Cirque Periculum

Chapter 14.1

Connor landed on the boating dock ten minutes later. Rushing through the air over the tranquil water had cleared his head, which only allowed him to ponder the possible dangers of coming to the mainland alone at night. His mind spun fantastical stories starring petty thieves all the way to members of Camp Caute. He shuddered as he scanned the street in front of him.

Empty.

He wondered why it was so dark. The street lamps cast pale circles on the asphalt, but it didn't seem as bright as it should. Maybe he had been spending too much time in that magician city. The glowing orbs must have been brighter than he thought.

His mind didn't have much time to wander in the short commute between the dock and the train station, which was only separated by the street.

Old habits returned. It had been so long since he had done something like this, and he hoped he wasn't rusty.

Even if I wasn't rusty, I don't know how much good it would do. They had caught me so easily at the circus.

Checking the street around him one more time, he noticed windows filled with warm yellow light. He wasn't sure who was watching, so he figured his powers were out for the time being.

Crossing the street and trying to act as innocent as a teenager meandering the night could act, Connor glanced behind him towards the lake. As far as he could see, no boats came from the island. He should be safe.

He started up the steps of the train station and froze. Voices drifted from up the stairs as two men clad in black walked down the steps towards him.

Without a thought, Connor leaped into the air.

Hopefully no one is watching.

Shooting over the station, Connor spotted train Periculum and hovered over it. Seeing no other guards, he dropped to the ground as quietly as possible, keeping the train between him and the station.

The train yard was covered in darkness casted by the overhead pavilion. Once his eyes adjusted, he walked along the length of the train, searching for his former mentor.

"Meridian?" he whispered.

He came to a stop in front of a train car that looked as if it were made to keep animals. It sported a gap that filled most of the wall and barred with steel bars.

Something rustled from the back corner of the car. Squinting in the dark, Connor made out the face of his instructor.

"Connor?" she said, her voice raspy. "What are you doing here?"

Connor moved closer, grabbing one of the bars. "Do you remember anything from that night? When you- attacked me?"

Meridian's eyes widened. "I- I did what?"

"You tried to kill me at the Speckled Owl. You had a knife and-"

"I was in my hotel room that night. I'd had an awful headache all week," she choked up. "There's a lot I don't remember lately. Ever since Flower Mound..."

Connor waited for her to continue. When she didn't, he decided to change the subject. "Did you hear about Adam?"

Meridian sat directly across from him, holding one of the bars that separated them. "Yes. Saige told me what happened. I couldn't believe that Camp Caute would do such a thing."

"Camp Caute didn't do it," he said. "I overheard Summertin talking about it. I think- I think that he did it." Tears stung his eyes, but he wiped them away. "I don't know why he would, but I know what I heard."

She nodded slowly, as if digesting the information. "What else did you hear? Did he say anything about the Alchemist's Mirror?"

Chills ran up Connor's spine. Fear the alchemist. "No, why would he have mentioned that? What is it anyways?"

Meridian shook her head. "The less you know the better. Just know that a lot of people are after it."

"But why? Is Mr. Summertin after it? Why is it important? Is it valuable?"

"It is valuable and very dangerous," Meridian said sternly, "and that's all I'll tell you about it."

"Fine."

"Just listen to me Connor, I'm trying to help you, "Meridian said. "I don't know what happened at the Speckled Owl, or how any of this happened. Just know that I will protect you."

Connor nodded. "I know that alre-"

Meridian screamed. "BEHIND YOU!"

Connor swirled around to face a figure clad in black standing behind him.

"Sean?"

"Hey Connor, sorry," Sean said before clubbing his friend over the head with the barrel of his gun.

Meridian's screams faded as everything turned to black.