|
|
|
No Ordinary Circus -----------------------------------------------------------
My name is Eliza Reuge and i am a circus freak. At least, that's what they call us. And this is not where I belong. I am strictly here for their entertainment, to put on an thrilling show; I dont love the circus.In fact, i barely like it.Why then? I wanted to be a veterinarian. So why am i here? Things usually don't turn out how you want them too. He gives us food, and shelter, and keeps us busy. He also keeps us here, always. He bought me, he owns me, owns us. And who, you wonder, am i talking about? Kurt Monachelly, thats who. Why do you speak of him like the bad guy, if he feeds you and gives you shelter, whats the problem? Some of us wanted to thrive, and go places, but he keeps us locked up here. We're his prisoners, basically. I didn't always work here. As I said, I wanted to be a veterinarian.
Every kid wanted to go to the circus.They wanted to see the lions and the elephants and clowns, and they liked the magician too. Of course, usually their mother's made them to leave when the knife thrower, sword swallower, and fire dancers performed, which was saved for last. Having the children see this could impel them to try it at home. It wasn't the kind of thing you wanted your kid to see.Their fault if anything happened, we gave them a warning... Vincent Voscoe and Kurt Monachelly were the ringmasters, and they did an excellent job at it too. But, you see, Vincent is out of the picture, gone, done, astrayed. No chance he'll be coming back. He's not dead either. He just left. but people don't just leave without a reason. It's true. They don't just leave. Some people leave on acount of they long to fulfil their life goal, embark on a long jouney of self accomplishment, do something worthwhile...blah blah blah. Another reason they leave is because they undergo a fight. A big scandalous feud, and thus, they split. In this case, reason number two. But nobody will tell me what ever happened. The rumors I hear, are about Vincent stealing all the money for himself and running away. But i feel like there is something more.
By now, I am age 20. I have short choppy strawberry blonde hair. Some might say I'm attractive, not to brag. One boy made it very clear though. Tyler Monachelly, who sadly is the son of the ringmaster. He slips me roses backstage before a show, his father doesn't notice. We couldn't let him find out though. I like Tyler too. He's aware of how his father treats us. It's not like he's daddys-little-boy. He doesn't really like his own dad, sometimes he ignores him, sometimes he acts really weird about him. Tyler is 18. His mother died. All he has is Kurt Monachelly, or me, as he tells me often. We don't get to talk very often, he's on one side of the circus cleaning animal stalls while I, on the other and, am on the other side swinging from high bars. Tyler doesnt just clean the stalls, that is just one of his chores. Tyler is an animal tamer, well he isnt one yet, but he practices and his father tells him "Soon, my boy". For now, his role in the circus is maintenance. He helps with setting things up, electric problems, bringing out equiptment, sometimes he gets to come on stage to bring out something heavy and the performer gives him a shoutout. Sometimes he has to bring something out during one of my acts and he usually winks at me. I give him acrobat lessons, he gives me elephant rides. We haven't shared a kiss yet though. I think it's because it's too risky. It's one thing for kurt to see us together, but a completely different thing for him to see us kissing. He would forbid us to ever see each other ever again. That cant happen, he already took away everything else.
I am in my tent pacing back and forth. Today I am planning to confront Kurt. Tell him i won't put up with him anymore. He can have his money back. And then I would leave, be reunited with my family and go to vet school. Yeah right. The problem was I couldn't leave Tyler, the circus would be moving soon. If I left, and then the circus left, I wouldnt be able to see Tyler, probably ever again. I've tried to leave before, Kurt woudnt have it, he begged me to stay, he cried and pleaded with me. When That didnt work, he got sturn. "No. You can not leave. I bought you." he would hold up the contract. "I own the rights. Where would you go, huh? Think your parents want you back? Why would they have kicked you out in the first place. You have no money, you have nothing. You can't leave." I didn't fight back I just nodded and left, then went back to my tent to cry. I was afraid I would never get out. That was before i really clicked with Tyler. As I cried in my tent, i panicked as i heard someone coming , and stopped crying, I didnt want anyone to hear me. Then i saw the shadow of someone standing in front of my tent. I wiped my face and said "Come in." at first the person just stood there, then a boy walked in. He looked about 16, this was when i was 18. He said "Why are you crying?" in a kind voice. I replied "I'm not crying.” and he said “you were, I heard you, dont lie.” I was angry. This was the least thing I wanted. So I looked away. The boy said “I’m sorry. My name is Tyler. “ I looked up at him and said “I'm - “ but he cut me off and beat me to it. “Eliza.” he spoke my name and I blushed. “Yeah.” I said. “Tell me why you were crying.” he asked. So I told him. He apologized. I asked why he apologized and he told me Kurt was his father. At first I was afraid he was going to tell his dad this, afterall I made it pretty clear that I couldnt stand the guy. I backed away from him. “It’s okay, you can trust me. I'm nothing like my dad. And, I think you’re the most beautiful girl I’ve ever seen.” That time I blushed and smiled. “Thankyou. You really made me feel better.” For a moment I thought we were going to kiss. Then we hear “Tyler? Tyler!” and we freeze. “Thats my dad, I have to go!” he rushes out. I hear him reply “Yeah dad?” and his dad tells him to clean the elephant poop from the ring. So now I am trying to decide if I should leave Tyler, or stay. I know Tyler, being selfless, would say to go. But i just couldnt leave him. Now I am working my way to Kurts office. If I tell Tyler I want to leave, but then end up staying, I know he will feel guilty for my unhappyness and I wouldn't want that.
I am standing out side of Kurts office. Still considering just running back to my tent and ditching my plan. His door was cracked open and I peered inside. I see Kurt counting his money. I couldnt believe it. I've asked for him to pay me a few times and he said the circus was having money issues. Then he would say that our pay was being fed and housed. Then the conversation would be turned back to me wanting to leave someday. These discussions were never pretty. I hear him counting allowed, voice getting excited each hundred. He was up to three thousand five hundred dollars. He laughed out loud, then put the money in one of his safes. That was only a portion of what he really has. I heard him say ”I’m rich. I’m a success!”. I gasped, a little too loud. It got quiet in his office so I ran away. I run back to my tent and throw my self on the bed angrily. This is my fault, i got my self into this mess. I should have stayed at home. Everyone has a secret. Mine, well... Everyone thinks my parents kicked me out of the house, but the truth is that I ran away. The only reason I lied was because if i told them i ran away, they would want to know why. October 17th, 1997, is the day I ran away. I was 16 and everything felt like the end of the world to me. It was a few weeks after my birthday and I continued to ask my parents for a sweet sixteen. Either they weren’t paying attention because they were busy arguing, or they just said “No!” with no concideration. Everything was falling apart. School was stressful, I was a junior and just starting to think about college, and my future. Everyone was putting pressure on me, I kept getting horrible head aches and staying home from school, adding on more work, which was piling up. My parents kept telling me to search for a job. Great, more work to be piled up. My mom said I needed to start saving for college, since we’re broke. My parents kept fighting and I was sure that they’d devorce and I didn’t want to be there when it happened. I had no friends considering my only friend moved a year ago - Lenny Richardson, everyone thought I was weird because I didn’t have any girl friends. Me and Lenny were both misfits. So when he moved away, I was alone. Then I came home with my report card with mostly C’s , a D and one F. My mom was yelling at me about trying harder, then my dad butted in and they started fighting over me. My dad was defeanding me. Go dad! I snuck away to my room and started packing. I heard the CRASH of broken glass. Then there was a moment of silence, then my mom started yelling at my dad about breaking her grandmothers china. I climbed out the window. That was that. I left home.
It is the middle of the night. I wake up covered in sweat. There is a shadow of a human out side my bedroom and I scream. "Stop! It's just me!" Its Tyler, running inside. I throw my pillow at him. "You scared me!" I said, now laughing. "Sorry." he said. "Isn't it risky for you to come here?" I asked. "Maybe, but I had to come. I just woke up. I had this crazy dream. I feel like...like it meant something." he said. "What happened in the dream?" I asked. He sat down at the edge of my bed. "Well, there was a man who I didn't know, and my dad, and I was hanging off a cliff waiting to be saved from one of them. Only, the man reached down and said 'I'll help you son'. Then my dad pushed him out of the way and tries to help me but he's too late, and I've fallen. As I'm falling, I'm surrounded by mirrors. Then the reflection in the mirrors changes, into that man, who I didn't know. And he was shaking his head 'no'. then the reflection went back to me. Except it was wearing something different. And he had different eyes, it was like it was me, but it also wasnt. I woke up when I was about to hit the ground." he finished. "Okay...um, well it's just a dream, it probably doesnt mean anything." I said. "Yeah, but I've had dreams like it before. They're always different, but have the same concept. It's weird." he said. "Oh" was all I could think of to say. "I know, it's weird." Then we hug. I said "Don't worry about it." and he said "I'll try not to." then he left. I went back to bed.
The next day I'm in the ring practicing with Noelle and Kaysee the other acrobat/tightrope walkers. Today we are talking about the possibilities of extra terrestrials. Kaysee is always having weird dreams and sais that aliens send them to her. Yestarday we talked about the existance of Bigfoot. Which Noelle sais is possible if evolution exists, which brings on another debate topic. These are the kind of things we talk about, not hair and makeup and boys. Then Bill, the flame thrower approaches us. "Hey Bill," sais Noelle as she is doing a handstand. She tumbles over and gets up. "Ladies," he sais tilting his hat up and smiling. "Look, do you know where Kurt is?" He asks. "Um, I think he might be in his office. Everything okay?" she replies. "Yeah, I need more karosene. There was a spill." He said sounding upset. He left the room and Kaysee said "Alright girls, now lets get on those highwires." I made my way to the animals and said "I'll be right back. Got to go check on something." and I left. Sure enough I saw Tyler in the elephant stalls. He didn't see me right away. I turned and saw two men bringing one of the elephants out and the elephant wasn't cooperating. They pulled and the elephant remained, one of them took out a whip and started hitting the elephant with it.It was hard to watch. The elephant started trumpeting and getting on it's hind legs. The cry of the elephant broke my heart. "Stupid beast!" they called it. I ran over and intercepted. "Stop! Stop! leave it alone!" I said grabbing the whip out of their hand. "What'dya think you're doing?" one of them said in a rough voice. Just as this was happening Kurt was walking by with Bill. "Eliza!" he came over and slapped me across the face. Tyler yelled "Dad, no!" just as he did it. I fell to the ground. "Dad!" Tyler said angrily but Kurt walked away anyway. "I'll be seeing Eliza in my office in ten minutes." He yelled back. "Ellie, are you alright." Tyler asked, helping me up. "Physically, or mentally." I asked brushing dust off my legs. "Oh...Well, I'm sorry about my dad. He shouldn't have done that." He said. I nodded, holding back all of the things I wanted to say. Some of the rude performers, mostly the ones who can juggle, came by singing "Liza's in troooouuuble." Then they laughed. Tyler yelled "Shut up!" to them and they left. "Idiots. Just 'cause they can juggle...." he continued. "It's okay. I better start heading to Kurts office." "Hang in there." said Tyler as i began walking away. When I arrive at Kurts office he is already there. "Liza, sit down." I sit. "Would you like to tell me what got into you?" he said sternly. "Sir, I - They were abusing the elephant! I wouldn't let them do that! It's wrong!" I said. "Silence! What were you doing there anyway? shouldn't you have been on the other side practicing with the other acrobats?" he pointed out. I began sweating, I couldn't tell him the real reason I was there, which was to see Tyler. I have to make up a lie on the spot. "Yeah, but we finished early and i just thought I'd go help out somewhere else." I told him. "It wasn't your place to butt in! They know what they're doing; you could have gotten someone hurt!" he said. I stood up and said "Me! They were the ones upsetting the elephant, They could have caused it to go on a rampage, I was just stopping them!" Then Kurt stood up. "Excuse me? You are not to speak to me like that." he said. "You're not my father!" I said back. Then he said "Go back and practice for the rest of the day, you will have no break, and no dinner." I stomped out. The rest of the day was difficult, I was having trouble practicing with all that anger bottled up. Some of the girls snuck me out some food to eat so I didn't go hungry. I won't let this go, this time Kurt has drawn the line.
On October 17th, 1997, after I left, I wandered the streets feeling empty and lonely, I almost wanted my parents to come find me. I put that thought out of my head, this was it. Now I'm a street girl. so...now what do I do? I had asked myself. Basically I just walked down the street. I had a wad of cash in my pocket, I had to make this last. I'm through with school, and rules. I'm free. As night comes around, I find myself considering going back home. I'm walking by the circus. I look for a moment, it's dark and quiet. I sit down on the curb. I lay down using my backpack as a pillow, taking off my hoodie and using it as a blanket. I'm about to fall asleep when I feel someone shaking me, to awake me. My eyes burst open. I get ready to hit someone but instead they say in a calm voice "It's okay, you can trust me." I stood up. "My name is Kurt Monachelly, I own this circus. Why don't you come in, it's not safe out here on the streets." He lead me to the tents where everyone else slept. They weren't little camping tents, they were big tents, with doors. "What is your name?" he asked me. "Eliza." I said shyly. "Eliza," he smiled at me welcomingly, "well here, you can sleep here as long as you need. Would you tell me why you were on the streets though, you look rather young." he said gently. "Well, yes, I'm 16...um, my parents, they kicked me out." I just said it. Just like that. "Thats terrible. You're welcome here." He left me to rest. When I woke up I was greeted with breakfast. The first week or so it was "Eliza, are you comfortable? Eliza, do you need anything? Eliza, would you like a book to read, or something to do?" and it was nice. I got to watch the performers practice and they talked to me too. They werent the same as the people I go to school with. They were friendly. After so long, the special treatment died down. Eventually Kurt came to me and said "Eliza, I'm sorry dear, but, it's a bit much for us to be dong this for you." I thought he was going to kick me out. "So, if you wish to stay with us, you'll have to start doing some work." I was relieved. It wasn't too much to ask for. So I said yes. He told me I could go around learning about each position and choose what I'd like to do to contribute. I took a few gymnastic lessons before and was really good. I had to quit when we started having financial problems. So I chose to be an acrobat. Kurt came to me with a contract and told me if I signed, I'd be given three meals a day, supplies and things I need, and I'd keep my tent. Seemed like a good deal. I signed the contract. After a year or so, I was treated like everyone else, like dirt. And that was the beginning.
The next day at lunch I sat near Tyler. "I had another one of those dreams." he told me. "That's strange. But what would they mean?" I asked. "I'm not sure, maybe there's something I don't know, or arent supposed to know." He said. "Do you think so?" I asked. "Maybe. Maybe I should just forget about it, it's not like I'll be able to get any answers." he said letting it go. "You never know..." We let it go and moved on. Later that day I was in my tent reading a book. Then I heard a scream and then someone began shouting "Fire!" I gasped and ran to go see. A huge fire was spread over where the firethrowers practice. Kurt came running. "what happened?" he shouted. "I already called the fire department! They're on their way. " said Bill. "But how did this happen?" Kurt sounded mad. "I'm sorry, there must have still been some karosene on the ground from the spill the other day." Bill was avoiding the subjet, how did it happen. Kurt glared at Bill and Bill knew right away he wanted the full explanation. "I, I dropped my torch, sir, I'm so sorry! It wont happen again." Bill was looking to the ground. "You bet it won't happen again! Because you'll be practicing off this damage! And no dinner tonight, or tomorow." Kurt raved. Poor Bill, at least when I got in trouble it wasn't in front of everyone. By that time the fire department arrived and put out the fire easily. I think Bill was scarred for life though.
"Do you know why Vincent Voscoe left the circus?" I asked Tyler during our secret meet up. "No. I was only six years old when it happened. I don't ask my dad because it's a very touchy subject for him." he looked down. "I asked one of the janitors once and they said that Vincent had a son. " "Interesting. You think he had anything to do with it?" I said. "I don't know...could be." he replied. "Anyways, why do you care so much about this?" he asked. "I just have to know..." I said. Later I am greeted in the ring by everybody. "Happy Birthday Eliza!" They shouted. "Aww, thanks you guys! I can't believe you remembered my birthday." Ellice, our bearded lady, presented me with a new leotard. "From all of us," she said. "we each pitched in." "I love it." I said giving each of them a hug. Tonight at the show, Lance was going to let me go into the Box Of Mystery, where he would make me disappear. I've never been more excited. Lance and I went to Kurt to get his approval of my assistance in lance's show. When we asked Kurt he told us no. when we asked why he said "The show cannot change for ones birthday." "But we did something on your birthday." I protested. "I'm the ringleader, this is my circus. Besides, we can't be wasting time for your enjoyment, it's about the audiences entertainment. They didn't pay to see you have a happpy birthday, they want action. I'm afraid I disapprove of your request." "But - " "It's final." Lance and I left him and Lance whispered "Don't worry, we'll do it." I smiled greatly. "You'd really risk getting in trouble for me?" "Least I can do on your birthday." "Thanks!" I said and gave him a small hug. That night at the show we did the performance for my birthday with the box of mystery. I noticed Kurt gave us dirty looks and wouldnt talk to us later on. Which means he's breaking, he's getting worn out from dicipline. This was something good. The crowd loved our trick, and as for Kurt, he would get over it. As I was heading back to my tent that night Kurt found me and stopped me. "Eliza, I would highly recomend you do as I say. Life's to short to be making silly decisions. And you wouldnt want it to end before you've experienced the whole thing." He smiled and told me to go on. I was a bit weirded out by this. Was he threatening me?
That night I was up late thinking about Vincent Voscoe. Listing as many possibilities as I could. Thinking so much about the past made me think about the first time I attempted to leave. I was 17 and a half. I packed my stuff and made my way out. Kurt was checking up on things and noticed me. "Liza where are you going?" he asked me. I put down my bags and said "Kurt, I'm sorry, but it's time for me to leave. Thankyou for all you've done, but now I must go." Then Kurt said "No, you cannot leave. Our contract sais so. " I was baffled. I hadnt bothered to read our 5 page contract. He said all the others signed it and it was strictly in case of an accident, so he couldn't be sued. "What do you mean?" I asked. "If you had read the contract you'd know what I was talking about. I bought you." Kurt said and I felt nauseous. I stared blankly at him for a moment. I started running away but he called security and then after the big men grabbed me, he had them put me inside a cage for an animal. He locked me in there for a day. If I know anything, it's that Kurt sure know's how to put on an act, earning peoples trust, though usually he betrays them. I would bet that I'm not the first that he's done this too. So I take off. I head to Tylers room, which is risky since it's next to Kurts tent. Tyler was outside of his tent and saw me approaching. "Liza?" he said. I shooshed him. "Tyler, let's runaway together." I said abruptly. "What? This is so sudden, where would we go?" he questioned. "Doesn't matter, as long as it's away from here." Then I grabbed his hand and he said. "Let's do it." and then, we kissed. Kurt comes out of his tent, his hair is sloppy and he has a scowl on his face. "What is this I heard?" he barked. I grabbed Tyler's hand and we took off running. "Security! We got two runners! Go into lockdown!" Kurt shouted. Big men came running out after us from every corner. They turned on sirens and lights. "Tyler don't do this!" Kurt shouted to us. Our minds were made up, tonight we were getting out. The big men chased us through the camp grounds. We ran through several tents and made many sharp turns trying to throw them off. We went inside the ring and ran across where we found ourselves at Kurts office. Tyler pulled a set of keys out of his pockets. "Where'd you get those?" I whispered. "I was headed here when you found me." he said. He unlocked the door and we went inside. "Get down." he said quietly. There is a little window on the side of the office, it has a curtain but it still doesnt give you complete privacy. "I'm starting to remember what happened - when Vincent Voscoe quit. It's coming back.The reason I came is because I was looking for something, a clue, something that might help me remember what happened." I did as Tyler said and got down. He flipped through some books on the little book shelf then opened the desk drawer rumaging through the junk in there, he found nothing important. He shuffled through the filing cabinet. In letters "X-Z" he found something in the back. A photo album. "Eliza, this could be it." he said and slid down next to me opening up the book. He saw a photo of Kurt and Vincent arms around each other smiling in front of the circus with the sun in their eyes, they were young, it must have been when they first opened it. Another one was Kurt with a little boy on his shoulders. "Was that you?" I asked. "Uhh, yeah." he said unsure. We went through a few pictures until we found one particular picture. It was Vincent Voscoe. He was holding his son, but it looked strangely like Tyler. We turned the page and inside the picture slot was a bundle of paper,several pieces of lined paper folded into each other. Tyler pulled it out. "What's this?" he asked. He opened them, they were letters, one titled to Kurt, and one titled to someone named Andrew. Tyler began to read them, I saw his eyes crystallizing with tears. "I remember." he said. "I've been living a lie..." Tyler said closing the book and shaking his head. "This is what happened;Kurt was preparing for the show and Vincent hadn't arrived yet, neither had his wife." I noticed how he called his dad by his name. "Vincent was going to pick her up and bring her to show." I bet they had an affair. I thought. "Vincent was late to getting her, and on the way over, there was a truck accident. She died. If he hadn't gotten her late, the accident wouldn't have happened." I was about to tell him I'm sorry for his loss but he cut me off "Kurt was angry at Vincent. And he wanted revenge. He lost his wife, so he should have to lose something of his, his son. Thats why Vincent left, he caused a death, and lost his son." he began to cry. "Kurt lost his son in that accident." he said. I was baffled. What did he mean by that? "My father is Vincent Voscoe. Kurt Monachelly stole me when I was a child. Kurts son was in the car during the accident, and he was killed by it." I hugged him tightly and comfortingly. "And also, my name is Andrew." My jaw dropped. It makes sense now, his dreams. Since Kurts son was killed, he took Vincents. "Andrew..." I said. Then The door busted open and Kurt Monachelly walked in. Now I see that he's not just a jerk, but he's just evil. "There you are." he said. "I know what you did!" said Ty -- Andrew. "Oh really? and what might that be?" he said slyly. "You kidnapped me! Vincent Voscoe is my father and because of him you lost your wife and son, but you kidnapped me to make up for your loss." I could tell that he was angry. "Well what are you gonna do about it?" Kurt said. And Tyler, Andrew, lunged at him, knocking him over, punching him in the face, beating his chest using the trophy from the desk. Kurt pushed him off and backhanded him across the face. They brawled it out and I had no idea what to do. "Run Eliza!" I was told. And I took off. "I dont think so!" Kurt yelled and pushed Tyler, who is now Andrew.Which I will never get used to. Tyler ran after us and grabbed Kurt and pulled him down, catching up with me. We ran and ran , with Kurt chasing us, until we came to the end. The fence. Tyler held his hand out to give me a boost over and I landed on my feet then he started climbing up and over. Before he got over the fence, Kurt pulled him off and onto the ground and started kicking him. "Let it go!" Tyler yelled. "Leave him alone!" I screamed. Tyler picked up a rock and hit Kurt on the head, knocking him out for only a moment, but enough for him to make his escape. He Joined me on the other side of the fence and we started running. I looked back and saw Kurt, standing on the opposite side of the fence. He's looking at me with sad stone eyes.
October 1st, 2001. This is how it feels, to be free, to know the truth, to be happy. I know where Andrew and I can go, home, as long as home is still there. My name is Eliza Reuge, and I was a circus freak, or so they called us. This is where my story ends. Who knows what will happen in the future. As one door closes, another door opens. We'll see whats in store for me.
poptart_princess11 · Wed Oct 13, 2010 @ 11:46pm · 0 Comments |
|
|
|
|
|