White the Cursed

04 - The night is young, part 1

The show was over, all the artists came back to the stage for a final bow. The ringmistress thanked the visitors and wished them a good night, before reminding the Hooligans' circus was giving one last representation on the following night. The ad Jack had read was saying they were staying at Burgess for three nights. He had thought tonight was the first show, but visibly it was already the second one.

It didn't change his disappointment to see the curtains close, and the crowd exit the tent. He took his time to follow and quickly got late. It was no wonder he was so reluctant to leave the place, the evening had been absolutely wonderful. Not only had he been able to forget all his troubles as he marveled at the different performances, but above all, during these few hours, he had only been Jack. Not White the Cursed, not the ice demon, not the miserable ghost of the pond, not the outcast of the village. Just Jack. However, now that the show was over, he had to go back to this sad life of his.

He sighed heavily as he crossed the torches and signs indicating the circus' entrance, and he stopped as he noticed there was noone left. It was odd that the entrance was not watched anymore while the visitors were leaving. Where was the blonde woman with fishy smell ? He looked around with curiosity, two men bumped into him but left without even an apology.

He didn't pay attention to it and started to search the area. He was not worried, just curious and wanted to make sure nothing happened to this woman. Even if her hair was reeking and she had extorted money from him, he would feel guilty if he didn't check. And he was not expecting to have good intuition before he heard noises coming from bushes just a few steps away from the entrance.

It sounded like a punch, then he heard voices. He stepped closer and managed to discern words even before he could see anything. The first voice he heard was the blonde's.

''You call that a punch ? Ha ! Even my brother hits harder than that.''

''Will you shut up ?!''

Jack froze as he heard this familiar voice, quickly followed by snickers. These sneers echoed in his head, mirrors from taunts and bullies he had been through. It was Franc. Franc and his friends. Just his luck.

''Where's the money ?''

''Like I would tell you.'' The fish-smelling blonde snickered.

''Hit harder, Bruno. Will, hold her arms.''

''Oh yes Willy, hold me close !'' She teased, or actually flirted ?

''Shut up !''

Jack blenched as he heard them punch her again, but she was only laughing at it, as if she was having fun. Since Franc and his friends were asking for money, he assumed she had gouged them too. Despite of this, the boy couldn't resolve himself to just leave her like this. For all the times he had hoped to see someone help him when he was himself bullied and beaten up, he couldn't just leave her.

So he gathered his courage and crossed the bushes, and before he could realise it, he found himself in front of the group. The blonde was there, kneeling on the ground while Will was holding her arms behind her back, too high for it to be comfortable. In front of her was standing Bruno, his clenched fist lifted in a silent threat, the other hand gripping her collar. As to Franc, he was just watching from a bit afar, contemplating the escenary as he used to.

Once Jack stepped in, the four persons in this little glade looked at him, surprised to be interrupted. He tensed at the sudden attention, and nervousness took a hold of him. His bravery had already fled and left him, but now it was too late to turn around. So he clenched his fists and gritted his teeth.

''L-Leave her alone.'' He stuttered.

He mentally cursed his shaking voice, making him loose any credibility he could have had. Franc snorted and Bruno let go of the blonde's collar to face him.