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16+ Violence Mature Content

Delia goes to the circus!

by vampricone6783


Warning: This work has been rated 16+ for violence and mature content.

*This story is underneath my folder titled “Elsdale Circus”. Gacha Club character designs are on my wall. Enjoy!*



Introduction

Delia was in her bedroom, listening to her parents talk to each other downstairs. Celia, her twin sister, slept soundly next to her in bed.

It was nice to hear her parents talk to each other. Hearing their voices was love. Hearing their voices was home.

Delia closed her eyes, the last thing she heard being her parents’ voices.

Chapter One

“Come now. Off to the outside.” Celia said.

Wait…where were they? Their bed felt so hard, like a pile of rocks. Perhaps it was the way Delia was lying down. Dad said that sometimes, the way a person was positioned when lying or sitting down would affect how they felt.

Delia rubbed her eyes.

It all came back to her then. They were in an abandoned orphanage, called “Mrs. Margot’s House of Healing”. Their parents were dead. Burned away by a shock of blue light. Only smoke rose from where their bodies lay.

They were on their own.

Chapter Two

Tears spewed from Delia’s eyes. It had all happened so fast, too fast for her. One minute they were there and the next…gone. Just gone.

“It’s okay. I’m here. It’s all okay.” Celia said, hugging Delia close.

She couldn’t help it, the sobs came rushing down. At least she had Celia’s warm embrace. That was something.

Chapter Three

A few minutes had passed since the girls woke up. Delia and Celia were standing outside the wrecked building, getting ready to sing. A battered up hat that Celia found on the street one day lay in front of them. When they sang, coins were given.

There was never enough for them to live. Nevertheless, it was worth a try. Maybe they would get enough coins one day…

One day.

Chapter Four

Before the girls could even open their mouths, a raspy voice shouted:

“Scram, rats!”

Delia squeezed Celia’s hand tightly, fearing the worst. She knew who was shouting, who yelled with such hatred.

She knew.

Chapter Five

A quick turn of the head told Delia that it was the woman in pearls, someone they had seen a few times while singing.

She ran as fast she could, clutching Celia’s hand, too frightened to look back at the woman’s scornful, makeup-rimmed eyes.

Chapter Six

Their ratty, rotting clothes did little to protect them from the icy rain droplets.

But they kept running, running to safety.

“There!” Celia cried out, pointing to something. Delia didn’t know what she was looking at, she just wanted to be away from everyone.

Chapter Seven

Celia got closer to the building, the thing that she was looking at. A gold plaque on the exterior wall read: “CASPIAN’S OFFICE”. It didn’t look like much, just a brick building in the corner of a darkened street.

But Delia said nothing. Celia always knew what was best. She was her friend, her older sister.

She always knew.

Chapter Eight

Celia opened the door, Delia still clutching onto her hand. The room had painted white walls and a single white bed. A young man with blond hair sat in front of his desk on a wooden chair painted white, his back to them.

“Come in. Sit wherever you like.” The man said softly.

“Are you sure we can trust him?” Delia asked. He wouldn’t look at them and he just let them in, without yelling or screaming at them, like the others did. What if he was lying? What if he wanted to hurt them?

Celia nodded.

If she thinks it’s okay, then I’ll stay! Delia thought.

Celia had never been wrong before, so why question her?

Chapter Nine

“What brings you here?” The man asked.

Delia blinked in surprise. The man cared to know where they were? He cared about them?

“A storm. That’s what. We can’t go anywhere else.” Celia said.

It was more than the storm, but Delia was glad that Celia left it at that. To speak of the horrors was to make them powerful, more terrible.

“Ah. I see.” The man said, turning around to face them.

“Would you like to see a magic trick?” The man asked.

“A magic trick?” Delia asked. He could do magic? That was possible?

If it was, then of course she would want to see it! Magic was wonderful!

Chapter Ten

The man closed his eyes. At first, nothing at all happened. Delia only watched with creased brows, completely confused.

Then, small, colorful buds appeared on the man’s face. From those buds, flowers bloomed.

He opened his eyes and grinned at the two amazed girls.

“Now that is real magic!” The man said happily.

Chapter Eleven

The children stared at him, eyes wide like saucers, filled with disbelief.

“I’m a witch, my name is Caspian.” The man said after a long pause.

“You’re a witch? Witches are real?” Celia asked. Delia didn’t say a word, only stared at Caspian with such fascination.

How wonderful it was to hear that witches were real! The world wasn’t such a terrible place after all!

“You don’t need to be scared. I won’t hurt you, I promise.” Caspian said.

But Delia already knew, deep down in her heart, that he wouldn’t harm a soul.

Chapter Twelve

“You promise?” Celia asked.

Delia rolled her eyes. He already said that he promised, why would she ask him again?

“I promise.” Caspian said.

“If magic is real, then that means you’ll believe us, right?” Celia asked.

“Certainly. What is it that you want to say?” Caspian asked.

Delia and Celia shared a look. Surely, Celia couldn’t possibly be thinking of telling him the truth, right? That day was never to be spoken of again, to be buried deep in the grave.

She wasn’t going to tell him, right?

Right?

Chapter Thirteen

“Our house exploded with a blast of light and then our parents died.” Celia said.

Delia didn’t say a word. What if, by some chance, he didn’t believe them? What if he thought them nothing more to be “lying brats” and sent them away?

“You’ve been living in the outside, haven’t you?” Caspian asked.

What did he want? Was seeing him a mistake?

“Yes.” Celia said.

Celia wasn’t scared, so why should Delia be? Yet her heart raced with the possibility of the worst to come.

“You can stay as long as you want.” Caspian said.

“Really?” Celia asked, her voice slightly cracked. Delia herself couldn’t believe what she just heard.

“Yes.” Caspian said.

They could stay! They could be safe!

They didn’t have to worry anymore!

Chapter Fourteen

As it turned out, Caspian had rag dolls for them. Celia played with the toys, but Delia just held onto them and looked at Caspian. He wasn’t watching them, he was looking out the window, water in his eyes.

Was he about to cry? Celia looked like that when she was about to cry.

Why?

Chapter Fifteen

“Why’d you become a doctor?” Delia asked. She was just curious, she wanted to know why.

“I wanted to help people.” Caspian said.

Doctors were said to help people, but sometimes, people died with doctors.

Looking at him, though, Delia didn’t think that anyone would die under his care.

Chapter Sixteen

“We’ve got to go now. Goodbye.” Celia said.

They couldn’t leave! They were playing!

“Already? But it’s only the afternoon. Where are you going?” Caspian asked.

“Somewhere.” Celia said.

Somewhere? Somewhere? Why didn’t Celia want to stay? Caspian had dolls.

“I want to stay!” Delia cried out. There was no way that she would leave. Caspian’s office was better than the world outside.

“I’m sorry, but we have to go! Remember?” Celia asked.

Delia’s eyes went wide. She did remember.

The man was waiting for them.

Chapter Seventeen

The two of them ran as fast as they could from Caspian’s office. The rain had stopped, but the man was still waiting.

The sun was going down. Not a single person cared to ask the girls if they were alright.

The children were ignored.

Chapter Eighteen

After much running, Delia and Celia had made it to the dark, dirty factory. Tiny twinkling lights shone in the distance. It looked like a magical place, where nothing bad would happen.

We have to go in. Delia thought bitterly.

Into the looming, prison-like factory they went.

Chapter Nineteen

No voices. Nothing but the machines cranking.

Delia tried her best not to say a word, but eventually, he would hear.

Chapter Twenty

“You’re out late, aren’t you?” A cruel voice asked.

Delia and Celia turned around. Just as she feared, the man was waiting for them.

The children murmured nervously to themselves, for they had never seen the man so angry before.

“You will listen to what I say! I control your future! I am the adult! You’re just children, so you’ll respect me!” He yelled.

He walked up closer to the girls. Delia cowered in fear as she awaited the worst to come.

Once he was close enough, he raised his hand high into the sky and smacked Celia in the face, the impact leaving a red mark on her cheek.

Delia cried, but not a soul listened.

“No!” Celia screeched.

With that, she grabbed Delia’s hand. Delia herself didn’t know how she had the strength, but she did.

Celia always did.

Chapter Twenty-One

The girls ran through the night, Delia looking back behind her every few seconds to make sure that the man wasn’t following them.

He was gone. They were on their own.

Free at last.

Chapter Twenty-Two

From the path Celia was taking, there was only one place they could be going: Caspian’s office.

Delia’s eyes lit up with the possibility of playing with dolls again, of being safe again.

She thought that she saw their parents smiling at her and Delia, but they were so faint that it must have been her imagination.

Chapter Twenty-Three

Delia and Celia walked right into Caspian’s office and sat on the patient’s bed. Caspian stared out the window, staring at the twinkling lights.

A few days ago, he told them about the circus. A few days ago, he said that they were to never come.

But maybe it wasn’t too bad?

“Say, what if we did leave for the circus? Right now?” Caspian asked, still not looking at them.

Did he really want to leave for the wonderful, fantastical circus?

“Do you mean it?” Celia asked. She asked the very question that was stuck in Delia’s mind.

“Yes, I do. Do you want to leave?” Caspian asked.

“Yes!” They said in unison. Then, they exchanged smiles, eyes glittering.

We’re going to the circus! Delia thought enthusiastically.

Chapter Twenty-Four

AT THE CIRCUS

After much walking, they had made it to the circus! All around them were excited individuals, throngs of people ready to attend.

Unfortunately, there weren’t any animals like Delia had hoped. She wasn’t ready to leave, though.

Perhaps there was more magic to be had…

Chapter Twenty-Five

What was that? In the distance? On the stage?

An older girl in a pink tutu, dancing just like the ballerina in Delia’s old music box.

A sight to behold.

Chapter Twenty-Six

The ballerina spun and danced to her heart’s content, with true, clear freedom.

Maybe Delia could dance. Maybe Delia could spin. Maybe Delia could be pretty, just like her.

She didn’t want to stop watching the ballerina.

Chapter Twenty-Seven

As with all good things, the show ended. As with all good things, Caspian was leading them away.

Why is he leaving? He took us here! I thought that we were supposed to stay. Delia thought.

She could hear Celia asking questions, but Caspian wasn’t answering. Other children around them grinned as they held onto the hands of their loved ones, their family.

“Caspian! It’s been a while, hasn’t it?” Mr. Shapcott asked.

Mr. Shapcott! THE Mr. Shapcott!

“You should stay the night, Caspian.” Mr. Shapcott said, placing a hand on Caspian’s shoulder.

Delia and Celia squealed with excitement.

Why was he leaving in the first place? Silly Caspian!

Chapter Twenty-Eight

Mr. Shapcott had taken them to a magical van that had a bed and rode on wheels. He called it a “trailer” and locked the three of them in for safety.

They were all in a bed together, just like when Delia and Celia sometimes crawled to the bed of their parents on frightful nights.

“We’re in a real circus! A real circus! Can you believe it?” Celia asked. For the first time, she wasn’t squeezing Delia’s hand. She was happy for once.

“I know, right? It’s so nice that we’re here and we get to perform! Everyone is going to love us!” Delia said.

There was no denying it. Mom and Dad liked to hear them sing, so why wouldn’t the people like them? The people were nice. Only the factory man was bad, but that was because it was a factory. It wasn’t a circus.

“Thank you, Caspian!” The girls said at the same time, just like all of the other times in their lives.

“You’re welcome.” Caspian said morosely.

He doesn’t sound happy at all. Delia thought.

Maybe he was, deep down.

Chapter Twenty-Nine 

The morning sun had come after many hours. It was a special day. Mr. Leopold Shapcott wanted them to show him how special they were, what set them apart from the world.

He’s going to love us! Delia thought with a smile.

Chapter Thirty

Something perplexing had happe after they left the trailer. Caspian was trying to take them away! He wouldn’t answer their questions either, he just said:

“Just trust me.”

Trust him? He took us here! Why is he making us leave? Delia thought.

“You can’t leave, you’re part of the show! Little girls, come show what you can do!” Mr. Shapcott said.

Delia and Celia, excited at the prospect of singing for one who would appreciate them, turned around and sang the song Mom taught them:

“No matter where you go

No matter where you stay

I’ll see you

I’ll find you

And I will love you always

Forever and ever

Me and you will never part

I will always be in your heart”

“Mommy sang that song to us!” Celia said.

Yes, she did. Delia thought with a smile.

“It’s a beautiful song and you both have beautiful voices. Now, follow me. I’ll introduce you to Prudence.” Mr. Shapcott said.

Delia and Celia ran up to Mr. Shapcott. They were accepted! Somebody wanted them!

“Girls, just wait a minute…” Caspian trailed off.

What’s wrong with him? Delia thought once she made it to the ringmaster.

“Aren’t you going to come?” Mr. Shapcott asked.

Delia turned around, looking up at Caspian. She hoped that he would come, she didn’t want him to be alone.

“I’m coming.” Caspian said.

Yes! Hooray! Delia thought, a sparkle in her eyes.

Chapter Thirty-One

AT THE STAGE

Delia and Celia stood at the stage, singing their song to a kind, pleasant audience. Nothing could taint the children.

I feel so…weak.

No, it was just in Delia’s imagination. Her body wasn’t really breaking down, the pain she felt at the pit of her stomach was only a cramp, and the froth from her eyes was magic snow.

Magic snow…magic show…how funny…they sound the same!

Everything was fine.

Epilogue

Each and every day, they sang on the stage. The only ones who kept them company was Caspian and Prudence, the ballerina. There was never any animals around to play with.

Sometimes, Delia thought that she saw their parents watching them in the audience. They had eyes covered in tears, but they wouldn’t actually cry.

What was even more peculiar was the fact that Delia’s throat felt like it was going to break apart every moment a song escaped from her lips.

Perhaps it was all in her head. Everything would get better one day, right?

All Delia had to do was believe.


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13 Reviews

Points: 9
Reviews: 13

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Mon Jun 24, 2024 11:53 pm
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1738RemyBoy wrote a review...



Hey there friend!
Just finished reading this piece and I gotta say I'm impressed.
I'll start by saying I love your prose, it was easy and sort yet not without elequence.
I'm a sucker for mystery and even though this is a part of a folder the fact that you didn't spell out what literally happened to Delia's and Celia's parents or who the factory man was or the circus it made me more inclined to read more about it.
Caspian was my fav character, he's so whimsical and sad! While also acting as a sort of parental figure to the girls. :D
'Delia Goes to the Circus!' somehow manages to be both light and dense with detail, like in Chapter 26, "The ballerina spun and danced to her heart’s content, with true, clear freedom.Maybe Delia could dance. Maybe Delia could spin. Maybe Delia could be pretty, just like her." Goes to show how innocent and at face value Delia is and how vulnerable they are to whatever Shapcott has in store for them.
If I had to nitpick, Chapter 30 its starts with, "Something perplexing was happening after they left the trailer." To me this sentence sounds awkward due to the weird tense.
Overall, a short and fantastical story of two sisters and their adoptive Witch Doctor searching for a home just to be stuck in a sort of Pinocchio-esque prison.
👍




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Mon Jun 24, 2024 10:18 pm
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EllieMae wrote a review...



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Hola! Ellie here to leave a review on this lovely work of art :) Lets get right into the review and not waste any time!

It was nice to hear her parents talk to each other. Hearing their voices was love. Hearing their voices was home.

Delia closed her eyes, the last thing she heard being her parents’ voices.


Ahh, well it seems like Delia has a sweet family and they bring her a lot of comfort. She is lying here, drifting off the sleep. The last things she hears before falling asleep are her parents voices... hmm... I get the sense that something might happen to her family... or her... let's see what is next!

It was more than the storm, but Delia was glad that Celia left it at that. To speak of the horrors was to make them powerful, more terrible.


The way you wrote this was nice. You seem to build upon the pain as the sentence goes on. Horrors to powerful to terrible. I like how you don't just use one describing feeling, but you use multiple which seem to expand our view of the situation, like this build up almost.

And another wonderful example of foreshadowing and suspense here:

After much walking, they had made it to the circus! All around them were excited individuals, throngs of people ready to attend.

Unfortunately, there weren’t any animals like Delia had hoped. She wasn’t ready to leave, though.

Perhaps there was more magic to be had…


^^ I also want to note that you do a great job at getting through a lot of content quickly. Your stories are always very fast paced, but still I find them very enjoyable. Great job with this! And finally, the ending was splendid!

All Delia had to do was believe.


Great work :D So simple, but it captures everything and makes me want to know more!

Your friend,
Ellie

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Tue Apr 09, 2024 4:59 pm
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RavenAkuma wrote a review...



Hello Again, My Friend!

It's me, Raven, and I'd like to review the next installment in this great collection using my Familiar method! Let's dive in, shall we? Heh heh heh...

What The Black Eyes See...

Loved this! Reading the story through the perspective of Delia -seeing the contrast in how Celia perceived everything around them, and showing us how she felt on stage while being nearly killed by Shapcott- was fascinating and added even more detail to the Elsdale Circus story! Let's get into the details though.

Where The Dagger Points...

No complaints! You captured Delia's internal monologue, her innocent and highly empathetic tone, very well. Even though we've read this story before, having that perspective and so many new details made it feel brand new. Good writing job ~

Why The Grin Widened...

Right off the bat, we get a good sort of "refresher" on what happened to the girls, followed by Delia's struggle with the memory. Very different from Celia, who was so focused on being the leader that she not only came off as composed, but ready to get out and work. Seems Delia is having more trouble adjusting, which immediately draws empathy for her.

And with this line, it also showed how much she relies on her sister, and the bond they have especially now:

She couldn’t help it, the sobs came rushing down. At least she had Celia’s warm embrace. That was something.


Moving on to Caspian's office, you did great showing us Delia's hesitation and reluctance to trust adults, after being treated so cruelly by ones like the factory man and random pearl lady:

He wouldn’t look at them and he just let them in, without yelling or screaming at them, like the others did. What if he was lying? What if he wanted to hurt them?


And of course, whereas Celia was a little more matter-of-fact about seeing Caspian's magic trick, like she just wanted him to prove it, Delia's giddy and more childlike reaction was adorable. And I thought it was one of many moments that highlighted the contrast between her and her sister:

If it was, then of course she would want to see it! Magic was wonderful!


And when Delia does open up, with Celia to reassure her...

But Delia already knew, deep down in her heart, that he wouldn’t harm a soul.


Cute! Not only do the girls get someone to look out and care for them, but knowing Caspian himself isn't being rejected over his abilities for once, this is such a good moment that I loved reading (again lol).

Then, moving on to the circus and Shapcott accepting them as members, it was chilling to see Delia struggling on stage and trying to justify it, when we know what's really happening:

No, it was just in Delia’s imagination. Her body wasn’t really breaking down, the pain she felt at the pit of her stomach was only a cramp, and the froth from her eyes was magic snow.


Then of course, bringing the point home: this fascinating and bittersweet revelation that Delia had almost the exact opposite reason as Celia for staying in the circus:

All Delia had to do was believe.


Believing so much, she brushed off the feeling of literal imminent death as something minor, which kinda spoke to her tolerance for these conditions (really sad), and also showed her desperation. Whereas Celia stayed because she just accepted that it was better than the factory or the streets, Delia's optimistic self actually wanted to believe it would be a real home, caught up in the "circus magic." Tragic, considering what became of them, but very telling.

Our Mad Thoughts...

Overall, Delia's perspective put a great new spin on the story while giving us new details, and I enjoyed it thoroughly! Nicely done! :D

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You're given the form, but you have to write the sonnet yourself. What you say is completely up to you.
— Madeleine L'Engle, A Wrinkle in Time