It's just us, now.

Ten.

(Gaslighting Warning)

Three and a half years ago...

"Dorothea, I seriously just wanna head back now."Jon groaned as the woman dragged him from store to store, only buying one or two things from each.

"Melody."She corrected him halfheartedly. She had only joined the circus sometime three years ago as a burnt out twenty year old college student, but she now insisted on being called her stage name more often than not, "And too bad, Jester, don't act like you aren't with me to buy make-up, too."

"Well, yeah, but I didn't think we'd had to stop at five different stores beforehand."Jon complained as they walked along the sidewalk. Jon wore his usual outfit, a jester's outfit alongside his eccentric make-up, while Melody wore a simple black sundress and sandals. She donned her usual make-up, too.

"YOU LITTLE BRAT!"A man screamed as he stormed outside a convenience store, it had been his store based on his clothing, behind a young boy sprinting out with a bag of chips and water in his hand, an apple stuck between his teeth.

"Oh, boy!"Melody giggled into her hand wildly, "What a little schemer."

"He's too young for that."Jon commented, concerned, "He's too...tiny."

"And what exactly were you doing at his age?"Melody raised a brow.

"Hush."Jon says with a roll of his eyes, "He looked homeless, let's go help him out."

"Uh. Why?"Melody questioned with a raised brow.

Jon gave her a sharp look, "Because he's a child who looks homeless and is capable of stealing. While I don't care about him being able to steal, it's a good excuse to bring him back to Kane."

"Hm. Good idea."Melody said with a slight hum, "Let's get him, then."

"Don't make it sound like we'll take him against his will."Jon says, following her to where the boy had run off.

They would find him some time later, ducked behind a dumpster quickly eating his mixed meal. Jon made Melody stand guard at the entrance of the alleyway as he approached the boy. He grinned as the boy startled at the sight of Jon, "Sorry. I don't know if you're afraid of clowns like some kids are, but if it helps, I'm a Jester. Not a clown."

The boy laughed quietly at that.

"Well, anyway, I saw you at that convenience store and got worried."Jon says bluntly, "You're pretty young to do that, and uh, wanted to make sure you were okay. How old are you, kiddo?"

"Five."The boy answered quietly.

Jon startled, "You're only five? Wow, that was an impressive thing you did at the store then, at your age."

"Thanks."The boy laughed again.

"Would you like to come with us?"Jon suddenly asked, "I mean, I work at a circus, and we're a big ol' family and all that, so we can help you. Get some food in you, some clean clothes, all of that. We do a lot of illegal stuff, sadly, and I could get my Ringmaster to agree to let us take you in since you seem like a good stealer. Can you pickpocket?"

"Yeah."The boy grinned, "Of course I can! Can I really...can I really go with you?"

"Yes."Jon nodded, "We'd love to have you at our circus. Do you have any other super cool skills?"

"I um..."He awkwardly began to say, Jon waited patiently, "I can kinda see ghosts?"

"Woah! That's really cool!"Jon says in amazement, surprised, "That'll definitely be a cool thing to do at our circus, What's your name, kid?"