|
Post by ycsdramagurl on Jul 4, 2011 23:13:51 GMT -5
Very long new update! My computer's about to overheat and die, so enjoy! ;D
-----------------------------------------------------
“Hey, watch her head!”
“Oi, I’ve got it woman!” I feel a pair of strong hands gently lift my head slightly off the ground and place something soft beneath it. My eyes, as much as I tried, refused to open so that I might at least discover where I was. I don’t get to know where I am or who these mysterious voice belong to. I struggle to open my eyes, only to fail miserably. For the time being, I don’t get to know where I am or who these mysterious voice belong to.
“Aw, she looks nice enough. I like her.”
“Yes mum, can we keep her? I promise I’ll feed and walk her everyday.”
I hear the sound of flesh being smacked and an indignant yelp. As far as I can tell, I’m still outside, lying on the ground where I fainted, and I was not alone. There are only three unfamiliar voices so far, the first one belonging to a woman to my right, a soft one belonging to another woman with a very strong country accent, and the harsh one belonging to a man with a thick British accent. My head is spinning with confusion as the voices continue.
“Anyway, I don’ like 'er. Looks too normal for my taste.”
“Don’t be so sure. Adam said they were callin’ her a freak when he found ‘em. NOAH, YOU GET DOWN FROM THAT TREE BEFORE YOU BREAK SOMETHING AND ARE OUT OF THE SHOW FOR A WEEK AGAIN!” The southern woman’s voice suddenly interjects loudly. “Anyway, maybe she’s one of us.”
“She doesn’t look like she 'as anythin’ particularly wrong with 'er, so probably not.”
A long pause. “Are you sayin’ I look like there’s somethin’ wrong with me, Callum Worden?”
“Well, now that you mention it-“
“Cool it guys, you can have it out with each other once we get this situation sorted out. There you are.”
“Here I am. Most of the nearby stations were already packed away, but I found some new ice in the trailer.” A new voice joins the three, and this one isn’t so unfamiliar. I freeze as the owner of the deep, booming voice from before kneels down beside me.
“And you made an ice pack?”
“I didn’t go to medical school for two years to not know how.” I wince as something shockingly cold touches my forehead, sharp enough to make my head throb in pain.
“Shh, I think she’s waking up.” The southern woman’s voice says as my eyelids flutter open.
“Give her some air you guys, it’ll be a shock enough for her when she wakes up.” The woman's voice asks. My vision blurs slightly before returning to me, seeing a figure standing over me. I blink a bit as my vision clears. “Hey there, welcome back. Are you okay?”
I glance around at the crowd surrounding me for a few moments before turning my attention back to the woman. “Fine, but…I think I hit my head harder than I thought.” I said, gazing in wonder at the woman before me. She is very pretty, to be sure, with deep set hazel eyes and thick hair strikingly dark against her pale complexion.
The woman gives a soft, sad smile before giving a laugh. “Nope, that’s usually everyone’s reaction to the first time seeing us.” She says, fingering the ends of the long, dark brown beard that reaches her torso.
I grimace as the tension within the group around me thickens, leaving an awkward silence. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to offend.“
“No, no, it’s fine. Here, are you okay to sit up?” She asks, placing a hand on my arm to help me.
I slowly manage to sit up, keeping the ice pack in place on my head. I gaze at the people around me, learning that the bearded woman wasn’t the strangest sight to see. “Where am I, exactly? Who are you?”
“You’d think that’d be obvious.” Mutters the owner of the British accent, a red headed young man with shockingly blue eyes playing a guitar. A curvy girl with dark skin and black hair braided into plaits nudges him roughly. I see that she’s holding a young, blonde haired boy in her lap, who is staring at me curiously with large, innocent green eyes.
The bearded woman narrows her eyes at the British man before turning back to me. “Well, I’m Miranda. Blackpool Gardens Circus for one, but more specifically the side show camp. First things first though, are you okay? You have quite a goose egg there.”
Just as I thought. About the side show, not her name or the bump I apparently recieved during my adventure. I reach up and gingerly touch the tender lump, wincing as it continues to throb. “Yeah, I’ll be okay.” I say, pulling my knees in close to my chest.
Another awkward moment goes by and Miranda gives a smile. “I might as well introduce everybody then. This is Ruby,” She says, pointing to the left.
The girl sitting next to her gives a wave and a nice smile. “Hi there.” She says, her southern accent very prominent in her speaking voice. She has just about the clearest skin I’ve ever seen, with high cheek bones and very large brown eyes framed by side swept, black bangs, yet this isn’t what I notice first. I only see that there’s nothing noticeably wrong with her, compared to the rest of the group around me. I smile back, though my eyes probably betray my curiosity.
"And that's Callum, but everybody calls him Cal." Miranda says, thumbing over at a stockily built, red headed young man with two silver sleepers through his right eyebrow slumped over a guitar.
The man continues to pluck out a few chords, much to Miranda's chargin. Ruby's kind smile falters as she elbows him hard in the stomach. "Oi, fine! I'm Callum." He says, surprising me by pulling another thick hand up from behind the guitar and shaking my hand. I jump a little and he notices, giving a dark smirk. "Get's 'em every time." He mutters, moving the guitar from in front of his body. His British accented voice dripping with nastiness. I nod, looking over the two new arms placed right underneath the ones connected to his shoulders, poking out of two holes in his shirt. It seemed all four of them worked perfectly fine.
“I almost forgot, this here’s Noah.” Ruby says, hugging the young boy sitting in her lap. I can’t help but notice that the child has only one pinky finger and thumb on each of his hands. The boy looks at me for a moment before wrapping each of his arms around Ruby’s neck and burying his face into her shoulder. “Don’t mind him, he’s shy.” She says, giving him a soft smile.
“And I think you know Adam.” Miranda says, pointing out the overpowering man kneeling beside me on my left.
I gulp and as my eyes travel upward, threatening to bulge out of my head. Even sitting, I know he’ll tower over me by at least double my height. He’s somewhat thin, still wider than the rest of us, but thin for his build. He has an unruly patch of wavy brown hair and a pair of gentle blue eyes that betray his stature. Like Miranda, he can't be more than thirty years old. I give a small, nervous smile in greeting and he returns the favor, waving awkwardly at me with a large hand. “Glad to see you’re alright.” He says with the deep voice I heard from before.
"Do you remember anything before you passed out?"
My head was still swirling with the new introductions and new deformations that everyone had to show. "Huh? Um, no, I just...I ran away from those guys because they were trying to steal my stuff, and then I hid behind that stage back there." I reply, pointing to the green curtain stage off to my right. "Then I thought I saw something, so I ran out of there, got caught by the guys, and...uh, sort of ran into that pole and blanked out." I mutter, rubbing my neck.
Callum gives a snort of laughter, which was immediately silenced by a double glare from Ruby and Adam. "Anything else?" Ruby asked, setting Noah down on the ground beside her.
"Yeah, actually. The guy called me...well, uh, a freak because of something I did, and just before I passed out I heard a really
deep voice say 'you say 'freak' like it's a bad thing'." I say, attempting to lower my voice to the pitch of the voice from before and failing. This earns me a deep laugh from Adam and it clicks. "So it was you, wasn't it? The one who saved me from those guys?"
Adam shrugs. "It was the right thing to do." He says, giving an embarrassed smile.
I smile back before turning towards Miranda. “S-so, how long was I out?” I stutter, trying to take in the crowd before me.
"Only about an hour, but it was enough to give Adam here a heart attack." She replied, patting the giant on the shoulder. "I'm kind of impressed, most people freak out when they see him, or any of us for that matter."
Lady, you have no idea. I shake my head to clear my mind and stand, brushing myself off. "Well, uh, thanks for the hospitality, but I really have to go. I need to talk to that ringmaster guy before you all up and leave."
"Whoa, whoa, hang on a second!" Miranda exclaims, jumping up to stop me. "You just ran into a big metal pole and have a lump the size of a quarter. I'm not letting you leave until you come inside and sit for a while."
My eyes widen and I open my mouth to protest until I realize 1, I don't really know this woman, so arguing probably isn't the best idea, and 2, it doesn't look like she's going to be very lenient with her decision either. Begrudgingly, I close my mouth.
"Er...what Miranda means, in her own motherly yet seemingly insane way," Adam says, quirking an eyebrow at Miranda with a small smile. "Is we just want to make sure you're alright before we send you on your way. Here, let's go inside and I'll check you out." With that, he stands and brushes himself off. I tilt my head very far back and gulp. I was right, I come just barely above his waist. I give a small nod, following him into the trailer.
"I'll get you some water, you just go take a seat over at the table." He says, squeezing underneath the doorway and slumping to avoid the ceiling as he goes into the kitchen area.
"W-wow..." I mutter to myself, looking around at the trailer. It's like the mercedes of recreational vehicles. The area in front of the kitchen has two small, golden sofas lined up side by side on the right half, with a recliner the same shade of golden tan on the other side. The sofas are followed by a set of kitchen counters and a stove, with large wooden shelves overhead. A mini fridge lies on the other side of the recliner, followed by a table one plush red diner booth and two kitchen chairs on the other side. I can just see the outline of a bedroom with two large beds inside with a room sectioned off by a wooden door in front.
"Perks of being a circus freak." He replies, ushering me out the door. I shirk back at the phrase, hearing it used so openly and without care. I nod, sitting in the red booth and dangling my legs over the side.
Adam comes back over with a small flashlight in his hand and a glass of water dwarfed by his oversized hand. He slides it over to me and sits on the bed across from the table. "Alright, I'm just going to conduct a few tests. Can you see okay? Is there pain anywhere besides the bump on your head?"
My eyebrows knit together and I cross my arms on my lap. "Yeah, my vision is fine, and no, it's mostly just the bump. I think I skid my knee falling, but I don't know if that's the kind of pain you're looking for."
Adam smiles, turning on the flash light. "I'll patch that up for you right after you're done. I'm going to shine this in your eyes, I want you to stare straight ahead for me, okay?" I nodded, wincing a bit as the light hit my eyes. "Yup, your pupils are reacting normally. Follow my fingers with your eyes and just your eyes." I comply, even though in my head I was planning. They knew about the crooks who stole my stuff, and what they said. They might start asking questions. I need to get my bag and get the heck out of-
I freeze, giving a small gasp. "What's wrong?" Adam asks suddenly, turning off the flashlight.
"I t-think I lost my stuff." I mutter quietly. "I have to go, I need to go look for it."
"Nope, don't worry, it's right by the stage out there." He answers, standing and pointing out the window. I turn around in the seat, looking out the window. I give a sigh of relief, seeing my bag and violin case, safe from harm and peeking out from behind the curtain.
"I figured you'd want it back after you came to. Now for that knee." He says, holding my leg still underneath my knee. His hand nearly curls around my entire leg. Adam sprays some kind of medicine into my knee and covers it with a bandage.
"Okay, it looks like you're fine, you're good to go. Just finish your water and we'll let you get on your way."
"Thank you, really. I have no idea what I would've done if I had lost that." I say sincerely, sipping the water. My heart still leaps into my throat as I watch him get up, but it's much more subdued this time.
The man gives a polite nod before opening the door and squeezing through. "You know where to find us when you're done."
He says, closing the door. I give a small smile at his kindness, and the kindness of the rest of the group honestly. Well, most of the group. If they had any interest in me other than my well being, they didn't show it. If I could convince that ringmaster to get me a job, I'd have to come back and visit from time to time.
Draining my glass, I stand and place the empty cup on the kitchen counter before opening the camper door. Just a quick goodbye and thank you to the group, and then I'll try to find the man in charge.
"Well, look who's all alone."
I freeze as I hear a familiar grizzly voice in my ear, followed by a strong hand latching on to my wrist. The two crooks from before lumber in front of me, blocking my path. I can't see the third one that I knocked out. I put my hand up. "Get away from me."
"That was pretty smart hiding with your freak buddies over there..." The one grabbing my arm says, placing his other hand over my mouth. "But they're not here anymore, are they?"
That's what you think. I bite his hand, making him release for a brief moment. "I don't need any help, you jerk!" I yell, wrenching hard against his grasp. I see a discarded cotton candy cart seated by the stage. I focus all of my thoughts and strike, making the stand hover into the air. "Let me go before you suffer the same fate your buddy met!"
This makes him stiffen a bit, for a very short period. His leering face makes me sick, if his rancid breath won't do that first.
The second crook has moved behind me, and I see him move out of the corner of my eye. I feel the rub of a thick rope around my neck. The first thug's lips curl into a sinister smile. "We won't if you're not alive to do it." I freeze, gulping against the tight rope.
I gulp, my former fear returning to me. "Thaaaat's it, just come with us." The second one's voice says in my ear, backing me away with him. "We'll take real good care of ya. Nobody messes with our gang and gets away with-" The thug freezes, looking behind him. "Shit."
"Let 'er go." I hear Callum's voice say behind me. I wrench hard enough against the rope to see the group standing behind me, glaring at the thugs. Even little Noah looks upset, sitting on Miranda's hip. The rope along my neck loosens while he's distracted, and I crack the back of my head into his face. He drops the rope completely, allowing me to scramble out of his grasp as he falls to his knees, clutching his nose. The second one moves to help him, and then advances upon me.
"Don't even think about it." Miranda growls as the group surrounds me on either side. "Beat it before I call the cops."
The first thug stops the second from advancing, holding up a hand. "Don't bother." He mutters, still holding his nose. He stands, giving us all disgusted glares. "Just leave the little freak girl alone with her rejects. She belongs here."
Callum lunges forward, but Ruby catches him by the shoulder. "Get out of here!" She shrieks, her voice rising an octave. I jump, as this is the first time I've actually seen her as something other than cheerful.
The first thug gives a cruel laugh and spits out of the corner of his mouth before stalking off with his friend.
I can practically feel the tension as an awkward silence fills the air. So much for keeping my powers a secret.
"...So. Telepathy, huh?" Cal asks, rubbing the back of his neck with a hand. "I 'ave to admit, that's a new one."
"Heh...you saw that, then." I reply, failing to come up with any other response. "Yeah. Well, uh, thanks for your hospitality and everything, but...I have to go." I say, shrugging my bag onto my shoulder.
Miranda catches me by the wrist."Do you have anywhere else to go?" She asks seriously, looking me dead in the eyes.
"That bag's full of clothes, isn't it? And stuff you need?" Adam's voice asks from behind me. "That's why you wanted it back so bad."
I blink, taken aback by the barrage of questions. "W-what do you mean?" I ask, giving a fake grin like I don't know what she's talking about. I avert my gaze,
"Running away to join the circus is the biggest cliche in the book. So I'm asking you now, and I'll never ask you again...do you have a home, a life to go back to?" She asks, tilting my head up, forcing me to look her dead in the eyes.
My vision flashes back to my parents in the morgue, my last glimpse of my house before I left. Tears sting my eyes before I know what happens. "M-my parents are d-" I stutter, letting the tears pour from my eyes. "...I c-can't..."
She says nothing but gives me a solemn, sympathetic nod. She releases my chin and motions me to follow her into the camper. "You can take either the shorter bed in the back, one of the couches, the recliner, you pick." She says, opening the door for me.
I give the group around me one last glimpse before chasing after her. They have sad but welcoming expressions on their faces. Callum even gives me a wave before I turn away. "W-what?" I ask, catching up to her. "What do you mean?"
She gives me a smile, following me into the trailer. "I mean, you can ask John for a job in the morning. For now, you'll spend the night here, and then we'll see about getting you officially on the pay roster. You'll like it here, I promise."
"B-but, I-" I pause, thinking about my situation. Isn't a job at the circus what I wanted? I shake my head to clear my thoughts. "T-thank you." I say, casting my gaze downward.
Miranda wraps me in a hug, tucking my head into the nape of her neck. I have to admit, it's a strange sensation to feel a beard when you're hugging a woman, but at this point I couldn't care less. With all that's happened in the past day, I'm just happy to have a place to sleep. "Who am I to kick out a fellow freak?" She asks, stroking my back as I let the tears fall.
"Get some sleep now, we'll go see John in the morning." She says softly, releasing me from the embrace. "There are some blankets in the cupboard above you. Good night, Alice." And with that, she exits the camper. Wiping away the remnants of my tears, I pull a thick blue blanket from the shelf and unfold it. I place my bag on the floor next to a loveseat, tucked against the wall. I settle down onto the sofa, cradling a black throw pillow under my head. The physical exhaustion hits me like a brick as my eyes slowly close. The last thing I hear are the murmurs of the troupe outside and the faint symphony of the circus.
|
|
|
Post by ycsdramagurl on Mar 31, 2012 23:17:52 GMT -5
....
Yeah yeah, I know. I thought it was dead too. I can't promise any updates, but I want this story to keep on rolling. I'll separate the lines tomorrow so it's a little easier to read. Hope you guys that are still with me enjoy! ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
There’s something large and furry sitting on my chest. It’s either a large cat or a small bear.
The animal was most likely domesticated and therefore the least of my worries at that point, yet I refused to open my eyes. I had no pets at home, so unless some ornery raccoon managed to make its way in to my house, opening my eyes would mean my seeing the trailer, and accepting the fact that the last day’s events weren’t just part of some crazy, yet incredibly detailed dream. I exhale through my nose, causing whatever it is to twitch under the sudden movement. I’ll have to face this sometime. I think to myself. I crack my right eye open to stare into the face of a fluffy tabby cat with brown and black stripes. I open the other, giving a small smile. It’s whiskers twitch in greeting and I reach up to scratch its ears. “Well, hello.” The cat leans into my touch, giving a soft purr before rubbing up against my hand affectionately. It pauses, shuffles closer to my face and gives me a little lick on the nose. It’s then that I realize this cat’s eyes are a milky blue color. I hear a flush from the room behind me and footsteps coming to rest. “That’s a good sign.” Ruby’s voice says from behind me. At least from what I can remember, my head is still pounding from last night. “Cats are good testers of character, especially ones that are vulnerable.” At the sound of her voice, the tabby perks up, jumps from my chest and onto the floor, rubbing up against Ruby’s leg. “Make a new friend, Radar?” She coos, scooping the cat up from the ground.
I smile and sit up, stretching my weary limbs. “What time is it?” “ ’Bout seven-thirty. Miranda told me to come an’ fetch ya, or else you’ll miss breakfast.” She replies, pulling the powder blue curtains open with a flourish. I wince as the light blinds me momentarily, blinking as white spots cloud my vision. “Come on, ain’t no sense in wastin’ such a beautiful day.” She chirps, nearly prancing out the door. I can’t help but associate her with some kind of redneck hippie, the way she flounces around the room in a bright, tye-died yellow and white sundress and dark worn cowboy boots. “I’ll give you a few minutes to get ready.” With that, she glides out the swinging screen door, leaving Radar to mew in her absence. My eyebrows knit together as I pause for a few moments, staring at the door. I’d almost rather go back to sleep and face that perkiness again than go out there with her. I give a small exhale through my nose, a sound of resignation, and pull the fleecy blanket off of me. Today’s the day I meet with the ringmaster, so I should change, but at this point, my job interview outfit choices are limited. I pull my bag from the side of the couch and heft it into the room Ruby just came out of. I am met with the strangest reflection I’ve ever seen stare back at me. My flaming red hair sticks up in wild, unruly patches around my head, and does very little to conceal the large goose egg forming over my right eyebrow. I pat my hair down over the bruise and then the rest of my head, helping a little, though it’s apparent by the somewhat greasy strands that I’ll need a shower soon. The stud through my lower lip, although seemingly normal with no signs of infection, looks like a foreign object on my face. Though underneath the disguise, it’s still me. I can tell, and probably anyone from Palmoa could tell, but at this point, I’m safe.
I quickly opt for my last complete outfit in my bag, a pair of denim shorts and a pale purple blouse, replace my sneakers by the door with a pair of sandals, and rush out to meet Ruby.
The smell hits me like a brick wall as I lean in the doorway. “Oh my goodness, what is that?” I almost moan, the scent of cinnamon and baked goods assaulting my nostrils.
Ruby grins. “You showed up on a good day, today’s French toast day.”
She motions for me to follow her with a wave and I oblige, gazing around me at the fleet of recreational vehicles. There has to be at least forty, all ranging in size. Some people stand around them talking to other members of the circus, while others make their way down the path Ruby is leading me. Though it seems the majority of the people are already wherever they’re supposed to be.
They're all dressed in street clothes (some still in their pajamas), yet there are a select few that I can point out from last night's show; A petite, blonde trapeze artist talking with a man and two young twin girls who like just like her, a lanky clown taking a drag on a cigarette and apparently having a heated debate with another man. I am suddenly aware that several sets of eyes are staring at me. Once they get a glance, most of the people do a double take and turn back to their own conversations, while others continue looking at me, whispering to their comrades behind raised hands. I rub the back of my neck, feeling my face grow warm. “S-so, where are we going exactly?”
“The cookhouse. This is where you’ll be gettin’ the majority of your meals, and it’s always set up by the train. So, just in case I ain’t here, the food’s always at the end of the train. Just find the picnic tables.”
I nod, glancing around. If I ever got out of this maze on my own, it would be a miracle. By the time we get out of the crowd of vehicles, another question had already formed in my mind. It was probably offensive, so I held my tongue, but I couldn’t help but notice that Ruby had no outstanding features like the other members of the group I met last night. While Callum had an extra set of arms, or Adam was more than twice my height, Ruby looked completely…it sounds terrible, I know, but “normal”.
“You’re awfully quiet. Anythin’ on your mind?” Ruby acknowledges over her shoulder, waking me from my reverie.
I shake my head to clear my thoughts, my face growing red again like I’ve been caught red handed. “U-uh…sort of, but it’s n-not important.” I answered, trying to keep myself from stuttering. Ruby pauses, turning on her heel and regarding me. “Whoa, what’s got yer panties in a bunch?” She asked with a grin. I rubbed my arm nervously, making her eyebrows knit in concern. “Is somethin’ wrong?” “No, no, you guys have been so great to open your home to me like this.” I am quick to reassure her, trying to form the words in the least offensive way I possibly can. “It’s just, uh…well, I’ve kinda been wondering what’s...uh, you’re not really like…you know, the others, and-“ I flinch as I’m interrupted by a loud, tinkling laugh. “Oh, Sugar Pie, you’re way too nervous to be hangin’ out with our crew.” She snickers, laying a hand on my shoulder. “Do you mean to ask why am I livin’ with the freaks?” I give a nervous smile as she holds up a finger. She steps a few paces back from me, cracking her knuckles and shaking out her arms. Taking a deep breath, she places her hands slowly on the ground, lifting her right leg out from under her and swinging it so it hangs in the air above her head. Thankfully, she has a pair of black bike shorts underneath her dress. Slowly, she does the same with the other leg, bending until the backs of her legs are parallel to the ground and hips are straight up in the air. She bends her knees, making her skirt flatten back out, and lowers herself to the ground and flips over, landing in a seated position. My open mouthed expression must be something to be seen, because she gives another laugh.
Without another word, Ruby stands, smoothes out her skirt, and continues walking. I stare at her for a few more moments before following. A few rows of trailers later, I see the train in the distance. It is a huge, cobalt blue monster that stretches on for at least half a mile down the train track we’re set up next to. Between the train and RV’s, there are at least fifty or sixty collapsible picnic tables and chairs set up side by side. And yet, the one thing I focus on is the spread by the end of the train. There is a spread piled high with every breakfast food imaginable; sausage, bacon, bread, muffins, eggs of every variety, breakfast pastries, and most of all, a veritable mountain of French toast. I hadn’t eaten anything but junk food in the last few days, and this looked like a slice of heaven. Ruby leads me over to the end of the winding line, handing me a large, ceramic plate and a set of utensils. I’ve got my plate loaded halfway up when I notice at the end of the line, the majority of the people are swiping small plastic cards, about the size of a credit card, through a machine. My heart drops. “Oh no. Uh, Ruby? I have to go back, I left my money-“
“Oh honey, I’ve got it covered.” She replied, holding up the card dangling from a lanyard around her neck. I examine it closer, to see it’s got her full name, her picture and a series of numbers and letters above a scanning line. “This here’s your i.d. card, though it’s main purpose is for food and getting pay checks. Someone’ll explain more later. You just help yourself darlin’.” I give a small smile, scooping more hash browns onto my plate. I follow Ruby through the tables, feeling even more sets of eyes on me out here in the open. I do my best to smile, even though all I want to do is get this day over with. Ruby finally leads me to a table near the back of the lot where the group from last night is sitting. Miranda is talking to Adam, pointing out something on a brightly colored piece of paper while Callum sits slumped over a travel sized mug of what looks like black coffee. Noah sits quietly by, finishing off his food.
“Then we have a three day layover in Grand Junction, that’s about a four hour dr- Oh hey, good morning!” Miranda interrupts herself, looking up from the partially folded pamphlet. I set my tray down and return the greetings I get from the group. “Did you sleep well?” “Yeah it was great, I didn’t even wake up until about ten minutes ago.” I replied, stabbing a sausage link with my fork and chewing it slowly. Fantastic. I glanced around at the scenery, surrounded by huge green pine trees rather than the deciduous ones from last night. “This doesn’t look familiar at all, where are we?” “Just a mile or so out of St. Joseph.” “Hmm. Never heard of it.” “Yeah, just a little layover stop in Northern Michigan.” I inhale so sharply that I choke on my orange juice. I give a sputtering cough, holding up a hand to stop anyone from trying to help me. “M-michigan?” I cough, getting my bearings.
“Northern Michigan, yeah.” Miranda answers, watching me warily.
“Why, did you leave anything back in Greensborough?” I’m about to correct her when I realize Greensborough is where I was supposed to come from. "No, no I just…didn’t expect us to cover so much distance in one night.” Didn’t expect to sever my last tie to home is more like it, but I must say, this comes as a blessing in disguise. The news of the missing little blonde haired girl from Palmoa is probably spreading like wild fire back home, so the more distance I can put between us, the better.
Adam clears his throat, breaking the group’s silence. “Don’t worry, the first night on your own’s always the hardest.” He says, giving me a small, sympathetic smile. I smile back, though my head is still reeling. “Alright, I’m headed for town.” He announces, standing from his position on the ground and gathering the empty plates from the table. I catch myself staring in amazement how dwarfed they are in his hands and mentally scold myself. “I’ve got the list, call if you think of anything else we need. You coming, dingus?”
“Not after driving for five hours last night, thank you.” He grumbles into his coffee mug. “You’re a big boy, you can get your own bloody groceries.”
Adam throws his hands into the air exasperatedly. “Suit yourself. I’ll see you guys later. Good luck with John, Alice!”
Ruby snaps her fingers at once. “Pick up some basics for Ally while you're out!” “Got it!”
“O-oh, that’s really not necessa- Oookay, you’re gone.” I groan as he goes out of earshot.
Miranda gives a smirk, resting her arms on the table. "You really are skittish, aren't you?" Ruby gives a snort of laugher. “That ain’t nothin’. You shoud’ve seen her while we were walkin’ here, she got so dang flustered about askin’ me why I was in the freak trailer.” At that, the whole table besides Noah and I erupts with laughter. I duck my head as my cheeks grow warm. “It’s fine, you’ll grow out of the skittishness soon enough. By the end of the month I guarantee you’ll be just like these two.” Miranda says, gesturing to Ruby and Callum. Callum gives a grunt from within a pair of arms folded on the table, the other pair of hands clutching his head. I give a small smile at their reassurance, digging back into my plate. “Anyway, if things go according to plan, we’ll have you performing in a few days to a week, so the more comfortable you are the better.”
My fork almost drops from my hand at that statement. A few days?! I knew I was going to have to perform with them eventually, but I had no idea it was that soon! I almost open my mouth to object when I realize that I am eating their food, taking up their sleeping room. If I didn’t want to perform, I should’ve thought about that back in Iowa. Before I know it, I’ve subconsciously scraping my plate clean.
“Alright, now, I think it’s time we go see John. That way you’ll officially get on the bill as a performer. After that Adam should be back, and we’ll let you get cleaned up before the gates open for the first show.” Miranda stands and collects the remaining plates from the table. “Ruby, do me a favor; get this lump up from his nap and go snag a washing machine before they’re all full. Then you can sleep.” She mutters, laying her hands on Callum’s broad shoulders. He gives a grunt, hefting himself from his seated position. “In yours and Noah’s cases, you have the rest of the time off until Adam gets back, and then if you could help him with the groceries, that’d be great.” With that, Miranda leads me away from the table, leaving Ruby to pull the four armed man to his feet.
“So how are you holding up?” Miranda asks, depositing our plates in a plastic bin near the end of the food line.
“What do you mean?”
“Hmm. How do I put this.” She mutters, wiping her hands on the front of her shirt before pushing the sliding door to the train open. She gestures for me to follow. “It looks like you haven’t been on the road long. And you seem to be a little fidgety whenever someone tries to talk to you. By a little, I mean like a scared bunny. Mind your head.” She calls, ducking under a low hanging bar of metal in the middle of the hallway. I duck, watching her warily. “What I’m asking, plain and simple, are you out of the custody of your parents?” She stops in front of a wooden door with black lettering; “John Metziano, Owner and Proprietor of the Blackpool Gardens American Circus”. Miranda looks at me with such intensity, as if she can see right through me, my life for the past three days. “If you’re not, we can bring you back. Let me tell you, not everyone is suited for performing, and this is a tough life to live. We move tour about thirty states in four months. Before we get you registered…is there any life that you’d rather go back to?”
I narrow my eyes at her, my heart hammering in my chest. I knew I would have to lie at some point in this operation, but now just didn’t seem right. I could answer both of her questions with an honest no, but I wouldn’t be telling the entire truth. That’s just as bad as lying in my opinion, so I might as well make it a stable lie. “My parents recently passed away, so yes, I am out of their custody. Not that it matters, because I turn nineteen this year. I’m not running from the law, and no one knows about my secret except for you all in the sideshow trailer. I guess it’s just good luck that I met up with you guys when I did.”
Miranda looks at me with a stern look, trying to see any other truth in my eyes. I give her a determined look back. With three truths and a lie, odds are that she’ll see the truth in my statement. “Alright then. Welcome to the show.” She replies with a smile, rapping on the door in front of us.
|
|