The Black Snow Circus

Cursed Day

After waking up again for the fifth time, I gave up on sleeping. I got up, and for once didn't have to put a "smile" on my face because no one would be awake at this hour. I decided I would just go do some training because, well what else was I going to do? Get kidnapped? I first moved to a drawer, opened it and grabbed the daggers hidden within it, and decided to try throwing with my more squiggly-like blades, which were best for unpredictability, because it's odd blade could actually zig-zag through the air, a secret I had found out while practicing when I was 11. I then slowly walked out, stealthily loving through the grounds like a small snake, and went to the forest beyond the camp. I found a wide, open clearing, and went over to a tall, dark oak tree, which loomed over me, the shadow making the space even darker then it was before, but I had developed my senses, and I could practically see in the dark. For training once, I had to spend 3 months in a completely pitch black room, training my sight and hearing, because every day a new trap would somehow appear and I would have to dodge it, and they were all incredibly dangerous. I stuck my knife into the tree and made a target with a knife, carving it into the tree bark, making a crackly sound as I cut through it. I then stood back, and began throwing the knives, my eyes empty and cold, probably anyways, not like I could see myself, but I would probably look like that to Eric watching me. He probably knew I noticed his presence, but stayed hidden anyways because, well, I don't know, it's one of his weird quirks. I grabbed a squiggly blade, and dashed sideways, throwing it, watching it move side to side like I did, and hitting the bullseye. If I really did like anything, it was this kind of knife because of its unpredictable movements. It was perfect for an assassin like I was, because I was known for being unpredictable, due to me striking at times it wasn't expected. I would attack during the day sometimes, unlike most assassins who did during the night. Or I'd just do it in public, because all my assassinations were targeted at...not so innocent people. Everyone in the criminal underworld knew me.
"What was the description I'm known by again?" I mumbled to myself, forgetting for a second that Eric was there.
"A small woman with hair as white as the winter snow, eyes a grey as the clouds after a storm, yet her hair is stained with the blood of the ones she kills, her eyes empty, no shine to them, like she was dead herself. She attacks at random, fearing no man or woman, and she always leaves blood everywhere, not like other assassins who prefer to make it clean. She's like a cat, seemingly calm until the very last second. There is one, single unspoken rule in the criminal underworld. Do not get on the Blood-Stained Cats bad side, or it will be your last breath the second you do." Said a voice, belonging to Eric. I turned around, not adding the smile onto my face since he knew how I truly was. He smiled, and said "Good throwing today, Circe. You're like that knife, as you dash around. It's unique, like you." I didn't really reply, and just stared at him, my eyes asking the question for me. "Ah, I need to come back to camp. Tara needs you."
"At this hour? Well, it is Tara. Let me get my knives real quick." I spoke, and put a smile on my face once again. I grabbed the knives in the tree, not really knowing what to do about the target. It could let any enemy know where we were. Then again, what would it matter? I can literally kill in my sleep, no one will be sneaking up on me. Then, I walked over to Eric and said "cheerfully"
"Let's go!"

We walked right back into camp, and I had a skip in my step. I had to seem like my "normal" self, or people would get suspicious. Then again, only Tara was awake. I then squinted my eyes, as there was a bright light coming from the center of the camp. I had gotten used to the dark so it still surprised me. I had to train to get used to that sometime, it'd be helpful for times with flash bombs. Eric grabbed my arm, and pulled me along. Suddenly, I found myself in a place that didn't seem to be the camp in the middle of the night. There was a big bonfire in the middle of the clearing, and a banner behind it that said
"Happy Birthday, Circe and Jack!"
I blinked, multiple times. Was this what they called a surprise birthday party? Suddenly everyone surrounded me, and with grins on their face, grabbed my arms and pinned me to the ground, and I saw Eric smiling like crazy, and he had a giant bucket of what was probably water above his head, and dumped it on me. Even I had a feeling of natural shock because of the cold. It wasn't really a emotion, just a natural human reflex, and I managed to squirm away from everyone, and just to amuse everyone, to keep up the act, at least that's what I think, I yanked Eric, and grabbed the bucket, and dragged him, a smile on my face, and went to the hose, and put Eric's head over the bucket, and turned on the faucet, soaking him wet. I laughed, a weird shiver going through me. Probably just the cold. Everyone laughed, and it felt like everything was going by in a blur.

A hour passed, and I partied with everyone. We danced around the fire, even dragging Jacks tired butt into it. They all had fun, and I was so distracted that I didn't feel the presence of unwelcome guests closing in on us. While I was watching Eric wolf down some more of the cake we had for the party, I heard a gasp, and turned my head around quickly. Who knew that I would regret that decision. I saw men in black knocking out the other members, and the smile immediately vanished from my face. I couldn't seem happy in the moment, I moved my hand quick, and grabbed a knife, about to throw it, but I heard a voice, and someone cleared their throat
"Oh, I wouldn't do that if I were you, Circe." Another chill went down my spine as I turned my head to where Eric was. There was a knife at his throat, and his hands had somehow been tired within the span of one minute, and the person who held that knife...was Fin, without his mask. My eyes widened, my breathing quickened. Eric was in danger! I felt a feeling I'd never ever felt before. My heart was racing, my hands shaking as I dropped the knife from my hands. Fin smiled at this reaction.
"Now that's good, Circe. See, I am going to change the little offer I had for you earlier. I will not kill Eric right now, if you promise to come with me quietly. I have observed you and him for a long while now. You do care for him, despite not feeling any emotions."
There weren't many conscious, but Jack, Tara and a few others were, and they were holding their breath watching this.
I had to make a choice. It should be obvious. I don't care for anyone....I couldn't, could I? But seeing Eric looking helpless before me, I was in a state of something I didn't know. Before I could even really think, I spoke five words that could change anything
"I agree to your terms"
Fin's grin increased, and he dropped Eric. The ropes weren't what I thought they were. They were chains, meaning no way could Eric escape. I walked towards Fin, who had outstretched his hand, and I took it, and he linked arms with me. I was still shaking, and we slowly walked away from the camp. I saw Eric, his face filled with an emotion I think I remembered him telling me about. Fear. I gave him a smile, even if we both knew it wasn't real. The liquid he told me were called tears were falling from his eyes. I closed my eyes, and looked away. Ah, today was always a...what did Jack call it? Oh, right, a "Cursed Day"

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