The Midnight Circus

Chapter II

My heebie jeebies didn't go away the next day. Was Alice following me, or was she just mesmerized by my appearance and powers? I shook off that thought before I entered The Ringmaster's private tent.

"Ah, Nyx, what a delight it is you joined us." The ringmaster practically chooed.

Us - that thought made me feel nauseous. As it's only been him and I in this tent at least when he wants to see me. "Us?" That thought sent nerves down my spine

"Yes, Nyx," He said my name with pure delight in his tone. I stayed quiet while he explained what was going on. "So, Nyx, my colleague, Mr Smith, and I would like you to perform in the circus and have your very own special act." I was overwhelmed with joy at the news.

"Yes, of course, I would do it, what exactly would I be doing in this act?" I asked cautiously."

"You will be performing an acrobatics or gymnastics routine with death-defining prompts and stunts. It is our idea to help get more people coming in and money in our hands." The thought made me a little nervous with a little bit of excitement at the idea. "So Nyx will you perform?" The Ringmaster asked curiously.

"Yes, I'll give it a try." I said with a tad of excitement in my tone.

"Very well I'll get the forms out for you tomorrow and you can sign the liability waiver tomorrow morning."

"Waiver?" I asked cautiously.

"Yes, it's to make sure both parties know what might happen if anything went wrong, which is very unlikely to happen here with you, Nyx."

I nodded, understanding what he was saying. The thought of me getting hurt in my new performance made me a little ill.

But this is something I want to do in the circus especially if it helps the circus. The only thing I had to do now was start practicing this new performance I was given. I trained night and day for what felt like forever whitch was acutely a fortnight of training. I was getting reasonably good at the act but I still wasn't perfect and it must be perfect if I was to help the circus to get more customers and better profits which would help my father with his business.

I knew I needed to strengthen my core as well as everything else so I added a new exercise routine. I also needed to work on my agility and flexibility. One more routine I needed to add.

My father was a kind but sometimes absent man who sometimes forgot or was too blind to see my full potential with things. When he offered me a bigger and better role than I already had I was over the moon with excitement for what I could stand for in the industry and the true nature to my power will hopefully bring me places besides a circus. I wanted more! I needed more! I was made for more! But did Father see what I saw for myself or was I a dreamer who couldn't stop dreaming?

"There was no place for dreamers in my circus." Father would say to me when I got too caught up in my head even though the children and families who came to watch a performance every night had surely been dreamers who wanted to see amazing things that could only be seen at The Midnight Circus. A place that was designed to give you a one of a kind experience.

I had another dream but this time I was in a bright house with my mother and father. Only my father wasn't the ringmaster. My parents in the dream seemed so familiar, so real. We were at the breakfast table eating warm pancakes my mum had made as my brother, Alex, told us about his plans for the weekend. He also seemed so familiar. The dream felt more like a memory than anything else.

I couldn't shake the dream from my head no matter what I did. I kept seeing the family and remembering how I felt. So happy and safe. I loved them in a way I didn't love the ringmaster. Sure, I love the ringmaster, but I don't have the same sort of bond. I don't feel the depth of fatherly love for him as I did my dream dad. What did it mean?

Something tickled at my subconscious, trying to come out. The harder I focused on the thought, the deeper it receded.

I freeze as I hear someone calling my name "Nyx, Nyx" The voice is muffled and hard to hear but I know the voice straight away. It was Father's voice. He wanted me but I don't know if I wanted to see him right now. Especially when I had a bad gut feeling about him. Something seemed off.

I wasn't sure exactly what or why, but felt uneasy and wanted to hide. The dream still had a tight grip on me so I pretended I didn't hear him and I left the tent quickly.

That night I had another dream. But it wasn't a beautiful one like before. I was around ten? It's hard to judge age in a dream. I had just gotten done watching a movie with my family and was sent to bed. Mum said she would be up in a bit to check on me.

I was startled awake by a sudden loud noise then a monster was in my room. The monster strangely looked a lot like the ringmaster and it dressed like him. That didn't bring me any comfort. He trapped me against the wall before putting a cold, wet rag to my face then I woke up in a cold sweat.

What did the dream mean? Was it random or my subconscious? Maybe I was overworked with all the training I've been doing.

The next night I was a little scared to sleep. Would I have another bad dream? Would I dream about the family who cared about me and loved me in a way I've always wanted? There was no way to know.

When I finally fell asleep I got my answer. The ringmaster, my father, called to me. His voice was harsh and cold. He sounded as if his throat were dry and scratchy. "Nyx. Nyyyx." Shivers ran down my spine as I listened. The way he said my name sounded cynical and threatening. He was suddenly standing in front of me. His crimson eyes were bloodshot and deadly, his black suit and top hat with blood-red feathers sticking out from his hat looked worn and ancient. I was frozen in place as he studied me and called my name again. "nyyyx." I shuddered.

I woke up with a scream stuck in my throat, my body drenched in sweat. I started to cry as I remembered the way he normally looked at me as if I were his saving grace. I didn't want to remember him as a monster. As something that sends families and children running for their lives.

Later that day as I was practicing my new routine for the show I was supposed to put on in a few days the ringmaster called to me from across the tent. I knew I should respond back to him but I just couldn't because the fear from all the nightmares was too much. I can't help but think the nightmares I had was a warning about him.

I feel lost, like I'm missing something else from my past. Like a puzzle that wouldn't fit together. I feel I need to get away from this creepy place even if I'm not sure exactly why. My gut tells me something is wrong. It says not everything was Stars and Starlight. It was too good to be true. Even though he treated me like a daughter of his.

Was it all a mask of manipulation and deception? Is there something deeper that I don't know? I've always believed he had my best interest for me, but is it true?

What if I'm making something from my dreams that isn't even there? It could just be stress after all.

After speaking with the ringmaster I finished my practice then found a quiet place to think. I had some serious soul searching to do.

Come on Nyx, think. What do you remember from your childhood if anything at all? There was a boy named Alex but I don't know much else about him beside his name. My brother in my dream had the same name. Did I really remember an Alex or was it a remembrance of the dream? I couldn't be sure.

Maybe I should do some snooping around next time the Ringmaster is distracted with the circus. I still didn't have to perform for a couple of days so I will use this time to get answers to all my unanswered questions.