Part 1

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The rough iron gates surround the tents. Their crimson and gold stripes contrast against the black flags waving at the tops of each big top. You awkwardly push your way around the bodies of strangers hungry to see more of the magical circus that has come into town. All that is visible are the very tops of the tents that reach out into the clouds and the curling metal wrapping elegantly around the tops of the fences. Everyone has their silver ticket in hand. Printed in curling black letter across the top of your ticket is the name of the show, "Le Cirque De Toujours."

You clutch yours with anticipation as you squeeze your way past an elderly couple who give you a disapproving glare. But you can't help yourself, can you? The curiosity that is boiling inside you has bubbled over. You hardly even give a second thought about that woman you completely shoved to make way for you or the choice of words she shouts after you're out of site. No, all your small mind can think about is the dream-like mystery that lies ahead. Although the circus isn't open just yet. Just a little longer, that's all you must wait.

Mother's lecture still rings in the back of your mind. The Police have sent out another warning, and I want you to be safe alright. It says right here children all across Savannah have been going missing. Disappeared without a trace. She had ruffled her copy of The Gulch Daily New Spread in front of your nose as if trying to shake the words off the page to shove in your little mind for safe keeping. Guilt radiates in waves through you. You know your mother only wants to keep you safe but she had said "Have fun sweetheart, I love you," and that is what you're doing right. Having fun?

A small squeal from the little girl in the front with ribbons wound through her hair is heard, followed by the creaking of the gates as they are thrown open. The crowd becomes, even more, savage. All the colors, the vacant smell of cotton candy wafting through the air; it's all too much to handle. The heavy ache is lifted off your shoulders as you look around at all the passing faces. Families hold hands, smiles painted across their faces They make their way through the gates. The ground is soft under your feet as you fly towards the big top tents. Your eyes scan the rows of tents that advertise a variety of mysteries.

The sign that catches your eye is the one you didn't think you saw before, but maybe your eyes are just playing tricks on you. It reads

Cinema the Strange

Illusions & Tricks

You would stake your life that all your saw before was a patch of dirt and single yellow daisy wavering through the mid-autumn breeze. Now here's a sign that is leading you inside the tent. You pull back the drapes rather dramatically and the hairs on the nape of your neck stand straight up. The tent is anything but empty; a large crowd has gathered to see the show that has caught their attention as well. Some already know what to expect, while others are wrapped up in their own dreams of what exactly lies ahead. The lights begin to flicker and all the chatter comes to an immediate halt. Quiet now: the shows about to start. 

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