Amy

Chapter 3

Chapter 3

                I stood at the edge of the forest, fuming. It took all my strength to refrain from strangling the ringmaster. This was completely unacceptable! I knew he was an idiot, but to think he’d do this to his own daughter…

                Sapph appeared from behind the wooden bleachers in a jester’s uniform. I wanted to throw up.

                I had just found out this morning that instead of her usual acrobatics routine, my half-sister was going to be a clown in the jousting tournaments. She was going to hold up the small rings that the competitors aim their giant metal poles at! I watched her shakily stand up on the railing dividing the two sides of the court and practice extending her arm to the right, ring in hand.

                “Good job, darling!” the ringmaster called. I snapped.

                I stormed over to the bleachers and halted in front of him and my mother. “You pathetic son of a bitch!”

                He looked up calmly. “Yes, Amethyst?”

                “She’s only 8 years old! Are you trying to kill her?! They’re aiming freaking spears at her, for crying-“

                “Amethyst!” My mother interrupted. “What my daughter does is not your decision.”

                “But she’s my sister!”

                “Go back to work, Amethyst.” Said the ringmaster.

                “There is no work to do! The fair hasn’t even started yet! And I’m not leaving until you give Sapph another job!”

                “It’s ok, Amy.”

                I turned. Sapph was right behind me. “I’ll be fine.” She said. “The poles aren’t that sharp; and I have good balance. You don’t have to worry.”

                “But what if you fall?”

                “I won’t. I promise.” She smiled. I didn’t.

                “It’s still too dangerous. You’re too little.” I muttered.

                The ringmaster stood up. “Amethyst, go back to work or else.”

                “Or else what? You’ll stop giving me my nonexistent allowance?!”

                “Amy!” My mother cried.

                “I’m not letting you do this!” I insisted.

                “You don’t have a choice!” the ringmaster replied. He was still smiling like nothing was wrong.

                “I don’t have a choice?! What, You think I won’t strangle you?!” I shouted. “You think I won’t beat your freaking brains out if she gets hurt?!”

                “No, guys, please don’t fight!” Sapph pleaded. I glanced back. She had tears in her eyes. I turned back to her grinning father. I glared into his eyes. He looked away.

                Thoroughly disgusted, I turned and slid back into the woods. I hated him. I hated him and his emotionless eyes. I broke into a run, not stopping until I reached my shop. I practically crashed into the wooden bench, breathing heavily.