Chapter one: The side show
It was nine years since then. Adeline was walking towards the ticket booth pitifully trying to evade the crowd. Shoving her aside like a forgotten doll, the people walked right through her. She sighed and walked on. Ever since her father’s suicide she never truly trusted people. Adeline hated large crowds, but she endured them just for the pleasure of the carnival.
The multicolored booth and attractions lay before her. Her sense picked up a familiar scent wafting threw the air. Feet leading the way, she drifted towards cotton candy booths. Adeline rocked from side to side as the line got shorter and shorter. Finally it was her turn. She looked threw her purse and pulled out a five.
“One cotton candy and a sprite please?” she kept her eyes down.
After a few moments, the slender guy handed her something on a stick, it was fluffy and blue. He still held the soda in his hand.
“Can I please have my drink? I have places to be.”
" Sure. What's you name?"
" Adeline."
" Oh that's a preety name," he smiled.
" I...I have to go now," she said eyes on the ground. She hurridly walked towards the nearest ticket booth.
" Hey you forgot your change."
" Keep it!," she yelled back.
Fingering her tickets she read the signs on the rides.
“Three tickets a ride. That’ll only give me enough for about six different rides. I should have brought more money.”
She sighed and decided to ride the roller coaster first. Heart racing she screamed for joy. Rollercoaster were so exhilarating. After riding the Mountain Serpent a few more times she decided to play somecarnival games. Adeline tried repeatedly but it was if the games were rigged.
The sun was beginning to set, she decided to head towards the Ferris wheel. From the top she could see the whole carnival. One thing caught the corner of her eye. A huge blur of blue. It was the tent of a side show attraction. The ride ended and her feet jumped towards the grass. Her pace quickened. Side shows were her favorite part of carnivals. Maybe it would be full of exotic animals? Or oddly talented people?
She reached the entrance, breathing rampantly. The usher motioned her in. The tent was swelteringly hot even though it was equipped with a fan.As she walked towards the biggest cage partly hidden within the shadows she slid the bandana off her hair.
Damian watched as the girl ran pale fingers through her sleek auburn hair. The closer she came the farther he withdrew within the cage. She wrapped her fingers around the bars and peered in with those green piercing eyes. He stared back hidden within the shadows. Blue eyes full of wonder. His black and red hair stood on end why was he so drawn to her?
“Sir?” she motioned the usher over. “Sir is that cage empty?” her fingers pointed toward the largest one.
“O that one… He must be hiding again.” The man pulled a lever and a scream escaped the cage.
Adeline rushed forward.
“Stop it! You’ll hurt it.”
The man only snickered. Whatever was in the cage crawled forward. Adeline’s eyes widened. It was a man. No it wasn’t truly a man. It was something else… something more different and beautiful than she had ever seen. It gripped the bars kneeling before her. She could see the hurt is his eyes. Adeline leaned closer. His hand reached out threw the bars and traced the scar below her right eye. Damian knew who this girl was.
She was the one he had let down so many years ago. If he had only been there in time, so much pain he could have protected her from. But he was careless. He spent his days dreaming on the clouds instead of watching over his charges. In that one moment he had looked away he had broken her soul. But he could never tell her. She would hate him and he loved her… loved her ever since she was a child. First the love a brother feels for his sister. But then it grew into something more. He had lost her over the years. Still as carless as ever he had permitted the carnies to capture him.
Now she stood before him motionless. She stared at his curiously. He stood there on knees head lowered in shame. Damian never wanted her to see him like this. Tattered and dirty a forgotten deity. But it was his fault this was his punishment for being fool hardy. Still the way she stared at him it wasn’t disgust it was longing. Never had Adeline seen something so breathtaking. Her hand edged closer to him. Weaving through the bars her fingers searched for the sleek oily feathers. He felt it Adeline’s touch her fingers stroking him gently caressing his wings.
“It’ll be okay. I won’t hurt you.”
She placed her other hand beneath his chin cupping it she raised his head. Her eyes softened when she met his gaze. Blue eyes clouded with pain lay before her. Fingers twirled his hair, and with that she left. Promising to come the next day Adeline left for home. Tears stained her cheeks as she fell onto her bed.
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