FREAK SHOW

Chapter 1: All an Act

Chapter 1: All an Act

~ " Oh where is humanity? When did it become so small? For although we stand, and although we speak, I see no humans at all." ~(a.r)

"Well guys, I guess we're going to have to come back here at seven for the show," Noah said loudly, his hands on his hips as he looked up at the tall time board with the times of the events written in a messy chalk scrawl.

The group -Scarlett, Marcie, Noah, and Finn- stood outside the large red and white-striped tent, looking at the time board outside the closed entrance. Now that they had gotten closer, the tent didn't look as bright as it had looked from outside the park, instead it was faded and punctured, weathered with age and misuse. The sign on top of the time board beamed "Axel's Freaks of Nature Circus". The lights of the sign glowed dimly in the setting October sky, with a couple of the light bulbs burnt out, making the sign read "Axe's Freak of Nat Circus". Not sketchy at all...

The circus didn't look as welcoming as they had thought, more rundown and broken. It was a wonder how the show had made it so far.

Scarlett sighed, "I can't go then." She was supposed to be back at her home by seven, nearly three hours from the time now. She couldn't go to the show. She had already called her mother to tell her she was there, which ate up close to ten minutes because of Ma giving her safety lessons that she had already known such as how to call 911 or knowing what to do if a person was trying to picket pocket you.

Her friends turned towards her questioningly.

"I'm supposed to be home by seven," she answered their expressions, looking glumly at the board. She wasn't even sure she wanted to go. By the looks of the place, it was kind of scary and the time board had listings of acts that seemed not too pleasant to witness like sword swallowing and playing with fire.

Noah groaned, aggravated, pulling his fingers through his dusty blonde hair. He wouldn't have cared if he had disobeyed his parents. Scarlett was too obedient, never once having lied to them. Her parents were the nicest people on earth; they wouldn't be too hard on her anyways.

So far he's been able to convince her to do things his way, but he knew she could only agree so much before finally drawing the line.

"Scarlett, it won't take long, you'll be back at your house in no time," he persuaded in a soothing tone, edging closer to her and placing his hand on the small of her back. She didn't move away.

She looked up from her hands to meet his eyes, the lively green in hers looked troublesome. He knew his words had tempted her and she was deciding. Decisions, decisions.

"You can even call your mom to tell her that you're just going to the show and leaving right after."

Rolling her bottom lip between her teeth, Scarlett didn't know what was happening to her. Noah was so easily swaying her, more than ever before. She knew she was going to agree even though she didn't want to because that would mean he would win and that she was being peer-pressured. She was always so easily persuaded, a naivety of a child perhaps.

He could've been a salesman with his skills in influencing. His charming smile, appealing looks, and eloquent speaking skills could get him anything he wanted from her or anyone for that matter. Or maybe it was because it was Noah talking, and maybe there was some sort of hidden feelings she had for him. She shook her head; Noah was just her friend.

"Okay, okay, I'll go," Scarlett gave in, smiling shyly. Noah gave an echoing whoop -having successfully persuaded her-, causing a few bystanders to look at them, and Marcie hugged Scarlett tightly.