The Bond Of Dragons The Dawning

Chapter Twenty-Three:Echo

Chapter Twenty-Three:

Echo

We snuck around all throughout the circus rings seeing the behind the scenes horror.

"Where are we even going now?" I asked.

"I think I saw something," Cleo said, hunched over she snuck through the curtains.

I grabbed her wrist and she stopped.

"Cleo were chasing ghosts," I said "did you see what that guy just did and those are his workers imagine what he'd do to us."

Cleo was the only one who saw it. If it was even there.

She scowled at us "what do you think I'm lying about it?" Veita circled around her neck like a hula hoop.

"No" Will spoke up "it's just it feels like we're running around in circles. Ki does have a point though. she said it is a little harsh but there's some truth. How do we know you're not leading us in circles"

"you are new" I blurted,  "we haven't known you for very long how do we know you are not just trying to distract us?"

"Kiora!" Will scolded.

"Cold," Isha said.

Cleo looked down "ya know I expected this from a lot of other people but not really from you guys I understand that I'm an outsider to you guys but I'm not distracting you from anything I really did see something and it really did go this way if you'd just listen and follow me." she went to crouch away.

"Cleo," I said, "we can't, we should go back."

"No" she whispered "no I'm not lying to you I'm telling the truth please just believe me."

I watched as she started to cry. she wiped them away quickly. A nagging feeling that I couldn't shake came over me. Like something you knew you needed but forgot what it was. I couldn't remember but it has something to do with Cleo. with trusting her.

"Please don't think I'm lying , everyone thinks I'm making things up but I'm not. If I was trying to trick you and lead you somewhere else then why would I even let you out of that cell." She got up and ran.

I wanted to chase her but I felt a tug at my heart like I shouldn't. Will stood to go after her but I pulled him down.

"Just let her go," I mumbled.

"Kiora" he said sternly "you can't treat people like that because she made a mistake. Why are you acting like this? Questioning everything anyone ever does. not everyone is going to pack up and leave you. They're not going to disappear like your parents." his eyes got wide.

I snapped up at him "and you made you the leader huh? Strutting around like you own everything when you don't." I shoved him and he just took it, his eyes drowned in sadness but I really didn't care.

"Don't you ever talk about my parents like that ever again" I snapped "do you hear me?" I yelled "never accuse them of leaving me. What are you just suggesting that this whole thing is a big lie that nothing we did was real?"

"I didn't say that," he said slowly.

"Yeah okay! But that's what you meant wasn't it? Wasn't it? ya know I'm glad I don't trust you."

He looked up, his deep eyes once so full of hope and wonder were shattered.

The curtain flew open. The young man stood there half his face bruised and the young woman peeked from behind him.

"Everything good here?" he asked.

I didn't answer. I'm not sure if it was out of shock from seeing them so close or from what I said to Will.