Chapter Eight
The sun has set, the hope of a better night dying down within the group as the search for their Ring Master began to drive them. Lucy lay in bed, dark bags under her eyes as Alex lay next to her red streaks down his face as the tears cascaded down his face.
Milo, Remy, and Yukiko search the neighboring woodlands once more the moon being the cautious guide as they return to a mass of people waiting to enter. Climbing upon the entry way Yukiko cups her hands over her mouth.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, I am sorry to announce but tonight's festivities will not come to pass. We are dreadfully sorry, but we must ask you all to return to your homes for this night!" Below the Prophet townsfolk murmur to themselves catchy words such as 'Disappointing.' And 'Greedy Freaks.' Draw up from the crowd as some try to scale the fence.
Only to be pushed off by Katie as she huffs and jumps up on the entry way with Yukiko.
"DIDN'T YA DUMBASS HEAR HER?! NO SHOW TONIGHT HITCH A HIKE!' She shouts hissing at some of the people as they continue to try and get over. "This is so fucking stupid. Why aren't they listening?" She questions as the dark iron gates groan in protest to the pushing and pulling weight. "Without Rico those things aren't going to stay steady for long. We got to tell the others." She continues, jumping down from the entry way. Yukiko close on her heels as they rush towards the big top.
But as they draw closer a large explosion of fire and a dreadfully ear-piercing screech rings through the grounds. Knocking them back a bit as the fire starts to ingulf the big top.
"What the hell!?"
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Within the big top Milo is ushering things around. With Lucy and Rico out for the time they do what they can to calm everything down. With shaky hands, they shout through the big top where mostly everyone is gathered. Henry and Lilith sit off so the side mumbling to themselves as Remy gives an invisible thumbs up.
"Alright everyone! Tonight, has started off rocky to say the least! But we have to try and push forward!" Milo continues, their voice wavering as they try to think of anything else to say.
"The show must go on as moya lyubov' always says…" Everyone jumps a bit as Lucy drags her feet into the big top. Alex below her, a tight grip on her side as though at any moment she would collapse.
"Lucy you should be resting." Remy quickly stands his hands taking either side of her in hopes to keep her from falling. But she waves them off.
"I shall be fine, fended off worst headaches in my years." She jokes with a soft smile, worry lacing her words as much as she could hide them. "We must start the show… Perhaps the chatter will- "
Lucy is cut off as the smell of smoke rushes through the back of the tent.
"GET DOWN!" Someone shouts before the entire big top is engulfed in flames. All anyone sees is darkness before the ear-piercing shriek could register.
"Milo?!" Lucy yells as the inky goo that covered them began to shrivel dispersing as the flames around them continued to rage on. Without warning the large tank of water cracks open sending its contents upon the flames. Henry grabs Lilith's arms as she flows passed him.
"What in the hell!?" Henry shouts as everyone gathers towards the front of the big top. Rushing out they are meet with Yukiko and Katie, a small stream of red coming from Katie's ears as she lays her hand over it.
"WHAT HAPPENED?!" She shouts, as the remaining flames eat away the big top. Lucy taps each of them on the shoulder, stopping at Remy as he holds Milo's mask against his chest a solemn look on his face.
"No…" Lucy's voice is barely above a whisper as she looks towards the raging fire. Moving to reenter the flames Yukiko quickly grabs her. "Let me go! Milo! MILO!!" She shouts struggling against Yukiko the wind rushes passed them.
"We might want to get out of here." Henry says looking towards the front of the grounds, the gates now laying pressed against the dirt as the townsfolk start making their way towards them.
"We will find them again we must run." Yukiko calmly says, all but surprising Lucy as she is picked up off the floor. Along with Alex and rushed around towards the woods. The others follow close behind, their home turning to ash as the cheers of townsfolk recede.
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Coughing roughly the smell of ash and pungent decay hits Rico's nostrils. Shaking his head, he pulls at the restraints. The darkness around him giving no sign to where he could be as he blinks tirelessly.
"If you if anyone can hear me! Why?! We are performers nothing more nothing less! Why do this?!" He shouts into the darkness his voice echoing back at him as he coughs harshly once more.
"You are creatures who aren't part of the will, accept the will and you shall be set free." A deep voice bounces off the walls. Looking around, no figure steps forth as Rico shakes his head bursting into a rupture of laughter. Causing the voice to tsk as he tries to calm himself.
"My foolish man you have no idea what hell you have gotten yourself into! My family and I shall never bend to a will that wishes to destroy us! Measly threats will not help you!" Rico laughs into the darkness as the other voice begins to sound agitated.
"All shall bend to the will! You shall see. Starting with that woman of yours." He threatens the sound of a door scratching against concrete screeches against the ground before closing. Rico shouting profanities as they walk away.
Stepping into a bright beige room, several other people cloaked in dark garb sit patiently. Taking his seat at the head of the table against a large, framed picture of an open woodland he raises his hands to speak.
"Things have already begun my brothers and sisters. They run but they can not hide." His smirk plays behind the golden mask as the others nod and murmur in agreement.
"May they finally step into the light of The Will."