When our ring is low enough, she sits on it and jumps down. I watch her every move as she heads back to Blush and the girls, ready to train again.
After hours of rigorous training, I'm a sweating mess, my body is throbbing with exhaustion, and I am not feeling myself. I've pushed myself to the limit, perfecting a small routine for the performance hasn’t been easy on my body or mind.
The tent is nearly empty now, darkness falling outside. Blush watches me intently as she backs away, her pink gaze reflecting admiration. “You did well today, Noir. You’re a natural.”
I follow her with a small smile, and as we make our way out of the tent, I look at Hell, who is now with Soul and Wrath. Our eyes meet briefly until I am fully out of sight.
As Blush and I head for the exit, the sounds of music and screams reach my ears, causing my brows to furrow.
“Wait, is the carnival open?” I ask as we approach the exit.
“Yeah, it’s open to the public mostly every day of the week. The Cirque is open late Saturday nights, but Dark Night is once a month, and it’s a private event, away from public eyes.”
I cast a curious glance at her beside me as we draw closer to the bustling atmosphere outside. “What is Dark Night? I still haven’t been told.”
The carnival atmosphere is both exhilarating and chilling as Blush speaks beside me. “Well, think this but plus one hundred in fear.”
As we come to a stop at the exit of the tent, I look around, taking in the sights of the horror carnival coming to life. The rides are all in motion now—the rollercoaster roaring along its tracks, the riders’ shrieks filling the air and the massive Ferris wheel is full of twinkling lights as it slowly turns.
Workers jump out at visitors, their disfigured masks eliciting screams from the crowd. Tricksters perform daring acts with knives and fire, catching everyone’s attention. Sinister laughter echoes from hidden corners, and shadowy figures lurk in the darkness, their eyes glowing with malevolent intent. Twisted amusements stands offer prizes, their gifts ranging from deranged toys, masks, and fake severed limbs, adding to the eerie atmosphere.
When a guy sluggishly strolls past us, my eyes widen and follow his every move. I observe the frightening scarecrow bag obscuring his head with a bloodied axe dragging behind him, the sharp noise of the blade against the concrete slicing through the air.
Nearby, a young woman with long red hair, dressed as a creepy clown, cackles, and skips merrily through the sea of people, swinging a baseball bat wrapped in barbed wire dangerously close to bystanders.
My eyes flash to Blush and she continues with a menacing grin. “This is tame compared to what Dark Night is about. The cirque, carnival, the glass maze, and the death rooms are open.”
I shake my head, utterly confused. “What do you mean the death rooms? Where are they?”
She nods to the huge Ferris wheel. “It’s hidden behind the wheel. It’s closed right now, otherwise, I would show you, but you will see it next week, I’m sure.”
“You didn’t answer the first part—”
“Hey, isn’t that the guy you’re here with?”
My head turns swiftly as soon as she cuts me off and I scan the crowded area until I spot Eli standing by one of the rides, operating it.
I notice he is talking to a young girl and my brows pinch. “Who is she?” I ask before looking at Blush, and she cocks her head to the side as she answers. “Her name is Stephanie; she comes here often. She’s obsessed with this place and visits every weekend.”
I nod before looking over in their direction again but when I see him leaning in, tucking her hair carefully behind her ear, a strange feeling settles in my gut. The scene before me is more bothering that the monsters roaming around, and it’s certainly not jealousy that I feel. It's something deeper, something that feels like a warning.
I tilt my head to the side, “How fucking old is she?”
“Hmm... Around seventeen I think.”
My brow raises and my blood boils, but before I can react, I hear Madame’s voice behind me. “I don’t want you doing too much, Noir. After your small performance and introduction, you should enjoy the show.”
I turn around to face her, desperate to escape the violent thoughts swirling in my mind. I offer a small nod and she continues. “Get some rest. You worked hard today.”
I give her a half-smile before something springs to my mind. “I don’t suppose you have any spare curtains for our trailer, do you?”
She gives Blush a brief glance before her eyes return to mine. “Sure. I’ll have Billy come and fit some.”
It’s late evening and I am standing in front of the bathroom mirror; I stare at myself with a dead look in my teary eyes. Tonight, I am feeling the full effects of having no medication. I am suffering. My mood is so low that I am finding it almost impossible to claw my way out of the depression. Eli isn’t here, and it’s driving me insane being here on my own, but also I know I need to be on my own.
As a tear drops down my cheek with a blink, I give a quick glance at the razor hanging up in the shower. My gaze lingers, and my mind screams for me to hurt myself just to relieve some of the pain that lives inside me. I squeeze my eyes shut, facing aside, trying to stop myself.
Images of my past life flash before my eyes as I drop to my knees. I kick my feet against the tiles, pushing myself into the nearest corner, covering my ears as I hear his voice repeatedly in my mind, whispering horrible things.
