Hunter's Daughter

Chapter Five ~ Noah

Today was one big well I never.

First: I never imagined Frank having a family. Wife, maybe. At a push. But a daughter? The man didn't have a fatherly bone in his body. The business, capturing mutants, erasing them from the face of the earth — that was his priority, not caring for someone. He only 'took care' of people.

Second: I never would have imagined I'd be here again.

A concoction of children's excitement and adult chatter filled the crisp air around me. I trudged along, the only person glowering at the big-top, erected majestically in a muddied field. If it had a face, the eyes would be staring back at me, a grin carved into its lips, ready to cackle. The worst part was the colour. Red as blood.

I shoved those thoughts back in the vault, refocusing on the end goal. Making sure Alice and the Marquee met.

Their cover — the circus — was known as "The Marvelous Moving Marquee", the three Ms. But beneath the glitz and glamour, they operated as a resistance group, recruiting members and plotting to wipe Hunters off the board. The three Ms translated to: The Maquis Mutant Movement. Clever.

That hadn't always been the case. Once upon a time, mutant circuses were a mirage of freedom and hope. An empire of lies.

And now... of ashes.

I shook my head in frustration. I was lingering outside the tent's entrance, consumed by the past. If the performers didn't have a tendency to pack up and disappear at the slightest scare, I would've arrived at the end of the show. But Hunters often popped by, and it was the Marquees queue to go. Unlike me, they avoided a fight.

"Ladies and gents, great and small. Please take your seats! The show is about to commence."

The ringmaster's voice was all too familiar. Sugary and sweet, like the day we'd met. I braced myself, not ready to see her after all this time. Then forced myself to break through to the other side.

Tiered seating led to the circular ring, currently dark and empty and waiting. Spotlights directed you down the stairs to the front row, but there was no way I was sitting through this. Eager onlookers packed the rows, still too talkative despite murmuring. I'd take my chances and stand at the back.

The stands' lighting clicked off section by section, top to bottom, until the whole arena was in darkness. Why it took an eternity to build up to the main events, I'd never know. The introductions bored me to tears. Just start with a bang, and perform.

The spotlights flashed onto the floor, circling none other than Keera Cortés.

Grown-up Keera, with her autumny hair pulled into a big and proud ponytail, showing off a figure-hugging suit (which I'm sure Vinny didn't appreciate); truly looking like a leader.

She'd always had a bossy streak.

"Who's ready for the show of a lifetime?"

An roar of me's and we are erupted from the audience. I tried hard not to roll my eyes as I leant against a post, arms folded.

"I said, who's ready?" she yelled, cupping a hand to her ear. The crowd went crazy, a few nutters standing in response. "That's more like it!"

Flashing everyone a dazzling smile, she traced the outer ring, eyes locking with various spectators. I knew what was coming. Please don't see me. Whatever you do, don't see me.

The universe had a sense of humour, and so did Keera, as her gaze fell on mine. The smile traveled up to her eyes, a little surprised to see me here, though at the same time, happy about it — much to my annoyance. I would have to burst her bubble; I was here on business.