My eyes flutter open, and I take in the aromas of my tent. It smells like the floral candle I lit last night, my favorite perfume, and wolf.
Specifically, the lupion snoring in the bed beside mine.
Since Roxanne’s death, I feel like I’ve been in a bit of a fog, but I’m finally feeling myself again. We went another week without practicing, but now we’ve been back to it for a few days and I feel good.
My mind wanders to the feeling of Tempest’s chest pressing against mine, and the sexy citrusy scent she always seems to be wearing. I enjoy the way it feels when our skin brushes against one another’s, and the way we seem to compliment each other’s strengths.
I’m sore and bruised, but good. Grief is hard. I’ve been through so much worse and yet I find myself crying at random hours, worried about who might be victim to this pointless conflict next. Whether it’s felion or lupion, friend or foe, I want the deaths to end.
I stand up, careful not to wake Tempest as I quickly get dressed and make my way towards the hall. It’s early in the morning, in the hours before the carnival really comes to life,but I can feel something happening, like energy festering nearby.
Following this sensation of energy, I keep walking through the tents, out of The Sinner’s Circus, past the rides and stands, and over to the gate at the opening of Hel’s Carnival.
Lamps light the dirt path, with decorative signs and symbols tucked into different corners and sides of tents.
There in front of the iron gates stands a small child. He’s got lupion ears and a tail to match. His eyes are a deep green, ones I recognize. This must be the child that ran out during the food distribution pop-up.
His clothes are dirty and worn, fitting too snugly, and there’s something in his arms.
A cat. A small orange cat.
“Hi, are you alright?” I ask, unsure of what’s going on.
“Do you have more food?” he asks, his voice a little wobbly. He can’t be older than six.
I nod, immediately moving to open the gates. Maybe he remembers us from the food pop-up. “Of course, please, come with me.”
He’s pale and thin, but there’s a sort of spark in his eyes, and a smile lining his face.
“Where are your parents?” I ask, hoping we can reunite them later today, after he’s fed.
“They passed away and I was sent to Haeresis.” My heart shatters into a thousand pieces. I know exactly what it’s like to be him, to be lost, except I wasn’t this young and I had a brother to care for.
This little boy is all alone.
“I’m so sorry,” I say, and give his hand a squeeze. “Who sent you?”
“There was a nice lady. A half-demon. My mommy had sent me from Ira to Luxuria to find my aunt, but I couldn’t find her. The lady sent me here, but I had some trouble finding it. She said go to the carnival. I’ve been searching for weeks but I was scaredto ask.” He pulls out a crumpled up slip of paper with words scribbled on in faint ink.
Parents died fighting Legion defectors. Please take good care of him.
-P. O.
“You did so well, kid. You found the carnival!” I say, willing every ounce of joy I have into my tone.
We come up to the hall and I head inside, his little hand still in mine. Most of the other carnies are already sitting at the table, eating their breakfast, and Po jumps up, excited to see another child.
“Yasmeena, is that your friend?” Po asks, looking at the young boy.
“Yes, he’s my new friend I made just outside of the gate.”
Gemma looks over at us with star-like wonder. “What’s his name?”
“My name… is Nico,” he says, and she offers her hands to take his cat.
“And who might this little guy be?”
“Chicken.”
