Page 75 - The Grotesque Children's Book

“Let's run, then.”

He led her at a very quick pace to the octagonal room. “Here we are.
Pick an object, and let's see you do the work of demons.”

“I will.”

Citia went up to the table on which the objects lay. We've mentioned the
skeletons, which didn't interest Citia, nor did the insects, or the daggers, the
thimbles, or the cliché straw. But one object did catch her eye: a horseshoe.
She like the Omega shape of it. “The end of the Demon of Gold,” she chortled,
“this will be your Omega!” She set it apart from the other objects.

“Omega is just a letter,” said the demon. “But I love your enthusiasm for
symbols.”

“I'm just beginning,” she said.

“You're just beginning.”

“Yes. This...is...the Alpha of my making symbols. Now stand back and
observe.”

He stood back and observed.

It suddenly occurred to Citia that...she didn't know whether she should
touch the colored banners with her hands, or whether it required touch by foot.
Or...what if it only works if you have a cloven foot? I. didn't. quite. finish. my.
scientific. method. Oops. Ah, well, I might become that birdbath after all. Here
goes! She reached out with her hand. And touched three banners. Blue, red,
green. Then she touched them a second time. Blue, red, green. And then a
third. Blue, red, green.

The demon cackled, “Well I'll be --”

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