world."
"Does anyone know where my cousin is, anyway?" Zach asked.
Everyone shook their head, "We were missing some people backstage too," Andrew mulled, his hand moving to scratch his chin, "I'm sure they're somewhere..."
Zach nodded, not fully convinced, but continued watching the show with the others. Seeing Matt and Macy in their element brought the once empty theater to life. The comedy and wonderment kept everyone in smiles.

The end of their performance arrived, once Zach heard Matt announce his final tricks, so he moved to get ready to continue his job when heavy footsteps thundered up the balcony stairs.
"There you are... and... all of you?" Aaron, the director, came storming in, "I need you downstairs. All of you, let's go!" He kept his tone at a whisper, but he seemed peeved. That got everyone to jump from their seats.
As they followed their angered boss like loyal ducklings, a couple surprised screams caught them off guard. Zach peered over the balcony and noticed an old woman running onto the stage. Followed closely by the two brunette girls Taylor had talked to before.
"What in the hell..." Aaron leaned over the bar.
"It's the witches," Jordan sighed, "Maybe they're part of the show...?"
"They are not," Aaron clicked his tongue.
Uneasiness swept over them, as the two girls struggled to usher the old woman back. Andrew snapped his fingers together, "Oh, that is uh, Natalie and Jen. And... their grandma? What was her name..."
"Tina," Jordan finished.
"This doesn't look good," Jacob muttered, "Hopefully Matt can improv something."

"HE IS HERE!" Tina exclaimed. She flailed her arms about, moving her green robes like flags. Natalie grabbed one arm and Jen the other, soothingly but also forcefully trying to get her off the stage.
"How did she get there," Aaron growled, "What is she doing?" The lot of them had migrated to the railing to observe the chaos unfolding on Matt's stage. She seems possessed, Zach thought, and if it was an act then well done?
"DEATH HAS COME! YOU ALL MUST FLEE!"
Some members of the crowd chuckled, thinking it was nothing more than a weird staged act. Everyone felt under that impression, that is until blood rained from the sky.
The crowd hushed into an eerie silence. Even Matt, who had been playing along rather well, paused in shock. Red drops landed on Macy's porcelain cheeks.
Zach felt his stomach drop and his vision went blurry. Unable to hold himself up, he collapsed onto his knees. No... no, no.
Above the stage, a body dropped, tangled in a web of strings, like a doll. Her face even had heavy makeup, red cheeks, pink lips, painted on black eyelashes that reached her eyebrows, and a very white and powdery face. Her long blonde hair parted into two thick pigtails, but she had on a white button-up shirt and black pants, very much like Zach's uniform.
Across her stomach, a large slit had been made, and from the impact of the drop, her organs spilled over and the blood splattered everyone below.
"That's..." Zach heard Gerald whisper, "That's Taylor...?"
Recovering from the shock, a roar of panic erupted from the theater.