Ensnaring Darkness

XXXII. In which he feels an ominous foreboding

Even with the Oracle's absurd announcement, Julien was void of the shock and confusion that he would normally feel. He was quite curious why that is but the more he hugged the furry creature, the more light and free he felt. He recalled that demon furballs feed on negative energy and maybe, his Mumu was doing it now.

With his mind and heart at ease, Julien's gaze unconsciously fleeted down to the spot where Minerva's heart should be. He was imagining a hollow place in her chest like how her eye sockets had been. Truly, what he learned and experience today was far from the threshold of normal, even so since the app had come to his use, inexplicable events have been happening. It was futile to even seek a rational explanation.

"Who did you give it to?" Julien asked the first question that came to his mind.

Minerva struggled with herself before she could speak and when she did, her voice was so low, Julien had to strain his ears to listen.

"I...gave it to him.."

"Who?" Julien prodded which earned him another fierce glare from Minerva.

She suddenly stood up and despite Mumu's negating powers, Julien's eyes widened at the sight of her lower body. The small white dress wasn't able to cover up the widening from her waist nor the wood-like texture of her lower body. She had no legs but thick roots that dig underground.

"Go to the western part. The show will start soon."

Julien didn't move. "But why did you give it to him and why do you need it back now?" he tossed the questions languidly.

Minerva gritter her teeth. Numerous vines shot up from the water, it's pointed tips wriggling towards Julien. In response to the threatening atmosphere, Mumu's three gauzy tails expanded akin to a black smoke that enclosed them. He gave Minerva an encouraging smile as he patted Mumu's fur.

"You did see my fate, so I guess it's also fair if you can give me more information on why you want your heart back."

"Why else would I need my heart back, you fool! You came here to destroy this place didn't you?"

Julien pursed his lips. "Destroy is a very strong word. I am here to fulfill a promise."

Minerva snorted. "I've seen your past. I know what you're about to do. My heart binds me here. I need it back so I can leave this drastic place."

More doubts and questions bloomed in his mind. "But isn't this your home? What about your friends?"

Minerva's laughter rang around the tent. "Friends? That word does not hold any meaning here! In Sans Soleil, its quid pro quo. Except for leaving, you are free here."

Julien's expression dimmed and he slowly understood that Minerva was merely wanting to save herself since she already knew what's about to happen. That was her objective on the surface but he wondered what her underlying intentions were. She didn't even tell her why she gave it to the ringmaster. He would find out the reason soon.

He stood up with a forced smile. He couldn't help but feel like he's being led to a trap but without further warnings from the app, besides not trusting the oracle, he felt like he's going in the right direction.

"Where do I find your heart?"

"The circus show. The ringmaster have it. Once you see it, you'll know it's what you're looking for."

A vine slowly crawled towards Julien and gave him two shiny silver tickets.

Slowly, Minerva resumed her sitting position, and the numerous vines went back underwater. Julien had caught sight of three more child faces in the water, they were all looking at him with blank expressions. He badly wanted to know why and how they end up there but instinctively knew that the reason would be insidious.

Mumu's tails reverted back to normal and it scurried up to his shoulder as they prepared to leave.

"Go! The ringmaster will surely take a liking to that furball and would want it at all cost."

Julien nodded his head and briskly exited the tent. Once he did, the visitors looked surprised.

"Done already? You just went in and you came back? was there any problem inside?" A middle-aged woman inquired curiously which shocked Julien. But it felt like he'd been there for hours!

"Thank you Mr. Alderean! Best of luck!" The young girl greeted and wink at him. Julien could only nod and smile stiffly.

"Please! I beg of you please, have mercy on me!" A loud, anxious cry cut through the noise and bustle. A bad feeling rose in Julien's heart as he looked at the direction the sound came from.

A Sans Soleil worker was down on his knees with his head bowed low, almost touching the ground. His whole body was trembling as he repeated his plea. What made Julien's eyebrows rise in confusion and shock was that before this worker was Knox standing like an unmovable rock.

Julien quickly ran towards his side. "What happened sir?" he asked and glanced at the guy who was prostrating himself for everyone to see.

"Ask him." Knox's deep and low voice was void of any emotion, but his cold stare spoke volumes of his irritation.

Julien swallowed nervously and crouched down to the workers level but to his surprise when the worker saw him, he screamed and his eyes rolled back.

Stunned, Julien has no clue what happened. For the second time, the merry music in the park stopped. Julien saw the grim expression of the park workers and the confused faces of the visitors. Almost too quickly, three men who also wore the park's uniforms but with an armband with the words "medic" printed on it, stepped forward. They were quick to carry the convulsing body away and didn't even spare Julien and Knox a glance.

But even when they were gone, the merry music did not come back and one by one, the booths started to announce that they will close early.

"This is odd. Did I do something?" Julien muttered in confusion and glanced at Knox.

"This place needs to close down. They can't deliver what they're supposed to." Knox nonchalantly said and started to walk towards the exit.

It was the first time Julien heard such disapproving words spoken lightly that it took him a while to recover.

"Sir, should we go visit the west attraction next? I heard the circus show is about to begin." He asked and showed him the tickets.

"The oracle gave me these."

"How kind of her. I hope it won't disappoint."

Julien suddenly felt nervous, not for himself but for the circus show. And he'll soon find out why he felt that way.