Moonlight Glow

Chapter 2:Deep Blue

When Noah woke up he found himself in his room. It was small,composed of only a bed,a wardrobe and a tiny table. There were no windows because,after all,it was tent.He found his coat resting on his body,just like a blanket. Snow wasn't whitening the streets but winter wasn't too far and his jester attire was very light and meant to be used only for performances. Despite this Noah's wardrobe was only composed of that kind of wearings.

He sat up and let his head fall on his hands.What happened yesterday wasn't a nightmare unfortunately,and neither what happened the day before that or the week before. They were real and his emotions were all bottled up,because letting them free would have meant to lose control over his powers. He got up with an unusual headache and went out to find some food.
Maybe I'm using too much my gift lately.

The Circus camp was full of tents,arranged without following a particular order,though at the opposite side of the camp's entrance there was always the marquee where all the shows took place. After taking an apple from the storage tent and putting it in his bag,he went straight for the marquee. There was a chilly breeze and Noah's breath was making small clouds in the air. 

Usually in the camp he could find all the performers,either practising or procrastinating (especially the ones more confident in their skills). They usually looked at him with either disdain or coldness.However the only two people who knew about his 'gift' were the director and Simon,the most popular illusionist of the Circus and also the Director's right hand. He was a killer too but after discovering Noah's powers he prefered leaving the dirty work to him. 

Once he entered the marquee he went straight for the director study,a room located in the backstage. The stage was already prepared for the show and the seats formed semicircles around it,which got gradually higher the farther they were from the stage and its ring,where most of the tricks and the acrobatics took place. He passed the ring and took the stairs to reach the stage,red velvet adorned it like a frame,showing that on its canvas there was a wooden floor which overlooked a painted scenery of a night sky.The backstage door was on Stage Right,behind the curtains.Only a metallic staircase divided him from the Director's study. 

When he arrived in front of the door,he knocked firmily and a rough voice invited him inside. The director was sitting at his desk,drinking a colorless liquid from his wine glass,while Simon was resting on one of the two chairs in front of him with a cigar in his hand.
"Nice to see you Noah",said the director with a satisfied smile,"Did you do your job correctly?"
Noah stood stiff:"Yes,director.As you wished".
The director sticked out to look better at the jester's eyes:"Are you totally sure?"

Anxiety rushed through Noah's veins and when he opened his mouth to answer Simon stood up and walked right in front of him.
"I wouldn't be that sure,brat". His figure was majestic and he looked more like a tamer than an illusionist. He took Noah's knife,still dirty, out of the pocket of his black suit.
"It happened that I was in that area when you were doing your job and you forgot this at the crime scene". He let the knife fall on the ground,Noah looked at it with shock before answering.       "It's the first time I have ever forgotten it. I'm mortified,it'll never happen again".He tried to hide the fact he was trembling by being even stiffer.

Simon tossed his cigar in the trashcan and took his cane,which was resting near the chair he was sitting on. A gold statue of a phoenix on its peak gave it a refined aura. He let it swing in his hands before he used it to hit Noah sidways.The impact made him fall on his knees.
"You know what would have happened if the police had found it,right?".Simon showed a pleased smile,even though the matter at hand was far from being amusing or pleasing.
"Yes".Noah said with his voice being heard like a breath,his black hair covering his eyes while they were looking at the wooden floor.
"Of course we had to punish you,this mistake could have been deadful for our Circus".

His cane swung again and this time it hit Noah's face,making him fall on the ground, a purple bruise now colored his pale face near his lips.He covered it with his hand and looked at Simon with pleading eyes.
"I'll be more careful",in that moment even his voice was trembling.
"Of course you will,or I'll be forced to use a more cruel punishment,like last month".

The director looked at his pocket watch,then he got up to look at his two subordinates.
"Tonight show will start in 30 minutes,go and get ready.The both of you". Simon bowed at the director,then he left the room without adding anything.
"Come on brat,don't waste my time".
"I'm sorry for having bothered you,sir".Noah got up and went straight out of the door,without forgetting his knife again.

The director looked at the posters in his study, a faithful representation of Simon's "Bunny in the Hat" trick,accompanied by dancers wearing white robes made of tulle.The illusionist light blond hair and light blue eyes where shining under the spotlight,making him look like a celestial being.Only a sneering could be heard through the room
"Let the show begin".