Dance till I die

Elizabeth - 1

It's been 5 years since we've been to London, before I was selected. Now I'm finally here. It makes me sick to the see the Statue. A gold Pure, rippling muscles, gleaming smile, slick-backed hair, pointing to sky: crushing the skinny Dregs below him. They all look so weak, trying to save themselves from being demolished. I turn to my friend Emerald and smile. She's two years older than me and together we both look after Sophie, the newest recruit. Sophie is ten but looks six. Big blue eyes and bright blonde hair, it's no wonder people love her so much. She and Emerald have a ventriloquist act together. Sophie pretends to be a doll and Emerald an eight year old girl on her birthday. They end the act by riding an old fashioned bike called the Penny Farthing. Sophie flips onto Emerald's shoulders whilst she rides it off the stage. They're sisters but they include me the best they can. Sophie joined us a year after her sister. I can remember the first day I met her.

Silvio came to my rehearsal with Emerald watching me and told us to get excited. He threw the girl at our feet. "You," he pointed at Emerald. "Are going to train her up to be your doll." Then we saw her face and Sophie started giggling. I didn't understand at first but then I grew to realise that these two knew each other well. Emerald wasn't too pleased to see her sister but had to understand that she needed her in order to stay in the Theatre. She used to preform with me until she couldn't control the fire anymore. It caught her arm and she fell. We all thought she was dead. Silvio had her taken straight to hospital. She was lucky to survive apparently. As a Dreg, you get to know that the Pures won't treat you unless you mean something to them. Our routine was the top act for entertainment and the Pures had a bit of respect for her. Their act is successful and keeps the crowds coming, so Silvio is happy, so we're all safe - for now.

"Look Eliza!" Sophie points to the statue. "Look at the big gold man!" The big gold man. She has no idea what it represents. "Isn't it exciting to be in the capital." I shake my head. "Why should it be? It's no different to any other place we go to. Besides, we're not exactly going to be sight-seeing, are we?" She runs to Emerald and tells her the same thing as she told me. Emerald does nothing but agree with her sister. She's always telling me to preserve Sophie's innocence for as long as possible. Emerald is like the wise old woman in fairy stories you read, but younger.

We have a book of fairy tales that we read every night. I know how Cinderella met her prince and how Sleeping Beauty awoke from her 100 year slumber. After the shows we hear stories from the older people. Sometimes its from our book. More often than not, it's a true story. An account of our past. Where we come from. Why we are treated so badly. Things like that. Sometimes we practice writing but it's hard when your eyes are fighting to stay open and every bone in your body aches with agony.

When you first look at the Theatre troupe, you'd think we have nothing in common, but we're more alike than you think. We all share the same fears, same losses, same dreams. Me, Emerald, Sophie and everyone else that makes up the Theatre. Except for one person. Silvio Sabitani. The ringmaster.