Hood - Runaway 2 Circus

Julian Time

I wait for her answer. The room got tense.
She set her food down. "Umm." She started.
"Don't you dare accuse her!" Mr. Swart said.
All our shocked faces came on him.
"This is Hood, she's not from America. We are a traveling circus after all!"
The strange men freeze, not knowing what to do. I shift my feet.
One man shoulders the other, then whispers in his ear.
They stand straight and tall, making themselves look intimidating.
One man looks at Hood. "Give yourself up. It's not worth the trouble your going to cause. You already know.
We will be back."
A shiver crept down my spin at his words. I'd be perfectly okay if he never came here ever again and by the look of everyone else's faces they would agree.
I looked at Hood. Her head was lowered. Julian was whispering to her. I realized that he looked calm despite what had just happened. Fear fogged my brain.
The men left the room. Leona was the first to leave after.
Probably went to go brush her hair.

•••Hood•••
"Well? Answer me!"
I was sitting on a colorful wooden bucket that was flipped over. My feet brushed the hay on the ground away. Julian was towering over me. Asking me about what happened. I kept my head down. I couldn't tell him what I knew, what I've been through.
Julian crosses his arms. "Well. If you won't tell me what that was all about willingly. Then we will have to do this the fun way.
——
"Keep them coming! Unless, of course, you tell me what you know."
I heave the sand bag onto the pile. Dust flies up and stings my eye.
Julian eyes me. "You must be dreadfully hot in that cloak. Are you sure you don't want to stop?" He ask.
I take a deep breath. I was exhausted and the suns heat was intense. I've been carrying sandbags from the front of the tent, all the way around to the back. My legs felt as though they could collapse at the slightest wind.
"No. I'm more than happy to do this." I say then turn to him.
"In fact. You can go inside and get out of the sun while I finish." I say.
I meant what I said. But he was suspicious.
"Sure. I'll do that." He said then walked into a back entrance of the circus tent.
It felt like the pile of sandbags would never end. I continued to bring them to the back of the tent, one by one because they were extremely heavy. I trekked back around the tent to see that I had one last bag left. I lifted it onto my shoulders and started going back around. My legs felt like jelly. The heat was so intense. I saw the pile ahead of me. I went to take another step towards it and the world spun and I fell. The sandbag landed on top of me. I didn't have enough strength or energy to lift it off of me. I go limp. Tears fall from my eyes. The events of the day twirl in my mind and the threats repeat themselves again and again, singing me to sleep.
—nightmare—
I wake up from my bed in my room. The full moon shined bright through my window. The window had steel bars over it.
To keep me safe. He always said.
There is bad people out there Vivian. Everything I do is to protect you. The words swirled in my brain.
I frown. And look around my room. I had clothes with the latest most expensive fashion trends. The softest bed known. My bathroom had the purest soaps. But there was something missing. Something I've wanted. But what?
A dish breaks.
I look at the door to my room. My breath was caught in my throat. I reach under my pillow and pull out a old, bent bobby-pin. He never allowed me to have these. I go to my door and pick the lock that confines me to my room. Then I slip the pin into my hair.
I tiptoe out of my room and peek around the corner. The scene was horrific.
He was standing over my mom who was dead on the floor. I let out a scream and stepped backwards. His emerald green eyes fixed on me. He ran after me. His steps shook the whole house. I ran to my room. But the hallway grew longer and longer. I could feel his grip around me. Everything started shaking.
—
I wake up, fighting for breath. The nightmare tired me. I felt as if I ran in my sleep.
Julian was sitting in a chair by a door. I've never been in this room before. Julian shines a red apple on his coat.
"You missed lunch. Ringmaster made me bring you your share." He said.
I looked over at my food that was sat at a desk. I said nothing. I look around the small room. It was Julian's room. I was on his black and white checkered bed. He had a desk a chair and a wardrobe. There was tassels and fabric hanging off the ceiling. And tons of cards and magic books littered and stacked around. By the door there was a coat hanger. On it was a top hat and a magician cape.
Julian looked at his reflection in the apple. "You didn't finish your job. You need to finish it. Now." He said.
I take a deep breath. My dream still shook my sense.
"Yes sir." I say.
He stoped mid bight.
"What?" He said licking apple juice off his lips.
He looked confused.
"Yes.... Julian sir." I whimper.
He looked at me. His eyes were thoughtful.
He got up and opened the door.
"You got 5 minuets for a break! You hear me? I better not see you when I come back!" He said. He turned really quickly before he left and said.
"I was watching you the whole time Hood. I never left."
And then. I was alone.
I ate my food. Wondering again, if it was a good idea to come here.