There, in the circle stood many gymnasts. Waiting for the music to start. Still.
All of a sudden they moved, and elegantly danced around the stage.Twisting and turning in all directions. Then as suddenly as they started, they stopped, and exited behind the curtain. There was a polite splatter of applause and the next performance came out and to entertain.
The acts kept coming quicker and faster, each one better than the last.
The next act, a magician came from behind the curtain. He was wearing a fine suit, purple satin cloak and a top hat. Glancing around at the audience, the magician stepped up and paused in the centre of the stage.
After a few seconds he picked a volunteer in the front row and then performed a magic trick on her. Another was chosen, and left the crowd astounded. And another, each one returning to their seats looking dazed. Then he pointed to me.
"You, my dear. Would you like to be amazed?" he asked in a booming voice. Austin poked my side and then I realised I was meant to reply.
"Umm, sure..." I walked to the end of the row then down to the ring. He had a chair waiting for me and a devious smile.
"Have a seat, deary." I sat on the wooden seat then looked around to see him gone. I turn back to find him staring into my eyes. I flinched and the crowd laughed. Then everything froze, apart from the magician. His eyes glowing white and he begins to chant.
"What th-?"
He starts to hiss, then turned to the crowd. White smoke poured from his mouth, seeping into the audience. Everyone is still frozen mid-laugh. The white smoke fills their mouths, into their nostrils and ears.
The magician then gasps, sucking all the smoke back into his mouth and blinks away the glowing. He turns back to me, snaps his fingers. Everything suddenly unfreezes and everyone continues to laugh.
I stay seated, feeling stuck to the chair and watch him continue the magic trick. When he tells me the trick is over, I sit there watching him, then snap back to reality. I quickly sneak back to my seat and nudge Austin.
"Did you see that?" I ask him.
"Umm, sorry, do I know you?"
YOU ARE READING
The Ringmaster's Keeper
Fantasy"This year's challenge," Claudius said as the medieval bridge lowered behind him, "is them." He took a step to the side and gestured towards him. Austin. When Beth is sent to a magician's mind to retrieve her boyfriend's memory of her, she finds o...
