I head down the main drag to the fire-breather’s tent. Samuel said I only had to do one show, and I plan on getting it over with. I’m super self-conscious about the stupid costume Ruth gave me.
A couple of men argue with one another, and without warning, one of them hauls off and punches the other. I give them a wide berth.
The fire-breather’s tent is easy to find. He’s on the corner, across from a cotton candy stand, which I remember from when Benny and I walked the freak show path.
I pass by a fan spraying water. It’s cool on my face. Even though it’s cloudy, it’s humid and hotter than anything.
Amy opens the tent flap to the fire breather and comes out.
“What are you doing here?” she asks, her face flushed.
“I’m dancing to lure people to his tent.”
She frowns for a minute. “Right. I’d forgotten.” There’s no way she forgot. I spent loads of time with her family, and we talked about my dancing. “You be careful. It’s the new moon.”
“Why does it matter that it’s the new moon?”
“Because, dear, someone dies at the end of the night, and I don’t want that someone to be you.”
I shiver. I plan to be back in my own little boat long before the night is over. I may not believe that ghosts are real, but I definitely believe I could be murdered.
I duck into the tent, wanting to meet the man I’ll be doing a show for. The tent smells of earth and worms, and I can almost taste the grass.
The fire breather stands in the middle, eating a piece of cake. He’s a burly man with a hairy barrel chest. He has a long beard and smiles wide when he catches sight of me. His eyes are painted like a raccoon. Behind him is a small stage with chairs set up in front of it.
“I’m Tyson. Nice to meet you. I’ve been watching you practice. You’ve been doing phenomenally.”
“You’ve been watching?” I try to ignore his pronouncement and instead choose to believe that Samuel caught him up on what I’m capable of, because I’ve never seen this man in my life.
He swipes some of the crumbs off his beard. “Samuel told me he was going to find someone for me. If you’re up for it, I’d like to teach you a couple more tricks before the night begins.”
I shuffle my feet, wondering if it would be possible to decline without offending him. Probably not. “Sure.”
Tyson sets the cake down and then looks at me sheepishly. “We can only eat on these nights. I miss food.”
“Oh, I totally get that. No need to be embarrassed.” Maybe his wife is like Mom and only lets him eat kale and vegan crap at home.
He pulls out a few sticks and lights them on fire. He shows me how to spin them and create cool effects. I practice a few times and get it easily.
“You’re a natural. Perhaps you will join me inside the tent after you die.”
I drop one of the sticks, and it hits the stage with a loud boom like thunder. Tyson stomps it out. He seems so calm about the whole thing.
“Die?” I’m getting sick and tired of acting like this is all normal.
“Well, yes. Once you die, you’ll still be here with us. I’d like you to continue to work with me.”
“I’m not going to die anytime soon.”
He creases his eyebrows and scratches his beard. “Are you sure about that? The only living on the island have deals with Samuel to stay alive. Otherwise they don’t last more than a month or two.”
Another piece of the puzzle clicks into place. On the first night I was here, Samuel offered to protect me. The workers here are either extremely good actors or they all believe they are trapped on a ghost island.
“Why do people only last a month or two?”
“Because they are killed by the dead.”
I swallow. There it is again, those ghosts. I take my materials and fuel and head outside. As soon as I’m done, I’m barricading myself in my boat. Ghosts aren’t real, but I did see Shelley dead on the path. Even if the workers aren’t ghosts, there’s a real possibility several are murderous freaks.
The people come in droves not long after. We’re near the front of the circus, and a few curious onlookers pause as I get ready. The tall boy from the other night gapes at me, and the girl with lice drags him away. I wonder if he recognizes me from the tiger cage.
I’ve already taken off my galoshes, and the ground is cold and squishy under my feet. I slip off my robe, and a man whistles. I resist the urge to give him the bird.
I dip my wicks in the fuel, light them, and lose myself in the dance.
After about five minutes, my flames go out, and the show’s over. Tyson beckons people into his tent, and most of them follow. I turn my back to the crowd and start cleaning up my stuff.
A hand slips around my waist and cups my breast, pulling me into him. A man’s voice purrs in my ear. “With an outfit like that, you’re just begging for love.”
I struggle against him, but he’s strong and holds me tight. He must be twice my size. I’m never getting out of this. I wish I had kept on those heels. I stomp on his toes, but he’s wearing boots, and he laughs. I cry out, but there is a lot of screaming in the circus, and no one cares. I squeeze my eyes shut and think. A bird caws from the tree next to us, and the man slides his hand lower. Is he going to rape me? Touch me with those massive hands? Panic blossoms in my chest.
Suddenly, he’s gone. I spin around, ready to punch him in the nose, but find him already on the ground. Benny and his wretched birds hover over him. The man is easily six-two with bulging muscles and shocking bright red hair.
Benny glances at me. “Doll, you alright?”
“I’m fine,” I say and race away from him.
Chapter Seventeen
“Callie, wait.”
I don’t want to watch Benny rake his eyes across my body in this ridiculous outfit. I don’t want to think about what that man would’ve done if he hadn’t shown up. I should be able to take care of myself, but I seem to constantly need help like a princess in a fairy tale.
I feel helpless and exposed. I bite the inside of my cheek and taste blood. I’ve been attacked before, and the whole thing feels strangely of déjà vu.
It happened when I was thirteen. I’d been out late on the waves, and Maddie was sick. I walked home like I always did, and this boy from school, who was a few years older than me, cornered me in an alley. I managed to slip his grip and run home.
I ran into the house, bawling, and Mom held me tight. Then, I told her everything, and she went on a crusade to get that boy expelled from school. They moved the next year. It was strange because after that, Mom was my superhero. I thought she could do anything.
Except now.
Now, she’s abandoned me.
Benny catches up to me and drapes my robe across my shoulders. I slip my arms inside the sleeves and tie it up.
This whole night has gone drastically wrong. If not for Benny, I don’t know where I’d be right now.
“Thank you.”
He nods but doesn’t say anything, and I continue walking, my feet wet and cold. A few birds land on the path in front of us. A black cat pounces at them, and I nearly trip over it. Benny catches me, and my skin tingles. I’m not sure what to think of this whole situation. But I do feel safe, which is odd.
Benny opens the door to my house, and I step inside, feeling the air conditioning hit me with a blast. The floor is hard and solid, so different from the swampy path. Benny hesitates at the door.
“Thank you. I’ll be fine now.”
He gives me a small smile, and I shut the door. My emotions are all in knots. I can’t believe I was just attacked.
I dig through my closet and find a pair of yoga pants and an oversized t-shirt and change in the bathroom. I look in the mirror and take a few deep breaths. My vision blurs for a moment, and I let the tears fall.
I splash water on my face. This whole situation is so messed up like a nightmare I can’t wake from. I don’t know which end is up, and I have no earthly
idea how to get off this island. If Tyson is right, my time is limited.
Do I believe it now? No. But do I believe that I could possibly die on this island? Absolutely. How did I get trapped on an island that was basically an insane asylum?
I don’t want to think about those things right now. I don’t want to think that I might not be alive in a month or two. I want to escape back into a world where things make sense.
Of course, they don’t. Not here. Not on this island.
Someone raps on my door.
“Who is it?” I call out.
“Benny.”
I shouldn’t open the door because I don’t trust myself at the moment. But I can’t help myself. Maybe it’s the fact that he rescued me from an oversized prick with a god complex. Maybe it’s just the magic of the island…luring me into dangerous situations.
I open the door, and Benny smiles at me. He holds up two coffee cups. “You want to go for a walk?” The smell of coffee reminds me of Starbucks. I miss Starbucks.
I slip on my flip-flops. “What about the murderous ghosts?” I ask before stepping outside, still not sure this is the best idea, but at this point, hanging out with the guy who tried to murder me seems like the most normal thing to do on this island. Clearly, I have to just accept there is a different code here.
He raises his eyebrows, and it looks altogether too cute. “Didn’t I just save you from one?”
“He was very much alive.”
Benny gives me a crooked grin. “Lucky for you, doll, I can protect you from both of them. I may be a ghost, but I hardly pop anyone anymore. Plus, the ghosts can’t murder until dawn.” He did protect me, but Luke told me he killed his best friend. At the moment, I have no idea what I believe.
Elias steps onto his porch, and my mind is suddenly made up. I’m off down the boardwalk, and Benny falls in step with me. I sip at my coffee. It has vanilla in it.
“How do you know what I like?” I ask. A tree branch brushes my cheek, and a few birds fly out in front of us.
He blushes.
“I watch you sometimes. I like watching people.”
Every instinct I have tells me to run, but I don’t want to go back to my boat. “Right. As a ghost. That’s kinda creepy.” I wonder what else he’s seen. If in fact he’s really a ghost. Am I starting to believe it? Nope. I’m going mad, just like everyone else here.
“I have lots of free time. Watching people makes me feel alive, and there are a few I check in on at least once a month. I enjoy seeing their lives unfold.”
I swallow to give myself a moment and pretend to go along with him. “Is that why you watch me, to see my life unfold?”
He chuckles. “No. I watch you because you intrigue me.”
“In what way?” I gulp. A breeze blows, and the trees whistle above us. I look up to make sure nothing is falling out of them.
“Most people who end up trapped here die first, or they come seeking a deal with Samuel. They understand the supernatural and the world around them. You don’t, and you don’t seem all that bothered by it. That’s why I started watching you in the first place. And now, doll, I just do it because I want to know what you’re going to do next.”
I want to tell him that he’s insane just like the rest of the people on the island, but insane people don’t know they’re insane, right? Maybe I’m the crazy one.
We stroll out into the field of the circus. It’s dying down already, and pink appears in the treetops.
Benny stops and spins around, only inches from my face. He watches my eyes, and I don’t flinch. It’s almost as if he’s gauging my reaction.
I’m definitely attracted to him. Not in the same way as Samuel, but there is something about him.
He brings himself even closer to me. “You know, I watch humans because most of the ghosts won’t have anything to do with me. I lure the humans to the island, and other ghosts pop them, but I’m the reason they come.”
I swallow, unsure of what to say. His body is hot next to mine.
“I didn’t lure you here, though. That was another force, altogether. You’re beautiful and fascinating, you know. I hope you won’t hate me.”
He grips my arm, turns me around, and pulls me roughly against him. Cold metal presses against my neck, and all sound dies.
“Benny, what are you doing?” I gasp.
“I’m really sorry. It’s just my job.” His voice is full of remorse.
The knife bites into my skin, and Benny holds me tight. If I try to move sideways, that knife will slice my neck right open. I fell right into this trap. I’m such a fool. My whole body goes cold.
“Benny, please don’t do this.” I’m going to die.
“Shhh, don’t make this harder on me than it already is.”
Tears prick my eyes and flow down my cheeks. A scream fills the air, and my eyes flick to the sound. Not ten feet from me, two giants are fighting over another man. The red hair catches my eye. It’s the man who attacked me. I don’t know where they came from. Seconds ago, Benny and I were alone on this side of the circus.
“Well, I’ll be damned,” Benny whispers in my ear. “He might just get what he deserves.”
Benny doesn’t hold the knife as tightly to my neck as he watches the men with me, but he doesn’t put it down.
The giants are both huge, at least a foot taller than Benny, with muscles the size of watermelons. One has a hold of the man’s legs, and the other one has him by the head, his face nearly matching his red hair. They are pulling in different directions. The man holding the head is twisting my attacker’s neck around. In spite of my current predicament, I can’t keep my eyes off of them.
The knife presses into my skin.
“I don’t want to die,” I whisper.
Benny holds the knife steady. “No one ever does.”
The giant ghost with the head sneers at the other one.
“Who do you think will win?” he asks with a laugh. The other ghost doesn’t respond. He just pulls on the legs, and the man’s neck stretches, popping the joints of his back. His whole body strains against their tugs. My stomach lurches. I’m gonna puke.
Benny pushes the blade. The skin breaks, and pain bursts across my neck, but I can’t take my eyes off the monstrous giants across from me. Other people creep in, watching the show. I wonder if they know it’s real.
Blood drips down my neck, and I cry out. At the same time, the giant across from us yanks on my attacker’s legs, and the body separates from the head. Both the head and the body go flying, and blood sprays everywhere, including all over my feet.
Suddenly, the pressure of the knife is gone, and all the people in front of me disappear into thin air. I press my hand against my neck—it’s sticky with blood. But I’m alive.
I take a few tentative steps to the twitching body on the ground. Blood gushes from his neck. I should be nauseous or something, but mostly I’m just grateful my body isn’t lying there.
Suddenly, hands prop the body up, and I jump back. It starts crawling toward the swampy water, pushing its head along the way like a dog nudges a ball. It moves slowly. Eventually, the head lands in the swamp with a splash, and the bloody body slips in after it.
I hold my hand to my neck, and a memory flickers. The day I arrived.
A hand grabbed my ankle.
It’s real. It’s all real.
Forget a boat; I’m taking a helicopter out of here.
Chapter Eighteen
I look around. No one is there. It’s like one minute people were here, and the next everyone is gone. My heart slows a little.
One thing I know for sure now: ghosts are real, and so is magic. Vampires and werewolves probably are as well. Nothing is impossible anymore. Everything everyone told me is true.
A breeze ruffles my hair, and I spin around. I don’t know where Benny went or when he’s coming back, but I want to be far, far away when he does.
I can’t believe it’s all real.
My neck stings where his kn
ife was, and blood coats my fingertips, but I don’t think it will kill me. I press my robe to my neck. I wish I knew how to fix it up on my own, but this is a job for a professional. Well, as professional as one can get on this island.
I look around and take a deep breath. I don’t know what’s out there, but here I’m a sitting duck. I rush over to Ruth’s tent, keeping a close eye out for murderous ghosts even though I know they all leave at dawn. The circus is eerily empty where just an hour ago, it was bustling.
Ruth isn’t in the tent, but I find gauze and press it against the wound. It burns. I find a scalpel and grip it hard. No one is doing me in here. I’ll gut them first.
I sit for a few moments before Ruth bustles in. She blinks at me. “What happened to you?”
“Benny.”
“Again? I thought you learned your lesson with the tigers.”
“Why does he want to kill me?”
“Because he’s a ghost. That’s his job.”
I wait for her to elaborate, but she doesn’t. My mind spins through all the information I’ve been given over the last few weeks, but I still don’t understand much. Because up until now, I didn’t believe them.
“Lorena said Benny doesn’t usually kill.”
“He doesn’t, but that doesn’t mean you should trust him. I don’t trust any of the ghosts. You won’t see me leaving my tent on the new moon.”
Ugh. This is so frustrating. No one ever gives me a straight answer. “Is it possible to protect myself from them?”
“That’s not my territory, dearie. You’re trapped here because of the cards, so you need to speak with Lorena.”
“She can help me?”
“Maybe. Let me see your wound.”
I remove the gauze, and I can smell the blood. She studies it. “Not too bad.”
“What about Samuel? He promised to protect me.”
She clucks for a moment. “I would trust Lorena over Samuel.”
Circus of the Dead: Book 1 Page 11