Chapter 11

                The crowd immediately let out a round of applause and cheers at Joker’s amazing spark to begin the show. As the Circus freaks exited, Leefah sat worriedly and crossed her arms.

                Chasity munched on her popcorn and looked over at her, then also grew worried. “Maybe you should relax Leelee. It’ll do you good since all that stress might make your gorgeous red hair turn grey!”

                Leefah rolled her eyes and peered down at the stage.

                Maple cocked her head to the side as Mitzi let out a large cheer and waved around a pinwheel.

                “WOOOOOOOO!!! Granny isn’t this awesome!” Mitzi asked, nearly deafening Maple.

                Maple gripped her stick, debating striking her granddaughter but resisted the urge.

                Down on the stage, Joker had moved to the side to give the first performer room.

                The spotlight grew brighter and shone down on Bella. She “tssked” and sat down on the center of the stage. She snapped her fingers, causing a puff of smoke to form and create a basket before her criss-crossed legs. She pulled out a flute and took a deep, calming breath.

                The crowd stared down in amazement and wonder of what she would pull.

                She gently pressed her lips against the flute and blew with the tiniest of air release.

As she played the flute, a king cobra slowly slithered out of the basket and looked around. Its tongue flicked with every few notes and its sleek black body wiggled to the sound of the notes. Bella snickered and tossed the flute into the air, causing it to explode into a puff of smoke.

Along with the flute, the basket along with the cobra also exploded and formed together to make an emotionless man. He worse a suit and top hat similar to Joker, but was dressed in red.

The crowd roared with excitement!

Maple nodded her head, “Simple transformation Magic. It seems she’s a low level Spellcaster, maybe level 2?”

Leefah pointed to Joker, “He’s the one who controlled it. That Bella girl doesn’t have a magic influx receptor anywhere near her. She’s a plain human it seems.”

Georgia and Mitzi leaned over and shushed them. “You’re ruining the show!” they said playfully.

Bella stepped forward and the crowd gasped as she had changed into an elegant red gown to match The Snake man.

The lights changed colors and the two grasped hands. They stared intently at each other and broke into a tango dance. They glided around the stage in each other’s arms with flashy twirls and flips. As the music began to die down, they came to a stop and morphed back into their clothes, except for the snake man who returned to his snake form.

Joker happily re-entered center stage. “Give a round of applause to Bella and Cobra! Weren’t they just amazing?!”

The crowd cheered in agreement as Bella exited the stage with a glare.

Joker snickered, “Onto our next performer… Braun the strong man!”

The large muscular man from before bounced out to center stage and let out a large jolly laugh. “Ah ha ha ha! Hello there friends!” he shouted in a thick Russian accent.

“Hello!!” Mitzi shouted from her seat along with every toddler in the crowd.

Braun twirled his mustache, “Now now, would anyone be willing to take part in my performance with me? I’d enjoy a helper!”

Mitzi’s eyes filled with sparkles and excitement! She jumped to her feet and she raised her hand, frightening Chasity, Leefah, Maple and Georgia. “Me me meeeeee!” she screamed.

Braun looked up and squinted, “Ah yes. The young woman up there! Would you please come down?”

“AHHHHH!!! Yes!” Mitzi cheered excitedly and pranced down to the stage.

Maple shook her head, “Honestly that girl….”

Leefah blushed, “She’s the same as always… Even when we were little…”

Mitzi’s cheeks grew red and she stood next to Braun and peered out at the audience. “I’ve always wanted to perform in front of a crowd! What do I do?”

Braun let out another jolly laugh, “Why nothing.” He picked her up, shocking everyone. He tossed her into the air causing the entire audience to gasp!”

“AHHHHH!!!!!” She screamed terrified as she rose to the roof and then stopped as she headed straight back down towards the ground!

Braun let out another laugh and then caught her, only to send her back up into the air. This time, Prim and Rue ran out and jumped up, adding to the bunch of people thrown into the air! Braun then juggled the trio of people, with Prim and Rue staying emotionless and blank the whole time.

Mitzi, however, grew hysterical as she glided up and down like she were on a spinning ride at an amusement park.

Prim and Rue looked at each other and jumped off the juggling session and landed on the stage beside Braun.

Mitzi looked around and let out a little gasp as she landed in Brauns arms.

He leaned down next to Mitzi and whispered, “Now please pose eh?” he asked politely.

She looked at him as though he were crazy and then giggled. She shot her legs and arms out and posed with Braun, Prim and Rue! “That was so awesome!” she shouted.

Braun nodded and smiled a large smile towards her, “Thank you miss. It was a please making your acquaintance and to have you a part of my performance.”

Mitzi brushed her skirt and fixed her messy hair, “Oh no no! It was just awesome to be a part of that!” She turned to the crowd and curtseyed.

The crowd cheered and let out a large round of applause for Mitzi and Braun!

Mitzi glided off the stage and returned to her seat with between Maple and Georgia. “That was so fun! Although my head feels a little wonky, maybe my brain got turned into a milkshake!”

Maple narrowed her eyes, “Well dear, it’s not like you had much of a brain to rattle around in there anyway”

The spotlight returned onto center stage and Joker stood with a large box.

Beside it, Tophet stood without her umbrella. Her skin, however, reflected the light and made her so pale it seemed as though she were almost a doll.

Joker called out to the crowd, “For our final act, my wife will be accompanying me!”

She lowered her head and whispered into his ear.

Joker made a shocked face and he looked her. His face grew serious and he nodded. He smiled once again to the crowd, “It seems like we’ll be doing a vanishing act today!”

Tophet rubbed her sleep black glove covered fingers along the wood of the box and then stepped inside.

Joker waltzed to the front of the box and looked at Tophet as she gently closed the door, locking herself into the box. Joker took his wand out from his side and pointed it at the box. He focused his energy and caused his wand to grow bright. He opened his eyes and shot a bright flame at the box and set it ablaze!

The crowd gasped as the box went up in flames!

Under the stage, Desirae and Morgana looked up in shock as they felt the heat of the fire. They both wiped sweat off their foreheads and continued their journey. They reached a door where they could feel a faint breeze blowing through the cracks of its wood.

Morgana clapped excitedly. “Yes, we’re finally out of this hell hole Debra!”

Desirae rolled her eyes, “its Des….. Oh whatever…” She reached forward and opened the door.

As the door opened, Tophet slammed her foot into Desirae and knocked her back onto the ground. She entered the room and looked and them both, “Who let you two out….”

Desirae stood up weakly and gripped her stomach. “Why are we here?!”

Tophet tssked, “That’s simple, you’d ruin the show!”

Morgana pointed at her dramatically, “Enough! Let us be released from this foul confinement!”

Tophet looked at her annoyed, “Oh be quiet. We’ll actually be using you at tonight’s show so sit tight!” She stepped back and slammed the door shut, locking them in.

Desirae stood up and ran the door trying to break it down, only to slam into the wood and injure her arm. She slumped down and leaned against the door as she lie in the dirt.

Morgana walked over and helped Desirae sit up, “What on earth could they need us for….”

Desirae glared at the stage above them, “Who knows….”

The box finished burning and its frame crashed down onto the stage in a pile of ashes!

The crowd sat motionless and surprised.

Joker turned and winked at everyone, “Don’t worry folks! This is a vanishing act afterall, she’s actually….” He turned and pointed towards the roof.

The spotlight moved and shone towards where Tophet originally stood. She sat up there gripping her umbrella, waving at the crowd.

Everyone cheered they’re biggest cheers yet!

She stood and looked down at them and then changed her view to stare through the hole in the roof at Sunset Valley. She let out a low pitched snicker, “Oh my love, what a lovely town…. If only it was going to be sticking around….”