Veiled Whispers

Ch.9 - The Carousel

Lily

The circus show was a fiasco. The ringmaster staggered across the stage, reeking of alcohol, while the acrobats’ hoops shattered mid-leap, sending splinters skittering across the sawdust. A clown’s desperate cry, “My pants are coming off!” echoed through the big top, eliciting a few weary chuckles but mostly disinterested glances.

The crowd, a sea of restless shadows, was already yearning for the next act—a musical performance. I had no intention of staying, yet inertia claimed me, and I remained rooted to the spot.

Theo, ever the enigma, watched the debacle with an artist’s eye, silent and contemplative. A sudden commotion near the stage piqued his curiosity. “Let me go see what’s happening,” he murmured, weaving through the busy crowd.

I would have trailed after him, but the crowd had other plans, sweeping me away in its current. When the tide of bodies ebbed, Theo had vanished, but I caught a glimpse of his friend, slinking backstage with a fox's stealth. Curious.

As I pondered the mystery, the stage transformed before my eyes. A woman in a crimson gown that cascaded around her like a waterfall of roses took center stage, flanked by two somber men. Then, the music began.

It swelled from behind the actors, a symphony of strings and keys that filled the tent with its haunting melody. The violin’s song was familiar, a tune that had once bewitched me. My heart skipped a beat when I saw Theo cradling the violin, his touch both tender and commanding.

Beside him, Matteo caressed the piano keys, his fingers dancing a delicate ballet. The actors’ performance faded into the background as the music wove its spell, transporting me to realms untold. I was lost in the reverie, oblivious to the world.

“Hey lady, sit down!” a voice snapped. I blinked, realizing I was blocking the view, my body swaying to the rhythm of the music. But how could I sit when every note called for a standing ovation?

Ignoring the protests, I edged closer to the stage, drawn to Theo's serene expression. His eyes were closed, yet his face radiated a profound peace that echoed in each note he played. Oh, if only he would sing, his voice would surely be the siren’s call to this enchanting melody.

●●●

Theo

As the final note lingered in the air, I stepped away from the spotlight, the applause washing over me like a warm tide. But it was her—the elusive muse—who captured my attention.

She fled the moment our gazes met, as if I were a ghost from her past. The crowd closed in, a flurry of hands and voices, but I slipped away, finding myself by the carousel. When i turned, I collided with Lily. She stood immovable, her eyes fixed on the carousel’s endless cycle. The air was alive with children’s laughter, a stark contrast to the solemnity of our silent exchange.

All the horses were claimed by gleeful riders, save for one. As it circled into view, I saw him—the dark figure with the black hat, unchanged since the day our paths first crossed. Lily saw him too, her gaze unwavering.

“Val,” I breathed, a name that conjured memories and mysteries alike.