Solaris

-These Stars Were Made For Falling-

Warning, this chapter contains depictions of death and violence. Reader's discretion is advised
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The Ringmaster had never killed a person before, but Marta had made it all too easy. The girl was far too trusting, even after everything she had done. It made the task of leading her to The Grand Isle far simpler than expected. She followed him like a lamb to the slaughter. The Ringmaster ushered her into the tent before he entered as well, sealing the entryway with a simple wave of his hand.

"Sir, I am so incredibly sorry," Marta mumbled. She fidgeted with her hands as she glanced around the dimly lit tent, a strained frown upon her face. "Truly, this was never my intention..."

"What is done is done," The Ringmaster stated as he brushed past the girl, making his way to the very center of the sand ring in the middle of the tent "Come here," He instructed, waiting as Marta hesitated before slowly making her way towards him. The closer Marta got the more The Ringmaster's heart began to thunder within his chest. Part of him, a small one buried deep underneath his sorrow and anger, did not want to complete his task. Marta was still young, only seventeen years old. She had a chance at a bright life ahead of her, one that The Ringmaster was about to steal away. Still, she had made her bed, and she had to be the one to lay in it. This was the only chance The Ringmaster had, and he would not dare to waste it.

"Why am I here? Why have you brought me to this place?" Marta asked, voice quivering while her gaze remained focused on the ground. She appeared unwilling to look up at him, incapable of meeting his eyes even once. It made The Ringmaster's blood boil, dissipating any form of hesitance he had had.

"Marta, have you ever heard of the saying 'An eye for an eye'?" He questioned, watching with a small smirk as the girl fully processed his words. Her eyes widened, and the color drained from her face as she took a step back. Her gaze quickly moved to the tent's entrance, but she never quite got the chance to run. The Ringmaster snapped his fingers, watching four tendrils made from the sand below swiftly spring up. Each shot out and grabbed hold of one of Marta's limbs, forcing her down onto her back before she could properly make out a scream.

"No, no! Please don't!" Marta cried, fighting desperately against her binds. "Help me! Please, somebody, help me!" She yelled.

"That's enough from you," The Ringmaster muttered, quickly kneeling, and covering Marta's mouth with his gloved hand. "This is entirely your fault girl. You have no one to blame for this but yourself," He taunted. He reached into his pocket with his free hand, grasping the handle of the silver dagger he had hidden away. He pulled it out swiftly, driving it deep into the girl's throat before anything could delay him further. His stomach churned as a deep gurgling noise escaped Marta's lips, still he only dug the blade in deeper. Marta's fight quickly slipped away from her, her body only spasming as the gurgles grew louder.

"Shut up. Just shut up!" The Ringmaster hissed as he pulled the dagger out. He immediately realized his mistake, Marta's blood spraying out the moment the blade left her throat. The Ringmaster quickly moved away, shielding himself from the hot, sticky blood that already coated his face. He wiped it from his eyes before looking back to Marta, watching as she quickly bled out. The blood-soaked down into the sand below her, staining it red, and it began to cake around her twitching body. The Ringmaster remained at her side, watching in bated breath as all life finally faded away from her.

For a moment, nothing happened. The Ringmaster was left in silence, dread building up within him as he considered the chance that he might have just made a huge mistake. Then, the ground began to shake. The sand around them began to lift from the ground. It began to envelop them, swirling around like a vortex. The Ringmaster quickly shielded his face from the pelting sand as the severity picked up. The barrage, however, only lasted for a few moments. Soon the sand began to fall, leaving the tent in silence once more. Slowly, The Ringmaster lowered his arms, eyes widened as he realized Marta's body was gone. He found a mirror in her place that was easily eight feet tall and encased in a magnificent golden frame. The Ringmaster stood, cautiously stepping towards it. He did not find his reflection within it, but Marta's instead. She stood there, covered in blood, banging desperately against the glass. The Ringmaster watched in awe as the girl tried to break through the barrier but failed. Her mouth opened as if she were trying to scream but the noise could not pass through the glass. For a moment, The Ringmaster considered pitying her, until the realization hit him. He had succeeded, the ritual had worked just as the books had promised. The proof was right in front of him, all he had to do now was continue with the plan.

"Away with you," The Ringmaster ordered, pressing his hand against the glass. It almost vibrated against his fingers, pulsing like a heartbeat as Marta's reflection disappeared. Briefly, it was replaced by a glimpse of someone else. A flash of raven-colored hair and mischievous green eyes before The Ringmaster's reflection took up the space. It was far less than he wanted but enough to fully ease his mind. He would succeed, no matter what it took. The ends would justify the means they had to.

Too caught up in his success, The Ringmaster had not noticed the entryway of the tent opening, nor had he realized that Nigel, his all-seeing groundskeeper had stepped inside. It was not until Nigel spoke up that The Ringmaster's attention was drawn from the mirror.

"Carter," The young man breathed. The Ringmaster quickly spun around to face him, dread forcing his words to catch in his throat. Nigel stood just before him, staring with horror-filled eyes at the still-fresh blood that covered The Ringmaster's suit.

"Carter, what have you done?"