The Circus Infinitus Stories Volume 1

by Ethan Somerville

  “Ralph – It’s me, Violet! Er, Victoria! This is what I look like when I’m the Invisible Woman!”

  Ralph tried to wrap his brain around that and only succeeded in making his headache worse. I’m a zombie – how come I’m not immune to hangovers? he wondered. “B-but you don’t look like anything when you’re invisible!” he finally managed.

  “Have you seen the Ringmaster?”

  “Um … I don’t think he’s up yet.”

  Violet swept out of the Big Top, leaving Ralph gaping after her, still unsure of what had happened.

  Violet emerged into a cold, windy morning. Pulling her cloak tightly around her shoulders, she crossed the hill towards the tents linked to the Big Top by their thick cables. Then she noticed, coming towards her, Felina the Beast-Mistress, completely at home in the cold air despite her nakedness. On seeing Violet she stopped and stared suspiciously. “None of the rides are running yet, and the first show doesn’t start for three hours!”

  “You might be fine with animals, Felina, but you really need to work on your people skills,” Violet declared. “Don’t you recognise me?”

  Felina narrowed her yellow eyes, but then she stepped up to the woman and sniffed her. “Victoria?” she gasped. “Surely not! You’re supposed to be invisible!” She sniffed again, pausing at Violet’s throat. Violet opened her cloak to reveal the Amulet. “Mother Earth preserve me! It is you! What happened?”

  “The Vampiress tried to use the Immortality Machine to make herself immortal. As you can see it didn’t work! I need to see the Ringmaster. Maybe he can explain what happened.”

  “Does this mean you won’t become the Wolf Woman or the Swamp Girl anymore?” Felina asked softly.

  Violet found herself at a loss. Of course Felina would be disappointed by her transformation. “I … I don’t know. That’s why I want to see the Ringmaster.”

  Just then Violet spotted movement out of the corner of one eye, and saw the Ringmaster coming around a corner, already dressed for the day. The wild wind whipped his long hair and cloak out behind him. He stopped when he saw Violet, at first simply looking annoyed that a visitor had shown up so early. Then Violet felt something, as soft as a fingertip, brush against her mind. The Ringmaster’s eyes widened in amazement as he approached. Felina chose that moment to scurry off. “Victoria?”

  Violet knew he couldn’t read her mind unless he really tried. The amulet protected her from random telepathic probing. But some forms were more powerful than others, and only the Vampiress could really stand up to him. “it is I, the Invisible Woman, visible at last.”

  “How did this happen?”

  Violet took a deep breath and described the Vampiress’ bizarre plan.

  “Unbelievable!” The Ringmaster gasped. “I’m surprised she managed to convince the Professor to go along with such a harebrained scheme. But then he hardly needs an excuse to power up that ridiculous zombie-making contraption of his.”

  “Please – I need to know long this will last. Is it permanent?” she asked earnestly.

  “I’ll need to examine the amulet. May I?”

  She allowed him to touch the necklace. But then he muttered something under his breath and pulled off his leather gloves so he could get a better reading. His hands were pale and thin, with painted fingernails as sharp as bird claws. She had seen them before in other forms, but always thought them fake. She wondered why he wore his own nails so long. He lifted the amulet away from her throat and peered at it intently with a sapphire gaze so sharp it could have cut glass.

  “Your amulet is still functioning, but it appears to be in a state of flux. It is as though the Immortality Machine has scrambled the curse, freeing you from it.”

  “I’m … free?” she gasped. Her heart raced from a mixture of excitement at the news – and the Ringmaster’s close proximity.

  “For the moment.” He released the amulet. “But I can’t say for how long. That’s up to … your necklace.” He smiled thinly.

  Violet’s head spun. She was free! She was finally free! She could simply enjoy being human. Before she could speak, the Ringmaster had turned and strode off into the Big Top. Suddenly realising that she had been talking to him without any nervousness sent her heart racing. She wished she’d asked him more. She realised that that actually being visible in human form had given her far more confidence than previously. So many questions whirled around her head, and she ran after the Ringmaster into the Big Top.

  It took her several minutes to track him down within the labyrinthine building. She found him talking to Professor Abbacus in front of the Omniportallis machine. She was about to withdraw when he beckoned her over.

  “Take another look at Victoria’s amulet, Icarus. It’s fascinating!”

  The Professor grumbled something and fished through the pockets of his new coat – a ratty grey leather thing in even worse condition than the one he had loaned Violet. He found a magnifying monocle, then opened the glass cover over his right eye. Violet couldn’t resist a quick look inside. She wished she hadn’t. There was no eye-socket within – just a single bloodshot eyeball, suspended in a complicated wire mechanism. Then Icarus screwed the magnifier in and grabbed Violet’s necklace without a word, almost yanking her off her feet.

  “Careful,” she exclaimed, but he ignored her.

  “You’re right,” he growled, addressing the Ringmaster, “It has been completely scrambled. The various energies that used to be confined to individual gemstones have now been dispersed across all seven. As a result Victoria has reverted to normal, human form.”

  “Can you tell me for how long?” she asked.

  “I’d need time to study the amulet. I could work out if there is a progression. But not now. I still need to set up for the day.”

  “And put the Immortality Machine away,” the Ringmaster added.

  Icarus swore. “Of course.” He turned and stomped off, leaving Violet alone with the Ringmaster once more. He smiled down at her. “I thought a lot about your true appearance, but I never thought you’d be so-“

  “Plain?”

  He laughed again. “You are not plain. You are vibrant and alive. And the fact your thoughts are properly shielded from me makes you even more interesting. You do not know how tedious it can be to always be able to read minds. Not even Francis can keep his thoughts hidden from me these days. Not after what he did to Isabella.”

  Violet blushed and looked down at her folded hands. “I thought after the Vampiress and the Spider Queen you would find my true shape somewhat … dull.”

  “I admit the Vampiress and Spider Queen are fascinating creatures, but they are consumed by their passions and always hunger for something or another. You are the refreshing truth that remains after all those superhuman urges are removed, and I really would like to get to know you – just you – better.”

  Violet couldn’t believe her senses. She didn’t know what to say! All her wildest dreams were finally coming true! But one question rose above her confusion. “Why … why is this happening now? This is the personality I wear as the Invisible Woman. Why did you never seek me out as her?”

  “I could never find her,” he said and laughed.

  “Ha ha, very funny. You really should leave the humour to the clowns. Tell me truthfully, Ringmaster.”

  “Such a title is fine for the Vampiress or the Spider Queen, but you really should call me Adam.”

  But not Del, she thought to herself. That name is reserved for Icarus only. “Couldn’t you face me as the Invisible Woman? Did I have to require a visible body before you would speak to me socially? Seriously, after all I have been through in my various forms, I can hardly be Shrinking Violet, now?”

  He smiled. “No, of course not. But you are wrong – an invisible lover would have been as interesting as all of the others. But as the Invisible Woman you were very shy and never seemed to be around at the right time. You may not realise it, but now you have far more personality. Please,” he took her hands, �
�Have dinner with me after the last show tonight and we’ll talk some more.”

  She knew what was going to happen and inwardly rejoiced. “Of course. But on one condition.”

  “What’s that?”

  She lowered her voice. “If anything does happen afterwards, make sure Icarus stays away. We both know he likes to watch. Some of my other forms don’t care, but I do.”

  The day seemed to pass interminably slowly for Violet. She did something she was unable to do in any of her forms and actually watched all three shows as a normal member of the audience. She went on rides and wandered the grounds without attracting a single curious stare. She visited the animals and they recognised her, greeting her with various snorts, licks and nuzzles. They didn’t care what she’d become, even though Felina stared at her disdainfully. Rejoicing in her anonymity, she even bought some fried potatoes at one of the stalls from a carnie who treated her just like any other customer – and tried to fleece her out of sixpence!

  But the last show finally finished and she waited expectantly for the Ringmaster. He appeared as promised, as impeccable as he had been early that morning and completely unfazed by the busy day. They took dinner at the Circus’s own canteen, located under the seats on the right hand side of the front doors. Although the Circus was predominantly populated by zombies, there were enough living people who needed food, including John Merrick, Dr Tumblety, Elizabeth Montrose the costume designer, Reggie Jefferson the mime, the Ringmaster himself and Felina, although she tended to eat with her animals. But a lot of Circus zombies still enjoyed a meal as well as a drink, so the canteen was often full. When the Ringmaster appeared with Violet, heads turned and tongues wagged as folks wondered who had succumbed to his sublime influence this time. Ralph, already well through his second tankard, had already forgotten her true identity.

  Violet enjoyed the anonymity. “It is good you came,” she told the Ringmaster as they took a spot at a table in the corner. The fare was plain; beef stew with potatoes and Yorkshire pudding, but very filling.

  He raised a delicate eyebrow. “Did you think I would forget?”

  She smiled to show she wasn’t serious. “No, but you aren’t known for your faithfulness.”

  “Where I come from, that word has no meaning.”

  “So where do you come from?” she asked immediately.

  It was his turn to smile. “You won’t catch me that easily. Violet Hollingworth may be trustworthy, but the Vampiress is always looking for an advantage over me. I cannot give her an inch.”

  Violet touched her amulet. It was still warm. “I may not ever become her again.”

  “But I cannot take that chance. Our recent stay in London may have netted us a small fortune, but it revealed many enemies.”

  “I’m sure Icarus knows all your secrets.”

  “He enjoys a unique position. He was there when I arrived and has since proven himself eminently trustworthy.”

  Violet dabbed at her lips with a napkin. She enjoyed eating when she was human, but as the Invisible woman usually took meals in her room. Food disappearing into thin air as she ate tended to disturb people. And she was thoroughly enjoying the Ringmaster’s company. She never thought it would be so easy to simply talk to him. The Vampiress and the Spider Queen always had other things on their minds when they sought him out. “I wish I could stay like this forever. My other forms might be powerful, but they have far too many disadvantages.”

  “What would you do if you were just an ordinary human?”

  “Why, I’d go back to my family home, find myself a husband and raise children,” she answered with conviction. “Anything for a simple life.” She sighed. “I have had enough adventures for several lifetimes.”

  The Ringmaster’s blue eyes softened as he looked inwards. “To go home…” Then he pushed his plate away, only half-eaten. “I see you are finished. Would you like to retire? I’m sure I have some wine we can share.”

  “Of course.”

  He offered her his arm and they left to the surprised stares of the other folk. Dr Tumblety scowled after him and Elizabeth Montrose suddenly appeared very interested in her food.

  For a whole week the Ringmaster and his mysterious new flame enjoyed each other’s company. No-one knew who the mysterious brown-haired woman was save Professor Abbacus and Felina. Of course the Professor wouldn’t tell so Felina ended up revealing the truth. None of the other Circus Folk could understand how such an ordinary looking female had managed to ensnare him, but everyone knew he could see beyond beauty. Something about her held his interest so much he only wanted to spend time with her. Each night they ate together then retired to either the Ringmaster’s tent, or if the evening was too cold, his room within the Big Top. As each day dawned and Violet found herself visible and normal, she began to believe that her mother’s curse had finally lifted forever. Her confidence grew and she started to think of the future, of her house in the country. The Professor had developed his own camera, so she even had her picture taken.

  But she soon realised that she loved the Ringmaster. Not with the Vampiress desperate passion or the Spider Queen’s insatiable need for control, but with a gentler, more human love. He seemed to return her feelings, enjoying her mystery. Even when he concentrated, he couldn’t penetrate the shields created by the swirling colours of her amulet. Because her mind was so closed to him she could stand beside him as an equal. He ignored protests from others he had spurned, that she was taking over his life. He didn’t care. He was happy.

  Then one icy night Violet woke to a worrying sensation around her throat. She didn’t have time to scream. There was a violent flash of light and a yell from the Ringmaster as he leapt out of bed. Violet felt a horribly familiar transformation. She wasn’t always awake when it happened, but knew exactly what was happening. One second she was one shape – the next another. As soon as she felt her skin start to itch and a dreadful dryness fill her throat, she realised who she had become. She couldn’t even apologise. She had to go before she dehydrated too much and became incapacitated.

  She was the Swamp Girl.

  She darted out of the tent into the freezing night, heading for the Big Top. Only when she was sinking beneath the warm surface of the Water Wonders tank did her thoughts start to return. The curse had returned once more, and she was again trapped within the cycle of 7. Fortunately, as the Swamp Girl she was fun-loving and flighty, and wasn’t distressed for long. When the Fiji Mermaids greeted her with excited, high-pitched cries, she forgot all about her week as a human.

  But the next night, as the Vampiress, she remembered, and cursed the fact that her plan to become immortal forever had backfired so badly, forcing her to spend time as a weak, pathetic human. She was doubly infuriated when she visited the Ringmaster, and he told her to leave.

  “Don’t tell me you prefer me as her?” she demanded imperiously.

  “No, It’s just that I don’t have the energy for you tonight,” he declared evenly, and turned from her.

  No matter how hard she extended her influence, he refused to be swayed. Not wanting to appear desperate, she stalked from the room and soared into the night to hunt.

  But when she became the Wolf Woman the next night, Felina greeted her with open arms, overjoyed to see her back. “I was worried that you would be human forever,” she whispered as she slipped her arms around Victoria’s neck. “I do so enjoy our times together.”

  As the Wolf Woman, Victoria could only grunt in agreement.

  “Shall we hunt together tonight?”

  The Wolf Woman nodded.

  Amuna the Mummy came next, followed by Arachnora the Spider Queen and Mrs Frankenstein. Then, finally, Violet came back – once more as the Invisible Woman. But now she had a picture of what she really looked like, she could peer at the nothingness in the mirror and give herself real eyes, mouth and teeth. She could finally be a whole person. And the confidence she had felt as a true human returned, although unfortunately not as strongly as before. She dress
ed, wrapped herself up, and went to see the Ringmaster. In her other forms she had scarcely noticed the melancholy that had overcome him during the past few days. He had only emerged from his private rooms and tent to conduct the shows. He had even sent Icarus away, which had sent the Professor into an even fouler temper than usual.

  But he opened the tent-flap to Violet. When he saw – or rather didn’t see her, he gave a wan smile and let her in. “I’m so sorry,” were her first words to him. “I’m back to the way I was.” She touched her amulet. “It must have reset itself.”

  “After seven days – how appropriate. But you needn’t be sorry.”

  “But I’m no one again,” she protested, feeling old insecurities rise. She wanted to flee, but something held her in place.

  “You may not have an appearance, but you are still the same person.” Suddenly he reached up, pulling on the cord beside the light bulb, plunging the room into darkness.

  Violet yelped. “What are you doing?”

  “Now you are no longer invisible,” the Ringmaster told her.

  She gasped. He was right! Then she felt him slide his arms around her and pull her close to his cool body.

  When the sun rose Violet wrapped herself up again and went out into a crisp morning. Not a single cloud marred the pristine sky and she faced the dawn with a smile. She had a plan. If it worked once, it would work again. She crossed the frosty grass and entered the Big Top. She entered the quiet dimness and hurried upstairs to Professor Abbacus’ laboratory. The door was closed. She knocked.

  “Go away!” a rasping, crotchety voice responded.

  “I have to see you, Professor!” she shouted. “It’s Violet! The Ringmaster sent me.”

  She heard swearing, then the stomping of feet as the Professor crossed his laboratory. He pulled several bolts aside. After a recent spate of trespassers, he wasn’t taking any more chances. “What the Hell d’you want? Haven’t you caused enough trouble?”