I dropped the emptied bowl and watched as my exposed skin glowed faintly yellow. From my wrists and ankles thin, yellow strings stretched upwards. Grinning, the witch produced a marionette; it wore patchy, colorful pants and a jaunty hat. When she turned it around, it bore likeness. When she lifted its hands, I lifted mine. A cold settled over me as she caused my feet to dance and my head to sway.

Chuckling, the witch set down the wooden doll and began to unlock my chains. When she turned her back, I scrambled off the cot, racing toward the door. It was like I slammed into a wall that wasn't there. She turned me to face her.

"There will be no escaping." She squeezed the torso of the puppet with her free hand and I gasped for breath. "Or, at least there will be no escaping with your life."

I gritted my teeth. "Where is Madeleine."

The witch sat me down on the edge of the cot. "Don't fret; she's free. And utterly alone."

I closed my eyes and pictured her bright light cast onto the street. When I opened them, the witch held out my pipe, placing it on my lap.

"What do you want with me?"

"With your talent and my magic, your name will be known across the Kingdoms: the Pied Piper, siren of Prearyn. Together, we will catch and dispose of rats, and whatever else will turn a profit."

"Why do you need me?"

She placed a small pipe in the hands of the puppet. "Even a rat needs music to dance."

The witch's fingers expertly manipulated the marionette, flitting my fingers across the holes.

"Come my puppet, we must practice."

She lifted the flute to my lips, and though I tried to scream, the only sound was music. Beautiful, haunting, exquisite music.