Firebird

Chapter 13- The Carnival

Chapter 13- The Carnival

    I leaned my head against the bus’s window. It felt like we’d been on the road for days. I took advantage of that time to sleep mostly. I was sore and tired from the previous day’s shows.

   I closed my eyes and sighed. I sighed for many reasons. Too many to list.

   I felt an arm drape over my shoulders. A puff of smoke blew in my face as Astley spoke. “We’re here, love.”

   I looked out at the small village-like town. It was about the size of my hometown with similar style, old brick buildings. But there was something that made it completely different from there.

   A huge Ferris Wheel towered high above all else. Red and white striped tents were scattered around. People were all through the street with cotton candy, bags of popcorn and sparklers.

   “What’s going on?”

   Astley tucked his pipe in his pocket and flashed me his happiest of smiles. “Their annual carnival. I was hoping we’d make it for their last day. Sometimes, we get here right as they leave but if we make it, Chalavar sometimes lets us enjoy it because we can’t set up until they leave. It still takes a bit of prodding to get him to let us come.”

   “I suppose you do the prodding?” I laughed.

   “Of course.”

   The buses lined up outside the festival. Astley took my hand so we wouldn’t be separated by the large crowd as everyone piled out. All conversation was of the carnival.

   Astley stopped by his trailer. “You wait here. I’ll talk to Chalavar. I already see a group heading over to him.”

   He left before I could reply. I sat on the mouth of the trailer, listening to the cheery, repetitive music from the merry-go-round. Cheers and laughs filled the air with good feeling. I needed that.

   Astley appeared beside me within a couple minutes. He was as giddy as a child. “Hurry! There’s so much to do and we only have tonight!” He took my hand and we ran.

   We got in line for tickets behind other members of Chalavar’s Circus. The line moved quickly but everyone (including Astley) tapped their feet and rocked on their heels impatiently. It must be a big deal to be allowed to go to this carnival. I have to admit, I was just as excited as they were. I’d never been to a carnival.

   Astley lifted me onto his back and instructed me to hold on as he ran through the crowds. He was in a hurry to do everything before it was over. There were so many different things set up.

   There were games like throwing rings around bottles or tossing darts at balloons. Huge prizes hung around the booths waiting to be won. Food carts were scattered within them selling too many fried foods to name. Astley took us to one of them first.

   His eyes flickered over the menu and he bounced impatiently. I’ve never seen a more hyper man. “You ever had a corndog, dearest?”

   “A what?”

   He gasped and placed me gently back on my feet. “I’ll show you.” He ordered two and handed me one. It was the strangest food I’d ever seen. Basically, a hotdog wrapped in cornbread on a stick.

   It didn’t occur to me until he ordered our food that I hadn’t talked to anyone outside of the circus since I’d joined. That was odd seeing as almost everyday I was surrounded by others.

   Astley talked with the man in the booth a minute before leaving. Then he was on to something else. He dragged me to the Ferris Wheel and  we stood at the end of an extremely long line.