Strings Of Fate

Chapter 27

Leaving turned out to be easier than Terrence assumed. They exited the building and walked away. A few streets from the circus, they grabbed a taxi to the station and brought tickets for the last train. The platforms were empty at this time. A few drunk revellers sat making noise on one platform while security kept a weary eye on them between yawns. A few businessmen sat grey and exhausted from their day, and one of the lights above their heads flicked from time to time, adding to the general feeling of unease weighing on Terry's shoulders.

Everything was fine. There was nothing wrong. No one wearing bright colours and elaborate patterns appeared to stop them. The smell of urine and rubbish wasn't pleasant, but there was no sign of feathers or fur. 

Daniel was a warm weight on his side, though the wind hissed against them. A can scrapped along the floor. Someone coughed, a nasty chest cough. Time ticked on, and the world awaited the next thing. Terrence's fingers and toes were cold. His watch declared it almost midnight. The circus would be closed up, the night's final performance done, and they'd shoo guests outside the metal bars. 

Any ordinary day and Marquez and Sanvish would be stealing the hearts and eyes of all who witnessed their act. Tonight, they'd curl around each other to stay warm, unaware of Terry's dangerous move on the chessboard. 

Madame wouldn't forgive him for this. 

No growling appeared behind him, and nothing came to stop them. Daniel shifted, leaning more onto Terrence. Terrence kept his arm half draped over Daniel's back. They didn't need to be gone long. Long enough that the circus would slip from the city and not return for another year. It didn't change that they were fleeing in the dead of night with barely anything on them or any real plan. 

'Go to see Isaac'.

They knew his last city. The train would take them there, but after, they'd need to hunt him down and explain the sudden urge to visit him. They couldn't lie about their intentions. Madame would be furious if they did. 

Stupid move. This wouldn't stop Madame from claiming Daniel or reclaiming Terrence. It would mess with the timeline it happened. 

The train hissed as it came in, the sound drowning out the lads on the other platform and jarring one of the businessmen awake. A magnetic pull tugged the few waiting towards the doors in a not an orderly manner. A clatter of lasses replaced the hiss as a troller for the cantering service rolled past. 

Terrence stood, checking the tickets for which carriage they needed. Another cold rush of wind battered against them with a hint of rain. It hammered against the glass and metal overhang upon them, the Victorian-esqe station sheltered from the rain if not the wind. The flicking light turned off altogether with a sharp popping sound.

People clambered off the train, a mix of commuters heading home and tourists taking the cheapest train. A few people were dressed up for a late night out, cheer not dampened by the looming rain. 

Daniel took his hand, and they huddled onto the train, finding their seats and sitting easily as others fought with bags and coats. The train hummed as the air conditioning ran, adding to the ache behind Terry's aching eyes. More than one person had their eyes shut, dozing from the late hour. The train doors locked, sealing them in. Daniel's hand was sweating in his. He didn't let go. Not even as the train pulled away and they left the city. 

Into the night, the train ran. Neither spoke nor did anyone else in the carriage as some shared understanding of silence settled down on them. Terrence leaned his head on the cold window and watched the city's lights vanish into the countryside's dark. Something in his chest loosened. 

The train continued into the night. It turned into a daze for Terrence as lights appeared occasionally, but outside the window, it was black. Someone checked their tickets at some point. The announcer stirred people from time to time as they pulled in at stations, and people left. Fewer and few people joined them at each stop.