Hells Basement

"Today is a very important day." The ringmaster's voice echoed throughout the entire building. For most, he was right there in the room, arms flailing, and eyes as big as the ocean. He was completely unaware of his crazed behavior and everyone knew it. But for me, he was over the overhead speakers. I didn't need to see him, or anyone. I knew what everyone was going to say. It was the same thing every year. "Today marks the 10 anniversary of our no-incident circus. We have officially been performing with no incidents for a full decade." His words were then followed by a bunch of claps and cheers. Nothing but the sound of a bunch of suck-ups hoping to one day fill his shoes when he decides to pass the baton.

"Really?" I Sassed as I stretched out over my bed. Who even wants to celebrate that? Ten years with no incidents. "Honestly the ten years I've been here have been hell." My eyes started to feel heavy as I looked around my room. My eyes traced the wallpaper, following the line that mimicked boys and girls as they ran in an orderly line holding numerous circus items. Rings, bouncy balls, and whatnot. He would be able to see more, but most of the things he wanted to see were covered with years and years of dust, not to mention the numerous other bunk beds that filled the place. This place was a prison, a place made to keep all their lunatics in one place. 

It was nothing to be proud of.

The sound of laughter interrupted him from his thoughts. This time it was heading closer to me. To have some sort of higher standing, I lifted my body. I hate surprises. I hate not knowing who's coming and when. 

First, it's the music crew, with their horns, tubas, and anything else that could drag and hit the walls of the small corridor that led them to their practice room. When I first came here, I dreaded hearing it. No matter how hard they tried to cover it up, it always made the same sound. It came to the point where I could point out exactly what hit where and why. 

Next were the dancers, which consisted of frilly girls who gossiped about which person they found attractive during the meeting. I always heard a few guys' names repeated every time and again. It was nearly impossible not to have some people engraved into my memory at this point. Whether it was Grayson's biceps when he lifted the "impossible Weights" or Harry laughing as he played the Plowy the Clown, they always had someone in their mouth. 

 Lastly, was my crew of clowns, tamers, and acrobats. It was just a group of loud guys that made their way down the hall. And unfortunately. They were the loudest. Sound of mind-boggling laughter and shrieks erupted from the hallways causing me to turn the other way. I hated it here. I hate this place, I hate my roommates, and most importantly I hat-

"Hay Jax!" The sound of a soft voice made its way over my shoulder. "You heard the news right? 10 years man! C'mon." I slowly cursed to myself as I felt the weight in my bed shift. "You can't stay trapped here forever." 

"Jaylen!" Grayson's voice thunders itself over everything, silencing all the noise they once made. "Leave him. He's not gonna talk anyway. He's the lead, he's too good for us anyways, right?" His voice seemed as if he spoke, but I didn't answer. But he was right. I wouldn't be doing this if I didn't have any important roles. Matter of fact, I'd be like them chanting, singing, and maybe being one of the ones the girls consistently talked about. But he wasn't. He used to be, but now…it's just not the same. 

Hearing Grayson's satisfied hmmm, filled me with rage. Why did everyone listen to him? He was good, he wasn't any type of star. Matter of fact he's my understudy just in case I got "fussy." The Ringmaster's words, not mine. Still, I was content. I was content in letting my understudy talk like he owned some part of his life. But the truth is… he didn't.

None of us did.

"Are y'all done?" A familiar voice echoed behind me scolding every single person that once talked. "My girls are tryna go to sleep now. Y'all should be too."

I didn't need to say anything anymore.

She was the type of woman to ring you by your neck if someone so much as uttered a word. Not gonna lie, the sounds of beds churning made me feel somewhat at ease. No more bullying, no more whispering, or talking. Just straight silence.

"Now ALL of you better be ready tomorrow. No more staying here. You need practice." After that, the sound of the door was all that was left in the room. Leaving everyone to ponder their own thoughts. I didn't need practice. I was fine. Sure, my tightrope walking was a little stiff, but that was because of my fear of heights. Not because I was bad. 

My thoughts continued like that for the entire night until I was finally able to doze off. Dreaming about who-knows-what. Freedom, most likely. The thought of spreading my hands over a nice marble table while my eyes scaled my new chandelier was all I could think about. Getting rich and getting out of here. 

That was the plan.