The Freak| Jimmy Darling

Chapter Five.

Breakfast. It was really quiet. Everyone and everything seemed quiet. The people, the tents, the attractions, everything. And I couldn't help but notice that Jimmy was a little on edge. But so was everyone else. And it didn't help when two detectives showed up at our tables. They looked around at us like we were trash. I gave them the stink eye.

"Who runs this Uh... Freak Show?" One of them asked.

"Elsa Mars. Tents that way," I said bitterly. I pointed to her tent.

"Would you mind guiding us there? I don't want to impose," the other said. I nodded and got up. I started walking to her tent.

"So. What is a girl like you doing in a place like this?" He asked. I hate when people ask me that question.

I scoffed. "I'm one of them. I'm what you normal folk call a freak," I said.

"Well I don't believe that," the other officer said.

"Come to one of our shows. I'll be happy to show you then," I said bitterly. I walked into Elsa's tent and stood by the doorway. "Ms. Elsa? Two detectives are here to see you," I called.

"Thank you, liebchen. Go enjoy your breakfast," she said, sending me off. I smiled and walked away.

I knew better than to just leave. So I stood by the doorway where no one could see me and listened.

"So. Ms. Mars. Are you aware that a detective came here and never returned back? No calls to anyone, and his wife said he never came home. Did you see him?" The officer asked.

"No," she answered shortly.

"Did any of your freaks see him?" He asked.

"Well I'm sure that if I didn't see him, they didn't," she said.

"Is it possible that your freaks may have done something to the detective without your knowing?" He asked.

"Excuse me, but I do not like what you are accusing us of. My monsters would never hurt a fly. Some of them can't even take care of themselves. How would they kill someone?" She asked.

"Right. But some of them sure can. And we aren't accusing anyone of anything, yet. But your monsters are under our suspects list at the moment. And considering all the murders that keep happening around here, you should expect to get to know us. Oh. And there is a curfew now. Might effect your shows. Have a great day, Elsa," the detective said. I knew that they were coming out, so I ran back to the tent for breakfast.

Eve, Paul, Suzi and Jimmy all looked at me.

"They're onto us about the detective," I said. They all sighed.

"Shit," Jimmy groaned, running his hands through his hair.

"It's gonna be okay," I said, even though I didn't believe it.

"We gotta do something about this, don't we?" Eve asked. We all nodded.

That night, we walked to where we buried the detective's body. We dug him up and put all his body parts in a wagon. Then we took his badge.

"Can we can burn it?" Paul asked.

"It won't burn all the way. Maybe we could throw it into the lake," Eve said.

"But what if it washes up?" Suzi asked.

"Y'know what? I'll take care of it. It's my fault I got you all into this," Jimmy said.

"I'm more at fault. I don't know why I even brought the knife," I said.

"Like you said. I did the dirty work. And now it's my job to hide it. I'll take care of it," he said. I smiled.

"MELANIE!" I heard someone scream from the show.

I looked at everyone. "Go ahead. We'll be fine," Eve said. I nodded and ran back to camp. Elsa was waiting by the entrance.

"Where were you?" She scolded.

"I was taking a walk," I lied.

"While there is a murderer on the loose? Have you lost your damn mind?" She asked.

"You're right. I was stupid. Did you need me for something?" I asked.

"You have a call," she said, leading me to her telephone. I picked it up.

"Hello?" I asked into the phone.

"Hi. Melanie Oswald?" The male voice asked.

"Yes. Who is this?" I asked.

"Peter. Peter Oswald," he said.

My eyes teared up. I was at a loss for words. I opened my mouth to say something and it took a minute to actually come out. "I- I- I'm so sorry for leaving you, Peter," I said, letting out a sob. Elsa looked over to me.

"I know," he said. He sounded like he was crying.

"Can you ever forgive me?" I asked.

"I did the moment you left. Dad was an asshole," he said.

"Yeah. Yeah he was. And I hope he got better once I left," I said hopefully.

"I'm not trying to offend you, but he got much better after you left. He never yelled, and he was very understanding. But I never forgave him for making you leave. He married a bitch named Sally and had four kids. I got outta there as soon as I turned eighteen, " he said.

"No. I get it. I got much better too. But I wish I took you with me," I said.

"No. I think you're happy in that show you're in," he said. I smiled.

"How did you find this number?" I asked.

"I saw an ad for the show in a store while I was visiting Jupiter. Somewhere on the poster said: "The Lobster Twins: Melanie and Jimmy" and I knew that it was you," he said.

"Did you come see the show?" I asked.

"I didn't know if you wanted to see me or not. So I didn't go," he said.

"Of course I want to see you. You'll have to tell me when in you're in Jupiter," I said.

He chuckled. "I'll make sure to do that," I said.

"What's your number so I can write it down?" I asked. He repeated the number and I wrote it down on a piece of paper.

"Have a good night, Peter," I said.

"You too, Melanie. Love you," he said. I haven't heard those words from him in a decade. My heart dropped.

"I love you too," I said. Then he hung up. I put the phone back and tears fell from my eyes. I wiped them and grabbed the piece of paper.

"Thank you, Elsa," I said and walked out.

"Good night liebchen," she said.

I ran into my caravan and put the piece of paper in a safe place. When I turned back around, Jimmy was there.

"Hey. What happened?" He asked. Tears fell from my eyes and I let out a sob. He grabbed my hand and sat me down on the bed. "Are you okay?" He asked.

"Yeah. Yeah. Sorry. I'm fine. I just talked to my brother for the first time in a decade and it really shook me up," I said, letting out a little laugh.

"Peter?" He asked.

"Yeah. He found our phone number and called Elsa," I explained.

"That's amazing. You've been wanting to get in contact with him for awhile now," he said.

"I know. It was just so sudden," I said, wiping tears.

"Do you need talk about it?" He asked. I nodded with tears in my eyes. He laid my head on his shoulder and talked.

After awhile, I felt tired and smiled at him."I think I'm gonna go to bed," I said.

He smiled back. "Goodnight Mells," he said.

"Goodnight Jimmy," I said and fell asleep.