Dancing in the Dark

Chapter 7: Darkness

The tears had dried on her face when Neal came into the carriage, mumbling. Hazel quickly folded the newspaper and stuck it inside her clutch. Neal threw his arms around her and slurred,

"You know Hazel, you and I are alike in a lot of ways," he traced his finger over her cheek, his eyes unfocused as they rested on her eyes.

"Your mother died and my mother died and now we have to be a prisoner in this damned circus. Fucking Magical Feet," his grip around her neck tightened and she tensed. He removed his arm and the carriage started to move forward. Hazel stared at Neal and saw tears fresh on his face. Neal crossed his arms over his chest, staring at the floor.

"I miss her. I miss Meredith," he whispered, and Hazel twisted her fingers in her lap. Meredith was the ballerina prior to Hazel. She was a Russian beauty, with short blonde hair and green eyes. Her accent was soft and smooth, beautiful in all its oddities. Meredith told Hazel how Henry was secretly using her for sexual favors. Hazel was only ten. She did not understand why anyone would do that. When Henry ordered Hazel to meet his male friend, Mr. Finn, Hazel screamed and ran, punching the main when he leaned down to touch her shoulder. Henry soon learned that Meredith had told Hazel their secret. The next day, Meredith lay on Hazel's bed, bleeding through her sheets. Hazel clearly remembered crying into her sleeve as she lifted Meredith's body with the sheets. She looked just like her own mother. Neal always loved Meredith, and Hazel was the reason why she died. Meredith had chosen to be a brave angel, and because of it she was sent to Heaven. Hazel glanced at Neal, who had passed out beside her. Secretly, she was sorry. She was sorry she was the reason Neal was so heartbroken. She was sorry he would never truly love again. Hazel turned away from him, closing her eyes and allowing the rattle of the wheels banging on the cobblestones drift her to sleep.

On Christmas Day, Hazel awoke in the carriage. Her eyes were sore from reading by candlelight and her throat was dry. Sunlight, sweet sunlight poured through the window and Hazel sat up to see that Neal was gone. A knock came on the door and Hazel watched Oliver pop his head inside.

'Bright and early, Ash Girl! We must get ready!" he exclaimed, and Hazel smiled softly. She slid off the leather seat, following Oliver into the town square.

"You are leaving today?" he asked, but Hazel shook her head, tucking a loose strand of red hair behind her ear.

'No. I have heard bad things about The Big Swing," she whispered, and the words tasted false in her mouth. Oliver frowned, but Hazel thought she could see him smile.

He turned to her, and in a second, their lips were melded together. She stepped back, shocked that his touch wasn't a threat. Oliver held her face between two hands, the sunlight streaming through the curly strands of his hair and giving him a halo. He dropped his hands and said,

"See you later," walking briskly off.

He turned and shouted something in the air, but Hazel could not decipher it because Celia the elephant had screeched. Hazel watched the circus set up. It made her sad that this would not be the end. Last night, she thought she was escaping her darkness. Now she was only being reeled back in. Tents were put up, striped black and white, red and white, black and gold tents coming to life, inhaling the air and magic of the circus. Stands were heaved forward and those who did set-up were calling the performers in line. Hazel was surprised to hear her name called. She almost never wore a costume or used face applications. She always went on stage bare, with only her dress and slippers.

Hazel waited behind a Chet twin, she could not she could not remember if it was Andrew or Anthony. He turned around and Hazel smiled down at him. He was only ten, and he had fascinating blue eyes that made the audience stare in awe. The Chet Twins were both musical prodigies. Andrew played the piano with simplicity, for someone so young. Anthony played the harp slowly, but every note that hit the air was a godsend. The boy smiled half heartedly back and asked,