Firebird

Chapter 1- Nine years later

Chapter 1- Nine years later

   The tent was still standing but everyone had gone. Chalavar's Circus was leaving for another three years. I was hoping to go with it. Anxiousness and nervousness blended together inside me. I asked myself over and over if I was ready for this. The answer changed on a regular basis. One day I’d think I was ready, the next I was thrown into self-doubt.  

  I walked around the performance tent through litter from yesterday’s crowd and mud from the constant rain. It had been raining for days but had finally fallen to a slight drizzle. The ominous black clouds in the distance told me that wouldn't last long.

  Behind the enormous circus tent was a congregation of smaller ones where the performers stayed. They were all sorts of colors and designs. Most were the typical yellow and red stripes. I wanted to stop and more closely examine the brightly colored and patterned ones but I didn’t have the time yet.

  Cheerful music played in the distance. Even in the rain, a few danced, randomly and briefly grabbing a partner only to let her go and move to another as they packed. I smiled imagining myself joining in their frivolous activities. 

  Some of the performers were out helping pack things up. Others were simply wandering around. A white tiger prowled through the camp as casually as the humans. I tensed but didn’t panic. No one else was so it obviously wasn’t going to hurt me.

  As I walked through their campsite, they turned from their activities to stare at me. I thought to myself that I may as well get used to that since I was to perform for much more of an audience than this. That is, if I’m accepted as a member of Chalavar’s Circus.

   I pretended not to notice their inquisitive and slightly suspicious gazes. I was looking for the ringmaster and I wasn't going to let anything distract me. 

   I scanned every face to see if he was within them. I could clearly recall his strange appearance even though I hadn’t been up close to him in nine years. I should have known to search the most obvious place first- right in front of me.

   I ran into him and stumbled backwards, almost slipping in the mud. I somehow managed to stay upright. "I'm sorry. I-"

   I stopped in mid-sentence when I noticed the ringmaster glaring down at me. His eyes were shadowed by his tall hat that added to his already towering height. He wore a black glove on his left hand. An unfriendly scowl consumed his face.

   He crossed his arms over his chest and cleared his throat. "Why are you here? Unless you are a part of my circus, you are not allowed in our camp. And you, young lady, are not part of my circus."

   I suddenly felt the same fear that I did when I saw him nine years ago. Maybe it was the way evil seemed to coat every word from his mouth. It had to be part of his act. Everyone here can create their own character. I conjured enough courage to speak. "That's why I'm here. To join your show."

   The air went heavy and silent. Something didn't feel right. I began to question whether or not I had made the right decision.

   A distant crack of thunder broke the silence. Chalvar's thin lips curved upward slightly into what I believe was a smile. "Well alright then. Follow me." He put a spindly hand on the back of my neck and led me through the rows of tents. A chill ran down me as his cold glove met my skin.

   I kept my head up though I desperately wanted to escape the strange stares of the performers. We walked inside the nearly empty circus tent. It seemed so much bigger when there was no audience. Some of the equipment was still up but most had already been packed.

   The high wire stood up above us. The aerial silk hung all the way down to the floor. I longed to try them both. Along with the Death Wheel and aerial hoop.

   The rain slapped the top of the tent and echoed through the vacant air. Chalavar stopped before we entered the ring. He didn't speak for a moment. I felt his eyes on me as I examined everything.

  "What do you do?" he asked. "Diabolo? Aerial contortions? Trapeze?"

   "No.” I answered, feeling increasingly inexperienced. “I'll learn whatever you want me to. But I know a couple things already like juggling and tight roping."

   "You really want this don't you?"

   I sighed. I’d wanted it since I was six years old. It was all I'd ever wanted to do with my life. "I do."

   Chalavar gestured for me to follow him and we walked out into the ring. It made me jittery with excitement. I kept on a mask of calm though I was itching to unleash.

   "Look around."

  I did and imagined the entire tent filled with people coming to watch me perform. They would cheer and whistle just as I had. To be adored by thousands would be life changing. It wasn’t even the fame that I wanted specifically. It was the magic of performing in general.

   "Is this where you want to spend the rest of your life?"

   All thoughts escaped my mind and I immediately answered. "Yes." I couldn't restrain an enormous smile.

   "Then so be it."

   My mouth dropped. I chuckled, unable to believe him. "You're not serious are you?" I was surprised he didn't want to see what I could do.

   "Do I seem like one to joke? You're eager to learn and we are due for some new acts. I don't see why you shouldn't join us."

   After nine years of waiting, my wish was finally coming true. It felt unreal, like it was happening way too easily. I wished papa was there to see me...

  Chalavar held out a hand. "Congratulations, Bella. You are now a member of my circus.”  

   I took his hand to shake it and screamed in pain. Chalavar gripped my hand with almost bone crushing force. My whole body jerked as if something shot through me. The back of my neck burned like fire. Chalavar let go and I fell onto the dirt floor feeling heavy and weak.

   The feeling wouldn’t pass and I felt sick and dizzy. What just happened? Was it me, or something he did? What was ‘it’?

   Something was wrong with this. I just didn’t understand what.

   "Welcome to forever." Chalavar grinned slyly. " Hope you find it to be all you dreamed it would be. Because it will never end."