Vagabond Circus Series

by Sarah Noffke

  Does that mean you forgive me? Finley asked.

  Zuma shook her head. No, but maybe if you allowed me in your head more often then I’d come to understand you better and that might help the forgiveness process, she said and knew her words were right. Zuma needed to understand Finley. If she knew how he worked, the intimate parts of him, then she might be able to move past the mistakes he’d made.

  He leaned over, relishing that she was touching him willingly. Pulled her into him. They needed to move soon but he had to have this moment, especially because danger surrounded them and trailed on their next move.

  Zuma, to have you in my head scares the hell out of me, Finley said silently. His eyes shifted between hers, a new intensity in them. But if it will bring you back to me, then I’ll allow you in my thoughts in small doses.

  She slid her hand around his neck as he pressed his lips to hers. His firm mouth opened the well inside her as it had done the first time he kissed her. There was no mistaking it, Finley’s kiss had a visceral effect on her. It was the first time that she ever felt something akin to joy, if only just an ounce. It had been the only time that happiness was a tangible possibility, even if still out of her reach. Zuma kissed Finley with a slow grace, indulging in the way he made every part of the act feel sacred. And when he pulled away she went with him, making a place for herself in his arms and against his chest. He tugged her in once more, before pulling away completely.

  Finley cupped her head in his hands and stared deep into her eyes. Thank you, he said in her mind. Thank you for giving me a chance, however small. I don’t even mind that it’s reliant on something that terrifies me. As long as I have a chance.

  Zuma found her hands were back around his waist. It felt so natural to pull him closer. She only responded with a nod, her chin moving in his hands.

  He pressed his mouth to hers once more. Our time waiting is up, he said in her head as their lips touched. It’s time to move.

  Chapter Forty-Seven

  With an open palm and extended arm, Titus slid a mound of papers and Dave’s laptop to the ground. They rained and then dripped over the edge of the tabletop housed in the shared office. It actually wasn’t a shared space anymore. The miniature big top was now Titus’s office. Only his.

  I don’t want to do this alone, he thought, pinning his head between his shaking palms. He didn’t want to run the circus. He didn’t want to hire a new ringmaster. And he didn’t want to bury his best friend.

  From the ground a dozen crumpled pieces of paper stared back at Titus, reminding him of the numerous times he’d been defeated that day. Each crumpled bit was a failed attempt at a eulogy speech. It was too soon to write it, he reasoned. However, the creative director had too many things to do. Whereas the rest of the circus had one more day off to grieve, Titus had to figure out how to keep Vagabond Circus going. That speech had to be written, and many more for a new ringmaster to recite in the opening act.

  If Titus were Dave then this would have been easy, but the irony of that idea wasn’t lost on Titus. If Dave was here none of this would need to be done. And still Titus knew even with how defeated he was he couldn’t give up. Even if the weight on his shoulders broke his back then he’d have to get up and keep going. He would die before he failed Dave’s circus, his circus.

  Chapter Forty-Eight

  When Finley had confirmed that the hallway was empty he allowed Zuma to follow behind him.

  The group of marching kids had moved in the opposite direction from where they were headed. Finley couldn’t explain why the kids had gone to the eastern side of the warehouse, but he also thought it meant the innermost corridors would be somewhat empty. However, Finley still expected that he’d have to confront Power-Stopper and Sebastian in the area right outside Knight’s chamber. That’s where they were when not patrolling. And he suspected that Jack was being held in the rooms next to that chamber. Knight believed in keeping the defenseless kids stationed as far away as possible from his private rooms. However, Knight usually kept dangerous prisoners close to him. And the inner corridors had been the spot on the map that Finley had said was a perfect place to station oneself to sneak up on Knight. That’s where he now suspected Jack was being held, if he was alive.

  Still, something was wrong in the compound. It had never been this quiet. Finley reasoned that Knight had moved everyone to where the surrogates and “nursery” were located. Maybe they were having a meeting in one of the large rooms. Finley would find out soon.

  Stay here, he said to Zuma when they came to a corner.

  She agreed with a silent nod.

  Using his super speed, Finley sped to the end of the hallway, expecting he’d have to sneak up on Sebastian or Power-Stopper. He was prepared to knock them out from behind, using his speed to gain the advantage on them. However, again he found the area empty. There was usually a guard there. At least a supervisor or two. Finley didn’t get it. His mind clouded from his observations. To Finley, the compound not crawling with its usual oppressed children looked strange, like a haunted house which appeared ominous without divulging its details.

  Finley slid his ear to the first door that usually held a prisoner. Nothing. He sped to the next door. Again no noise from within. Only the dead made no noise, but Ian said they should show up at early afternoon to be successful. And apparently Ian was rarely wrong. But maybe this was one of those times and Jack was in fact dead. The last door stood at a dead end and backed up to Knight’s chamber walls. Finley slid his ear to the door and listened. Gurgled, heavy breaths echoed from within the room. That had to be Jack. Finley hoped it was.

  He returned to Zuma as soon as he’d confirmed the area was clear of guards.

  Well? she said in his mind.

  He shrugged. I don’t know where everyone is. It’s empty of guards and traps though.

  So it’s clear ahead? That’s a good thing, right? Zuma said.

  Maybe. I just don’t like it. Something is different and that can only mean something is wrong, Finley said.

  Not necessarily. Maybe Knight moved the kids for a simple, non-troublesome reason, she said, wanting to make Finley feel better. The strange, confused look in his eyes hurt Zuma.

  He shrugged. True. The kids could be next door.

  Has that ever happened? she asked.

  A memory flicked to Finley’s mind and with it, it brought a look of relief. Yeah, a time or two we’ve been moved in large groups for vaccines and medical checkups.

  You got checkups and vaccines? Zuma asked, the idea confounding her brain. Why would Knight torture kids and then take care of them? she wondered to herself.

  Of course we did, he said. Sick kids can’t steal.

  True, she said. There were so many more questions pouring through her brain, but she knew this wasn’t the place for it. They needed to act while they had the chance. And Finley had seemed to relax once a logical reason for the kids’ absence had been presented.

  However, what Finley didn’t divulge in his information was that Knight didn’t supervise these trips to the adjoining warehouse, and that meant he’d probably be in his chamber. Power-Stopper and Sebastian must be chaperoning the kids, Finley reasoned. That’s why, on this rare occasion, there were no guards in the hallway. If Finley’s assumption was correct then Knight was all alone and sitting on his throne in his chamber, just down the long corridor.

  The dim light in the hallway was insufficient for what Finley needed, but it was all he had. He took this moment to study Zuma, to memorize her features in the dark corridor. He couldn’t allow her to see the heartbreak going on in him or she’d grow suspicious. But still he had to say his final silent goodbye to her. One day, if he was ever freed from Knight again, he would return to her, but he knew that was unlikely. Knight would keep a tighter grip on him now.

  Finley said an inaudible farewell to Zuma, not in his head, but rather in his heart.

  Okay, let’s go, he said, tugging on her hand.

  Chapter Forty-Nine
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  Something wasn’t right about Finley all of a sudden, Zuma thought as she stalked behind him. She didn’t like the way he had looked at her when he’d returned from scouting. It was one of those looks of regret, of quiet reluctance. However, being back in the place he’d worked hard to escape could be the reason for the stress.

  At the end of the corridor Finley cast a narrowed glance to the right.

  Is that the way we’re going? Zuma asked.

  No, he said in her mind. That’s the direction to Knight’s chamber. No matter what, stay away from that area. There was a new conviction in his words.

  She narrowed her eyes at his back. Why would he say that? Wouldn’t Finley be with her at all times? Zuma then turned her gaze in the direction of Knight’s chamber. All she could make out was a long hallway with a door. If she was Dave and had his night vision then she would have been able to see details. However, Zuma still turned away with a lackluster feeling from the space that was supposed to house a dangerous man.

  This way, Finley said, tugging her to the left. Suddenly he moved with a renewed confidence, one he hadn’t had since he entered the compound. At the end of the hallway he paused.

  Jack is in there, he said when they stopped in front of a rusty door locked with only a simple bolt. Still it could only be opened from the outside, trapping the person behind the door.

  Zuma stepped forward, her being vibrating with adrenaline. They were so close. They were alive. And they were about to rescue Jack. Okay, well let’s get him out, she said in his mind, her words a rush.

  Finley reached out and stopped her, his hand clapping down on her arm. His eyes were as cold as the metal walls surrounding them.

  What is it? Zuma said, suddenly worried. Will there be a trap in there? she asked.

  I don’t think so, Finley said.

  Then why the hesitation? Zuma said silently. The stare Finley was giving her suddenly scared the girl. Something about him frightened her, like once again she wasn’t sure if she could trust him. He had shifted, but only enough for someone with her powers to recognize. What’s going on, Finley? she said.

  I need you to go in there alone, he said over the telepathic link.

  What? Why? Are you guarding the door? Zuma asked.

  No, he said, knowing he couldn’t lie to her, but he also didn’t want to elaborate. If she knew the truth she’d stop him. Finley knew that. And he had already worked up the nerve and had to follow through. This is important, Zuma, he said, his eyes on hers and his mouth unmoving. After you get Jack out of there, take him straight for the exit. It’s two hallways away from where we entered.

  What? Zuma said, her eyes wide with shock. Where are you going?

  Don’t worry about that. Just go straight to the car and leave after you get Jack, Finley said. Don’t wait for me.

  You’re leaving me? Zuma said so loud in his mind, the words almost hurt his ears.

  Yes, he said, wincing from the vibration of her frantic thoughts.

  You can’t do that, she said, reaching out for him, but he withdrew too fast. Then he held his hands up to stop her.

  You promised to listen to me when in Knight’s compound, remember? What I tell you in here is the law, Finley said in her head.

  She studied him for a long moment, unable to compute this turn of events. Finally she gave a reluctant nod. But tell me what you’re doing. Where are you going? she asked.

  He didn’t answer but instead turned to the wall at the dead end, his back toward Zuma.

  “Finley!” she said out loud, her voice vibrating off the walls around her. He didn’t respond, because right then he had already disappeared. Finley had teleported away.

  Chapter Fifty

  Finley had left her. Zuma couldn’t believe it. She was now trembling with anxiety. Why would he leave when they were so close to rescuing Jack? Where had he gone? He sounded like he didn’t expect to return, but how could that be the case? Zuma failed to understand anything that had just happened. And she was most confused by why Finley abandoned her after the moment they shared full of such tenderness. He loved her. She knew that with certainty. But he’d left her…

  With a shaking hand, she pulled back the rusted bolt. It hesitated several times, catching as it slid back. The door croaked when released. The smell of something sour and bitter ripped from the space like it was trying to find freedom after being held captive. A squeal echoed when she pulled the heavy metal door back. Zuma paused, searching the corridor behind her, certain the loud noise had traveled through the warehouse and would soon alert someone of her presence. But she had just screamed aloud as well. If there was someone to hear her in the corridor then they had and they were on their way. Nothing stirred in the hallway; the same black just hung in the long space, masking it from full view. Zuma turned back to the door and dared to pull it all the way open, the groan of its hinges growing louder as she did. Then bright light arrested her eyes, which had been adjusted to the dark interior of the compound. Sunlight streamed through the skylight overhead and illuminated the contents of the small concrete and metal room. Zuma sucked in the scream trying to escape her lungs as she covered her mouth from shock and the putrid smell.

  Chapter Fifty-One

  Finley planned to surprise Knight. He was certain this strategy would only help his case, which he had been turning over and over in his mind all morning. That had been one of the main reasons he’d been so adamant that Zuma stay corralled to only the thoughts he offered.

  When Finley snuck up on Knight, the man would be furious at him. He’d try to punish Finley by getting in his head. That’s when Finley would unveil his secret: that Knight’s ability to create excruciating pain in others’ heads didn’t work on Finley. This new knowledge would give Knight pause, since it would be a first. That’s when Finley would seize his chance and make his case to Knight. He’d threaten to escape if he didn’t do what he demanded. He’d broken out of Knight’s brainwashing and it no longer worked on him. He didn’t care if he was cursed by the man. And Finley knew how to dream travel and already had proven he could escape. The only way Finley would stay as one of Knight’s Kids was with Power-Stopper hovering beside him at all times or by sheer will. Knight couldn’t afford to lose Power-Stopper full-time. The man would have to lift the curse from Zuma. That would be the deal. If he lifted the curse then Finley would promise to serve Knight for as long as necessary. This will work, Finley thought as he teleported into Knight’s personal chambers.

  Chapter Fifty-Two

  Oh God, Jack, Zuma whispered in his mind.

  She raced forward, not knowing how to make her final approach to him. Was he dead? Passed out? Zuma could hardly tell. Her friend lay on the stained concrete floor, his face red and sunburned from the sunrays spraying down through the skylight. Jack’s lips were blistered and his eyes swollen shut. And the part of him she could barely force herself to look at was his legs. They were mangled in different directions. Bloody bones protruded from one of his jean pant legs. Everything about the acrobat was an unnatural arrangement. The way he lay. The way his legs were stretched beside him. And the mess under him.

  Trembling, Zuma crouched down, her hand covering her nose and mouth, shielding it from flies and the smell of rot. Zuma steadied her hand with a firm determination and pressed two fingers to Jack’s neck.

  For a long beat there was nothing, just the feel of clammy skin under her fingers. She pressed the tip of her fingers into his neck more, firmer. Again she felt nothing. And then it came. Bump bump. A long pause followed by another bump bump. The rhythm of his pulse was sluggish and weak. Nonetheless Jack was alive, but only barely.

  “Jack, can you hear me?” she said out loud, her voice echoing off the walls.

  He didn’t stir, only lay with his head angled at the sun overhead.

  Zuma looked around. The room was bare, just like the other one she’d seen. Drains and chains lined one wall. That was it.

  When her eyes returned to Jack she felt almost cr
ippled by grief. He was broken in so many ways and it tore at her insides to look at him like this. How much he must have suffered over the many hours. And she needed to get him out. Get him help. But she didn’t know how. Finley left her and now Jack was passed out and badly injured. If she had Jasmine’s super strength then she’d be able to carry him to safety. But Zuma couldn’t lift him from the ground where he lay, let along carry him out of there.

  She reached for the phone in her pocket, only to find that as Finley had warned, it had zero reception inside Knight’s compound. “Damn it,” she said in a whisper.

  Again she stared down at her friend, wondering how she’d come all this way only to fail him. And then she caught the tiniest of movements under Jack’s eyelids.

  Zuma, he said in her head. His eyes still closed. His voice faint.

  Her heart unleashed a series of wild beats. “Yes, Jack,” she said out loud, crouching down next to him and taking his bloody hand in hers. “I’m here,” she said, her voice echoing out of her aching throat with a moan.

  Help me, he said in her mind. His two words were hugged by a frantic terror that coated her heart in agony.

  She dropped her head and pressed back the tears. I’m trying, she said in his mind. Just hold on, Jack, please.