The Prince of Darkness (Undying #2)

Chapter 1

A/N Ms. Hajime, I hope you could check this out :)

Chapter 1

The charm about the archipelagic Philippines is how people are always lively, seemingly having something to buzz about no matter the age and problem they face, be it for the daily gossip or festivals in town. It is exactly the reason the travelling circus of this modern time, Gadarette, landed here a week ago to bring their magic.

They have taken a liking to the magnificent provinces they've been, learning different cultures and relating to the people's oneness with nature, just as Filipinos have admired their lifestyles and performances. They mingled together indifferently.
Presently, Gadarette had set up camp and attractions in a grassland on a half-rural, half-urban area not far from a town. Each tent is either housed by one of the performers, including animals, or equipments necessary to each act. There are also booths for souvenirs or games but the biggest one is where the main event will occur.
On the souvenir shop, a long-haired brunette is tasked. Her name is Leila Rossly, 21 years old.
A man in a white shirt approached her, hair a messy curl. "What up lil pirate?" he greeted and lowered his buffes body so his arms could rest on the counter.
"Same old, Joaquin," she smirked, "We're up yet?" She arranged a few figurinws and went out the tent.
"Yep. Blow their minds, girl." She yelped when he smacked her butt and laughed. Leila made her way to the humongous tent. The audience are on their appropriate seat . She sneaked her way backstage and changed to a tribal outfit and put her hair on a neat ponytail. Her main act is the fire: play with it, breathe it, be it.
She has been there for two years ever since she stumbled upon them on Nebraska. It was an awfully long time to adjust with how they live, their different views on life and the constant migration, but too short to forget.
The Rossly consists of her father, a former cop and a mechanic when she left, a seamstress mother and her perfect, straight-A older brother.
Everything fell apart when almost three years ago, Sean, her only sibling, ran away. He left no warning or message that their parents didn't stop searching, assuming the worst but hoping for his best condition. She was the only one who knew the truth, being he confided in her after a secret meeting.
He got the school cheerleader pregnant and currently lives with her. He can never muster enough courage to face his parents, afraid of what the confrontation will make them realize. He never was perfect. At least by leaving, rhey can believe the best of him.
Sean and Leila maintained contact, the latter often giving him part of her allowance until a day came when he stopped returning her calls and messages. She decided to pay him a visit, even with her insufferable dislike of his girlfriend.
The door was locked and no one was answering. She forced her way in, only to discover Sean in the bathroom, drenched in his own blood after cutting his wrist. Beside him was a letter addressed to Leila.
I'm sorry that I can't be as strong as you. No matter what they say, I've always admired, even envied, your spirit. Use that to take care of our parents. They don't deserve any of this and neither do you, but I can't continue living anymore. Margaret's baby wasn't mine. She's been seeing Sean behind my back. I no longer have anything to live for. I love you always and it is regrettable I have to leave my burden to you. -Sean
The letter was blotched with tears and blood. She crumpled it to a ball and threw it to his corpse to let out her frustration, anger and grief. She doesn't even know how to relay this to their parents. She doesn't want him disgraced in death but she can't hide the truth forever.
She found a cliff untouched by humans and made it his grave, using his truck to transfer him and pretended nothing happened.
With Sean gone in the house, she doesn't feel her dad's presence anymore, and her mom became a drunkard in turn. No matter what, she defends Sean from her own judgment although she can't help but blame him for everything that transpires in that house.
Because he ran away. Because he was too weak. Because he can't be Leila that everything is falling apart. She knew that but her mom doesn't. In her drunken state, she wished and prayed that it was Leila instead who left and not her responsible, perfect son.
It was all too much for Leila to bear alone.
She ran away this time and found the circus who gave her a second chance and a new family that will appreciate her. Rondo, its founder, was trapped in his burning tent, his life flashing before his eyes when a brunette covered in wet blanket rushed in. Leila was his second chance.