Chapter 2

After some time of driving, we find ourselves surrounded by woodland as I direct Eli along the route. The setting sun casts shadows through the dense forest, dimming the road ahead and he flicks on the headlights, illuminating our path.

"Take this next right turn, Eli," I instruct, knowing we're close and as he does, our eyes catch sight of a looming sign that reads: "Welcome to Oddity Carnival there is no sign of life, and my confusion grows. I point with my finger towards the side of the path, urging him to pull over. "There must be someone here, E. The gates are open, right?"

As soon as the car comes to a halt, I unbuckle my seatbelt and reach for the door handle, but his hand on my thigh stops me. I turn to face him, and he addresses me firmly. "Put a sweater on."

His eyes linger on the scars on my arms, and a surge of irritation courses through me at the judgment in his eyes. Though I know they may be disgusting to some, they are a part of me and a proof of the strength I have found within myself.

With a grit of my teeth, I reach for my hoodie on the back seat, pulling it on to hide the marks and beside me, Eli follows suit, slipping into his own as if mirroring my actions.

"Are you sure you want to do this?" I question, my tone full of hesitation.

"Come on, Noir. It's not that bad. Besides, it'll be fun once we get used to it."

I let out a defeated sigh and open the door beside me. Once I am out of the car, I close it with a soft click, and my eyes scan the eerie surroundings. Even though the huge carnival appears normal on the outside, despite the ageing amusements, there is a noticeable weight in the air, a sense of unease. It's as if something isn't right like sinister spirits lurk in the shadows.

"I wonder where the Circus is?"

When Eli's voice breaks through the silence behind me, it causes me to jump, and I slam a palm against my racing heart. His big hands find my shoulders, trying to calm me, but I shrug them off with a flick before turning around to face him.

I'm not usually this jumpy; nothing generally fazes me. Fear is an unfamiliar feeling, an emotion I've lost beneath layers of myself, and I haven't felt anything in such a long time whether it is excitement, fear, or even sexual arousal; the only thing that truly haunts me is depression. It's just this place, the unsettling atmosphere; it stirs something within me that I can't put my finger on. But if there's one thing I've learned, it's that facing your fears head-on is the only way to destroy them, and even with the red flags flapping in front of my eyes, I won't turn away.

As Eli's gaze lingers on my face, his lips part as if he is about to speak, but I seize his hand in a sudden burst of energy and pull him along behind me, not waiting for him to say a word. I take the lead, my pulse quickening with each step and my gaze follows the path of my feet, noticing the weeds poking through large cracks in the pavement, nature reclaiming the space that was once its own.

As I dodge large puddles, lost in my thoughts, I lift my head but come to a sudden stop as soon as I spot it. Eli bumps into my back, startled, but my focus becomes fixated on the towering circus in the far distance. Beneath the grey clouds, its huge silhouette creates darkness over the landscape around it. The chilly wind whispers through the surrounding trees, but instead of carrying what would be the usual scent of candy, it brings a bite that scatters over the surface of my skin.

The circus tent stands imposing and foreboding, its once vibrant red and white stripes now faint and tattered, the flags on top, flapping ominously. Around the edge of the tent and carnival, the twinkling lights that stretch from post to post should bring comfort, but instead, they flicker and dim.. There's an unsettling force urging me to run another way, but it's also fighting with a strange magnetic pull that is drawing me closer. I hold Eli's hand tighter and continue forward, my interest outweighing my tinge of fear.

As we approach the looming entrance of the tent, it seems to grow larger with each step, shrinking us, and just as we're about to reach the threshold, we hear a deep males voice from behind, causing us to come to a stop.

"Hey!"

We turn around to see him closing the distance between us. An older man, dressed in faded blue dungarees and a dirty white tank top. His gaze flickers between me and Eli, a scowl etched onto his old face. "We're closed to visitors right now, that means you're trespassing."

Both Eli and I raise an eyebrow in unison, sharing quick eye contact. Giving a touch of my fake bubbly attitude to break through the tension, I am the first to speak. "Sorry, Sir. We're not visitors. We are here for employment after seeing a poster."

Suddenly, he breaks into a wide, creepy grin, revealing an almost toothless yet brown smile. With a heavy hand, he slaps Eli's back a few times, the force almost enough to wind him. "Well, why didn't you say so? I will take you to Madame right away!"

As he latches onto the top of Eli's arm with his short, grubby fingers, he drags him away from me with surprising strength. My eyes widen, and without hesitation, I quickly follow them inside the circus.

As we step through the entrance of the tent, goosebumps immediately scatter across my skin. The air inside is thick with a musty scent, like old wood and decaying fabric. The space is dimly lit, with the only light coming from flickering lanterns that cast a creepy glow across the worn red carpet.

Walking further inside, the darkness seems to press in around us, enveloping us in a suffocating embrace that leaves me feeling unsettled and on edge, as if the very air itself is alive with evil energy. As I trail behind Eli and the old man, the fabric above us grows thicker. The old man draws back a red, velvet curtain, revealing a hidden room behind it and his eyes gleam with a wicked glint as he looks between me and Eli.

Stepping back, he gestures for us to enter the room and Eli takes a hesitant step forward first, his movements cautious as I follow closely behind him.

As soon as we walk into the smallish room, my eyes dart around, taking in the surroundings draped in fabrics of black, royal red and gold. Potent incense and candles assault my senses, reminding me of some kind of witch's cove.

My gaze is drawn to an oak chests of drawers that line the walls, decorated with sparkling crystals and mysterious ornaments. It's as if we have entered a hidden realm, a place where magic and mystery collide.

"Madame, we have visitors!"

As the old man's voice raises behind me, I step around Eli when he comes to a stop to see a large desk in the centre of the room. Behind it is a shimmering curtain that catches my eye, leading to another chamber.

Before I can fully grasp what is inside, a figure comes into view, only to be swiftly pulled back. An older woman steps through the curtain, her presence commanding attention.

Although she is a mature woman, which I estimate her to be in her fifties, she exudes an undeniable beauty. Her long black hair, streaked with grey, cascades down her back, framing her elegant features. She is dressed in a vintage-looking, long red dress with swirling patterns of gold.

Her dark eyes dart between Eli and me, her expression unreadable as she reaches for an unlit cigarette resting in the ashtray on the desk. She tucks the black cigarette holder between her lips, igniting the end with a match before extinguishing it with a flick of her wrist.

Taking a deep drag, she exhales a cloud of smoke into the air, the scent of tobacco mingling with the heady aroma of incense. As she circles around the desk, her gaze locks with mine, a silent intensity in her eyes. Stopping in front of me, she scans my face as if searching for something hidden beneath the surface before reaching out with a delicate touch, her fingers tangling in a few strands of my hair.

"What do you want?" she asks, her voice calm.

Holding her stare steadily, I fight the urge to look away. There is a flicker of curiosity in her orbs or perhaps something darker. As she cocks her head to the side, her eyes narrow ever so slightly. "Please don't waste my time, I am a very busy woman."

Raising an eyebrow in response, I inhale deeply before giving her a small nod. "We're here for employment."

She raises her chin suspiciously, her eyes shifting to Eli beside me, her scrutiny lingering on him. "You both have talents?"

Before Eli answers, I respond, taking charge of the situation.

"I do." I say with confidence.

Her deep brown eyes meet mine before trailing down my body while she takes a small step back. She draws another pull from her cigarette, the smoke curling around her.

"You dance?" she inquires with a lifted brow and raised chin.

I give a small nod and then she glances at Eli and my gut twists. "And what about you? What talents can you offer?"

I side-eye and watch Eli give a small head shake so, I try to explain. "We thought that maybe if you employ me into the circus, he can work in the carnival or at least learn how to do something. We need somewhere to stay and work."

She lets out a scoff, her eyes moving to mine. "Oh sweetheart, that is not how it works. I do not house people who cannot bring anything to my insane world. Anyone who lives here must work at the Cirque and I don't house outsiders."

I remain silent, my jaw tense with suppressed emotion as she waves me off dismissively. But, instead of obeying her gesture for some reason, I hold my ground, refusing to leave so easily as she attempts to walk away.

"You're missing out, lady," I declare boldly.

In an instant, she comes to a stop, and she gives me a sidelong glance over her shoulder. Sensing the tension in the air, I straighten my back. "I can out dance any fucking chick you have here."

A wide smile spreads across her lips before she turns around to face me fully. "Is that a challenge I hear?" she responds with amusement.

Her dark eyes twinkle with mischief as she takes another step forward, her movements graceful. "The thing is this is not just any Cirque. It's not just dancing. It's not having the time of your life. It's extreme horror. It has no place for fear."

When she halts in her tracks, her eyes flash with disdain as they fix on Eli, a silent judgment radiating from her as she continues. "You may have none and I can sense your bravery which I admire, but I can smell it from your pretty puppy here," she looks at me again as she continues. "This place and the Hollow's will eat him alive. We have no room for weaknesses."

Eli speaks up beside me, attempting to prove he is worthy. "You're wrong. It was my suggestion to come here. I am not scared of this place."

She stares at him, ready to respond with a condescending smile, but I cut her off. "Just let me show you what I can do and then you can decide."

Her lips press into a thin line, her eyes scanning mine in silence. Suddenly, E's grip tightens on my upper arm, his knuckles paling as he shifts uncomfortably under Madame's scrutiny.

"Maybe we should just leave; we're clearly not welcome here," he murmurs, his voice barely above a whisper, betraying his anxiety.

My brows furrow in confusion, an argument forming on the tip of my tongue. Now more than ever, I want to prove myself, to show what I am capable of, but before I can protest, the lady's soft chuckle interrupts, drawing our attention back to her.

"Yes, go. You two do not belong here," she says with a wave of her hand, her tone final.

"Are you sure about that?" I say with darkness in my eyes.

After a moment of silent, intense staring between us, she finally responds with a knowing smirk. "Fine. You have five minutes of my time to convince me that I want you here."

With a deep breath, I steal a glance at Eli beside me who gives a small grin. Once the lady strides past us toward the door, I ready myself and follow, determined to confront whatever lies ahead, despite the anxiety churning in my gut.

As we step into the huge expanse of the empty circus tent, it's silent, except for the soft rustle of fabric and the creaking of wooden beams above. I glance around, noticing high above, the aerial silks hang still, their vibrant colours bright. Without the presence of performers, they appear like forgotten ribbons, waiting patiently for someone to breathe life back into them.

"Billy, you know what to do," Madame instructs, her eyes shifting between me and the departing old man before finally settling on me. "You need to get undressed," she adds.

As I meet Eli's wide-eyed gaze briefly, he gives a shake of his head, a wordless plea for me not to, which again, confuses me since this was his idea in the first place.

Ignoring him, I turn my attention back to the lady and nod in agreement because I know dancing in a hoodie and jeans will not do me justice. I begin to strip down, shedding layers until I am only in just my black panties and sports bra. I raise my head and arms, tying my long blonde locks into a scruffy bun atop my head.

Standing before her, I boldly reveal my scar-ridden body despite the potential judgment. Her gaze lingers on the blemishes, yet instead of scrutiny, I sense approval in her eyes.

When our gazes finally meet, she gives me a smile. "You are perfect," she assures. "Now, let's see what you can do."

I look over at the silks dangling above the stage, while Billy lowers a large silver hoop nearby, but confusion clouds my thoughts and I turn to Madame, "What about the safety net?"

She gives me a wicked smirk before responding. "Darling, we don't practice safety here."

Her expression changes to seriousness before she turns around and strides toward a nearby seat. I glance at Eli, who still appears stunned before I draw my eyes away from him and I mentally prepare myself as I ascend the steep steps leading up to the stage.

Nerves and anticipation course through me while I reach the platform, the familiar rush of adrenaline hinted with doubt. It's been so many years since I last danced like this, and I can only hope that I still have the same rhythm and grace that I once had. I take a deep breath, pushing aside my worry and focusing on the task at hand. It's time to show her what I am made of.

As the hoop comes within reach, I grasp it firmly in my hand, the familiar texture smooth beneath my fingertips. I perch on it, crossing my legs before taking hold of the other side. I straighten my shoulders and look over at Billy, who waits patiently for my signal. Giving a small nod to indicate I am ready, the music comes to life, its pulsating bass filling the air and echoing through the huge area of the circus tent.

With a gentle tug, Billy begins to reel in the rope, propelling me upward into the air. I feel a rush coursing through me, the sensation washing over me like a long-lost friend. This is where I belong, high above the ground, free from the chains of gravity and reality.

As soon as I am at the highest point and the bass dips, I release my grip on the hoop without hesitation, allowing myself to drop backwards, surrendering to the free fall. The hoop latches behind my knees, and I twist my body, my arms dangling gracefully as I spin fast. With an outburst of power, I push my body upward, reaching for the hoop once more and I repeatedly propel myself through the hoop, holding on to it by my knees, the tempo of the music guiding me.

I drop again, but this time, catching the hoop with my hands, hanging beneath it, my body whirling, and I split my legs. I twist them with effortless skill and with each rotation, I feel a sense of freedom wash over me, the baggage of the world fading away as I lose myself in the dance.

I slow down, swinging myself beneath the hoop above me, my eyes fixed on the silk dangling from the beam above at a distance and as I push my body back and forth, the speed carries me higher and higher. As soon as I reach the peak of my swing, I draw a deep breath, readying myself for the moment of release. Then, with a burst of fearlessness, I let go of the hoop, flying through the air like a bird. With perfect timing, I reach out and catch the silk, the fabric wrapping around my hands as I come to a stop.

While I hang, I wrap it securely around my legs, feeling the smooth material enveloping me. Twisting and turning, I create complex patterns, weaving a web of beauty around me. Once the silk is firmly in place, I begin to dance, my movements effortlessly beautiful as I twirl and spin in mid-air. The fabric supports my weight, allowing me to execute each movement with ease.

As soon as I hear the music reaches its end, I seize the moment, wrapping the silk tightly around my body for the final act. I can feel a sense of excitement building inside of me, fuelling my will power to make this performance one to remember. When the music fades into silence, I release my grip on the silk, allowing my body to turn sideways and unravel. I spin rapidly, my arms stretched out above me as I descend, the fabric spiralling me like a tornado, until finally, I land on my feet at the bottom.

My chest heaves, each breath a struggle as I fight to regain my composure. Slowly, my eyes focus on Madame and Eli, their expressions a mirror of my own dizziness.

The silence hangs between us, but then, they both suddenly stand in unison, their hands clapping together in a loud applause. Relief floods through me, my shoulders relaxing as I realize that I have clearly won Madame over. She climbs the short steps, approaching while still clapping, and when she reaches me, she firmly squeezes the tops of my arms.

"You are magnificent." She says with a big smile.

I cling to the silk, feeling its soft texture wrapped around my hand. "I haven't danced in years, so I may need to train more," I admit through heavy breaths.

My gaze meets her, and I swallow before asking the question that is on the tip of my tongue. "So, does this mean I am hired?"

Her face falls as she glances over at Eli, who is still seated, before returning to me. "You are, yes, but unfortunately, I cannot employ your—"

"If he is not with me, then I will not perform here. Maybe another circus will take us both." I cut her off firmly.

She raises an eyebrow at my brazenness, watching me as I continue past her. "Thank you for taking the time to watch me, Madame."

"Wait." She snaps out the word.

A sinister smirk spreads across my lips while I have my back turned to her. As my expression turns serious, I face her and she closes the small gap between us, her jaw fixed tight.

She scans my features before finally giving me a small nod in approval. "Okay, but—" Her eyes shift to Eli at a distance, her tone adamant as she continues. "I will not be held responsible for how he is treated here. He will have to prove himself and quickly adapt to how we operate."

As I ponder her words, a sense of confusion washes over me. I may not fully grasp their meaning, but one thing is clear: I will not stand by and let anyone bully Eli, no matter who it is. Even though I do not feel romantic love for him, I still owe him a debt of thankfulness for showing me kindness when he didn't need to and when no one else did.

Suddenly, Madame turns, shouting toward Billy. "Billy, take them to one of the empty double-trailers."

Her gaze locks onto mine, and a bead of sweat forms on my brow as she addresses me again. "Come and see me in a few days; I will explain the dates we open the circus. Settle in for now. The next show is this weekend, so your training will start at once. As for pretty boy, I will find something for him to do to earn his keep."

I give a small nod and smile. "Thank you, Madame."

"What is your name?" She tilts her head to the side in question.

"Noir." I answer with my chin raised.

A big grin spreads across her aging face. "Absolutely perfect. You are going to fit in just fine here, Noir."

She averts her gaze from mine, striding past me, and I watch her movements until she exits the tent.

I turn my attention to Eli to find him standing beside Billy, holding my clothes in his arms, waiting for me. While feeling a sense of satisfaction, I release the silk from my hand before making my way toward them, eager to get dressed and see where we will be staying.

When we step outside, it is dark, the stars are twinkling above us in the clear night sky. I take in the scene before me as we find ourselves at the back of the circus, surrounded by a sprawling landscape of trailers scattered as far as the eye can see. It shows the sheer number of people who must work and live within this community.

Lights hang like little bulbs from trailer to trailer as we navigate through and we get suspicious glances from a few people as we pass them, as if we're intruders.

Suddenly, Billy comes to a stop, his hand gripping the door of a large white trailer and after giving a silent gesture, he steps aside, allowing us to enter. Eli casts a brief glance at me before taking the lead, crossing the threshold and I follow behind him while he flicks on the lights, filling the space with a soft, welcoming glow.

I look around the cozy living room, admiring the white and cream interior with its small kitchen to the left. As Billy closes the door behind us I continue to scan our new home, excitement building inside of me. It may not be perfect, but it is a huge improvement from the truck and motels we have had to deal with. As a thrill courses through me, I spin around, eager to see more. I quickly make my way down a narrow corridor, flinging open doors as I go and when I reach the one at the far end, I swing it open.

I flip on the light switch, noticing it's the bedroom complete with a double bed that sits in the centre, two matching bedside cabinets and a double wardrobe. A grin spreads across my face as I leap into the air, sprinting forward to bounce onto the bed like a child. As Eli enters the room, I fall back onto the springy mattress, bouncing lightly as I inhale deeply, relishing the comfort of the softness beneath me.

"Can you believe we finally have somewhere to stay, E?"

When he stays silent, a crease forms between my brows and I prop myself up on my elbows, meeting his intense gaze with a questioning look.

His jaw tightens slightly before he starts to pace around the room. "It's okay I suppose, but why didn't you listen to me, Noir?"

I sit up fully, watching him closely. "What?" I ask, my tone full of confusion.

"You were practically fucking naked in that Circus. Your scars—"

Defensiveness surges within and I spring to my feet from the bed.

"Ex-fucking-cuse me? Have you forgotten about your own scars? When the hell did you start passing judgment? What the fuck, E?" I seethe with fury.

He releases a defeated sigh before turning to face me, his expression remaining neutral as our eyes lock in a silent battle. In that moment, it dawns on me, and I cross my arms over my chest, knowing the reason behind his behaviour.

"Is this about other men? You do realize what a circus dancer dresses like, right? This is not the time to get jealous now, E, it was your idea to come here!"

His eyes ease, taking a step forward until his hands find my shoulders. "Of course not. I just worry about you that's all." He says softly.

I analyse his features, still irritated because I know I am right.

He stands straight, releasing my shoulders with a sluggish movement before his rubs his eyes with his finger and thumb.

"Look, it's just been a long fucking day. I am going to get the truck, take my meds and get some sleep."

I remain silent as he walks away, my gaze following him until he exits the room. The sound of the trailer door opening and closing echoes through, and I release a tense breath, feeling a mix of frustration and confusion within me.

What the hell? I secured us a place to stay, made sure we'd be fed, and found an opportunity to make money just as he wanted, and he is being like this? I hope he is just tired, because this is not like him at all. Never has Eli had a problem with my scars being on show, so why the sudden change?