Orphanage Runaways

The circus

When we got to the circus it looked so much bigger than it did from a distance. There were lions and elephants and horses in cages and people were feeding them meat and vegetables. My stomach rumbled loudly at the thought.

Ethel and I said our final goodbyes to the twins.

"You know where to go don't you?" I asked.

"Yes, that way past the red building," Evelyn said and pointed in the general direction of the farm.

"Goodbye," I said

"I'll miss you," Ethel said.

"I'll miss you too," Ruby replied as she and Evelyn waved and left for the farm.

It took a while of waiting but eventually a woman came over to us.

"Hello, did you want something?" she asked.

"We would like to join the circus," I replied, "Our orphanage burnt down and we escaped."

"What are your names?" she asked

"My name is Ruth and I am 12 years old, this is Ethel and she is 6 years old," I answered.

"Hello," Ethel said quietly.

"Follow me I will take you to the ring master," she said.

She led us to a train carriage and knocked on the door.

"Come in," a voice said

The woman gave us a nudge and we walked in. A man was sitting at a round table eating lunch.

"Hello Lucinda. Who are these two girls?" he asked.

"They want to join the circus," said the woman.

"Thank you," said the man.

The woman, Lucinda, smiled and left.

"Come, sit down," he motioned to the two other seats around the table. Ethel and I sat down.

"What are your names?"

I said, "My name is Ruth."

"Ethel," Ethel said shyly.

"I am the ring master and I own this circus. My name is Alfred," he said, "Where did you two come from?"

"There was a fire at our orphanage so we ran away," I said

"Oh, are you ok?"

"Yes," I said

Ethel nodded.

"So you want to join us?" Albert asked.

"Yes. We need a place to stay and some work but we don't have any money or, well, anything," I replied.

"Ok. You two may join us. Do you have any talents? Anything you can do?," he said.

"No," I answered.

"Well then, you can spend a day with each of our acts and see which you like the most to learn. How does that sound?"

"Thank you sir, we appreciate it," I smiled.

I looked at Ethel and she had a grin on her face.

"Come with me. I'll take you to your cabin."

Albert knocked on the door of a cabin half a dozen doors down. A blonde haired girl answered the door.

"Hello Albert!" she said with a heavy british accent.

"Good afternoon Mabel, may I come in?"

"Certainly."

We entered the cabin which was much smaller than the ring master's.

"Mabel, Annie, this is Ruth and Ethel. They are new, please make them feel welcome. I am going to go and finish lunch so I will see you this evening."

Once Albert left, the blonde haired girl started the introductions.

"My name is Mabel and this is my friend Annie and we are acrobats. We were born in the circus. Where did you come from?" she asked.

"Our orphanage burnt down," I said with a yawn.

"Are you tired? Do you want to sleep?" Annie said.

Ethel and I nodded. Annie led us to an empty bunk bed across the room.

"You can sleep in these beds. We will find you some new clothes after you have rested," she said.

"Thank you," I said as I fell onto the bed. I watched Ethel climb the ladder to the top bunk then closed my eyes. I thought one thing before I fell asleep - I am going to enjoy my new life.

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Hello there!

I hope you enjoyed my story, please comment what you think of it.

-Imy