-How did ya even do this? - I asked Billy, trying to analyze what had just happened before us.
-Well, it all took a thought on my part, - the ghost answered, but then got all serious, - And a lot of stabbin' from theirs...
-Shoot... well, ah hope, nothin' gets in our way anymore, right?
I was just about to call the guys to continue our trip through the film studio when something horrible happened. The ground around us started shaking and there was that particular type of pulsation that only I knew. There was hitching - really quick and hasty - and then such a loud kaboom of a sneeze, that made both of us think of a safety route. But that was not it. It was a barrage of small, but hellishly loud sneezes, flying to and fro. I only managed to hide behind Captain's back, but then I just didn't know what to do. Everything went by so fast and my heart just couldn't stop thumping. I couldn't think straight from all the fear jamming up in me, when- Somepony! Anypony! Help!
***
There was an ear-splitting scream echoing through the room, just as Billy's fit cooled down. I turned around sharply to witness a rather terrible scene. Layla was there screaming her heart out for help and kicking her feet in the ink. Her hands were over her ears, as she desperately tried to block herself out of here. Qué en el diablo pasó? No lo comprendí, pero debería hacer algo ahora, y rápido!
With that thought in mind, I turned to my ghost-compadre, who was breathing hard after what had happened: "Véte. Ya."
-B-but why? What hap-?
-Vé-te! A-ho-ra mis-mo! - I ordered, before adding subtly, - Lo discutarémos más tarde.
-Bién... - with that, the source of our problems went away into the dark corridor. I checked on Layla again. She was now a sobbing mess, squatting on the floor, all submerged in the ink.
What on earth could've caused the poor girl's breakdown? Just then, I remembered her telling me about her fear of Billy's sneezing, and it hit. Volume, that's what got her, right? If so, I had to be really careful now.
With that in mind, I got the most of the baby talk I could master and cooed quietly:
-Chiquita-pequeñita, come here, now... - she slowly rose her head, but didn't move.
-Nena, it's ok, I'm here... - I moved a little closer to her, not caring about my pants getting smudged in the ink in the process. The girl crawled up closer to me, sniveling.
-Hóla, hóla, siéntate. - I got on her level and she sat down on my lap. How tiny she was! Like a real kinder-gardener. Her short russet hair were covering her tear-welled grey eyes as she stared at me.
-Sh-shall we go now? - I asked, trying to keep up with the façade.
-Vah. - That could mean a yes... or a no, so I looked in her eyes to check. No.
-A-ppah... - she looked at me pleadingly, trying to ask for something, but then clenched her fists together.
-It's ok, Layla, he's gone. - I smiled reassuringly. - Ya're safe. Totally safe with me.
We both stood up. She still seemed to be uncomfortable, as we went through the corridor. I... honestly, I had never seen people act like this before. Crying because of a few sneezes? Beating the floor to the pulp while the fit went? She must have been really scared.
At one point, she froze in place again, fists up. Probably a flashback.
-Hey, todo-?
-Waah!
She slammed her fists on her legs hard. And again. And aga-
-Ow!
-until she got my leg, too.
-Hey. - I looked sternly at Layla, who was still mumbling to herself. - Please, listen. - She looked at me, confused.
-Now that, - I pointed at my leg, which still hurt, - was uncalled for. I understand you're upset, but I am, too, now. Please, say sorry.
She signed "sorry", swirling a fist on her chest. I forgave her, because... quién puede controlarse en el estrés? Nadie. O... solo un poco gente.
-Ka-ppin... - the girl tugged at my coat,- bi... no mo?
-Uh... - now how could I break this to her? I couldn't just lie to her about my inexperience...
-Look, - she glanced up at me, - He's... I... I can't remove him so easily.
-Mmh... - she lowered her head.
-It's just, ya see, - I went on, - I don't know the game at all, and he seems to be a lot more of a professional than ya, sorry. - She looked up at me again, this time almost staring me down. - Uhm... and he can do magic, too, so-
-Kappin!
-Huh? - Why was that, again?
-I doo magi, too... - Layla said, her eyes beaming with happiness. Ya couldn't say the same about mine at that moment.
-Really? - I couldn't hide my jealousy from her. And I thought Billy was the only magician here!
-M-me... mostrarás? - I was trying to hold back tears of my own right there, as she got her hands ready. I saw her draw a square-like shape on empty space, then press her hands in the middle of it, when a board- or mirror-like object appeared out of thin air.
-V-vaya... - I admired the board, slowly thinking over how worthless I was. - Es- es... b-bonita!
I couldn't help crying at the thought of being the only normal guy here, trapped in a magical game. The thought of nobody else, but Billy, to help me, got me shaken, but I couldn't upset Layla any further. So I slowly turned away from her, whimpering.
-Kappin, look! - I heard Layla call out to me, only to notice my sadness. - wu happin? Ya alright?
-Por favór... nó... es-es demasiádo!
She came up closer and looked at me attentively. Then, as though she understood what I meant, she said:
-Du worry, ya be alright. Dis board will hewp us, an ah've got just a secret to defeat Sammy Lawrence!