The Unusual Guardian

Chapter 2: Mysteries and Shadows

Am I to give this a second chance? Or would that be wrong considering I'm no longer in love with...? Standing in line with my friends-having finally found the courage to join them after my little "eureka!" moment with Tif-I debate silently in my head over the situation. Of course I'll never admit to them the accuracy over their revelation.

I am in love with a fictitious character, which caused me to breakup with my boyfriend. Rick seemed to pale in comparison to Erik. For some reason it no longer felt right, and I fell out of love with him. I felt-feel-a stronger pull towards fiction than reality. I'm stuck in some awful loop between two worlds-one real, the other, not.

"So," Rick begins, "have you had fun?"

I grimace. My friends strategically planted themselves in line so that I was next to Rick while they formed a tripod of their own.

"Yeah."

"Been on any of the rides?"

You know that answer. "No. They have, though. Many of them." I sigh. "Rick, what are-"

"What's that?"

Irritation pricks my heart at his interruption. A talent of Rick's was to avoid any hurtful questions or conversation. He clairvoyantly predicted what I was going to ask: about our relationship, what he's going to do about it, and what makes him think his presence here is going to change that.

It was going to be a loaded question.

"Someone threw it to me when we entered the circus." I hand him the monkey. "It's creepy, but cute."

"There's nothing cute about it." He hands it back.

I guess I'm the only one who finds it's mix of cute and creepy charming. We order some food. Three hot dogs, one hamburger, and one frozen lemonade (That was mine. I wasn't really hungry).

"What should we do?" voices Lee.

"Walk," I suggest. "Let's walk and explore some exhibits."

They begrudgingly follow, but don't utter a word. We visit a few magic trick tents, an antique tent, even a Victorian Era and Goth Punk tent, all the while dodging little kids while on our journey.

"Let's go on some more rides!"

I finish the last of my lemonade as they declare that. "You guys can. You know where I'll be."

"Oh come on, Crystal!" Tiffany gives an annoyed expression.

"No! I'll be fine."

"It's okay.. I'll stay with her." Rick reassures.

What? No!

"Rick, if you want to go on some rides, you can. I'll just-I'll just be in...in there!" I point at the first tent I see.

Circus Freaks is what's written on the tent's side in ghoulish lettering.

"Really, Crystal?" barks Sam.

"Really. Now go have fun."

As they walk in agitation towards their newly-found ride, I turn around and cringe. I wasn't really paying attention to what I was pointing to; I just wanted to avoid one-on-one time with Rick.

I hesitate. It's where I told them I'd be...so...

No pride in my step, I traipse over to the condemned tent. I freeze at the entrance when a scream breaks loose from inside.

This is what Erik had to endure every day for two to three years. For him I brave up and part the flap of the tent.

Hay, swirled mud, and dirt are spread all over the place. A putrid smell of musk assaults my nose. I raise a limp hand to cover my nostrils, hoping to dim the stench.