The Greatest Showman One Shots

Shelter: Part 1 - Anne and W.D Wheeler

This one shot was requested by raeraeweaver1. Thank you!

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The cold air wraps around the two orphans huddled close together. Anne scoots closer to her brother, desperate for warmth. Although the sun is bright, the bitter winter wind is relentless against the two curled up in the dark alley way. Anne wraps her tattered blanket around her, as does her brother. "Anne, we should find better shelter. We won't survive the night here." W.D says over the howling wind. Anne nods her head simply and stands up, her blanket still tightly wrapped around her.

The navy blue blanket around her was very important to the future trapeze artist. It was a gift given to her by their mother before she passed away 2 years ago from an unknown illness. Thankfully, a young couple gave their mother a comfortable passing and they payed for funeral expenses as well. The selfless couple gave shelter and food to the teens until they couldn't afford to care for them. Mr. Jones lost his job due to bankruptcy. Ever since then, the two have been living on the busy streets of New York City, constantly shamed by others because of their darker complexion.

The two set off onto the streets, looking for a better place to take refuge. It is evident that the two are poor. Anne's matted hair, W.D's thick, untamed hair and the sibling's torn clothes stick out like a sore thumb compared to the elegant hairstyles on high class women, the manicured hair styles of high class men and the fancy clothing on the many pale faced people. The two keep their heads down, not only to brace themselves against the wind but also to not draw attention to themselves.

Keeping pace with her brother, Anne scans her surrounding discreetly. Although slightly obstructed by her blanket she was using as a cloak, Anne could see that the street was bustling with people. An elderly couple walking hand in hand smile widely, conversing ever so often. A group of young kids play outside of the local schoolhouse, the girls playing hopscotch and the boys throwing a leather ball back and forth. Many others pass without one look directed towards the two teens.

Drawing her attention away from the busy street, Anne realizes W.D was a few feet away from her. She rushes to keep up, grabbing his arm in the process. "Can you please slow down a bit?" Anne pleads, pulling on W.D's muscular arm. W.D sighs in frustration. "You know I don't like being out in the middle of town." He looks around, surveying the surrounding. A cautious look is on his cold face as he checks for anyone suspicious. Anne keeps quiet for the rest of the trek, her eyes trained on the ground once again.

After 45 minutes of wondering through the New York streets, the two stumble upon a seemingly-abandoned warehouse that will provide them substantial protection for the night. W.D silently gestures for Anne to follow him into the battered building. They both step cautiously inside, eyes scanning around the room for others. Despite their initial thought of the warehouse being empty and abandoned, they were greeted with a series of ropes and contraptions hanging from the rafters. "What is this place?" Anne whispers to her brother, amazement noticeable in her voice.

Before W.D could answer, an eerie creak echos throughout the dust-filled building. The two dive behind a large, nearby pile of sandbags. Anne's breathing becomes rapid as anxiety floods through her. Her heart pounds as a shadow is reflected onto the ground because of the setting sun. W.D reaches over and grasps Anne's arm suddenly, his hand shaking. The last time they had a run-in with another in their home, the police were called and the two were roughly man-handled into police custody.

 The two escaped the police with the help of another outcast on the streets and they were forever grateful. The experience left both of the two emotionally scarred and neither of them wanted to experience it again. Instead of the rough voice of a man the two were expecting, a woman's voice drifted around the room. She hummed ever so softly and occasionally sang out a few words to that very tune.