Zia was still in disbelief at Gemini's behavior. He really was a sweet, misunderstood puppy. She was even more surprised at how vocal and helpful Orion was.
He was always the quiet, mysterious, handsome fellow, who always tipped his hat to greet her and walked away.
She followed Orion on the search for Emrie. She couldn't wait to see him. She wanted him to know that she was ok and that he didn't need to worry.
The images from that night kept haunting her. The memory of Emrie's face was the worst. He was so sad and scared.
"This is where they have been keeping Emrie." Orion said as they arrived at the large holding area. Zia followed Orion into the dark room.
"It's empty." Zia said, not seeing any sign of Emrie in the room. She walked around and noticed a bright red apple on the floor.
Ansel must have been trying to get him to eat. Zia picked up the apple and inspected it. It was untouched. He still wasn't eating.
"The elephant is gone." One of the circus attendants said to Orion as Zia jumped behind the wall to hide herself.
The man was older, with white and grey hair and a cane.
"What do you mean he's gone?" Orion questioned him.
"Damien took him." The older man said.
"Where did he take him?" Orion asked, getting impatient.
Zia remained in the darkness of the room, not to draw attention to herself as she braced herself, listening to the conversation.
"I am not sure where they took him, but he is gone. They left about two hours ago. From the looks of it, they better hurry back. Darkness is falling soon." The man said nervously, walking away with the assistance of his cane.
Zia slowly moved out of the darkness with her head down and tears forming. She tried her best to hold them back.
"Emrie isn't coming back, is he?" She said with her eyes closed and her hand on her stomach. Her stomach pained her at the thought of him being gone.
"I am sorry Zia. I don't know what to say." Orion said, with sadness lacing his voice. He felt for Zia. She had gone through enough.
"Oh my gosh! Zia screamed out as she lost feeling in her legs. She fell to the floor as the tears violently escaped her eyes.
"I hate him! I hate that man!" She screamed. All the frustration and pain Damien had caused her through the years had surfaced.
"I need to get out of here!" She yelled.
Orion reached for Zia and picked her up, throwing her legs over his forearm as she buried her face in his chest, crying.
The only thing Orion could do was hold her until she calmed down.
He walked out of the holding area with Zia still in his arms. Orion took her over to his small cabin in the corner of the circus boundaries.
He didn't mind being so close to the boundaries. It was close to Gemini, and he never feared the darkness. He always felt like he would fight till the death, but he would never fear what was meant to be.
Orion kicked open the door to his cabin and took Zia over to his bed, placing her on top of his perfectly made bedding as she collapsed into his pillow. He sat on the edge of the bed and placed his hand on Zia's back.
"I didn't get to say goodbye." She whispered as the tears flowed.
"I know, Zia. I will try to find out where he took Emrie." Orion said.
"It's no use. There is no way I will be able to find him. I need to leave this placeI" She cried.
"Where will you go, Zia? The darkness is everywhere." Orion said, concerned.
"I don't care. Anywhere is better than here." She cried. Orion felt for this young woman. She had lost so much.
"Hey, why don't you go take a shower. I will go get your things for you." Orion said as he stood up and walked over to his closet. His cabin was a singe cabin, and it was extremely neat. Everything was clean and it it's place. Zia was surprised.
"Here, you can wear this till I get back." He said, dropping one of his T-shirts and a fresh towel on the bed next to her. Zia looked at Orion through moist, swollen eyes.
"Thank you for your kindness, Orion." Zia said softly.
"You're welcome. Now go shower. You will feel better. Use whatever you want. I don't have much feminine, sweet-smelling stuff, but you will feel clean." He said, nervously.
Zia looked at him and gave him a little crooked smile.
"You are so sweet, Orion. Thank you so much." She said.
"Oh, is everything in your dressing area?" He asked her as he headed towards the door.
"Uh, yes. Everything should be there. I hope." She said.
"Orion, have you seen Ansel?" She asked before he stepped out of the cabin entrance.
"Yeah, I saw her yesterday. Would you like me to let her know you are here?" He asked.
"Uhm, no. Can you make sure you don't tell anyone that I am here? I need to figure some things out." She said.
"Ok, but it will only be so long before Damien searches this whole place to find you. Be careful. I don't want anything else to happen to you, Zia." He said as he exited the cabin, closing the door behind him.
Zia lay in bed after Orion left for a long moment. His bed lingered of a pleasant sandalwood, earthy scent. It smelled just like Orion. She forced herself to sit up and stand. Picking up the towel and shirt, she made her way over to the shower.
Orion's bathroom was perfectly clean and fresh. She closed the door and placed her things on the sink counter. She turned on the water and let it warm up.
Zia removed the gown she was waiting to take off and stepped into the shower. The warm water poured over her long white hair, washing away the hurt and pain of everything she had been through.
Zia was so overwhelmed she began crying again as the water camouflaged her tears.
Grazing her fingers along her scar, she slowly stopped crying. She made it this far. She beat death. She would need to figure out a new plan.
Orion was right. Damien would tear the place down looking for her. She didn't want to put him or anyone else in danger.
Zia decided she would meet with Damien and agree to do the show again. If she could complete one more performance, then she could stick to her previous plan and leave the following morning.
That's it! She thought. One more performance, then she would leave.
Her stomach tightened at the thought of not performing with Emrie but she needed to keep herself together and focused.
Zia turned off the water after she finished showering. She stepped out and began drying off.
Throwing on the shirt Orion gave her, she picked up her towel and hung it on the bathroom rack to dry.
As she walked out of the bathroom, Orion had just returned with her things.
"Are you feeling any better?" Orion ask.
"A little bit." She replied as she walked over to the table where Orion had placed her backpack.
"Thank you." She said.
"You're welcome. I brought you some dinner as well. It's getting late and you will need to eat." He said.
"Thank you, Orion. Can I ask a favor?" Zia questioned.
"Sure. What do you need?" He asked.
"Well, do you think that I could stay her for a couple days?" Zia asked him reluctantly.
"Zia, you know I have no problem with you staying here. Do you want me to talk to Damien for you? I know he doesnt treat you great." He said with an annoyance in his voice.
"You have a point. Maybe you should try." Zia said, knowing that Damien would probably be easier to deal with if someone like Orion approached him. Damien stayed out of Orion's way.
There was some kind of understanding between the two men. Zia didn't understand it.
"Great. I will go see him as soon as I get word that he has returned." Orion said.
"Thank you Orion." Zia said as Orion tipped his hat and smiled.