The 12th Midnight Circus

Befitting for Exploration

-Evelyn Nightshade

The next day, I woke up to a flurry of drums and cymbals coming from somewhere. I opened the door, and a trumpet horn blared in my face. A sing song voice came out and I snapped my ears shut, running to the changing room. My plan today? Explore this circus.

I tried on a pair of sleek black pants. Not my style or type. Next, I tried on a pair of desaturated green cargo pants. It reached just to my ankle. I put on white socks that went a bit past the ankle, a short-sleeved tan shirt and white hat with a star in the middle. Now, I was perfection! As I exited the changing room Fleur stopped me.

"Bae, you can't wear that. Here!" She handed me a pile of puffy sleeves and pants. 

I went back into the changing room. The white puffy pants did not as all match well with the black puffy shirt I received. I definitely looked like a clown now. As I strutted out the room, I got a glimpse of Felix talking to Zinn. Then, there was a parade of trumpets.

I descended the stairs quickly, eager to find out what was going on. As I reached the last step, I tripped over my puffy pants, and I was sure I was going to fall to the floor. Strong arms caught me, and when I looked up, I saw Felix looking down at me, a cocky grin on his face.

"Seems like Evel's gotten to right feet this morning!" He chuckled, setting me down as a guy brown hair, brown eyes, tan skin, a red jacket, brown shirt and gray pants entered.

"Is this the...Midnight Circus?" 

"Oh perfect, here on time!" Aurek rushed to the boy. "This is our New, Kael Ember!" 

We all waved at him as he came to stand in line by us. Immediately, everyone walked away, going back to what they were doing before. Man was I hungry. I walked down what seemed like an endless hallway. I opened the door to a dark room with a big shadow casted on the wall. Then it moved towards me, taking bigger and bigger steps. As I opened my mouth to scream, I felt it still shut. I did not have the courage to scream right now! Then the shadow stopped, turned into a cute shadow puppy, then disappeared.

"What...the...heck was that?!" I said, springing to my feet and shielding myself with my arms.

"I'm Malachai. Zinn Malachai." He stuck out his hand to me, his black rimmed glasses glinting from the bit of light I could make out.

"R-right! A-and I'm Evelyn Nightshade!" I shook his hand, still shaking from the big shadow monster that had almost attacked me.

Zinn studied me for a bit before saying, "get out." Then he proceeded to slam the door shut in my face.

Man, what was up with this dude? All I wanted to do was eat breakfast, but now, I had something to solve. Who does he allow into his black box room? I rounded the corridor and hid behind a wall my eyes sharp and open looking for someone to go into the room. I yawned and slumped to the floor. All the light here didn't even seem natural, just artificial. Can lights even be artificial? I heard a door squeak open. I peered down and saw Fleur entering Zinn's magical shadow room. I sprung to my feet ready to catch her in action when someone tapped my shoulder.

"So, when Aurek asks me what you were doing want me to say, 'Stalking Zinn' or 'I was merely courting her'?" Felix gave me a sly grin and sat down beside me. "Fleur- she can be a bit weird at some times. We've seen many people come and go in the circus but-" he tapped his chest lightly. "Me and my sis, we're true people of the circus."

"Then why haven't you guys left yet?" I questioned him suspiciously. "Wait, you can't use either of those excuses for what I was doing. I wasn't stalking Zinn, neither were you courting me!" I huffed and looked away. "Just say something stupid like, 'We were playing hide'n'go'seek!' so he thinks we're still kids or something."

"You're really funny, you know?" Felix said, stretching his hand out to me. I felt my heart pounding in my chest, till he reached past me, and grabbed a can of Dr. Red.

"I've just met you! You can't practically say someone is funny after a day! And plus, I don't trust you! You're a heartbreaker! Not like I'd fall for someone like you anyways."

Felix's grin only spread wider before dropping to a faint glimmer of sadness. "I-I'm not the heartbreaker. They leave and I'm heartbroken. But then, I make up stories of how I broke up with them and stuff."

"Why stories? Your practically Mr. Playboy in this circus. It's not exactly a nice title." I stood up to stretch my legs, my stomach grumbling. "Oh, and where's the lunch hall, while we're at talking?"