Terminus Part I: The Journey There (Draft)

Chapter 33: Runaways

 The Detective Pirates were in two tents in the southern part of the Rebel base. Patricia, Karnilla, Milangelo, and Cameron were in one tent, and James, Crock, Persimmon, and Brandon were in the other. Patricia and Karnilla lay on their camp beds facing each other, talking about what they had learned from the Rebel Forces.

"Can you believe it? The Second Chance Circus AND the Gentleman's Club. Both here," said Patricia.

"While it would be nice to see Phileas Fogg and the others again, I don't know if he'd be here or not. The scouting ship was supposedly Jack Door's," said Karnilla.

"He's a powerful sorcerer, isn't he? We never saw him that much, despite having spent years at the head quarters."

"Yeah, I think so. Not that knowledgeable on the subject. So, what do you think about the circus being in town, so to speak?"

"We haven't been a part of that nightmare since we were little. For all we know, things could be totally different now."

"Yeah, maybe you're right. All the other kids would be grown up by now, right? Old enough to stand up for themselves."

"Hey, I'm just spitballing here. I could be totally wrong. Those kids never cared for us. Say, you don't think they're mad at us for leaving them there?"

"I don't know, let's just... go to sleep."

That night, both of them would have dreams remembering all of their past decisions... the good, the bad, and the ridiculous.

The Second Chance Circus Company was located in Dylansville, Bloodwile. It was run by the thirty-seventh richest man in the world, Harold Houser. It provided jobs to many families in the community that had formerly been down on their luck: Neofoly, Trainer, Eager, Glasgow, Oldscars, Knowles, and Welsh. It was also proudly supported by the Adams and Eves families. It was the first home of Patricia Neofoly, Karnilla and Ollacosta Adams, Garrett and Jasmine Eves, Jerry Knowles, Barney Welsh, and Oscar Oldscars.

"Come on kids, it's time to practice! Get the fuck up, now!" yelled Joey Trainer, the cowboy in the rodeo clown act.

Patricia, the youngest of all the kids began to cry.

"You fucking wimp, it's not that early! Everyone else is fine to get up, so get fucking used to it!"

"Hey, leave her alone!" said Karnilla. "And stop swearing every other sentence! It's unbecoming!"

"You're one of them Adams kids, aren't you? Don't think you can go around telling me what to do. You're just a kid, and I'm your handler. The best fucking one in the business."

"Come now, Karnilla," began Ashley Adams. "Stop mouthing off at your teacher and join your sister. You needn't do all this to defend a Neofoly runt. That family had three opportunities to bring this circus a healthy, strong child, and after failing each one, decided that what they got was enough. It's a tough call, to be sure, but this little girl cries over every little thing."

"And that's why she needs help, mother," said Karnilla.

"I will not stand for this insubordination, Karnilla!" said Ashley. "I affectionately named you for the carnival so that you may embody the spirit of the carnival."

"Is defiance not the spirit of the carnival?" asked Karnilla.

"You'd better watch your tongue, young lady, before someone hears you asking questions. They may not be able to arrest children, but they sure can send them away."

The children were led from their sleeping tent to the main tent. There, they were given the mornings to endure the rigorous training regime intended to prepare them for a professional career in the circus. At the halfway point, if their performance was satisfactory, they were allowed an intermission to eat breakfast. Afterwards, behind similar constraints as breakfast, was a period of time to eat lunch.