Cirque

11: 𝑺𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝑻𝒉𝒆𝒎 𝑨𝒍𝒍

The worst part was, for one shining second that was more tempting than anything else, I wanted it. I had always wanted adventure, and here was the greatest adventure possible offering itself up to me. I wanted to be the circus queen in Le Meneur's arms, reigning over our court of laughter and lunacy.

But then I remembered Mum waiting for me at home, and I remembered Carlos' easy smile.

"No," I shook my head firmly. "My home is out there, no matter how many invitations that ringleader sends."

Helena laughed, although she still looked sad and mysterious. "You know, I'm beginning to think we'd make pretty good friends!" She leaned back in her chair, and smiled at me. "If only that spirit of yours was enough to change things, the world would be a better place."

I stood up, crossing my arms, my mind made up. I wasn't going to let anyone tell me what I could or couldn't do. "And who says it can't? When a woman wants to make a difference, she doesn't do it by sitting around and looking pretty. Sometimes," I smirked, "She has to push people down towers of clowns."

"You...pushed..." Helena looked shocked, then impressed. She looked from me, and then back to her crystal ball, which was still swirling around like clouds caught in a storm. "Cassandra," she said very seriously, "You might just have what it takes...to save us all."

The music box music cut out, and was replaced with complete silence. I had no idea what Helena could mean, I wasn't even doing a good job of saving Carlos, how could I possibly save anyone else? I was beginning to really think all these circus folks were forgetting that just yesterday I had been skipping classes in my sweatpants. "Listen, Helena," I began hesitantly, "I really-

Something was wrong. The ground around us was beginning to churn like waves during a tsunami. Helena's crystal ball, her cushions and tables and little mystical odds-and-ends crashed around us, the silky tent curtains billowing from invisible wind. "Helena!" I screamed, jumping back on top of my black cushion. I was afraid if I remained on the ground, I would sink into the dirt like a drowning sailor. "What's happening?"

"Le Meneur has found you, that's what's happening," Helena rolled her eyes, which surprised and impressed me. I was far too freaked out to roll my eyes just about now. "Just follow your heart, girl, and you just might make it out. It's impossible, but if anyone can do the impossible, I have a feeling it's you." Helena gave a friendly wink and then her clothing folded up into itself, her robes turning into feathers. Before I could even say a word, she had transformed herself into a red, blue, and gold hummingbird and flitted away into the celebratory night. I didn't blame her for fleeing, but come on, I could use some help here!

Griffin pushed past the tent curtains, keeping at the edge of the tossing and turning ground as I sat on my black cushion as if I was a castaway holding onto her life raft for dear life. "Well, this is something," he smirked, "Need some saving, my damsel in distress?"

"Shut up and get away before I have to save you, lion boy," I quipped.

Griffin scoffed, but I noticed he kept his distance. "What did she tell you?," he asked gruffly, "Tell me."

I gasped as I nearly plunged face-first off of my cushion. An embroidered purple rug flew through the air overtop of me, and I wondered if people were watching the strange scene. I watched Griffin staring at me with that intense stare, and I remembered Helena's warning.

First impressions could be deceiving. And if I had learned anything, nothing in this circus was what it seemed.

"I'll tell you another time," I said quickly.

"No, you'll tell me now." His voice was so suddenly commanding, dominant, that I nearly obeyed without question.

Perhaps it was a good thing that just then, I was flung off of my soft black boat and fell on my back on what should have been the hard ground. But I didn't feel the expected thud, instead, I fell straight through the ground like plunging into an icy cold ocean.