Woodlington

Chapter 11 - The Circle

Alex was a lion tamer in a circus, and she was in the middle of her act.

Her job was simple - shove her brother's head into each of cat's mouths in turn, then whip it out before they could bite down.

Jack was laughing.

The crowd were laughing.

Everyone was laughing, but her.

Mrs Dowling (the Ring Master) was standing to the side.

"Again Alex!" she roared. "Do it again."

Yet Alex knew next time would be the last - the lions were getting quicker.

She'd tried refusing, but her mother was having none of it, and if she didn't do something soon the crowd would want their money back. Already they were chanting "more! More! More!"

Feeling guilty, Alex grabbed her brother's head for the final time.

Just then however, the largest of the lions reached out and pawed her shoulder.

He did it again, and then to her amazement, spoke. His voice was quiet, almost a whisper, and for some reason he sounded like Jessie.

"Alex."

And a second time.

"Alex."

She lurched awake.

And of course it really was Jessie.

"Jessie," she gasped, relief flooding through her.

"Yeah, it's me. Bad dream?"

"Kind of."

She slumped back, looked at her friend, and smiled.

"What?"

"You woke me just before I could stick Jack's head in a lion's mouth."

"Sounds interesting. Anyway, I need you to get up."

Alex gawped at her.

"It's the middle of the night, and..." she broke off frowning.

"How come I can see you?"

"Torch," said Jessie simply, waving it around. "I've got it on lantern setting."

"But how did you get in the house?"

"Easiest thing in the world m'dear."

Alex groaned, and rubbed a hand over her eyes.

"It's great to see you and all, but you've no idea how tired I am. I've been half asleep all day."

"Ah, knew there was something."

Jessie reached into her coat and produced a small jar.

"Here." She handed it over. "Drink this."

Alex looked at it doubtfully.

"Why would I do that?"

"Remember asking how I wasn't tired this morning?"

"Yeah."

"It was cause of this."

Holding the jar close, Alex peered inside.

"What's in it?"

Jessie shrugged.

"No idea. Anyway, don't think, just drink!"

She laughed.

"Hey, that could be a slogan, couldn't it? Don't think, just drink."

Alex shook her head. Though there were probably a million reasons why she shouldn't, she unscrewed the lid and drank the contents.