From The Circus

Roll up!

-Chapter 1
"Roll up! Roll up!" My dad, aka the ringmaster bellows in his Russian drawl, " come and see the most amazing circus on Earth! The circus of wonders!"
He finishes his line and the crowd roars as the clowns come toppling out of the opening into the arena, juggling jugs of water not dropping a thing. That's my cue.
"Giddy'up boy!" I yell and my horse, Dynamite, canters out. I slowly begin to stand. Then I start my pre-act.
Arabesque, hop, handstand, one hand, surf and then dismount. In case you were wondering I do this on horseback, I've been learning ever since I was a baby, my mum did it before me, but then she died. It was five years ago now but it still stings to think of her.

I took mums place as the 'Horse riding tight roper' my act is what makes this show so famous. Sure, every circus has clowns and a tight rope walker but only the Circus Of Wonders has a tight rope walker who can jump from her horses back and onto a low strung tight rope.

Anyway, back to the show. The crowd goes wild, all eyes on me and Dynamite, we are powerful, majestic, magical even. When I dismount and take my bow I feel that tingly feeling that runs up and down my spine every time I perform. This is my passion, my life, my dream.

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After the show, the crew and I head to the cast tents to cool off and chat, it's kind of like our routine, practice through the day, perform at night then hang out for about an hour before going to bed.
"Great job today!" My best friend and cousin Elsie exclaims, "I don't know how you do it!" We do a acrobatic performance together, her and me. It's kind of about facing fears but through acrobatics.
You probably wonder where I learned all this, well I was born into it. My great grandpa and grandma opened this circus and it was handed down through the generations and now it's dads. I started learning when I was 3! I was raised through the circus, traveling and sight seeing. I wouldn't of had my childhood any other way.

Later that night when I'm tucked up in my caravan bed, I start to think over everything, I think about Jamie, a tear forms and falls. Jamie, another. Jamie, Jamie, Jamie, Jamie. Until I can't help it, I'm lying here sobbing about my brother, how he left, how we never see him and all the feelings I've kept held up inside me, come rolling out.