“Hey!”
We turn around to see him closing the distance between us. An older man, dressed in faded blue dungarees and a dirty white tank top. His gaze flickers between me and Eli, a scowl etched onto his old face. “We’re closed to visitors right now, that means you’re trespassing.”
Both Eli and I raise an eyebrow in unison, sharing quick eye contact. Giving a touch of my fake bubbly attitude to break through the tension, I am the first to speak. “Sorry, Sir. We’re not visitors. We are here for employment after seeing a poster.”
Suddenly, he breaks into a wide, creepy grin, revealing an almost toothless yet brown smile. With a heavy hand, he slaps Eli's back a few times, the force almost enough to wind him. “Well, why didn’t you say so? I will take you to Madame right away!”
As he latches onto the top of Eli's arm with his short, grubby fingers, he drags him away from me with surprising strength. My eyes widen, and without hesitation, I quickly follow them inside the circus.
As we step through the entrance of the tent, goosebumps immediately scatter across my skin. The air inside is thick with a musty scent, like old wood and decaying fabric. The space is dimly lit, with the only light coming from flickering lanterns that cast a creepy glow across the worn red carpet.
Walking further inside, the darkness seems to press in around us, enveloping us in a suffocating embrace that leaves me feeling unsettled and on edge, as if the very air itself is alive with evil energy. As I trail behind Eli and the old man, the fabric above us grows thicker. The old man draws back a red, velvet curtain, revealing a hidden room behind it and his eyes gleam with a wicked glint as he looks between me and Eli.
Stepping back, he gestures for us to enter the room and Eli takes a hesitant step forward first, his movements cautious as I follow closely behind him.
As soon as we walk into the smallish room, my eyes dart around, taking in the surroundings draped in fabrics of black, royal red and gold. Potent incense and candles assault my senses, reminding me of some kind of witch's cove.
My gaze is drawn to an oak chests of drawers that line the walls, decorated with sparkling crystals and mysterious ornaments. It’s as if we have entered a hidden realm, a place where magic and mystery collide.
“Madame, we have visitors!”
As the old man's voice raises behind me, I step around Eli when he comes to a stop to see a large desk in the centre of the room. Behind it is a shimmering curtain that catches my eye, leading to another chamber.
Before I can fully grasp what is inside, a figure comes into view, only to be swiftly pulled back. An older woman steps through the curtain, her presence commanding attention.
Although she is a mature woman, which I estimate her to be in her fifties, she exudes an undeniable beauty. Her long black hair, streaked with grey, cascades down her back, framing her elegant features. She is dressed in a vintage-looking, long red dress with swirling patterns of gold.
Her dark eyes dart between Eli and me, her expression unreadable as she reaches for an unlit cigarette resting in the ashtray on the desk. She tucks the black cigarette holder between her lips, igniting the end with a match before extinguishing it with a flick of her wrist.
Taking a deep drag, she exhales a cloud of smoke into the air, the scent of tobacco mingling with the heady aroma of incense. As she circles around the desk, her gaze locks with mine, a silent intensity in her eyes. Stopping in front of me, she scans my face as if searching for something hidden beneath the surface before reaching out with a delicate touch, her fingers tangling in a few strands of my hair.
“What do you want?” she asks, her voice calm.
Holding her stare steadily, I fight the urge to look away. There is a flicker of curiosity in her orbs or perhaps something darker. As she cocks her head to the side, her eyes narrow ever so slightly. “Please don’t waste my time, I am a very busy woman.”
Raising an eyebrow in response, I inhale deeply before giving her a small nod. “We’re here for employment.”
She raises her chin suspiciously, her eyes shifting to Eli beside me, her scrutiny lingering on him. “You both have talents?”
Before Eli answers, I respond, taking charge of the situation.
“I do.” I say with confidence.
Her deep brown eyes meet mine before trailing down my body while she takes a small step back. She draws another pull from her cigarette, the smoke curling around her.
“You dance?” she inquires with a lifted brow and raised chin.
I give a small nod and then she glances at Eli and my gut twists. “And what about you? What talents can you offer?”
I side-eye and watch Eli give a small head shake so, I try to explain. “We thought that maybe if you employ me into the circus, he can work in the carnival or at least learn how to do something. We need somewhere to stay and work.”
She lets out a scoff, her eyes moving to mine. “Oh sweetheart, that is not how it works. I do not house people who cannot bring anything to my insane world. Anyone who lives here must work at the Cirque and I don’t house outsiders.”
I remain silent, my jaw tense with suppressed emotion as she waves me off dismissively. But, instead of obeying her gesture for some reason, I hold my ground, refusing to leave so easily as she attempts to walk away.
“You’re missing out, lady,” I declare boldly.
In an instant, she comes to a stop, and she gives me a sidelong glance over her shoulder. Sensing the tension in the air, I straighten my back. “I can out dance any fucking chick you have here.”
