2 A.M.

[FaithWynters]

My story: You know how most kids run away to the circus? Well I’m running from it. When I was ten years old, I went to the circus with my family. I got separated from both my parents so I freaked out. The ringleader said he’d help me… But instead he kidnapped me. Now I’ve been stuck here for the past six years. For five years, I’ve been trying to find a way to get out. It hasn’t worked out very well. Until tonight. The ring leader is piss drunk and he’s in bed. Can’t hear anything or feel anything. I hope. I left his little trailer, and went to the strong man. The only one who understands me and can break the stupid chains. Which he has. I’m not fast enough to run out from the ground so the strong man helped me with that as well. We stood at the front gates and I couldn’t move. Maybe it was because I didn’t want to run with this stupid dress on, or maybe I was scared. But I was pushed ahead. “Run” were the last words I heard from the circus, and I was off. Running into the city. I could see all the lights ahead. In the city, I sat on a crate in an alley way. Terrified and alone.


Your story: You’re an author (Being typical) But you’re one of the youngest authors ever. You live alone, and you always work late nights in the office trying to get your manuscript done so your publisher will stop nagging you. You always eat takeout food, and sit at your desk. You’re usually moody all the time. But there’s the odd time where you’re actually a sensitive person. But that is very… Very rare. You usually don’t leave there until 2 in the morning. Like tonight. Now you’re driving home in your sports car Not caring about anything again. You just want to go home… And sleep.


How we tie together: On your way home, at two in the morning as usual, your head lights flash off something sparkly. You tried to ignore it, but it didn’t work out well. You look up to see a girl, who is no younger than you. That girl is me. You get confused as to what I’m doing out so late so you pull over. You don’t know why but you walk up to me and touch her shoulder. I’m automatically afraid of you. You can tell that I’ve been abused so somehow you manage to convince me to go back to your loft with you. I’m far too tired to even fight against it, so I just cave in and agree to it.


We’ll start as I’m escaping the circus and you are shutting everything down for the night.

Name: Mira La’Mar


Age: Seventeen


Birthday: November 21


Sexuality: She hasn’t really had much time to express such things


Appearance


Hair Color: Brown


Hair Style: Mira has long and thin hair that comes just past her shoulders. In her show, it is pinned up, but when she works, she keeps it down.


Eye Color: Her eyes are a blue- grey color


Height: 5’5”


Weight: 95 lbs (She’s very malnourished)


Skin Color: a creamy pale color


Body: She’s very little more than skin and bone. What she does have that isn’t skin is muscle from her dancing.


Starting Clothing:

Job at the Circus: The ‘hypnotist’ Dancer


Her Story: It’s been awhile since Mira’s had a happy thought in her head. She gave up on her parents a year or so after she was kidnapped. She decided that it would only be on her own that she would run away. After her third attempt to run off, the Ring Leader decided it would be best if she was chained so she couldn’t run; the only time they were removed was for their shows. When she was about fifteen or sixteen, the Ring Leader grew more attracted towards her. From then on, it had been the Same Song and Dance. He never got tired of her fighting or her screaming, but soon the strong man came in one night and stopped him. He had been sort of her guardian from then on and kept her from being his little toy so frequently. She hates herself for it though, and many times had thought of slitting her throat with one of the sword swallower’s knives. The only thing kept from her going through with it was the promise of escape and it is coming very very soon.


Personality: Mira is a hard worker. As much as she doesn’t like being stuck in the circus, she works to keep from being beaten. She would be kindhearted, but most of those meet her only with rude comments and hatred. It’s changed her a lot. She won’t trust anyone. She doesn’t believe than anyone but the strong man could ever help her. Anyone else will just double cross her. She keeps to herself as much as she can, but the other dancers hate her because of her...close relationship with the ring leader. She has no confidence, and really, she hates herself for all that’s happened; all the things she’s done; all the things she’s been forced to do.

 

[9forgotten]

Name: Alexandra "Alex" Young


Age: 17


Birthday: April 7


Sexuality: gay


Appearance

Hair color: multi color


Height: 5'8"


Weight: 120 lbs (idk what's normal ...)


Skin color: A mix of fair tan and weirdly pale (kinda like a farmers tan)


Body: athletic ?


Starting Clothing: Black jeans, blue t-shirt, and a sweater


Job: Author


Her Story/History: Alex started writing at 5, not exactly readable or understandable works but the stories were quite fascinating. Her parents saw she had a great potential to become an author as the years went by and her creative mind created amazing short stories. Without even telling her, they sent a copy of some of her works to a well known publisher and of course, they loved it. Alex's parent's more or less sent her off somewhere nice to focus mainly on her writing, school was suddenly less important and not wanting to displease her parents she just went with it. They gave her a car, money to get by on her own, a house and sent her off. But with a content nagging publisher and hardly any free time, what was left of her childhood slipped away and she started to become less pleased and more annoyed by things.


Personality: Alex is typically a pretty moody person, angry one moment then perfectly fine the next. Occasionally, she shows a sensitive side where she actually displays another emotion besides annoyance or frustration. Because she's always working hard to get whatever her publisher wants, she doesn't usually have time for anything else. Despite being practically thrown into this job without being asked, she upkeeps the spirt enough so her books aren't affected by her personality and mood change. Moving away from her friends and family changed the girl from bright and happy to share her works to a brooding annoyed person. In reality she's just alone and hates it but deals with it to keep others happy.

 

[FaithWynters]

The darkness of the night wasn’t like other nights. It was quiet and calm. There was no shouting or animal sounds coming from inside the other caravans. It was simplistic silence. It takes a moment to realize how lucky you are in a place like this to have silence. There were so many more things that could have been happening that were far worse. There could be yelling and screaming, fighting and animal training, but tonight was the night for rest; an uncommon present from the ringmaster, and all would take advantage of it tonight.


I would disrupt this peace only to pull myself quietly away from my place beside the Ring Master. He slept in his drunken state, and wouldn’t be aware of me slipping out until much later; if I was lucky, that would be morning. The smell of alcohol hung on my clothes as I took silent steps out of the caravan and into the cool night. I was glad to be out in the fresh air of the night; it was a pleasure I rarely got to enjoy.


My feet were bare, as they always were as I walked across the grass that had grown in the area. It was soft against my calloused feet. I could handle rocks and dirt, but I wasn’t sure how I would fare against the dangers of the forest floor with bare feet. I knew this would become a problem, but I didn’t care right now. I just wanted to be free. I had been planning this escape for a while and now it was finally time.


Slow quiet feet make their way to the Strong Man’s caravan. Being so big, he didn’t have to share with anyone, which was a good thing on nights like this. No one ever knew he was the one helping me; which had saved his life on many occasions. I stop in front of the shelter, taking in the bright colored banners that drew so many people in. They were a marking of curse for me, and I had grown accustomed to staring at them, wishing them to catch flame and burn the tents to the ground. After a few moments, I draw myself back to my original task. With feet and throat chained together, it was hard to make it up the steps; it was hard to walk in general really, but I manage like always, taking in a deep breath and stepping into the silence.


“Hello?” My voice is quiet as I step into the room; so small in the open space of the caravan. He sits silently at a small table, his own bottle of whiskey hanging loosely in his hands. He hopes this will be the last time that he has to see this child go. He hoped this will be the last time he will see her, and as much as that pains him, he knows it must be done. He has become her silent guardian in these past years, and he only hopes there will be someone in town to watch over her and protect her. Someone must, or her escape will be fruitless once again. He is not sure if she will make it back alive this time if she is caught, and that pains him. He knows that it will be better for her to be out of here, but he will miss her.


He nods quietly to acknowledge me, moving to straighten up in the chair.


“Come, child” His words are soft as I walk forward, standing next to him. With one hand on each side of my neck, he pulls the metal binding away as if it were only cardboard, the sound of metal hitting the floor breaks the silence. For another moment he sits there, looking me over, and I wonder what he’s thinking about. Before I can ask he moves his hands down, making quick work of both bits of metal on my ankles. It feels good to not have such weight on me anymore. I smile, knowing that this is it.


He stands as best he can in the Caravan before pushing me out into the cool night. He follows, grunting as he straightens his back. His Caravan has a nice view of the city lights in the distance. That is my next goal; make it to the city. I stand there, awestruck at the idea that I’ll be there soon. His hand is on my back, pushing me forward. Unintentionally, he almost pushes me to the ground and I grunt, stumbling to my feet.


“Go child, you must go” I turn back to look at him a moment before he motions me away again. I take in a deep breath, and he looks down. I know this is harder for him that it seems. By the time he looks back up, I’m already gone; into the darkness of the night.

 

[9forgotten]

Nothing sounded except the soft ticking of a clock that leaned against the walls, the pendulum swinging rhythmically back and forth, back and forth. I just sat there, looking out the windows of this work place, watching as the night wore by and doing absolutely nothing work related. I leaned back in my chair, kicking my feet up on the desk as I let out a long soft yawn. It was about 1 in the morning and I still hadn't submitted anything to the publisher. They were always calling to pester me about sending them whatever it was they needed. There was no more time to just sit back and relax, something I made happen but even then it wasn't exactly relaxing.


The silence was broken as my cellphone went off, a horrible ringtone filling the air. I rolled my eyes and simply ignored the call, knowing it was the publisher once again to bug me. I scowled and dropped my feet to the floor as the phone rung again right away. I snatched my phone up and answered, my peaceful mood ruined and replaced by the usual snappy, rude and annoyed one.


"What?" I snap, very irritated. A calm sigh just echoes from the other side "Alex you need to send me you manuscripts! They're like a week late". I just roll my eyes and stand up, holding my phone between my ear and shoulder as I start to clean my papers up and pack up for the night, exhausted all of the sudden. "Yes, yes I know. You'll get them eventually" I answer dully. "No! I need them now Alex! Send them in by the end of this week! You better know I'm telling your parents about this!". At the mention of my parents I pause and glare into space "Tell them what you please, I don't care. Goodnight Irene" I grouch, ending the call and dropping my phone into my bag.


With that, I walk out of the work room, locking the door behind me before making my way down the silent hall and outside to the parking lot. No one was left here, just me per usual. I always stayed the latest, at first the other workers here weren't to thrilled but they got over it fast enough. I hop into my car, tossing my beg in the seat next to me as I start the car up. I sit there for a moment, looking at the night sky and thinking to myself about all this before shaking my head and driving off back to my home.

 

[FaithWynters]

My breathing was ragged as I ran, the muddy soil under toe made me slip. More than once I fell, either skinning my knees on sharp rocks, or muddying up myself and the clothing I wore. There was a gun fired, and I was almost scared enough to stop. I shook my head as I continued, the pain in my muscles groaning on as if I was running three hundred miles in a day. I had never had to exercise before, and it made it harder and harder to go on.


Keep running! I can see the lights now!


I had been running for a little more than fifteen minutes. The short limbs on the trees hit me and stung. It had been a long time since I had ran like this, and sometimes I felt as if my legs might just break off. I was so weak; I had hardly eaten at all. I ignored the weakness and the pain. My feet had done just as I expected. They hurt as I ran on rocks and sticks. Thorns stuck into the bottom of my feet and I could feel the sting as they dug further and further into my skin, but I couldn’t stop now. I knew that it wouldn’t be long until I ran out of energy and I had to hide somewhere, but I didn’t want to. I wanted to make it into town. I wanted to be safe among the shadows of tall buildings and the homeless.


I had been running quite some time now and the lights of the city had grown very bright. I could tell that there were only a few more trees before… I break through the last line of trees. I can feel the stinging of small cuts across my body, and my feet have gone numb from the pain. I don’t stop, and before I know it, I’m not running on hard rocks or sticks, but hard blacktop. I stop, seeing the bright lights of something down the black road. My eyes widen, turn around, getting off the road. The vehicle drives past in unknowing, and I watch the darkness across.


Once the car was gone, I stand, trying to make my way across the road. I make it about halfway through the lane on the opposite side of the road before I fall. I try to get up, but I hadn’t made it far before I stumbled and fell again. This time, I just couldn’t get up. My body was shaking off adrenaline and fear. I could see the blood on the ground as I watched the black beneath me. My knees now stung from them raking across the ground. I was a mess. I knew I needed to get out of the road, someone might not see me; someone might see me and take me back. There were so many things that could happen, and in my mind, of the ten different scenarios, only one would turn out in my favor. I needed to run. I whimpered in the silence of the darkness as my mind screamed for my body to move, but I couldn’t. I was just too weak.

 

[9forgotten]

I lived across town basically but since it was the dead of night, not many other cars were on the road. My parents had bought a home closer to the work place but I rented it off right away, moving into an apartment building farther away. I didn't need all that space, it would've been just me in a huge house. I wouldn't have stayed in it very long anyway, it'd pretty much be an empty building so I figured I'd rent it out to bring in some extra money. I think technically I was on the higher end of the rich and poor scale of authors since what I wrote appealed to people my age more so, something like that anyway. I didn't care really, sometimes I wished I hadn't been 'born with such an amazing talent' as my mother puts it.


Shaking my head, I clear my thoughts as I head to McDonalds to pick up something to eat on the way home. How I manned not to gain a ton of weight by eating this and sitting around 99% of the day was a mystery to me but no matter, food was food and work was work. I paid quickly and took my food before speeding off without so much of a thank you to the workers. Stopping at a light, I open the bag next to me and pop a few fries into my mouth and then taking a long drink from my water.


I lived across town basically but since it was the dead of night, not many other cars were on the road. My parents had bought a home closer to the work place but I rented it off right away, moving into an apartment building farther away. I didn't need all that space, it would've been just me in a huge house. I wouldn't have stayed in it very long anyway, it'd pretty much be an empty building so I figured I'd rent it out to bring in some extra money. I think technically I was on the higher end of the rich and poor scale of authors since what I wrote appealed to people my age more so, something like that anyway. I didn't care really, sometimes I wished I hadn't been 'born with such an amazing talent' as my mother puts it.


Shaking my head, I clear my thoughts as I head to McDonalds to pick up something to eat on the way home. How I manned not to gain a ton of weight by eating this and sitting around 99% of the day was a mystery to me but no matter, food was food and work was work. I paid quickly and took my food before speeding off without so much of a thank you to the workers. Stopping at a light, I open the bag next to me and pop a few fries into my mouth and then taking a long drink from my water. The light changes and I drive onwards.


Up ahead something flashes but I see nothing unusual, nevertheless I slow down some as I peer into the dark night, wondering what it was I saw. As I near the next light, I catch sight of some lump in the middle of the crosswalk. I raise an eyebrow as I pull to a complete stop. It din't look like it was anything important to me, just some black shape that simmered in the car lights. Peering closer, even after the light changed I realized it wasn't a thing, it was a person. Backing up and pulling to the side, I hop out and run over. Crouching by the figure, I take in what I could see and made out it was a girl probably my age. What was she doing out so late and why was she lying in the middle of the road? Frowning slightly, I reach out and touch her shoulder lightly to find out what was up.

 

[FaithWynters]

I didn’t look up as I heard the quiet rumbling of a car. The lights were blinding from where I had my head hidden underneath my arms. The road was no longer warm by the sum of day but the discomfort urged on. They would pass me by and I could try and run once more. My hopes had fallen on deaf ears; The lights never faded and the sound of the quiet rumbling continued into the silence. I said nothing, hoping that soon, I would have enough energy again to run.


It was there, rumbling like a dog, warning me not to move. Then I felt the chilly clamp on my shoulder. Had they already caught me? Had I really been that much of a failure? I flinched, forcing my body away from the hand. I shot up, trying to run. It was a failed attempt, but I had to try. If I was caught there was no way to know what kind of a drunken rage that master would be unleashed upon me. I was silent as I fell again, my knees pulling and tugging along the pathway below, my head bringing my body to stop as it hit the ground. I let out a grunt, but I knew that this footman for the ringleader wouldn’t have heard. I had to try to get away. My body continued to shake and my blood had already formed a new pool to where I had stumbled to. On top of my beating I had taken an hour ago and the scrapped knees, I had been caught before I had even gotten into town.


“Please” This was the only word I could muster and it escaped through dry lips into the soft of the night. I could do nothing more now than beg silently that this wasn’t someone to take me back. I had to hope that this was a civilian; someone unaware of the circus…I hoped they would be someone to help me. I wouldn’t get my hopes to high, however, because I had been through this before. I knew what it was like. I knew they could find me and drag me back without any trouble. I just needed things to be different this time.

 

[9forgotten]

I blinked in slight surprise as the girl suddenly jerked up and tried to get away from me, her attempts pretty pointless. I just crouched there silently as I stared at her, taking in her appearance for a few moments. Her was obviously very weak, much to the extreme more like it. Her movements were slow and sorta jerkish as she tried to pull her self together. I caught sight of dark liquid and moved over to skim it with my fingers lightly. Pulling my fingers to my face I sniff the liquid and realize it was blood. My gaze snaps over to the girl who was now shaking from who knows what. It wasn't like it was very cold out here but taking another look I noticed she was quite thin like someone had starved her.


I scoff at this, not at the girl but that someone would do such a thing to another human being. I raised an eyebrow slightly as she utters one word, barely. Please. Please what? Please help? Or please go? I sighed softly and ran a hand through my hair, wondering what to do as I just crouched there looking at this girl for ages, well more like several long minutes. I wondered if she was running from someone, it made sense to me. Who wouldn't run from someone who was abusing you? I doubted calling the police or ambulance would do good mainly because if she was trying to get away from something, she'd just get caught again and I wouldn't want that.


I moved onto one knee as I reached out to her, a little hesitant which wasn't really like me but I felt a strong sense of protectiveness come over me. To make sure she didn't get hurt anymore and while it baffled me, I really did have to get her to come with me so I could at least get the bleeding to stop, feed her and what not. "Hey...I'm not going to hurt you but can you come with me?" I mentally slap myself as soon as I speak these words. I assumed they were not to demanding like, hopefully soothing of the sorts. "I wont hurt you, I promise. Let me help you out some" I add after a moment

 

[FaithWynters]

I don’t feel the nothingness of death. No, instead I feel the hands of someone on my back. They’re urging me to get up, to go with them…someplace. I take in harsh breaths. I can feel the sting of scrapes on my knees and palms. I’m already tired. There wasn’t much energy for me to use. I had already done two shows on an empty stomach. I had nothing to fight with, but I tried. Pushing the figure away only a few times, I feel tears fall down my cheeks. I just know they’re trying to take me back to the circus. My urges to get them to go away are fruitless and for the longest time I can feel the figure watching me


I fight only for a few moments. I just can’t fight anymore. I feel my body fall limp for a moment. I fall into darkness. The only thing that shakes me into weary consciousness is the sound of thunder rumbling in the distance. It makes me jump, and I feel my body tense until the sound is gone and the silence has returned. A voice calls out to me, and I don’t recognize it. It is no one from the circus, but it could still be a trap. With soft words, the voice urges me to come with them…They’ll help me. I don’t completely believe it, but I do as I am told. Like a dog, trained to react on commands, I feel my body push itself until it’s standing up straight. My brown hair is black in the darkness and it falls into my face. I can see nothing through the curtain or the bright lights that blind me.The only words that I hear pass through my lips is the quiet beg.


“Please don’t take me back.” I reach out a hand, my eyes still closed, waiting to be pulled in the direction I was wanted. I would know right now whether I could trust the person or not. If I couldn't, they would yank me back to the car, all of their soft words gone. I had fallen for that before, and by the time I am in that car, I know it will be too late to stop anything.

 

[9forgotten]

I jerk back awkwardly as she pushes against me weakly, keeping my balance easily. I sigh softly and jut watch as she starts to cry, making a slight face at this. I was by no means a people person what so ever and was horribly awkward in situations that involved tears and such. I screeched my chin and just waited for her to pull herself to gather, waiting patiently for her to give up already since either way I'd be taking them to my flat. I glanced at the sky as thunder rumbled in the distance, looking around to see how soon the rain would come.


My attention moves back to the girl as I watch as she stands up, I have no idea how she managed to but she stood there. Tilting my head, as I stood myself, I looked at her wondering what her expression was since I couldn't see it. I leaned forward slightly as she spoke softly, confirming my suspicions of her running away from somewhere. "Of course I wont" I murmur softly, taking her hand gently. I frowned slightly, there was no way she could walk back to the car. I sighed and moved closer to her, standing for a moment before just picking her up carefully.


Surprisingly she was extremely light, that or I'd gotten stronger and I highly doubted that. I turned and carried her silently to my car, moving my bag first before sliding her into the passenger seat carefully. I buckle her in carefully, using paper towels to clean up the blood some here and there. The flow seemed to have slowed down and basically stopped but I couldn't really tell "Hang in there a couple minutes, I'll drive us to my place. Have some food if you want" I say pointing to the food as I got in to the drivers seat, pulling out swiftly and down the empty road and to my flat. I kept glancing over at her, just making she was alright or even conscious since I couldn't exactly tell.

 

[FaithWynters]

She was obviously aware that I wasn’t able to walk anymore. I had used what I could to stand up, but from there, I was sure I wouldn’t make it another step. Her words were soft and as much as I couldn’t show her how I felt, I was grateful. It took her a moment before she had slowly gotten herself close enough to me to pick me up. She was probably afraid that I would get spooked like a small child.


When she did succeed in picking me up, you could tell she had no problem shifting my eight around until it was comfortable. I could feel everything. Her hands gripped my frail body and she walked me towards the bright lights. I fought hard to keep my eyes open so I knew where we were going, but they slowly drifted closed, only to open again at a new sound. Moments later, I can feel the softness of something underneath me. I instantly feel regret; I just dirtied up her car. At this moment, I could only thing of denying her as she brushes something across my skin, trying to stop some of the bleeding.


She offers me her food and another twinge of regret fills my body. I would not eat her food; it was obviously meant for her. I didn’t have much strength to even take the bag she had gestured to and look through it for something to eat. I took in a deep breath, turning my head to face the opposite direction. She had left and returned in the seat opposite and I was now facing her. The hair fell out of my eyes and soon, I watched her, eyes half open in the darkness of the car.


“Thank you” I mumbled the words, trying to smile at her; I wanted to show her that I truly was gracious for her help. I try to keep my eyes open, watching her and the outside, trying to remember where we are going, but I drift of slowly. I was so tired. I drift in and out of consciousness slowly until I don’t open my eyes again and sleep overtakes me.

 

[9forgotten]

I hear her soft thanks and nod slightly, glancing over at her to see her face some. I noted she didn't eat anything so I made a mental note to make sure she ate something later on. Turning back to the road I speed up some, or a lot, to make it home quickly. For once I had something to do outside my normal routine of wake, head to work, deal with annoying people, staying up late, return home. I now had an excuse to not go into work tomorrow, I know in a sense that was like taking advantage of this girl for my own reasons but I had her in mind as well, perhaps not as much.


I turn into the lot and park quickly, jumping out and pulling my bag across my chest before opening the other door to unbuckle the other girl I saw that she was asleep and smile slightly, quite unlike me but whatever. I carefully lift the girl out, grabbing the food as well before heading inside. The lobby door person wasn't there, not that it mattered but for once his duty to call the elevators was needed. I managed to hit the button with out him, stepping on as soon as the door opened moments later. I head up to the 9th floor, pulling my keeps from my pocket while holding onto the girl carefully.


It greatly disturbed me that she was so light and I hoped she'd eat some when she woke up. For now I figured I needed to address all her wounds. Entering my room, I flip the lights on and toss everything else aside, heading my bathroom to take care of her. I study the situation and shake my head, how was I to do this properly? I started by using a wash cloth to clean up all the blood and clean the cuts out, wrapping gauze bandages around everything. Her clothes weren't to clean, blood had spilled over them as well but I wasn't so sure if I should change the clothes or not. I decide to leave that to last and just finish cleaning her the best I could.


I end up change her clothes, pulling a large t-shirt of mine over her and setting her in my bed, tucked under the covers neatly. Rather then going to bed, I headed out to actually buy food since all I ate was fast food and that wasn't exactly the best way to get someone healthy again. I find an all night store and buy a ton of things I normally wouldn't get. I wasn't sure why I was doing all this to be honest, I wasn't even sure she would stay around but deep down to the obvious point where I'd never admit it, I hoped she would.


After getting what I needed, I headed home and put everything away before flopping on the couch myself and drifting off to bed, now very very tired.

 

[FaithWynters]

I sleep for what seems like much longer than I have slept in a long time. If it isn’t longer, it is much more carefree and relaxed. The relaxation doesn’t last when I awake to a dark room. No one is around. This is good, it’s not the circus. Where am I though? A bed is warm around me and I haven’t felt one in years. Before I know what’s happening, I am screaming and shaking. I move lightly, trying to get out of the bed. Before I know what’s happening, I fall on the ground below with a grunt. I silence myself with the fall, knowing that if I haven’t woken someone by now, I can sneak out and run like I had planned on doing in the first place. For a while I lay on the floor; I am very used to it. It takes a while before I realize that no one is in the house. She has left me to rest…she’s probably called the police or something by now. All ideas of running, however, are gone, and I can’t help pulling myself back into the soft bed. It is only with this movement that I realize that my torso is no longer constricted and my dress is gone. In its place is a shirt. As I pull my legs underneath the blankets once more, I look over them. They are cleaner than they had been—she had taken time to look over my wounds. I felt my head, looking to see if there was a bump. I must’ve been out a long time. There is one, but I’m sure it wasn’t the cause. I look around the room, knowing that sleep will fall over me soon again. I try to relax in this new place and sleep. I needed it. The last thing I hear is the sound of thunder one last time before I fall back into sleep.

…

​

Usually I would be awoken by a harsh slap to the face or by nightmares. This time, I was pulled from my dreamless sleep by the smells. They were delightful: The smells of wisteria in a gentle breeze. Had the flowers begun to bloom in the area that we had moved to? It smelled beautiful; it reminded me of home. Sun dances across my face, evasively kissing my eyes. I take my time, stretching and opening my eyes. When I do, the smell of spring is gone; it must’ve been the last bit of a dream that I could muster. Now, a sort of stuffy smell fills my nostrils. The room I am in is unfamiliar. I can feel myself start to hyperventilate. Just as the night before, I scream, shrill and loud, pushing myself out of the nice soft bed and onto the ground. I feel my knees groan in protest as I try to shuffle myself up off the ground. Even though I had this same revelation the night before, the unfamiliar place made me afraid


Everything slowly comes back to me. The woman, the thunderstorm, the car, me waking up in the middle of the night, screaming like a fool as I had just done moments earlier…all of it slowly starts to sink in. I silence myself, looking around for someplace to hide. I it was natural for me to feel like repercussions would be made for my disturbance.


“Hide” The word is quiet under my breath. I push myself underneath the bed. I give myself a friction burn from the carpet that stings my lets. I silence myself, and almost will myself to stop breathing. I am facing the door, half closed and waiting. I watch a moment before closing my eyes. I knew that person would be up soon the see what the screaming was about, and I didn’t want to be here when they did.

 

[9forgotten]

I sleep through the night, out cold from exhaustion but wake rather early (it felt early anyway) due to someone screaming. I jolt awake, nearly falling off the couch as I shake my head to wake myself up some more. Sitting up, I just sit there as I wake up and try to figure out why I'm not in my bed. I remember soon enough, some unknown girl was sleeping, or was sleeping, in my bedroom currently. I bet that was her screaming to, why I have no idea what so ever. Grumbling a bit to myself, I get up and head to my room, grabbing a water bottle first. I stop by the guest bathroom to splash some water on my face to wake up some more rather then run in there blindly.


After waking up some more, I turn and walk into my room to find no one in sight. I raise an eyebrow as i stand in the door way looking around curiously, wondering where the girl went. No one had snuck in to grab her, I gathered that much seeing there was no broken wind or anything and that was the only way into this room. I sigh and sip some water as I amble around a little, checking the closet and bathroom to find she wasn't there either. I had a feeling she was under the bed but I felt if I looked there and found her, she'd freak out or something and I didn't exactly want that.


I opened my mouth to say something when the same ringtone went off in the other room. I cursed under my breathe and stomped out of the room, temporarily forgetting there was someone hiding in my bedroom whom I needed to find and talk to. Snatching my phone up, I answer quite moodily "What do you want?" I snap setting the now empty water bottle down. "Well someone woke up on the wrong side" comes an amused voice. I growl "Shut up, I'm not coming in today, you're not getting the manuscripts anytime soon so buzz off! I have other important things to take care of" I snap as I start to pace around some.


"Listen here young lady, I could easily cancel this deal but I wont since you're bright with promise and teens love your books. So you need to get your act together and get those papers into me now!" she thunders angrily. I snicker "Whatever. Look, I seriously do have something else to do. It was a bit unexpected, I have the stupid manuscripts done. They've been done for awhile actually, I'll send them in later. Bye" I say sighing in annoyance. My gaze wandered over to my bedroom and from where I stood, I could see a figure under my bed. I smiled slightly but it disappeared as fast as it appeared as Irene started talking, again. "Wait just a-" I don't let her finish as I turn my phone off and drop it on the counter as I walk back to my room. I sit on the floor near the door "Uh sorry about that...well good morning...I wont hurt you or send you anywhere. Will you please come out from under there?"

 

[FaithWynters]

No one storms into the room like I expect. There is no haste in the movements. I feel my skin pressing against the soft of the carpet and I feel my eyes close. There was an air conditioning vent underneath the bed and I smiled in the cool that rushed over my body. It was something I hadn’t felt in years. I loved it. It helped me slowly drift back off into a light doze; it made me feel protected.


“I’m nicer than all the other Circuses around! Think about it! You can drink, you eat, and you’ve got clothes on your back. Besides, what’s so wrong with having all my little Dancers on a String? I could always sell your work to the gentlemen’s club in New Brawnsfields? They beat their girls! And if any of their nice little pixies try to run off? Well…We find ditches to throw the bodies” He laughs as he turns, walking away from the scene where we are stretching and dancing and practicing our routines.


A shiver runs up my spine as I the memory floods back into my mind, but it is soon cut short by the sound of something in the room. Someone walks around softly, trying to search for me. My eyes, half closed in sleep move slowly with the feet until something loud emits through the home. I jump, unable to control myself. I hit my head on the bottom of the bed, a quiet groan escaping from my lips. The girl was gone. I looked around before letting my eyes fall closed for the moment. I wasn’t sure what was happening so I would just wait.


I don't expect an any one to return and at the same time, I don't expect her help. It's impulse to look to the ground, even when you’re under a bed and half asleep. You don't make eye contact, you don't speak unless spoken to, and you keep silent around strangers. Those three rules were imbedded into my mind. So many beatings had ensued because of the last one. Just trying to be friendly would get you beaten.


"Mommy! Can I take a picture with the Pretty dancer? I want to be like her some day!" A little girl bounds up to me after the show, the makeup covers my face, making me look like a fragile little doll as the girl stops in front of me.


"Do you mind? She really loved your performance." The mother looks at me, eyes bright and beautiful with life and freedom.


I give her my best smile. I want to be like her. I want to be free.


"Of course it's no problem!" I give the girl a warm smile, as welcoming as I can be. "And what's your name?" I question the girl as she comes closer and I squat so I am more her height.


"Drucilla" the girl grins and I gasp lightly.


"What a beautiful name, I'm jealous!" The girl stands in front of me and we both smile.


The makeup and squirt of perfume usually covered up the smell, but we were under a big top with elephant poop and hay so the smell could be waved off. Of course, our teeth on the other hand were a different story. We were allowed two pearls of toothpaste twice a day so our teeth didn't rot out.


There's a flash of a camera as I look to the girl.


"What kind of dance lessons do you take, Drucilla?" There's a giggle as the girl looks at me a moment before pulling herself en pointe although she is wearing flats. I grin, she can only be seven or eight, and she’s been doing this awhile.


"Let me get one more picture, of both of you on your toes maybe?"


"Mom! It’s called 'en pointe', I tell you this every week."


"Okay dear, whatever you say" I look to the girl and giggle quietly; I have to act as if I am happy. It is quite amusing though.


"Ready?" she nods as I raise myself up into one of my dance moves, bringing one foot above my head, bringing awe from the formed crowd. They all begin snapping pictures of me and the girl. I can tell she feels like a star.


Master didn't enjoy the fact the he could have charged all those people for the pictures and made a killing. He felt as if I was robbing him. I was a thief, scum, at least for that night, until he got drunk and forgot almost completely. He said I was trying to be the center attention. He taught me exactly what being the center of his attention got me that night.


More soft words make me jump and my eyes pull themselves open. It was nice sometimes to be able to wake up and know that you weren’t sleeping next to that… monster. I felt myself shaking; I was getting cold underneath the bed. There’s a pause after she asks me to come out from under the bed. I am thinking hard about what I should do. It probably doesn’t take me as long as it should and soon my hands appear from underneath the bed. Moments later, I am pulling myself from beneath my protection. I smile quietly, trying to be nice; I just didn’t want to push my luck.


“Thank you, Ma’am” I mutter quietly, taking in a sharp breath. I didn’t know how to sit or if I was supposed to stand and leave, so I kept myself on my stomach, head into the carpet, hands holding me up off of the ground. That was most comfortable. I wanted it to stay that way.

 

[9forgotten]

I wait a several moments before she reappears from under the bed with a smile. I returned with a soft smile of my own, or at least I hoped it looked like one. I wave my hand aside as she thanks me, rains an eyebrow slightly as she stays on the floor wondering how on earth that was possibly comfortable. "You can come on out from under there" I coax some, hoping to get her into the kitchen so I could feed her. It still highly bothered me that she was underweight and looked very unhealthy.


I started to wonder if she heard my conversation on the phone, she hadn't let on any signs she was even paying attention to it. I shrugged a fraction to myself as I sat there thinking for a few moments. I realized I was completely relaxed, perfectly comfortable talking to someone I didn't even know. Better yet, I hadn't scared her off yet which I had to say was a first since I snapped at everyone and anyone typically. The same feeling of wanting to protect this girl returned even though she was probably the same age as myself or close to it. So many questions swirled around in my head as I sat there looking back at the girl, curiously probably present in my expression.


"I wont call the cops or whatever. Let me feed you some food, you look rather tired and hungry. How're your wounds?" I ask gently, moving my gaze to all the cuts. I noticed a bump on her head but it didn't look as bad anymore and everything else seemed to be okay but then again I couldn't feel the cuts so I wasn't sure. Nothing was bleeding through the gauze as far as I could tell so I figured that was a good thing.

 

[FaithWynters]

I am still partially underneath the bed. She meets my smile with one of her own, trying desperately to show me some sort of comfort so I will relax. I take in small breaths for a moment, looking her over. My hair, greasy from the lack of hygiene, hung slightly in my face. It was embarrassing for someone to see me like this, but I was much past humility. I had been seen in much worse conditions than this over the years. She attempts to call me out further with food and I look up.


She tried to make it seem like everything was okay. Soft distinct tones in her voice have very little of the soothing effect that she might have intended. It was very quiet for a while. I didn’t want to come out from under the bed. The cool floor beneath me calmed me more than her words. With the quiet promise of breakfast I hear my stomach gurgle, knowing just how hungry I really was. Would I come out for the food? I hadn’t had any in quite some time. It had been years since I sat down and had a meal. It was usually a slab of meat and bread- if we got meat. That’s probably why I was so small; so insignificant. I take in a slow breath before slowly pulling the rest of my body out from under the bed. Now, I was sitting normally, legs poking out in front of me. I watched as the light flooded over my pale body, cut and bruised. She had asked about my wounds and I felt myself clear my throat.


“They are better. I’m just clumsy; I was running through the woods and... I lost my shoes and… I-I just got so tired… There was something in the forest, but it wasn’t anything that would hurt me. I live in town, across the railroad tracks. You can take me back there. I won’t be any trouble.” So many lies and excuses shot uncontrollably from my mouth. This was a normal reaction. If I was ever caught, I wasn’t supposed to tell anyone about the Circus in the woods. They only catered to those who had heard it through the grapevine. Unadvertised heavily, it was a small but prosperous operation. If she found out, and I was to blame; I was dead.


“But I would love some food” I mutter, quiet again, grabbing fistfuls of the bed and pulling myself up, some of my strength was back and I could carry my weight again.

 

[9forgotten]

I watch as she slowly pulls her self from under the bed, sitting up right slowly. I hear her stomach rumble some at the mention of food so I knew she was indeed hungry but I wasn't sure what she ate or was allergic to anything or not. I guess I'd have to ask or just make something and see if she liked it. I blinked as she spoke, leaning forward slightly to catch what she was saying since she was speaking so quietly.


I leaned back slightly and studied her after she was done explaining what had happened to her. "Okay..." To be honest, I wasn't sure I quite believed her. Something about how she starved she appeared, the fact she was so lightly and you could practically see her bones for crying out loud, made me not trust what she said completely. But I didn't press it or anything since I didn't want her to panic of anything. I blinked and looked up as she stood up, rather unsteadily might I add. I bite my lower lip some, thinking to myself a little more before I just nod and stand up, moving over next to her some but keeping a good distance too.


"You need some help...? What would you like to eat? Are you okay with anything?" I ask, unsure if I should just go ahead and pick her up to carry her into the kitchen or if she really could walk into the other room. I felt ridiculously awkward around her, never sure what I was doing was okay or not, unsure if I say saying something wrong or not. Like the other new feelings I got, it bothered me but I didn't do anything. I shook my head, telling my brain to just shut up and focus on the current situation and deal with this first.

 

[FaithWynters]

She accepts my excuses, but I can tell by the look on her face that she isn’t convinced. There were too many of them. Even though she had no idea, I was sure she could tell by my state that someone had done this to me. This was no late night job through the woods. I took in a deep breath, looking across the room.


She didn’t move to touch me as I took a step forward. She wasn’t sure if I needed help or if I could do this by myself. She asks and I shake my head, taking a few more steps forward. My balance was coming back to me and soon I had made it to the doorway of the room. I looked back to see that she was still following me.


“I will eat anything; where are we going?” I speak soft still, trying to maintain calm. My legs burned from the run before and every movement seemed to brush against some cut or scrape. I ignored it though, continuing slowly down the hallway.

 

[9forgotten]

I watch and trail behind her carefully as she moves forward, heading to the door way slowly. I point just ahead of us as she asks where we were going "Just to the end of this short hallway, you can sit anywhere while I make something to eat" I say as we make our way down the hallway. I stop by the other bathroom, ducking in briefly to grab the medical stuff so I could change all the bandages later on after breakfast.


Walking down the hall and into the kitchen, I set the medical stuff down on is island and move into the kitchen part. Pulling a bunch of things I bought the previous night, I start to heat up the pan, still wondering what to cook. I sigh and shrug to myself before I get to work on making some scrambled eggs. While those were cooking, I grab a glass of cold water and set it in front of her "I hope eggs are okay. You want anything specific to drink or eat?" I ask as I move around the kitchen, making breakfast solely for her since I didn't typically eat in the mornings, just went right to work.


My phone rung once again but it was Irene, I could tell by the ringtone. Snatching it up, I glance at it to see it was mother, probably to go out on me for being so rude or whatever. I just roll my eyes and silence my phone, ignoring the call and setting it back down. I grumble to myself, a little put off by that, wondering what I deserved to be treated like such an adult when I really wasn't one at all. I was seventeen for heavens sake, sure I'd be eighteen soon but even then I was still hardly an adult. Normally I'd be in my senior year, probably graduating from it soon as well but no I was stuck here working my butt off to please people I had started to despise.


I sigh and look at the oven, pushing the eggs around some as they finish cooking. I move them to a plate and set it in front of her with a fork before popping some toast in the toaster. I grab the salt and pepper and set that in front of her as well incase she wanted it "Well, I'm certainly no cook but I hope it's decent enough" I say cracking a small smile.

 

[FaithWynters]

I make it almost to the place she directs me and I don’t feel her presence anymore. I look back to see that she is gone. I look back ahead of me, walking into the kitchen. I was sure that she was somewhere behind me; she probably needed to get something. She is back in the room as I make it towards the chair closest to her. It has a back, which is what I am most worried about. I cross my legs quietly as I watch her begin to prepare food. I wasn’t sure if it was only for me, or for the both of us. She places a glass of water in front of me and I smile quietly. Picking it up, I take a large drink; it was clean and satisfying.


“Eggs are fine. I do not want to intrude more than I have, Ma’am” My words are soft as I pull the cup away from my lips to speak. One more moment, and I am drinking again. It wasn’t until it was offered that I realized that I was thirsty as well as hungry. I guess I just wasn’t used to taking care of myself. I jump at the loud noise once more, it is different, but the electronic sound alerts me that it is a cell phone. I only knew of them because the Ring Master had one. She ignores the call, silencing the machine before it can cause too much noise. I give her a smile and she places food in front of me. I grin, they smelled wonderful.


“Anything is fine. Thank you” I smile, not taking time to wait. I am too hungry and I feel bad as I push the eggs into my mouth. I chew long enough to savor the flavor before swallowing. I hum in delight, taking another bite and doing the same. This would last me awhile.


“What is your name?” The words escape my lips before I can stop them and I feel a flush spread across my cheeks. I look down at the table, chewing slowly. “I’m sorry, that was rude of me” The words were soft again as I swallow another bite of eggs. Don’t speak unless spoken to. The words echo fiercely in my mind.

 

[9forgotten]

I'm fairly weirded out when she calls me "Ma'am" simply because no one ever says that to me, who would anyway? I am still a kid! I just smile though in return as she eats and drinks up eagerly "Don't eat and drink to fast or you'll get a stomach ace" I say, a little amused. I get up to refill her cup of water, setting it back in front of her as I lean against the counter on the other side in front of her. Watching her dig in and drink up made me happy, truly happy for once in many years.


"I'm glad you like it, let me know if you want more" I say smiling some. I tiled my head as she asked for my name then ducked her head and said sorry for asking, claiming it was rude. I shook my head "It's not rude at all, don't be sorry okay?" I say with a slight frown which soon disappears from my face, replaced by another small smile "I'm Alexandrea or Alex so no need to call me Ma'am, honestly that weirds me out" I say with a slight laugh. "And you? What's your name?" I ask curiously as she eats.


As I stand there somewhat weirdly watching her eat, I go back to thinking about this all for a few moments. I had noticed her jump when my phone went off and wondered about that. As usual I wondered where she was really from and why she was like this. She was rather timid and way to polite, I mean yes it's good to be polite and all but apologizing for asking my name? Jeez, what really happened to her? It made me so mad just to think of the countless possibilities on what was really going on. I sigh softly and rub my head some, staring upright to stretch some before leaning back over and looking at the mystery girl with a small but warm smile.

 

[FaithWynters]

I nod slowly with her words. I really did need to be more careful. I knew that even if I didn’t get sick to my stomach, there was a chance I would over eat. I couldn’t eat terribly too much before getting full. I swallowed, looking back down at the plate of eggs, already half gone. She refills my glass and offers to make me more if I want it. I can’t help the smile that forms across my face. Even though I was still on edge about living here, I couldn’t help but be happy. This was the first person to be genuinely nice to me in the longest of times. I truly missed it.


“I won’t need any more, thanks. Just a little is all it takes to fill me up” I take another forkful in my mouth as she speaks again. She is only watching me eat, examining every movement that I make; she was trying to figure me out. Alexandrea… It was a beautiful name; I smiled and couldn’t help the flush pushing across my cheeks. Alex for short, not ma’am... It would take a lot to break that, but I would try to do anything to repay her for her generosity.


She stretches as I take the last forkful of eggs into my mouth. I couldn’t remember the last time it was that I had actually had them. No breakfast, but a lunch of bread and water, and then nothing for dinner. I was told you couldn’t dance with food in your stomach, but that was just a lie they told us so they could get out cheaper.


“I’m Mira” My words are soft as I put the fork down on the plate. I pull myself out of the chair, picking up the plate. I search the room silently with my eyes before slowly making my way to the sink. I would wash my dishes, if I could only pay her back a fraction of what she had already done for me. I give a quiet laugh. I flinch as I cut on the water—it sounds forced. I turn around, waiting for the water to heat up.


“Mira the hypnotic dancer, it's a pleasure to meet you Alex” I gave a small smile pulling myself easily onto my toes and giving a bow. It wasn’t a title I was proud of, but she needed to know, at least a little bit. If she pushed it further, then I could give her a happier version of my life at the circus. It would be easier that way.

 

[9forgotten]

I smile and nod slightly as she tells me she doesn't need anymore to eat. I wondered if that easy because she hardly got anything to eat in the first place or if she didn't need much food in general. Either way, I was glad she was eating some food since she hadn't last night mostly because she ended up passing out but ether way, she looked rather starved. I shook my head slightly, well obviously, I'd come to that conclusion hours ago but seeing I'd still just met her, I didn't have answers to anything. I hoped I'd get them soon though.


I blinked as she spoke, telling me her name as she gathers her dishes up and moves to the sink to clean them out apparently. I frown slightly at her quiet laugh, which I barely heard to the point I wasn't sure if I heard it at all. I was about to tell her she didn't need to do the dishes when she turned around and introduced herself again as a hypnotic dancer. I don't reply right away as I take this in for a moment. A hypnotic dancer for what? Oh great more questions to fill up my head. I sighed softly and rubbed my temples for a moment, my eyes falling shut briefly as I take a moment to try and get the oncoming headache to stop.


I open my eyes and smile slightly at her before reaching behind her and shutting the water off. "Don't worry about those, I'll take care of them later okay? Come on over to the TV area" I say grabbing her hand lightly and gently tugging her in the direction of the living room type area. "So you're a dancer? What for?" I ask eyebrows raised with curiosity.

 

[FaithWynters]

I could tell, she didn’t know what to do with what information I had just given her. She just sits there, watching me, tilting her head slightly in confusion. A sigh escapes her lips and my smile falters. I drop back down to my feet, turning to run my hand under the water. I don’t look at her. Had I done the wrong thing? I guess I wasn’t meant to show her. It was confusing and unnatural. I wasn’t meant to be here. I wasn’t meant to be normal. I took in a deep, shaky breath, but I feel her near me, reaching past to turn off the water that was now burning my fingers. I really hadn’t noticed. She didn’t want me to clean; obviously, she saw me as weak and it was her home.


“I really don’t mind” The words pass quietly from my lips, but I let her take my hand, guiding me to wherever it was that she wanted me to go. If she didn’t want me to do it, it wasn’t my place to stop her from allowing me such a simple chore. I was used to doing much worse, but she doesn’t know that. I don’t want her to know.


She walks to me this ‘TV area’ and I am silent, I don’t want to do any more that wasn’t normal that I shouldn’t be doing. I had to say, by this point, all inkling of confidence I might have tricked myself into believing I had took a vacation with her reaction. Then she asks. What was I a dancer for? I feel my stomach curl around the eggs. It wasn’t anything to be proud of. I wasn’t dancing on Broadway, or even in Cirque du solei… I was dancing in a rundown little circus that overcharged for children and treated everyone like muck.


“We’re just a little travelling troupe; not many of us.” I guess in a way that wasn’t a lie, but I still felt a twinge of guilt with the thought. We were a circus. Why was I making it sound better than it was, and for what? I hated the place. If I never set foot on the gravel expanse of the fairgrounds of a city again, it would be too soon. I had so many conflicting feelings. I wanted her to know, but I didn’t want to have to relive all the pain. The place was a dump, but I didn’t want her to know that. I guess this was what little bit of my pride I had left, reaching out to tug at my mind one last time before it disappeared like my confidence. I took in another deep, shaky breath and we slowly came to a stop.


I don’t realize until now, but I haven’t been staring at the ground like I usually did, I was watching her and her features as the contorted in thought. I feel myself heat up and I drop my head again, walking towards the back of the couch and leaning on it. I wasn’t sure if she wanted me to sit so that she could dress my wounds, so for a few moments I stood there, addressed my body, and decided that it was probably best if I made my way around the chair and had a sit; this is probably what she would want, right?


I nodded to myself, determined now that I would make it there alone. The trek was not long nor was it treacherous, but I wanted to show her that I had regained some of my strength. I wanted her to see that I was getting better already. I walked slowly around the edge of the seat, my hands gracing the soft fabric as I made it to my destination. I turn, letting my body slowly come to rest on the fabric. I hum, in triumph, and at the fact that the couch proved to be very comfortable.