After picking herself up and reminding herself that the only way to change her future was to change it on her own, she continued to the circus. Zia arrived at the end of the trail and near the circus. It seemed busy with new faces everywhere.
There were more people than usual there. Some of them she had never seen before. Maybe everyone here was running away from the darkness too. Maybe this is who remained until dawn after a night at the circus. It's not like they could go home after and face the darkness. Either way, Zia was not used to seeing so many bodies other than in the circus crowd.
Zia moved through the crowd to make her way to the dressing area. She walked up to her curtains, pulled one back, and put her bag down underneath her small dressing table. "Zia!" A familiar voice shouted. Zia turned around. "Ansel, you're ok!" She replied, throwing her arms around Ansel's neck, hugging her tightly.
Ansel broke away from her with tears in her eyes. "What happened? Did he hurt you?" Ansel asked with worry painted all over her face. Zia looked at her then lowered her eyes to the floor.
"I am not sure what happened Ansel. I woke up in bed and no one was there. I don't' remember anything." Zia said with sadness in her voice. Zia refrained from telling Ansel about the money that was left behind.
"That son of a bitch! Damien will pay for this!" Ansel said angrily.
Zia had never seen Ansel so upset or heard her use those words. She had never heard her talk about Damien like that. "Don't worry about it Ansel. It is not your fight and I have moved on from it." She said, with her plan in the back of her mind.
Telling Ansel her plan was not an option. There was no way she would risk it getting back to Damien. There was no telling what Damien would do to her if he caught her trying to escape or even heard that she was planning it.
"I am so disappointed in him, Zia." Ansel said as she lifted her hand to cup the side of Zia's face. "He has never been good to you. You are such a beautiful person. Please don't ever change who you are. Things will work out. You will see." She said. Zia smiled a half smile. "I know it will." Zia replied with a smirk.
"Zia, I actually came to look for you to talk to you about Emrie. I visited him and he doesn't look well. He won't eat either. I tried to give him apples and he wouldn't even look at it. I know you always said he loved those." Ansel said with a worried look on her face.
"What? What do you mean? What happened to him, Ansel?" "I am not sure." Ansel replied. "You need to go visit him, as soon as possible." She said. Zia's chest became tight. Why couldn't she feel that something was wrong with Emrie.? "I will go now." She said, walking out of the dressing area.
Zia ran into the holding area where Emrie stayed but as she entered his pen, it was empty. "Where are you Emrie." She whispered with an aching heart. She looked around and found nothing or no one there. She wondered what was going on. Zia walked out of the pen and went to look for Damien.
As Zia arrived at Damien's office, the feelings of uncertainty and anxiety overwhelmed her. She reached for the doorknob, but it was locked. She knocked on the door, hoping to get an answer. After several frustrating minutes, she gave up and decided to take the short walk back to the dressing area.
When she returned to the dressing area, she saw everyone getting ready for tonight's circus. A strange feeling engulfed Zia. Something wasn't right. She suddenly felt like she shouldn't perform but she had no choice. It was the only way to get away without causing attention to herself.
Zia never missed a performance. She also never got sick. She never had an off day. If she missed today, all her plans would be ruined. She would have to be extra careful tonight.
Zia walked over to the clothing rack and pulled down her costume, took it off the hanger, and began getting dressed. After pulling her leotard up and over her neck, she felt for the ring she had braided into her hair. It was still secure. She combed out the rest of her hair, parted half, and placed it high in a hair tie.
Opening a small drawer towards the left of her dressing table, she shuffled through picking up a small black sack. She reached into the sack and pulled out several loose rhinestones. She placed rhinestones one by one on the sides of her face, around her eyes, for extra sparkle. She finished the last details and placed her crown on top of her head.
"The princess is ready," Damien said, making his way from behind a curtain. He wore that annoying smile on his face that revealed he was up to no good. Zia remained silent, without acknowledging his presence.
"I guess you are upset. You should be happy. You have become the highest earner here." He said, as though Zia was supposed to be happy or celebrate about being rented out to married men. Her stomach turned at his words and her facial expression formed a scowling look. It took every ounce of restraint to remain silent.
Damien leaned with his hand resting on her dressing table with his feet crossed at the ankles as he stared at her. She could feel his gaze. "Emrie won't be around much longer." He said. Zia's head snapped in Damien's direction. "Well, that got your attention." He said with a smirk.
"What do you mean he won't be around?" She asked, trying not to show any emotion.
"We are changing a few things around here. Don't worry, I am working on a new act for you. I have to keep my best girl bringing in the money." Zia felt the anger boiling inside of her. Her body felt like it was on fire.
"What are you going to do to him?" She asked, still trying to contain her frustrations.
"Well, that is none of your concern. You know how it goes, princess. Things change." Zia turned her face away from Damien to hide the tears forming.
"Tonight, your ring will be lit on fire, so be ready," Damien said as he stood up to leave the dressing area. "We have to keep your performances, top of the line." He said. Zia stood up facing him.
"How are you going to light my ring on fire without me practicing with it? I could be hurt!" She said, pleading. Fear engulfed her at the thought.
"You will be fine. We are only lighting the sides of the ring. You will figure out what to touch." He said, annoyed. "You want me to figure this out in the middle of a performance?" She asked, raising her voice. It became difficult to control herself. Damien was risking her life in front of hundreds of people. "This could end me." She thought.
"Damien, you can't do this." She said, with her words being forced out of her teeth while she restrained her anger. "I can do whatever I want princess. It's my circus."
"What about Emrie?" She asked. "What about him?" He replied.
"Emrie hasn't been exposed to fire. How do you think he will react to it? He might freak out!" She said, as her voice began to elevate, exposing her fear.
"You talk to him, don't you? Do your thing Zia. I am not changing my mind." He said emotionless as he walked out of the dressing area.
Zia sat down on her wooden chair, staring at the curtain after he left. She couldn't breathe. She began feeling lightheaded. Her heart pounded as though it was trying to escape her chest. She closed her eyes and tried to calm herself down.
Zia reached her hand behind her head and felt for her ring. She nervously rolled the ring around her fingers as the braid spiraled. "How do I escape sooner? It is almost dark." She whispered, with her eyes closed as she rocked back and forth slightly.
An image of Emrie freaking out in the circus appeared in her mind. He was pulling down the curtains angrily and destroying the arena. Zia's eyes shot open as worry enveloped her. "Emrie." She whispered.