Strings Of Fate

Chapter 2

The crowd outside the entrance booth had thinned. It was getting later, and with the performance due to start in the next hour, most families were already on the grounds and enjoying the other attractions in the fair. A few people were milling around, unable to pay the fee but wanting to gawk and stare at the hybrids at the gates. It was a slight glimpse into the magic and wonder hidden behind the bars.

The hybrids checking tickets weren't one's Terry knew. A good first sign. He vaguely knew who one was, Sam the elephant hybrid. They had lived at the winter quarters during Terrence's time, though, so they weren't going to guess that some random guy was a former member of the circuit.

Sam gave him a big grin as they approached, his trunk ruffling Daniel's hair as he showed the tickets. All happy and welcoming gestures to encourage them into grounds as quickly as possible. Terrence hated this job. The people staring had unnerved him no matter how long he had been a hybrid, and sometimes they got too curious about if his animal parts were genuine or not. Ticket duty was often a punishment or the role of the last choice for most. 

"Looks good, please enjoy the circus," Sam beamed. 

Terrence nodded, offering a smile back before letting Daniel drag him into the lights and sounds of excited crowds. The man pulled him towards one of the stalls, eyes wide and grinning at the idea of playing some games. 

The ground was dusty from the number of people walking over the green. Children laughed, and adults talked as they explored the world the field had been turned into by the circus. Every inch of the space was used in some way. Stars lights hung from here and there and colours mixed around them, blending into the dizzying array of sensations. It was warm despite the waning the chilly evenings. Food and the scent of food were everywhere. 

"Terry!"

Daniel's voice pulled him back to the present. They were standing in front of a shooting range. Daniel was getting some pellets and loading up the gun, ready to have a go. One of the wolves was running it. Terrence accepted his own bullets and tried to remember how best to best the games. Most were rigged, but there were ways of doing it.

The game started up. Daniel got two of eight of the targets down. Terrence grinned as the man cursed. Daniel pouted before paying for another round of pellets. On his second go, he hit three. Daniel peered at him with big eyes. 

"Not the same as playing a video game, eh?" Terrence winked.

"Shut up! Like you can do any better." 

"That a challenge?" Terrence raised his pistol. Terrence was better, hitting five of the targets. Decent, but not good enough to get a prize.    

The wolf looked bored and zoned out as they played. His eyes were fixed on some vacant spot, not afraid that anyone would win the game. Daniel put the gun back and looked around for the next game to play. It was some basketball hoop contraction. This vendor was a little more involved than the wolf. Actively trying to get people to play and encouraging children to make the shot. Little one left with star stickers on their cheeks regardless of succeeding or not. Some of the teens did too.  

For the next half hour, the pattern continued. They played some of the games, rode a few of the smaller rides. They didn't have time for the more popular ones like the Ferris wheel or the carousel though Daniel looked at them longingly. Terrence relaxed into the magic of the place. Everything sung of home. Yet the people he knew looked through him and the people he didn't know were stock from the winter stock. There were a few new hybrid's he'd never met, but not many overall. 

Daniel looked amazed at each hybrid they came across. Varying from the birds to some more reptilian types and then the mammals, as ever the circus was a mix of types. Terrence knew that most of the younger hybrids would be asleep by now. Or pretending to be, at least. The teenagers were either doing the vendor jobs or helping to keep the place clean. The older ones who weren't performers were wandering watching the crowd and making sure no one was going places they weren't supposed to be. Or helping any children who had lost their parents and were scared. They only went after children who weren't loved or didn't feel safe with their guardians. Plus children were tricker. People noticed more if the young one went missing, even unloved ones.