The Secrets Of A Circus

The Circus

Tick tock, tick tock... The antique clock behind me ticks loudly as I apply white face paint all over my face and neck slowly. Tonight's show is starting at 10pm sharp as usual and I don't want to lose my chance at truly being one of them. The Circus Freaks are famous daredevils who perform daring tricks and terrifying stunts to please each and every person in their audience.

About two months ago, they held auditions to try and find their new Lady White after the previous performer had mysteriously disappeared one day. Lady White is one of the main stars of the show. Every time she makes an appearance, the crowd will instantly hush and watch in wonder as Lady White waves her gloved fingers and makes a ferocious lion fall asleep. I had auditioned but I didn't have high hopes of getting chosen, considering how strict they would have to be since their previous Lady White had been so spectacular, she's almost irreplacable. All the performers were there for the audition, which had made me more nervous than I should have been. I had nearly fainted under their piercing gazes but I pulled it off just fine. I still remember how relieved I felt when the Ringmaster had smiled and clapped his hands after my audition. I have been playing Lady White for a while now and I have not been hearing any bad remarks, thank goodness.

I place the makeup brush down on the vanity table and glance at my reflection. Humming softly, I dip a small brush in a tiny container and use it to paint my lips red. That's about all I have to do to my appearance as my hair is just clipped up and tucked under a white hat.

Suddenly, I hear the flap of the dressing tent open and the Dark Rider walks in. The weird thing about the Circus Freaks is that we don't know what our real names are. We just call each other our stage names. The Dark Rider looks coolly at me, "Are you ready? We are having an impromptu meeting before the show starts in ten minutes," he says.

He's already dressed in his stage attire - a leather jacket with dark wash jeans. His body is lean but muscular, the perfect body to pull off the dangerous stunts required for being the Dark Rider. The Dark Rider's stunts are dangerous but exciting, making him one of the main stars people anticipate the most. Out of all the other performers, he is the one that treats me like an outsider. Most of the performers have warmed up to me but he's as standoffish as ever.

I snap out of my thoughts and stand up, gathering my skirts in one hand. "I'm almost done," I say to him.

His dark eyes betray nothing. "Good, I don't want the Ringmaster to worry just because we have one irresponsible..." His lips twitch a little as he studies me with his dark eyes. "Freak."

Freak is something we call one another endearingly but when he said it, it doesn't sound much like an endearment at all. I frown, feeling a little hurt at how he's treating me when I have done nothing to him. I shrug my shoulders, not wanting to let him get to me. "I'm sure the Ringmaster won't need to worry about anything tonight," I say, tossing him an uninterested gaze. "That is, of course, if you don't screw up as usual."

The Rider just gives me a cruel smirk. "Oh trust me, I won't be the one screwing up tonight." He turns and exits the tent.

I sigh and slip on my lace gloves. Time to go.

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When I reach the private meeting room where we usually hold our discussions, I see that I'm one of the first few that has arrived.

Ringmaster turns around to greet me with a charismatic smile. "Ah, Lady White!" He says. "Have a seat my dear, the meeting should start as soon as all us Freaks show up.''

I couldn't help but smile at him. Ringmaster is certainly very young despite being able to pull off such a successful and thrilling show. And somehow he manages to not let fame get to his head. His crystal blue eyes shine brightly whenever he smiles that carefree smile of his.