Introduction
Note: This work is partly inspired from a Homestuck AU called Runawaystuck. While the roleplay has nothing to do with the AU, or Homestuck, I better give credit when credit is due. This roleplay is a revamp of an original roleplay I ran a year ago, edited and fixed for your roleplaying pleasure!
It's the 1920s, a time where freak shows were not only widespread, but they were a popular form of entertainment. Normal people viewing others outside of the norm wasn't only fun, it was encouraged, and hardly anyone saw wrong in it. The Torture Circus, owned by Mr.Torture himself, is known for it's incredible Freakshow, that includes mutants never thought to be seen before! They travel all over the USA, stopping for only a week in each destination. They charge fifty cents for admission, and are always open Friday to the following Wednesday, where you can attend from eleven in the morning to seven in the evening!
Many people are here by choice; they might work as acrobats, jugglers, animal tamers, and so on. These are the normal ones. Others are here because they have no where else to go, and then there are those that are forced to stay because of their value. You see, there are people that are born into this world with rare anomalies; they're known as mutants, and freaks. Some resemble beasts, others are born with great psychic powers, and few even have abilities that are reminiscent of the devil himself. They have been ostracized, society has shut them away and many are killed just for what they are. The mutants are often orphans, as no sane person would keep a child like that. The Circuses though, accepted them with open arms, to make an amazing profit. Others however are captured and kidnapped by bounty hunters. They are forced to work for these Circuses, and have little freedom. All people regarded as 'property' to the Circus are branded in some way, with the individuals from the Torture Circus being branded with a 'T' on the top of their left hand.
Torture Circus holds the largest amount of Anomalies in the United States. The circus is run by Mr.Torture, it's a business that has been in his family for a couple of generations, but has reached it's peak all because of his cunning and lack of sympathy. The mutants in his circus are almost always under watch, and are often chained by their ankles in staff tents between shows if they don't behave themselves. They're locked in their trailers at night, which may prove to be harder to escape from than first presumed. They are not treated very well, even here, and receive lashings when they misbehave.
Despite all of this, the world seems to be blind of the mistreatment. Many would even agree with it. The life for these people are unfortunate, and they rarely escape this life. But a few of these mutants will get a chance at freedom. A small group of teenagers are coming to the circus, and they will get the feeling that none of this is quite right. They will come for them at night, and help release them. Though they will not leave alone, together the group will flee throughout the country, looking for freedom, but ultimately might meet their deaths.
So, this takes place in the mid 1920s, or to be specific, 1925, in a city called Hallowbrook in Illinois, north of Chicago. So, time period acceptable stuff. If you are unfamiliar with the 20s, here are some links that you can skim through to help you out.
This site briefs you of the culture, and is easy to look through.
A list of slang. Probably one of the funnest things about this.
What are people wearing? Well, here you go. Shows several examples of what people wear in the 1920s, from womens pleated skirts to waistcoats.
The hardcore wikipedia page.
Yep, we're in a time of prohibition. The national ban on the sale, manufacture, and transportation of alcohol, in 1920 to 1933. More information at the wiki page if you're interested, but it's not necessary.
The roleplay will focus in on the group of human and mutant teenagers. It'll start and go something like this: The group of humans will visit the circus. They have all known each other since childhood. (Maybe two of them are siblings? Maybe person A is friends with person B and C, but B and C hate each other? Those things are up to you, and please feel free to thrown in any ideas!) They come to the circus, and see the mutants, some performing, and some on display. Perhaps at first they are shocked or amazed, but they do realize something about the show. Maybe by catching one in the eye, or seeing something odd happening on accident, but they get the feeling that these people being treated like this is wrong. Later the group decides to go back late at night, and break some of the freaks free. Though they soon learn that the mutants have no idea how to survive outside of the circus on their own, and depart with them. Together they will all runaway, throughout the country. They head towards to the East coast after they hear that England may pass a new law that gives mutants more rights, and the ability to live outside of the circus trade and lifestyle. They will encounter bounty hunters, hate, discrimination and other obstacles on their journey. All while trying to find freedom and and enjoy life, while attempting to maintain a low profile.
Psychic : The most common mutation, and the easiest to hide. They are also more socially accepted than the other types. There's a large variety, and some are stronger than others. They are a result of mental enhancement, which allows them to tap into what other humans can't reach - auras, the spirit world, and sometimes even the ability to see the future, or past. A number of psychics have more than one ability. Although the more abilities one has the weaker each one is, and the less they have the stronger each ability is.
These may include:
Aura Reading - Perception of the energy fields surrounding people, places, and things.
Clairvoyance, second sight - Perception outside the known human senses.
Divination - Gaining insight into a situation via a ritual.
Energy medicine - Healing by channeling a form of energy.
Mediumship or channeling – Communicating with spirits.
Precognition, premonition and precognitive dreams - Perception of events before they happen. (If you chose this, I'll be keeping in contact with you for main plot events for your character to see before they happen, though you may use this for your own events/plots/etc.)
Telekinesis - Manipulation of matter or energy by the power of the mind. Basically, they manipulate their aura to move objects without touching them with their bodies.
Psychometry or psychoscopy - Obtaining information about a person or object.
Retrocognition - Perception of past events.
Telepathy - Transfer of thoughts or emotions.
..etc. These are pre-approved ideas, but if you come up with something that's not here, it may be accepted.
BOTH SPOTS TAKEN FOR MAIN MUTANT CAST WITH PSYCHIC MUTATION
Beastly: These mutations are often the hardest to hide, as they heavily influence physical appearance. They give the people born with them features similar to a single, certain type of animal. They are also the most common mutants to be killed, since they appear less human, and their mothers very rarely survive giving birth to them. There are no mixes, or fantasy animals included. They are often not as severe as being 'full furry', or as minor as just 'cat ears and tail'.
For example, a feline mutant wouldn't have human ears, but they would have feline ears in that exact place, instead of on top of their head. Their spine would be longer and they'd have a tail, but often their feat and sometimes their arms will also take on animal like traits. Teeth often also take the beastly trait, eyes are often effected, and others things may be effected as well. For the sake of it I'd highly recommend not being an aquatic beast-mutant. You can't exactly run away without legs.
BOTH SPOTS TAKEN FOR MAIN CAST WITH BEASTLY MUTATION, NO OPENINGS
Dæmon: Dæmon mutants are the rarest type, and most feared. They often have mutations that better themselves, and can be even used for ill use. They have biological properties that change their bodies in a way that's more chemical than physical or mental. Many people regard mutants as demons, or the children of demons, but they regard Dæmon mutants as children of the Devil himself. The only reason why they have a lower murder rate than the Beastly type is because of how afraid most people are of them.
Some can breath even without oxygen, or even in water. Some don't have to breath for hours, and have lipds that store oxygen for several hours. Some dæmons have skin that can spark, and light fire. Even snapping for these mutants can create a flame. Rapid healing, firebreathing, camouflage, superhuman endurance, agility, senses, strength, vision and so on. These are only some examples, as the range is very large, but undocumented.
BOTH SPOTS TAKEN FOR MAIN MUTANT CAST WITH DÆMON MUTATION, NO OPENINGS
Note: These are the main positions, so one only for each user!
AT LEAST 2 but MAXIMUM 4 regular human teenagers.
-They ought to be around 15-18 years of age.
-Each need a reason for being able to run away, and leave their life behind. Add that in their bio.
3 Spots Taken, 1 spot Open
AT LEAST 3 but MAXIMUM 6 mutant teenagers.
-They ought to be around 13-19 years of age
-They're mutants, some have amazing abilities because of it, but they don't have super powers. Their mutation must be reasonable and there can only be one of each, unless they have the psychic mutation, then they may have up to three. But remember, the more psychic abilities they have, the weaker each one is.
-Most of them have been in the circus for most of their lives, making the majority of them uneducated. While plenty can read and write okay, it'd be rare to find one who's good at math.
6 Spots Taken, 0 OPEN
Note: You may have multiple characters in this category! Most of these types are just going to be NPCS controlled by me for plot reasons, but you can go for it you really want to.
Bounty Hunters
-These people hunt mutants to sell them to others for a profit. They are part of a slave trade, remember that.
-Must be at least 18.
-Some do work in pairs/groups, if you wish to form one with others.
-These will show up sooner, but not at the beginning of the roleplay. Keep in mind they're not the main focus and can't always be fucking shit up.
Friendly Humans
-People that help the group out as they move throughout the country.
-These are very minor roles and won't last long, and won't show up until much later.
Angry Mutants
-These are mutants that hate humans for out-casting them in society and letting their kind be treated like cattle.
-Will try to break the group up and adding the mutants to their army, very manipulative and may seem helpful, but will fill the heads of the mutants with doubts and tell them the humans don't really care about them and will eventually betray them.
It's the 1920s, a time where freak shows were not only widespread, but they were a popular form of entertainment. Normal people viewing others outside of the norm wasn't only fun, it was encouraged, and hardly anyone saw wrong in it. The Torture Circus, owned by Mr.Torture himself, is known for it's incredible Freakshow, that includes mutants never thought to be seen before! They travel all over the USA, stopping for only a week in each destination. They charge fifty cents for admission, and are always open Friday to the following Wednesday, where you can attend from eleven in the morning to seven in the evening!
Many people are here by choice; they might work as acrobats, jugglers, animal tamers, and so on. These are the normal ones. Others are here because they have no where else to go, and then there are those that are forced to stay because of their value. You see, there are people that are born into this world with rare anomalies; they're known as mutants, and freaks. Some resemble beasts, others are born with great psychic powers, and few even have abilities that are reminiscent of the devil himself. They have been ostracized, society has shut them away and many are killed just for what they are. The mutants are often orphans, as no sane person would keep a child like that. The Circuses though, accepted them with open arms, to make an amazing profit. Others however are captured and kidnapped by bounty hunters. They are forced to work for these Circuses, and have little freedom. All people regarded as 'property' to the Circus are branded in some way, with the individuals from the Torture Circus being branded with a 'T' on the top of their left hand.
Torture Circus holds the largest amount of Anomalies in the United States. The circus is run by Mr.Torture, it's a business that has been in his family for a couple of generations, but has reached it's peak all because of his cunning and lack of sympathy. The mutants in his circus are almost always under watch, and are often chained by their ankles in staff tents between shows if they don't behave themselves. They're locked in their trailers at night, which may prove to be harder to escape from than first presumed. They are not treated very well, even here, and receive lashings when they misbehave.
Despite all of this, the world seems to be blind of the mistreatment. Many would even agree with it. The life for these people are unfortunate, and they rarely escape this life. But a few of these mutants will get a chance at freedom. A small group of teenagers are coming to the circus, and they will get the feeling that none of this is quite right. They will come for them at night, and help release them. Though they will not leave alone, together the group will flee throughout the country, looking for freedom, but ultimately might meet their deaths.
-----
So, this takes place in the mid 1920s, or to be specific, 1925, in a city called Hallowbrook in Illinois, north of Chicago. So, time period acceptable stuff. If you are unfamiliar with the 20s, here are some links that you can skim through to help you out.
This site briefs you of the culture, and is easy to look through.
A list of slang. Probably one of the funnest things about this.
What are people wearing? Well, here you go. Shows several examples of what people wear in the 1920s, from womens pleated skirts to waistcoats.
The hardcore wikipedia page.
Yep, we're in a time of prohibition. The national ban on the sale, manufacture, and transportation of alcohol, in 1920 to 1933. More information at the wiki page if you're interested, but it's not necessary.
The roleplay will focus in on the group of human and mutant teenagers. It'll start and go something like this: The group of humans will visit the circus. They have all known each other since childhood. (Maybe two of them are siblings? Maybe person A is friends with person B and C, but B and C hate each other? Those things are up to you, and please feel free to thrown in any ideas!) They come to the circus, and see the mutants, some performing, and some on display. Perhaps at first they are shocked or amazed, but they do realize something about the show. Maybe by catching one in the eye, or seeing something odd happening on accident, but they get the feeling that these people being treated like this is wrong. Later the group decides to go back late at night, and break some of the freaks free. Though they soon learn that the mutants have no idea how to survive outside of the circus on their own, and depart with them. Together they will all runaway, throughout the country. They head towards to the East coast after they hear that England may pass a new law that gives mutants more rights, and the ability to live outside of the circus trade and lifestyle. They will encounter bounty hunters, hate, discrimination and other obstacles on their journey. All while trying to find freedom and and enjoy life, while attempting to maintain a low profile.
-----
Mutations.
These are NOT superpowers. They are mutations, biological factors that have changed the people they effect. There are a few types of mutations, separated into three categories.
These are NOT superpowers. They are mutations, biological factors that have changed the people they effect. There are a few types of mutations, separated into three categories.
Psychic : The most common mutation, and the easiest to hide. They are also more socially accepted than the other types. There's a large variety, and some are stronger than others. They are a result of mental enhancement, which allows them to tap into what other humans can't reach - auras, the spirit world, and sometimes even the ability to see the future, or past. A number of psychics have more than one ability. Although the more abilities one has the weaker each one is, and the less they have the stronger each ability is.
These may include:
Aura Reading - Perception of the energy fields surrounding people, places, and things.
Clairvoyance, second sight - Perception outside the known human senses.
Divination - Gaining insight into a situation via a ritual.
Energy medicine - Healing by channeling a form of energy.
Mediumship or channeling – Communicating with spirits.
Precognition, premonition and precognitive dreams - Perception of events before they happen. (If you chose this, I'll be keeping in contact with you for main plot events for your character to see before they happen, though you may use this for your own events/plots/etc.)
Telekinesis - Manipulation of matter or energy by the power of the mind. Basically, they manipulate their aura to move objects without touching them with their bodies.
Psychometry or psychoscopy - Obtaining information about a person or object.
Retrocognition - Perception of past events.
Telepathy - Transfer of thoughts or emotions.
..etc. These are pre-approved ideas, but if you come up with something that's not here, it may be accepted.
BOTH SPOTS TAKEN FOR MAIN MUTANT CAST WITH PSYCHIC MUTATION
Beastly: These mutations are often the hardest to hide, as they heavily influence physical appearance. They give the people born with them features similar to a single, certain type of animal. They are also the most common mutants to be killed, since they appear less human, and their mothers very rarely survive giving birth to them. There are no mixes, or fantasy animals included. They are often not as severe as being 'full furry', or as minor as just 'cat ears and tail'.
For example, a feline mutant wouldn't have human ears, but they would have feline ears in that exact place, instead of on top of their head. Their spine would be longer and they'd have a tail, but often their feat and sometimes their arms will also take on animal like traits. Teeth often also take the beastly trait, eyes are often effected, and others things may be effected as well. For the sake of it I'd highly recommend not being an aquatic beast-mutant. You can't exactly run away without legs.
BOTH SPOTS TAKEN FOR MAIN CAST WITH BEASTLY MUTATION, NO OPENINGS
Dæmon: Dæmon mutants are the rarest type, and most feared. They often have mutations that better themselves, and can be even used for ill use. They have biological properties that change their bodies in a way that's more chemical than physical or mental. Many people regard mutants as demons, or the children of demons, but they regard Dæmon mutants as children of the Devil himself. The only reason why they have a lower murder rate than the Beastly type is because of how afraid most people are of them.
Some can breath even without oxygen, or even in water. Some don't have to breath for hours, and have lipds that store oxygen for several hours. Some dæmons have skin that can spark, and light fire. Even snapping for these mutants can create a flame. Rapid healing, firebreathing, camouflage, superhuman endurance, agility, senses, strength, vision and so on. These are only some examples, as the range is very large, but undocumented.
BOTH SPOTS TAKEN FOR MAIN MUTANT CAST WITH DÆMON MUTATION, NO OPENINGS
So here's what we NEED
Note: These are the main positions, so one only for each user!
AT LEAST 2 but MAXIMUM 4 regular human teenagers.
-They ought to be around 15-18 years of age.
-Each need a reason for being able to run away, and leave their life behind. Add that in their bio.
3 Spots Taken, 1 spot Open
AT LEAST 3 but MAXIMUM 6 mutant teenagers.
-They ought to be around 13-19 years of age
-They're mutants, some have amazing abilities because of it, but they don't have super powers. Their mutation must be reasonable and there can only be one of each, unless they have the psychic mutation, then they may have up to three. But remember, the more psychic abilities they have, the weaker each one is.
-Most of them have been in the circus for most of their lives, making the majority of them uneducated. While plenty can read and write okay, it'd be rare to find one who's good at math.
6 Spots Taken, 0 OPEN
Other Characters
Note: You may have multiple characters in this category! Most of these types are just going to be NPCS controlled by me for plot reasons, but you can go for it you really want to.
Bounty Hunters
-These people hunt mutants to sell them to others for a profit. They are part of a slave trade, remember that.
-Must be at least 18.
-Some do work in pairs/groups, if you wish to form one with others.
-These will show up sooner, but not at the beginning of the roleplay. Keep in mind they're not the main focus and can't always be fucking shit up.
Friendly Humans
-People that help the group out as they move throughout the country.
-These are very minor roles and won't last long, and won't show up until much later.
Angry Mutants
-These are mutants that hate humans for out-casting them in society and letting their kind be treated like cattle.
-Will try to break the group up and adding the mutants to their army, very manipulative and may seem helpful, but will fill the heads of the mutants with doubts and tell them the humans don't really care about them and will eventually betray them.
Character Application
- Code: Select all
Full Name:
Optional Nickname:
Age:
Gender:
Sexual Orientation:
Stage Name:(If your character is a circus performer, they might have one of these.)
Species: (For the lack of a better word. Human, or mutant. If mutant, what type)
Role: (Main or Minor)
Image: HD Drawing or Photograph. Preferred but not required
Appearance: (At least a basic description of their Physical Appearance + Clothing. Also, due to the setting, I'm going to have to ask for realistic hair colors. I guess something bizarre wouldn't be too bad if it corresponded with the character's mutation. As for eye color, the same applies.)
Mutation: (What is you mutation, and other details.)
Act: (If you have one, what is your circus act.)
Personality:
Likes:
Dislikes:
Quirks:
Fears:
Skills:
Biography:
Relationships: (Your relationship with the other main characters. Remember, the human mains have known each just, just like how the mutant mains have. Can be anything from friends to enemies, etc. May be edited later)
(With code credit to Temperance)
- Code: Select all
[center][b][size=200]Full Name: Optional Nickname, Age, Gender, Sexual Orientation
Stage Name (If your character is a circus performer, they might have one of these.), Species (For the lack of a better word. Human, or mutant. If mutant, what type),
Role (Main or Minor)[/size][/b][/center]
[left][img]HD Drawing or Photograph. Preferred but not required.[/img][/left]
[center][b]{Appearance}[/b]
(At least a basic description of their Physical Appearance + Clothing. Also, due to the setting, I'm going to have to ask for realistic hair colors. I guess something bizarre wouldn't be too bad if it corresponded with the character's mutation. As for eye color, the same applies.)
[b]{Mutation}(Optional)[/b]
(What is you mutation, and other details.)
[b]{Act}(Optional)[/b]
(If you have one, what is your circus act.)
[b]{Personality}[/b]
(Personality)[/center]
[left][b]{Likes}[/b][/left] [right][b]{Dislikes}[/b][/right]
[left][color=#0D9D00][b]o[/b][/color] Like1[/left] [right]Dislike1 [color=#FF0000][b]x[/b][/color][/right]
[left][color=#0D9D00][b]o[/b][/color] Like2[/left] [right]Dislike2 [color=#FF0000][b]x[/b][/color][/right]
[left][color=#0D9D00][b]o[/b][/color] Like3[/left] [right]Dislike3 [color=#FF0000][b]x[/b][/color][/right]
[left][color=#0D9D00][b]o[/b][/color] Like4 (Opt.)[/left] [right](Opt.) Dislike4 [color=#FF0000][b]x[/b][/color][/right]
[left][color=#0D9D00][b]o[/b][/color] Like5 (Opt.)[/left] [right](Opt.) Dislike5 [color=#FF0000][b]x[/b][/color][/right]
[left][color=#0D9D00][b]o[/b][/color] Like6 (Opt.)[/left] [right](Opt.) Dislike6 [color=#FF0000][b]x[/b][/color][/right]
[left][b]{Quirks}[/b][/left] [right][b]{Fears}[/b][/right]
[left][color=#0E90AA][b]%[/b][/color] Quirk1[/left] [right]Fear1 [color=#6612B4][b]@[/b][/color][/right]
[left][color=#0E90AA][b]%[/b][/color] Quirk2[/left] [right](Opt.) Fear2 [color=#6612B4][b]@[/b][/color][/right]
[left][color=#0E90AA][b]%[/b][/color] Quirk3 (Opt.)[/left]
[b]{Skills}[/b]
[b]#[/b] Skill1
[b]#[/b] Skill2
[b]#[/b] Skill3
[b]#[/b] Skill4 (Opt.)
[b]#[/b] Skill5 (Opt.)
[b]{Biography}[/b]
(Biograhpy)[/center]
[b]{Relationships}[/b]
(Your relationship with the other main characters. Remember, the human mains have known each just, just like how the mutant mains have. Can be anything from friends to enemies, etc. May be edited later)[/center]
~Presented by Carnation Evaporated Milk~
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The Story So Far... Write a Post » as written by 9 authors
Ester heard a noise. It was distant but growing closer, and she tried to inch back as far away from the front of the cage as possible, which, of course, wasn't any farther than she had started off. Setting a determined look in her eyes she waited for a guard to come. Come open her cage and lead her to Mr. Torture, or even just toss her around for the fun of it. They both happened as often as the other, but she wouldn't give either of them any satisfaction.
But to Ester's suprise no guard came up to her, instead she heard the distinct voice of the girl from earlier, just far enough out of her periphial vision that she couldn't see Evangaline. But she did hear the distinct jingling of keys and the word 'escape'. Those were her trigger words that made her think of what Mark said, "I've got a bad feeling about today." Was this what that meant? Could they try to escape, fail, and suffer from it? Ester felt the mixture of feelings bubbling in her chest, but desperation won out. Isn't this what she had been wanting? What she had been yearning for for years? Yes, she wanted to escape, and out of her whole life, this one girl seemed like her best chance.
"Yes." She hissed in a tone so quite only Eva would be able to hear. "Yes I want out, but we have to get Ma-" Her words stopped in her throat as another voice came from directly in front of her. She saw Happy standing there. "Oh thank god, it's only Happy." She said in a relieved tone. But Ester, in fact, was not relieved. Ester had went into Happy's mind before, she knows what Happy is. She's unpredictable. Doing whatever she feels at that moment will be best towards her own advantage. The only thing was, at some point of the day she may be all for an escape plan, but at another point Ester was sure she would turn them all in just for an easier performance day.
Ester felt completely useless. She couldn't do anything while she was in this cage, she could hardly talk, though she tried not to show it. Already she could feel the pain in her head from pressing against the bars to much. For the first time in a long while, she was utterly useless in a time when she needed to help. Of course, if Eva got her out now, she would be able to help in maybe three seconds, but the weight of the realization hit her and if she had been standing, she was sure she would have fallen. 'Come on Eva, open my cage. I don't trust her and I don't think if she goes sour at this moment you would be able to do anything about it.'
Clearing her throat a bit Ester said, "Happy, they're helping us out. We're going to escape, if you want to come we can all get out of here." She needed to get Mark out of here, it was her job to take care of him. In her own mindset at least, in reality she didn't have to even pay attention to him. But she felt her was her responsibility, and she would rather face the worst Mr. Torture had in store for her than let him stay here one day longer than needed.
But to Ester's suprise no guard came up to her, instead she heard the distinct voice of the girl from earlier, just far enough out of her periphial vision that she couldn't see Evangaline. But she did hear the distinct jingling of keys and the word 'escape'. Those were her trigger words that made her think of what Mark said, "I've got a bad feeling about today." Was this what that meant? Could they try to escape, fail, and suffer from it? Ester felt the mixture of feelings bubbling in her chest, but desperation won out. Isn't this what she had been wanting? What she had been yearning for for years? Yes, she wanted to escape, and out of her whole life, this one girl seemed like her best chance.
"Yes." She hissed in a tone so quite only Eva would be able to hear. "Yes I want out, but we have to get Ma-" Her words stopped in her throat as another voice came from directly in front of her. She saw Happy standing there. "Oh thank god, it's only Happy." She said in a relieved tone. But Ester, in fact, was not relieved. Ester had went into Happy's mind before, she knows what Happy is. She's unpredictable. Doing whatever she feels at that moment will be best towards her own advantage. The only thing was, at some point of the day she may be all for an escape plan, but at another point Ester was sure she would turn them all in just for an easier performance day.
Ester felt completely useless. She couldn't do anything while she was in this cage, she could hardly talk, though she tried not to show it. Already she could feel the pain in her head from pressing against the bars to much. For the first time in a long while, she was utterly useless in a time when she needed to help. Of course, if Eva got her out now, she would be able to help in maybe three seconds, but the weight of the realization hit her and if she had been standing, she was sure she would have fallen. 'Come on Eva, open my cage. I don't trust her and I don't think if she goes sour at this moment you would be able to do anything about it.'
Clearing her throat a bit Ester said, "Happy, they're helping us out. We're going to escape, if you want to come we can all get out of here." She needed to get Mark out of here, it was her job to take care of him. In her own mindset at least, in reality she didn't have to even pay attention to him. But she felt her was her responsibility, and she would rather face the worst Mr. Torture had in store for her than let him stay here one day longer than needed.
Ezekiel Felton
21:45 P.M
21:45 P.M
His lungs filled with smoke; soothing, calming the bitter remains of his mind. Ezekiel lets his wings stretch outwards, not in pride but in comfort, or as much as he could get in this cramped trailer. It wasn't until the noise of scraping metal did his eyes flutter open, confusion becoming proposed to him. The circus was filled with its typical noise at this hour, people around the pornographic tent, guards chatting with one another as they shared alcohol and cigarettes. He hoped they would drop their packs in a drunken daze and leave half used remains behind so he could support his habit, just so he could hold onto a bit of solace at the end of his day.
There was still that inconsistent, aggravating noise, and he pinpointed it to be nearby. His gaze went from the little light that came into the tent to where he trailer would open, and when he saw someone else there he inhaled the smoke wrong in a panicked, thoughtless action. Clutching his chest, the cigarette falling from his lips, Ezekiel coughed, covering his mouth to muffle the cacophonous noise. The boys shoulders were shaking as his body tried to evacuate the poison that entered his body wrongly, forcing his eyes to shut during the struggle.
Finally the infliction ceased, each cough becoming further apart until he was able to catch his breath. His eyes became wide open as he stared at the person fumbling with the lock on his cage, eyes narrowing in accusation. "What are you doing?" He questioned, voice hoarse and laced heavily with his current vexation. The wings growing out of his back folded, allowing him to turn around to get a better look at the person. When he recognized it to be the girl from earlier, he felt like he was hit by a wave of cold water.
"It's you!" Being surprised was an understatement. He had never been approached to like this before, not by an outsider at least. No one dared to cross Mr.Torture, even the public could tell he is a man whose temperament was to be avoided. Ezekiel's eyes were wide, and they returned to their previous state when he was clouded with suspicion. What was she doing here? He couldn't think of any plausible reason for her to come at the circus at night, let alone purposely find him so she could experiment with some lock picking. As he could recall, he hadn't been exactly all that nice to her, and his rudeness never came off as coy.
His posture stiffened and his arms became folded across his chest, leering at her with a choleric visage. "You didn't bring a group of boys, hopin' to reach up your shirt, to teach me a lesson - did you?" He questioned, wondering if she was about to try and get some sort of revenge on him. "I have talons, doll, you don't want any trouble." Ezekiel warned, stretching out his bird-like feet for good measure. Well, it wouldn't be the first time that someone wanted to see him become black and blue, he just hoped he could find a way out of it.
A couple moments passed slowly as Evie waited for an answer. When she realized that Ester was not able to turn her head at all and could not see her, Evie slowly shuffled around the cage still in a squatting position. Ester's face seemed somewhat bewildered and nervous, but Evie thought she might have also seen hope flash on the woman's features for a moment. It was dark, so she might have just been imagining it, but she held on to that little flash of hope. If Ester wanted to leave, Evie would do everything she could to make it happen.
Finally, Ester spoke in a tone that seemed nearly strangled. It was probably difficult for her to even move her jaw in that tiny space. Evie leaned forward, straining to catch every word as her heart began to pound. Suddenly, there was an unexpected woman's voice directly behind her. Sure they were caught, Evie whirled around attempting to stand. The motion abruptly stopped as her skirt was trapped beneath her foot, and Evie lost her balance. She landed hard on the ground with a solid thud and a soft, mouse-like squeak as her head hit the dirt.
She sat up with a loud exhale, looking up at the woman nervously while rubbing the back of her now sore head. "Oh, uh I ...well ...um." Luckily, Ester was able to get out a more coherent sentence, and Evie realized the woman looked familiar. It was the snake dancer from earlier! Evie looked at her in surprise, her fear slowly lessening.
"You almost scared me to death," Evie said quietly with a nervous giggle. She was surprised at how nervous Ester sounded when she spoke again. Was there something wrong that she did not know about? When Ester mentioned escape again, Evie realize she still had the keys in her hand. She turned over to a kneeling position, fumbling with the keys for a moment before whispering, "Yes, you are welcome to come if you want...."
Finally, after a bit of trial and error, Evie found the right key and the heavy bolt slid open with a loud snap that made her flinch. She slowly opened the cage, wincing at every squeak and creak it made until it was fully open. Evie began to stand when a thought popped into her mind, causing her to plop back down to her knees. "Is there anyone else who would escape with us?" Her breath grew slightly heavier as she became more nervous. They could not stay here much longer, or they would be caught before they could even leave the circus. She slowly stood, offering Ester a hand to help her up and support her if she needed.
Finally, Ester spoke in a tone that seemed nearly strangled. It was probably difficult for her to even move her jaw in that tiny space. Evie leaned forward, straining to catch every word as her heart began to pound. Suddenly, there was an unexpected woman's voice directly behind her. Sure they were caught, Evie whirled around attempting to stand. The motion abruptly stopped as her skirt was trapped beneath her foot, and Evie lost her balance. She landed hard on the ground with a solid thud and a soft, mouse-like squeak as her head hit the dirt.
She sat up with a loud exhale, looking up at the woman nervously while rubbing the back of her now sore head. "Oh, uh I ...well ...um." Luckily, Ester was able to get out a more coherent sentence, and Evie realized the woman looked familiar. It was the snake dancer from earlier! Evie looked at her in surprise, her fear slowly lessening.
"You almost scared me to death," Evie said quietly with a nervous giggle. She was surprised at how nervous Ester sounded when she spoke again. Was there something wrong that she did not know about? When Ester mentioned escape again, Evie realize she still had the keys in her hand. She turned over to a kneeling position, fumbling with the keys for a moment before whispering, "Yes, you are welcome to come if you want...."
Finally, after a bit of trial and error, Evie found the right key and the heavy bolt slid open with a loud snap that made her flinch. She slowly opened the cage, wincing at every squeak and creak it made until it was fully open. Evie began to stand when a thought popped into her mind, causing her to plop back down to her knees. "Is there anyone else who would escape with us?" Her breath grew slightly heavier as she became more nervous. They could not stay here much longer, or they would be caught before they could even leave the circus. She slowly stood, offering Ester a hand to help her up and support her if she needed.
Avalin Seranu
Ava’s movements immediately froze as she heard the coughing, rather startled than anything else. However, as he continued on leagues quieter, she returned to her lock-picking maneuvers, doing her absolute best to work as quickly and efficiently as possible.
”What are you doing?” A hiss of voice flowed to her ears, and she paused for a second before returning to her work. A broad grin settled itself onto her lips, and she just looked up at him. “Miss me?” Her voice was not patronizing at all, purely innocent and cheerful, although it did admittedly hold a teasing ring to it.
”It’s you!” Avon’s form tensed, and she hurriedly tried to put a finger up to her lips to hush him, when she realized she had still need to work on the lock- she couldn’t lose her progress now. She hardly even needed to, as he hushed himself in wary contemplation, his wings folding back to their previous position she had seen earlier that day. She simply continued fumbling with the lock-pick.
However, she looked up at him once more as his posture shifted, the lighting was fairly dim, but she did think she saw the faint lines of irritation on his facials. "You didn't bring a group of boys, hopin' to reach up your shirt, to teach me a lesson - did you?" A huge wave of red completely drowned her face, and she coughed awkwardly with a small squeak. “W-what? I’d n-“ Lynn stammered out in an urgent whisper, completely thrown off by his suspicions, but he continued anyway.
"I have talons, doll, you don't want any trouble. She watched him lift a foot, her face still blushing up a storm, unable to truly process his threat at that moment. However, she quickly regained herself, and cleared her throat very quietly to aid in doing so.
She tilted her index finger a small bit and curved her thumb under with the tool, and a satisfying click resounded from the lock. She stamped her foot quietly, and immediately crossed her arms. “N-no-“ The gal coughed once more, putting behind her what she’d just gone through at the instance of his comments, and spoke again, this time more clearly. “That’s just baloney, I hardly have a beef with you. I’m trying to get you out of this joint.”
Silently, she put a hand on the cage door and eased it open, leaning against one of the bars with her arms crossed. A faint remnant of her blush lingered on her cheeks, though she hardly realized it. “Now get a wiggle on! Just consider this a bum’s rush, but in your favor.”
Ezekiel Felton
21:50 P.M
21:50 P.M
The girl's face was drowned in crimson color, and he had to admit that it was a nice shade against her slightly tanned skin. For a reason unknown to him, his own blood vessels broke under his cheeks, tinting them rose and causing a wave of confusion at the butterflies that tried to fly up his throat. Ezekiel glanced away, shut his eyes and furrowed his brow, cursing his teenage hormones or whatever people called them. So what if she was pretty? Who cares if she was vaguely interesting, she was a regular, human girl and well he, he was deformed, in all honesty.
His gaze switched back to a glare, though this time it was directed at himself. He didn't have time for feelings that were fitting of a school boy, romance was for the week and he wouldn't let fleeting attraction turn him into a flustered fool. Ezekiel looked back down at her as she cleared her throat, his eyebrows rising as the lock clicked and the door opened, no muscle headed boys walking in to give him a good beating. His mouth opened, wanted to ask her another question, wanted to know why she was risking her skin to play around with circus freaks, but then she answered him before he could make a peep.
"I’m trying to get you out of this joint.”
For a second he was sure his heart ceased to function, that the air from his lungs escaped through his skin and left him but a hollow shell without thought or comprehension. He could feel himself blinking, lost, surprised, perplexed. His lips pressed together and he examined her, looking for any reason not to trust her, to tell her to get lost and never bother him again. Yet, he found nothing, just a naive, benevolent girl who had just given him what could be an opportunity at a better life. A life without the beatings, or scraping up cigarette butts, or walking across a tightrope several feet in the air as people secretly wished for him to fall, splatter onto the ground below.
He inhaled, reminded himself of all those times he tried to escape and failed. Without his permission one of his hands rose, his fingers traced over his shoulder, brushing against material that hid scars to prove it. Ezekiel's mouth turned into a frown, fighting off an inner debate between trying once again, or avoiding failure. New hope kindled inside of him, but if it was stomped out for the hundredth time he wasn't sure how able he would be to get back up again. Despite every thought that told him this was stupid, a pointless, useless attempt at freedom, he smirked and nodded.
"Well aren't you a bearcat?" The winged boy teased, but it was lighthearted, almost admiring. He stood from his spot and climbed out of the cage, touched solid ground, and fixed a few of the buttons on his short sleeve, white button up. If you can't beat them, join them. If they were going to go down, they would do so together, only she would be driven away in a cop car and he would have to face the wrath of leather. That was fine by him, it wasn't anything he couldn't handle, nothing he wasn't used to. As long as he could get a taste of adrenaline, a piece of the outside world, then he would learn to live with the result given to them.
Ezekiel walked towards an opening in the tent and glanced back at her, expecting her to follow. "There are some other people I'm going to try and get out here." He said, not a request but a fact. He felt like he owed it to them. Sam, who was miserable here and remained closed off, and Kraus who was new here and had a chance to get away from Hell before he descended into the deepest layers. He might not be able to trust this girl yet, but he could at least try and get along, she did just break him out of what might as well be a prison.
"I'm Ezekiel." He decided on giving her his name, at least it would prevent them from awkwardly wondering what to call each other. Carefully he stepped out of the tent, glancing down the empty pathways before he reached out, grabbed onto the girl's wrist and pulled her along. Ezekiel didn't let go of her until they were outside of a small sized trailer, standing on the top of his toes he peaked over, looked between the bars of the window and whispered, harsh and demanding. "Sam, Kraus." He hissed, sounding angry even though it was only the nerves that was twisting his spine. "I'm getting out of here. Meet me in at the south end near the oak tree, if either of you don't make it in time I'll leave the both of ya'." He warned, paused before speaking again. "I'm unlocking your cage but we're splitting up, it's too dangerous to sneak around here with these goons hangin' around."
Suddenly he reached towards the girl, snatched the master key from her hands and shuffled towards the door, making sure no one was around before he unlocked it. "Don't be stupid." He muttered, hoping that the two wouldn't manage to blow this for him, and snuck back towards his savoir. "You're not a first time caper, are you?" Ezekiel questioned, wondering how she got a hold of the key in the first place, but didn't properly ask. "Lets keep moving." With those hushed words being spoken they were headed past tents and small trailers that held sleeping misfits and supplies alike. It was all going well, and he had the feeling that it was too good to be true. That it was, because the closer they got to another that group that planned their escape, they closer they got to Mr.Torture, who was looking for some skin to break.
Ezekiel looked back to her, a smile on his lips, and completely unaware that behind the upcoming corner was the devil himself.
Jack Kempton
Jack almost smacked himself when Ava took the lock picking tools from his pocket. He was so intent with focusing on the keys since they were much easier and faster to simply lift them off of someone rather than mucking around with his tools. He didn't see Happy in any of the cages. Where was she? Is she still back at the performance tent? There couldn't have been any other shows going on at this hour, it didn't make any sense. He was tempted to leave the group and circle the grounds one more time. Still, even though he was much less likely to be detected while roughing it on his own he was liable to get caught.
Just when he was ready to throw his hands up in frustration he heard a voice. He froze. By the unpleasant sound to that voice, for a second he thought they were caught for sure. "There you are!" He spoke out. Not loud enough for him to be detected by any of the other workers but enough to show that his enthusiasm for seeing her was much more than he wanted to let on. "I-we've been looking all over for you. If you want to get out of here then I suggest that we get going. Like, now." He stopped for a few moments. "If there's anyone else you want to bring I can help you get them but we can't stay much longer...hang on a sec."
Jack turned back to the others who were close by. "The longer we stay here the more likely we're gonna get caught. How many have we been able to free so far?" After they answered he went back to Happy.
He offered her his hand. He felt silly for doing it but he didn't know how else to show that he wanted to treat her as an equal and as someone that she could hopefully trust even though she hardly knew him. "They're already using the keys but I have another way to pick the locks if there's anyone else you need to get."
Jack almost smacked himself when Ava took the lock picking tools from his pocket. He was so intent with focusing on the keys since they were much easier and faster to simply lift them off of someone rather than mucking around with his tools. He didn't see Happy in any of the cages. Where was she? Is she still back at the performance tent? There couldn't have been any other shows going on at this hour, it didn't make any sense. He was tempted to leave the group and circle the grounds one more time. Still, even though he was much less likely to be detected while roughing it on his own he was liable to get caught.
Just when he was ready to throw his hands up in frustration he heard a voice. He froze. By the unpleasant sound to that voice, for a second he thought they were caught for sure. "There you are!" He spoke out. Not loud enough for him to be detected by any of the other workers but enough to show that his enthusiasm for seeing her was much more than he wanted to let on. "I-we've been looking all over for you. If you want to get out of here then I suggest that we get going. Like, now." He stopped for a few moments. "If there's anyone else you want to bring I can help you get them but we can't stay much longer...hang on a sec."
Jack turned back to the others who were close by. "The longer we stay here the more likely we're gonna get caught. How many have we been able to free so far?" After they answered he went back to Happy.
He offered her his hand. He felt silly for doing it but he didn't know how else to show that he wanted to treat her as an equal and as someone that she could hopefully trust even though she hardly knew him. "They're already using the keys but I have another way to pick the locks if there's anyone else you need to get."
Happy Noko
Circus grounds, exterior
So they were escaping.
Before Ester spoke, Happy had already made up her mind. This was the chance she had been waiting for. The reason why she put up with this awful awful place, and why she had never tried to run away before. It was a multiple getaway, and in the event that the worse happened, she would only have to outrun the others. Perhaps on another night, she would have dismissed it. Or even told Mr. Torture. But congenial was the last thing she wanted to be towards him, and this would be her revenge.
Just as she opened her mouth to agree, the male started talking. His words confused her a little. Looking all over for her? She had just arrived though...would the even have known where to find her? He began babbling, about leaving and if there was anyone else she wanted to bring.
What he did next was also surprising, though in the dark any surprise she might have shown was easily hidden. Perhaps she should put the blindfold back on. She felt a bit exposed without it.
She wondered whether to take the hand or not. The warm thing was offered to her, quite within reach, pulsing red, orange and yellow. She figured there was some underlying emotion he was hoping to affirm by doing this--after all, it wouldn't be the first time someone had been cordial to her in hopes of getting something from her later--but rejecting it wouldn't do anything good for her. Maybe she should act flattered? It was clear this guy had some sort of feeling towards her. He was the only one who seemed remotely interested in letting her escape. Ester only offered so that she herself wouldn't get in trouble, and the other girl was just following along. From what Happy gathered anyways. She smirked internally at Ester. They weren't that different in that respect.
Finally, the snake girl delicately took the boy's hand. Her own skin was cold, her fingers small and slender against his. With a soft smile, she went for the innocent act. "Thank you," she said, smiling as she spoke and putting on the accent just a tad bit thicker as she clutched her clothes to her, still only clad in the scanty performance suit. "I have not many friends here, so I can leave whenever."
Avalin Seranu
As Avalin concluded her defense, she watched his reaction with a genuinely bold smile. However she was somewhat uneasy as to how he might react. Above all else, she was hoping that he wouldn’t just take her for a lunatic and completely blow her off and remain right where he was. She was fairly certain she had addressed this situation properly, but then again….
She consciously kept herself at the same position, leaning against the bars as he looked her over with wary consideration. Despite her own outward appearance, her eyes were wide and her body language simply screamed nervous excitement. More and more Lynn was getting the feeling that he’d choose to go with her, so she bit her lower lip softly with bated breath. Seconds were ticking away in her mind, only adding to her adrenaline levels.
His next action caught her attention quickly enough, the time completely fleeing her mind, and as his fingers brushed against his shirt at his shoulder, about two questions came to mind. But now definitely wasn’t the time- besides, she herself considered it rude to ask about anyway. Once the motion stopped, her eyes shifted up to his facial features, and her previous beliefs began to dwindle a bit as a frown etched onto his lips.
And then all was resolved as he met her own eyes, smirked, and then nodded. A silent breath of relief escaped her lips, and then they turned up in a bright grin at his next comment. "Well aren't you a bearcat?" Avon simply shrugged with a cheerful, all-too-innocent look on her facials, already giddy to get a move on and meet up with the others. The mutant thereafter rose from his position and stepped forward from the enclosure to pass by her with a few steps before stopping.
Avalin’s eyes widened as this winged boy simply paused there to fix a few buttons as if this were the most nonchalant scene ever experienced. She let out a breath of laughter towards him while she thought to herself, ’Well, he sure is cocky.’ The thought was good natured- a tease that never passed her lips.
Lynn pushed off of the bars as he walked on towards the opening of the tent, rolling her eyes with an unbelieving grin. She definitely didn’t expect such boldness, and for a second she could almost hear her mother’s voice scolding her for such folly. She should have been able to realize how he’d act by the way he’d responded to her earlier that day.
As the winged boy glanced back to her, she took it as her queue to get a wiggle on. She walked up towards him, her mouth opening to ask him the question the three had agreed on, but he had beat her to it. "There are some other people I'm going to try and get out here." She stopped a few feet from him, that same surprised grin on her face. "I'm Ezekiel." Avon looked up at him, and then smiled warmly. “Avalin.” She responded to him, rather relieved that she knew his name now and didn’t have to find some name that would inevitably end up being rather… awkward.
She stopped at the tent door flap as he took a step outside to survey the area. He obviously knew where he was going- Lynn sure didn’t. However, she definitely did not expect him to do what he did next. As his hand enclosed over her wrist, shivers ran down her spine, and the lightest of blushes dusted over her cheeks. She quickly chalked it up to the tension and adrenaline running through her system, and allowed herself to be dragged along.
The two soon ended up near a small trailer, and he released his grip on her, to stand there and keep a look out as he spoke with the others. Ezekiel suddenly turned and snatched the tool from her hand, which got a startled look out of Ava, though she made no noise, thankfully.
He was remarkably faster than she had been, and he returned to her side once more. "You're not a first time caper, are you?" A sheepish look scrawled across her facial features, and she muttered softly back an answer. “Well… I’m not a stranger to it anyway.” Though she hardly ever had to anyway for two reasons, one being Jack, the other being that people usually liked her well enough anyway. But she didn’t say that; now wasn’t the time for explanations.
Ezekiel apparently was having somewhat the same thoughts as he remarked that they should continue moving. Lynn nodded with only a word of about where they should be headed. So the two continued on, making rather good time, all the meanwhile Ava was hoping that they wouldn’t run into any problems.
She was on his left as they made their way forward, and actually had a bit more of a vantage point. Ezekiel turned back to flash her a smile, but her eyes only lingered for a split second before being distracted by a flicker of movement up ahead.
Having been running on adrenaline for practically the last hour, Ava sprang into action, her mind already dividing into about three different directions- but it was fight or flight mode, and she obviously had to choose flight. It hardly even mattered who it was- whether friend or foe, it was leagues better to be safe than sorry. Her lips had began to part slightly to alert him that something was amiss, but all that came out was a rush of air, and she sprang forward, pushing her hands into his turned shoulder with her bodyweight behind it in order to catch him off balance. She was aiming for some crates and barrels a few feet away, hoping for some sort of concealment in a split second decision.
There was a soft ’thump’ as Ezekiel’s form hit the ground with Avalin pressed right on top of him. At least she was light. Her eyes were rather wide, and her arms were close to his chest. Without another second to waste, she shifted her hand over his mouth in attempts to prevent him from making any noise and shifted herself forward for at least a little more comfort. She winced ever so slightly, hoping first that he wasn’t hurt and second praying to anything and everything out there that whoever was passing by wouldn’t come over and investigate, or if they did, would assume they were lovers or something.
At that thought her cheeks flushed once more, but she still inclined her face fractionally, hoping that it would make the appearance more believable. At least her mind was functioning at… more or less a better pace, although Avalin thought her heartbeat was so loud that the stranger passing would certainly be able to hear it. Her body shielded most of Ezekiel’s anyway, so hopefully he wasn’t recognizable, and it was night time, so that should give further assistance to their plight.
Samael Barker
[ Torture Circus - Daemon Trailer ]
[ Torture Circus - Daemon Trailer ]
Sleep came only in brief shifts, as light and fleeting as a butterfly indecisively grazing its perch. The fair-haired youth lay curled on his side in his cage, but for most of the evening, as always, his pitch dark eyes sat open, staring hollowly at nothing like the blank eyes of a doll. His head rested on his arm, and his coat was pulled overtop of him as a makeshift blanket.
His gaze flickered up to the small trailer window at a hushed, insistent voice, from which he recognized his name - and after the voice continued, he recognized its owner. The winged boy, Ezekiel, making another escape attempt. He hadn't tried in some time, as far as Sam was aware. Stupid shit. Yet, it was strange of the mutant to have invited him along. They weren't exactly close, and it was rare for Zeke to drag anybody into his escape schemes. Something must have made this one different. Deciding he would be indifferent to further punishment anyways, Samael sat up as he heard Zeke move around to the trailer door, and then the clinking of its lock. He pulled his blazer on and slowly moved to stand, in no rush despite Zeke's apparent urgency.
He overheard the other boy talking to somebody as he moved off, and vaguely wondered just how big this escape operation was. Still - with zero regard for the other Daemon mutant in the cage beside his - Sam pushed the door open and hopped down. He took a moment to stretch, his frame sore and stiff from lying perfectly still for so many hours, before trailing after his winged coworker. He spotted the boy ahead walking alongside a dark-haired girl... He didn't recognize her from his distance, but he supposed he would see who it was in time.
The notion did not cross Samael's mind that it could be anyone outside the circus - or even a human, for that matter. No human would ever be in league with their lot.
Sam continued trailing some ways behind Zeke and his companion, watching when the girl abruptly tackled the winged mutant behind some crates. Sam followed their cue, darting behind a food stand to his right. He crouched and peered around the corner of the stand to monitor the other two, and see if he could spot whatever approaching danger they had picked up on. He felt his muscles brace with the beginnings of adrenaline; it felt good to have the freedom to really put them to use. It felt good to break from routine... and the more he savored this freedom, the tougher the time he would give anyone who tried to take it from him.
Ezekiel Felton
22:00 P.M
22:00 P.M
There was no time for comprehension, just the expression that changed Avalin's visage from a pleasant rush to fright, then the way she pushed herself onto him in a way that made fear spread through his spine. It was disrupted by a crack that came from his wings, the snap of a few hollow bones that made him shut his eyes so tightly that wrinkles appeared on his young face. His lips parted to emit a sound of distress but it was muffled by his hand, and he began to wonder just how much on his side was she after all.
When he opened his eyes he saw spots of block, they blocked pieces of her body, hovering too close, and the heat of embarrassment mingled with the violent pain that caused his hands to shake. He curled his fingers, dug crescent shapes into his palms, willed it to go away. A few broken bones in his wings was nothing to him, he had felt much worse, and soon his vision was clearing, the red on his face growing when Ezekiel realized their compromising position. He glanced away, looked to the crates and heard the approaching footsteps that could belong to anyone, finally given insight as to why she pushed him down in the first place.
The boy shifted, trying to put less pressure on his wings and winced when his nerves brought him inflictions that forced him to bite his tongue. He raised a hand from the ground, took her wrist and pulled her palm away from his lips, and was frozen in place as the gap between them grew even smaller. At this position he could smell her, and she so unlike the people that worked here. She smelt clean underneath the layer of dirt and sweat, while he simply smelt of dirt and nicotine. Ezekiel's eyes narrowed, and he could just barely see the freckles of her eyes, and when his heart jumped he let go of her as if she had burned him.
A rock was lodged in his throat when he noticed that she was protecting him, of all things. Not herself, she hadn't ran off at the first sign of real danger, but her instinct had been to hide him as well. It was all too hot, both from the summer, the proximity, and the conflicting emotions that battled within him because it made him feel what could be considered more dangerous - thoughts that made him want to believe that she could be trusted, that she had only good in mind. He cursed himself for thinking that, it was too naive and he wouldn't fall back into the completely foolish person he once was. He may be a fool, but at least he didn't let himself get swept up in his feelings, didn't hold onto people because it was inevitable that they would eventually betray him - right?
Ezekiel looked away from her, tried to see through one of the spaces between the crates and out to the path, this time his heart was skipping a beat for a different reason. He recognized those boots anywhere, each scuff reminding him of the times he was kicked, or held down by a heel. Of course, it was none other than Mr.Torture, and Avalin must of saved him from a brutal beating because if he was caught trying to escape when he was already on the man's bad side he would be left so bruised that the general public wouldn't be allowed to see him for the rest of their stay. Underneath her he shuttered, holding his breath as minutes past by them like hours. The air was so thick that it felt like he couldn't breath, like his lungs had honey in them that kept them from inflating with oxygen.
Instead of peaking behind the crates that man yelled towards someone he couldn't see, but recognized the names of a couple of men that had been hired to walk through their camp to make sure no one tried anything funny. Most of the time they did nothing but smoke and drink beers and for that he was grateful, because Mr.Torture was angry and shouting and was going to be busy giving them an earful. Ezekiel stayed still, like a statue, the process so perfected from practice that it was eerie and he waited for the ringmasters footfalls to disappear down another path, away from them until his ears heard nothing but silence.
A long exhale escaped from him, a breath he didn't know he had been holding in, and he looked up at her, beaming with an ebullient smile that he was unaccustomed to wearing. The pain existed as nothing but a distant throb now when relief took him over, as now they had a real shot at getting out of here, and maybe for good. "Cash or check?" He flirted, drunk from the epinephrine that invaded his brain, the chemical lessening now and leaving him with false exhaustion and loosened inhibitions. The winged boy chuckled a bit, giddy as he tried to sit up, shaking his had with either amazement or from their dumb luck. "I owe you big time - oh, and you can get off of me now." Ezekiel added, face becoming scarlet when he looked back up, their faces only mere inches apart.
Ester almost breathed a sigh of relief when Happy seemed to be on their side, but it got caught in her throat midway. In all honesty, she wasn't relieved. Not in the least. Now that this was finally happening, she finally had an actual chance to escape, she wasn't sure how she felt. There was no denying that she was living in a hellhole, but this hellhole was the only world that she knew. The sadness she felt lurking over her was created by this place, and she had begun to grow fond of that sadness. If she left, would it accompany here? She wasn't sure if she wanted it to or not.
When she realized she was still on the ground, Ester got up and stretched out a bit, clearing her thoughts as she did so. Evangaline mentioned helping others. She wanted to get them all out, to save every last one, but that wouldn't be possible. Even she knew when bravery crossed the line into stupidity. No, she would bring one other, and that was it. If at all possible she would follow her instincts, which told her to leave them all. Hightail it out of this rodeo as fast as possible. But she had to bring Mark. She would rather have him escape than herself, and she would not leave him here alone.
"Okay, if we're going to do this we need to move." Ester said, trying to seem as confident as possible. Her voice didn't crack, that was a start. "I doubt you came to the circus with the plan of performing a jailbreak, so you probably don't know what you're doing am I right?" She didn't wait for an answer, she could read their minds well enough to know. "I need to get Mark, but we can't risk staying here any longer than we have to. So we grab Mark and we go." She had planned an escape many times and by now had the plan down to a T.
She looked at Happy to make sure she was fine with the plan and saw a boy next to her that she hadn't even seen approach. Huh, he must be quiet. Either that or Ester's hearing wasn't that amazing at the moment. Her heart was beating loud enough that she had to look around and make sure nobody else heard it. Adrenaline coursed through her that she knew would wear off soon, but it was thrilling for the time-being.
When she realized she was still on the ground, Ester got up and stretched out a bit, clearing her thoughts as she did so. Evangaline mentioned helping others. She wanted to get them all out, to save every last one, but that wouldn't be possible. Even she knew when bravery crossed the line into stupidity. No, she would bring one other, and that was it. If at all possible she would follow her instincts, which told her to leave them all. Hightail it out of this rodeo as fast as possible. But she had to bring Mark. She would rather have him escape than herself, and she would not leave him here alone.
"Okay, if we're going to do this we need to move." Ester said, trying to seem as confident as possible. Her voice didn't crack, that was a start. "I doubt you came to the circus with the plan of performing a jailbreak, so you probably don't know what you're doing am I right?" She didn't wait for an answer, she could read their minds well enough to know. "I need to get Mark, but we can't risk staying here any longer than we have to. So we grab Mark and we go." She had planned an escape many times and by now had the plan down to a T.
She looked at Happy to make sure she was fine with the plan and saw a boy next to her that she hadn't even seen approach. Huh, he must be quiet. Either that or Ester's hearing wasn't that amazing at the moment. Her heart was beating loud enough that she had to look around and make sure nobody else heard it. Adrenaline coursed through her that she knew would wear off soon, but it was thrilling for the time-being.
Evie noticed Ester hesitate a moment and wondered what was wrong. She realized from the look on Ester's face that she was concerned about something. Evie wondered what it could be and if she could help somehow, but Ester rose and stretched before Evie could figure out how to ask. Feeling somewhat nervous, she fingered her locket, absentmindedly playing with the clasp, as she warily looked around. It seemed they were okay for now. They needed to leave soon or they might---
"Okay, if we're going to do this we need to move."Ester said, as if reading her thoughts. "I doubt you came to the circus with the plan of performing a jailbreak, so you probably don't know what you're doing am I right?" This made Evie blush deeply, doubt quickly rising. But at the same time, she was certain that she was doing the right thing. Ester mentioned going to get someone named Mark, and Evie immediately nodded. "Of course. I don't... I mean, we haven't...." Her blush spread over her cheeks as she looked down nervously. "If you would... lead the way?" She said hesitantly. She was beginning to get uncomfortable under Ester's attention, and was quickly beginning to get nervous.
She waited until everyone was ready and then they set off. They had to stop once as one of the guards made his way lazily through the aisles. Just as they finally reached Mark, who was chained to a post and seemed to be sleeping deeply, Evie's foot caught on a tent peg stuck in the ground. She fell forward, arms flailing, and landed hard on the ground with a solid thump. She looked up and realized she was just inches from Mark's face.
She quickly sat up, blushing once more as she distractedly wiped the dirt from the front of her dress. She slowly reached out to touch his shoulder, giving a small shake to see if she could wake him. She realized he was resting face down on a rag of some sort and wondered if he was being drugged to sleep. She began trying to push him over onto his back, hoping he would be able to wake up if the rag was not on his face. If that did not work, perhaps Jack could carry him?
"Okay, if we're going to do this we need to move."Ester said, as if reading her thoughts. "I doubt you came to the circus with the plan of performing a jailbreak, so you probably don't know what you're doing am I right?" This made Evie blush deeply, doubt quickly rising. But at the same time, she was certain that she was doing the right thing. Ester mentioned going to get someone named Mark, and Evie immediately nodded. "Of course. I don't... I mean, we haven't...." Her blush spread over her cheeks as she looked down nervously. "If you would... lead the way?" She said hesitantly. She was beginning to get uncomfortable under Ester's attention, and was quickly beginning to get nervous.
She waited until everyone was ready and then they set off. They had to stop once as one of the guards made his way lazily through the aisles. Just as they finally reached Mark, who was chained to a post and seemed to be sleeping deeply, Evie's foot caught on a tent peg stuck in the ground. She fell forward, arms flailing, and landed hard on the ground with a solid thump. She looked up and realized she was just inches from Mark's face.
She quickly sat up, blushing once more as she distractedly wiped the dirt from the front of her dress. She slowly reached out to touch his shoulder, giving a small shake to see if she could wake him. She realized he was resting face down on a rag of some sort and wondered if he was being drugged to sleep. She began trying to push him over onto his back, hoping he would be able to wake up if the rag was not on his face. If that did not work, perhaps Jack could carry him?
The sleeping form paid no attention to the group as it found him, even as the young woman tripped over a protruding post and fell but inches from his face. When she began to push him onto his back, the prone male moved easily enough, his body featherlight, as he was thin enough as it was, and between his fits and the way the mutations were kept in this place, he didn't get much to eat, and he worked most of it off one way or another. Once on his back, arms trapped under him, his chest began to contract and expand, quickly expelling all the sedative from his lungs. He moaned softly as he came to, the leg that was chained to the pole twisted awkwardly and a sensation of numbness permeating his body. One silver eye slid open, then the other, and his body convulsed slightly, muscles strained by the awkward position. Confused, the male began struggling, trying vainly to sit up.
When he'd decided that sitting up was not a viable options, thanks in part to the elevated, twisted state of his leg and because his arms were still tied behind his back, so he could not push himself up, he lay still, his head falling to one side, blinking away the fuzziness in his brain. As he did so, the first thing his eyes landed on was a girl. He flinched away in surprise, but recovered after the few seconds it took to reorient himself. "G'mornin', doll." He said cheerfully, his voice muted because it was so raw and thick. "Mind telling me where I am? I don't recall noddin' off here."
Another spasm claimed him for a moment and he had to grit his teeth through the pain of his muscles straining at his leg, trying to pull it away from the chain as his entire body seemed to curl into his core. He recovered quickly though, and as he looked up again he recognized Ester and Happy. "Lo' Ester, Lo' Happy!" He said smiling at the two. "This is just ducky, are we all here? What's going on?" The dizziness was quickly fading away, though he was still confused he'd quickly returned to his cheerful self, which was no surprise. He blinked after a second, however, realizing that it was extremely dark out. What? That...didn't make sense. This wasn't morning?
The confusion spread suddenly across his face, furrowing his brow and focusing his silver eyes on Esther in an unspoken question. It was nighttime. The girl before him was unfamiliar, and there was another lad in the group too who he didn't know. There were many things wrong with the situation, he hadn't been conscious at night in a very long time, but he knew that most everyone was locked up once the sun hit the horizon, so how were they out? That made no sense at all.
There was a more pressing matter, however, one that Mark couldn't know. Just how they would get him free now that he was conscious was a very curious notion, as he couldn't stand any of them being that close to him. Already he could feel the pressing horrors of the future in the back of his mind, soft, maddening whispers that would only set him off if anyone drew nearer. But there was one silent creature within the bunch, something that Mark had noticed earlier but did not recognize now. Evie made no sound, she emitted no signal for his brain to pick up, but he couldn't feel her empty space among the others when everyone was so close and he was so disoriented still.
When he'd decided that sitting up was not a viable options, thanks in part to the elevated, twisted state of his leg and because his arms were still tied behind his back, so he could not push himself up, he lay still, his head falling to one side, blinking away the fuzziness in his brain. As he did so, the first thing his eyes landed on was a girl. He flinched away in surprise, but recovered after the few seconds it took to reorient himself. "G'mornin', doll." He said cheerfully, his voice muted because it was so raw and thick. "Mind telling me where I am? I don't recall noddin' off here."
Another spasm claimed him for a moment and he had to grit his teeth through the pain of his muscles straining at his leg, trying to pull it away from the chain as his entire body seemed to curl into his core. He recovered quickly though, and as he looked up again he recognized Ester and Happy. "Lo' Ester, Lo' Happy!" He said smiling at the two. "This is just ducky, are we all here? What's going on?" The dizziness was quickly fading away, though he was still confused he'd quickly returned to his cheerful self, which was no surprise. He blinked after a second, however, realizing that it was extremely dark out. What? That...didn't make sense. This wasn't morning?
The confusion spread suddenly across his face, furrowing his brow and focusing his silver eyes on Esther in an unspoken question. It was nighttime. The girl before him was unfamiliar, and there was another lad in the group too who he didn't know. There were many things wrong with the situation, he hadn't been conscious at night in a very long time, but he knew that most everyone was locked up once the sun hit the horizon, so how were they out? That made no sense at all.
There was a more pressing matter, however, one that Mark couldn't know. Just how they would get him free now that he was conscious was a very curious notion, as he couldn't stand any of them being that close to him. Already he could feel the pressing horrors of the future in the back of his mind, soft, maddening whispers that would only set him off if anyone drew nearer. But there was one silent creature within the bunch, something that Mark had noticed earlier but did not recognize now. Evie made no sound, she emitted no signal for his brain to pick up, but he couldn't feel her empty space among the others when everyone was so close and he was so disoriented still.
Ester flinched a bit as Eva fell and could feel herself draw inside of herself when she flipped over Mark. She didn't notice the cloth and was sure he would wake up, throwing this girl into one of the tents. Before she could protest though, it was done. Mark woke up as slowly and calmly as he would have if had waken up by his own accord, which was rather strange to Ester. Normally he would freak out the moment he woke and saw some strange girl even near him. The fact that she had actually moved him should have sent him into ballistics, right?
That was about the time she noticed the rag, and her breathe was cut short, causing her to cover her mouth and hold in what seemed like a coughing fit that lasted a lifetime. One of the coughs had managed to escape through her hands and she hoped it wasn't enough to call attention over to their little posse. They chloroformed him? Was this only a one night thing or was it every night? Surely being drugged every night would damage a person. Her came to her a bit more shakily and she struggled to remain calm. Calm down. Calm down. Three seconds of weakness, then it's gone. One, Her breathes became more even. Two, Her mind began to clear. Three. Back to normal.
Ester could see the confusion on Mark's face and realized he probably wasn't putting all the pieces together. He had just woken up and the fact that it was night time would be odd to any of the people in their little mutated circus group. "Eva over here was nice enough to give us the spring. We're getting outta here Mark." Just like I promised we would. Ester wasn't sure she had ever said the promise aloud, or that Mark had ever known that was her intention even, but it was. Now it was happening.
That was about the time that Mark's thoughts protruded into her own. Mark was awake now, there was no way in hell any of them would be able to get close enough to free him. "You have got to be kidding me..." She was right here! Mark was right in front of her, Eva had the key, and they wouldn't make it out because they couldn't get close enough to Mark to let him free. Ester hit her head once. How could she have been so stupid? Absent-mindedly she begun pacing and as she did sent a little mental message to Mark. "Mark, there's no other way than to get close."
That was about the time she noticed the rag, and her breathe was cut short, causing her to cover her mouth and hold in what seemed like a coughing fit that lasted a lifetime. One of the coughs had managed to escape through her hands and she hoped it wasn't enough to call attention over to their little posse. They chloroformed him? Was this only a one night thing or was it every night? Surely being drugged every night would damage a person. Her came to her a bit more shakily and she struggled to remain calm. Calm down. Calm down. Three seconds of weakness, then it's gone. One, Her breathes became more even. Two, Her mind began to clear. Three. Back to normal.
Ester could see the confusion on Mark's face and realized he probably wasn't putting all the pieces together. He had just woken up and the fact that it was night time would be odd to any of the people in their little mutated circus group. "Eva over here was nice enough to give us the spring. We're getting outta here Mark." Just like I promised we would. Ester wasn't sure she had ever said the promise aloud, or that Mark had ever known that was her intention even, but it was. Now it was happening.
That was about the time that Mark's thoughts protruded into her own. Mark was awake now, there was no way in hell any of them would be able to get close enough to free him. "You have got to be kidding me..." She was right here! Mark was right in front of her, Eva had the key, and they wouldn't make it out because they couldn't get close enough to Mark to let him free. Ester hit her head once. How could she have been so stupid? Absent-mindedly she begun pacing and as she did sent a little mental message to Mark. "Mark, there's no other way than to get close."
Avalin Seranu
Ava winced as she heard the crack, and cursed herself quietly for causing him pain. It was obviously his wings that had made that noise. If they got away, she’d definitely do her best to help correct it, but she honestly didn’t have any real medical experience. Maybe one of the other mutants would know what to do.
Avon easily heard the footsteps- they were impossibly loud, even louder than her own heartbeat. Her whole form tensed, and her eyes closed tightly, absolutely terrified that they would get caught and Ezekiel would be punished severely. However, her eyes opened almost immediately as she felt Zeke shifting underneath her and tensing. It only made her feel worse, because she knew he made the motion because of some sort of pain she had no doubt caused.
But the feeling passed rather quickly, as she was distracted by him grabbing her wrist softly and moving her hand from his mouth. Her gaze had quickly shifted out of natural reaction to see what he was doing, even though she already knew. But she suddenly realized just how awkward she had made their position, helping or no. She felt rather foolish, more-so embarrassed, for how she had reacted. A faint blush dusted her cheeks- ’from the adrenaline and awkwardness,’ Ava quickly supplicated an answer for her mind’s thoughts- and she blinked a little uneasily.
She wanted to whisper to him to let go of her wrist because he was sort of holding onto it a bit tighter than he had been and she was aware of it, when he let go rather quickly. The footsteps recaptured her attention, and her eyes flicked back over to the crates, holding a tight breath of panic. The sound was only getting closer, and the suspense was absolutely torture, when she felt the winged boy under her shudder, almost causing her to jump in surprise.
Luckily, she didn’t, but it did make the uncomfortable tensed position even worse. Lynn had a split second of just wanting to reveal their position just for the suspense to be over, but it was just as quickly passed over. A yell was heard from whoever it was near the crates, obviously being distracted by someone else. His boots picked up a bit more speed as whoever it was strode away from them towards the victims of his lecture, and Ava let out a loud breath of relief, her whole body going numb and limp.
Her gaze swept back to Zeke’s face, a momentarily exhausted smile on her face as she was recovering from the extra spike of adrenaline, to find him beaming up at her. The corners of her lips twitched up without her consent in reaction to the rare smile. She had never seen him smile- despite the fact she’d known him for less than a day- and she couldn’t help but flash an honestly giddy smile back at him. ’Gosh, what a lucky break!’ Avalin made the thought which went with the relieved smile.
"Cash or check?" The question caught her by surprise, but a laugh escaped her lips, taking it only as a joke. However, once she started laughing, she kind of couldn’t stop. It wasn’t loud laughter, mostly giggles anyway. She lifted her hand to her mouth quickly and clamped it over her lips, an embarrassed look scribbled on her face. Ava quickly regained her composure, a faint sheepish smile on her lips as she moved her hand a bit. “Uh, I swear I’m not crazy….” She tilted her head slightly with a faint, bold smile.
As she felt him move underneath her, she distractedly thought he was just trying to get into a more comfortable position, completely having forgotten about the more than awkward situation between them. Her gaze was focused on his with the only thing on her mind being the fact that they had gotten out of that situation unscathed, thus attributing to the momentary loss of wits. "I owe you big time - oh, and you can get off of me now." Her eyes widened and another blush flared up. “Ah, right, right!! Of course, sorry!” She stammered quickly, breaking the look without a second thought and then moving herself off of him the best she could in the somewhat confined space.
She sat next to him for a few moments with another sigh of relief. Afterwards, she picked herself up from the ground and stood up, stretching. “That was… exhilarating... and extremely terrifying.” Ava ran her hand through her hair for a moment before blinking and straightening out. She turned to Ezekiel and looked him over for a moment. “Everything Jake with you?” She paused for a moment before shifting from one foot to the other. “Never mind, you can tell me later,” Turning her head, Lynn looked over to where the man had disappeared, and a small shiver ran down her spine, “That man gives me the heebie-jeebies, we should probably get moving instead of talk…. I’m sorry about your wings, I didn’t mean to… y’know.” She added as an afterthought, despite having just said they should move rather than talk.
Avalin walked out from the crates back onto the path, sort of unsure what they should do now, whether they should keep going the same way, or take a different direction to avoid troubles.
Evie and Mark Collab
Evie was surprised at how light the man was. Though he was thin and lanky, it should have been much more difficult for her to flip a full grown man over when he was dead weight like that. It caught her off guard as he thumped harder onto his back than she would have liked. Ester noticeable tensed up, seeming like she was bracing herself for something. Was there something Evie had done wrong? Would this man, Mark, be alright when he woke.
She carefully looked over him as he began to stir, still kneeling just a few inches from his shoulder on the dusty ground. She grabbed the liquid-soaked cloth the man had been laying on, and, when she faintly smelled the undeniable scent of chloroform, she balled it up and threw it as far away from them as she could. Which, knowing Evie's luck, was not far at all as it caught a breeze and drifted most of the way back. She heard a shout somewhere among the tents and her heart began to race, but it quickly faded to faint laughter. They needed to get a wiggle on. This place was giving her the jitters.
Her attention returned to the man, and she realized he was quite the rag-a-muffin. His hair hung in long, dirty tangles, his clothing, not to mention his face, looked like he had not washed in ages. One eye slowly blinked open, followed by the other. She realized then that she had moved him to an even more awkward position, his leg twisted uncomfortably as he tried unsuccessfully to sit up for a moment. His eyes landed on her and he started. Perhaps she should have said something so he would not have peen surprised.
The man quickly recovered his composure and said, "G'mornin', doll." His words were slurred and he still sounded very much drugged. "Mind telling me where I am? I don't recall noddin' off here."
Evie blushed slightly and stammered out, "Oh, well, I... I am not...." Before she could finish, the man convulsed slightly quickly noticing the others with Evie and greeting the two mutants. Thankfully, Ester explained and Evie did not have to. Her words sent a slight thrill down Evie's spine. "Eva over here was nice enough to give us the spring. We're getting outta here Mark." Evie smiled and nodded. Nothing could have convinced her that this was the wrong thing to do.
Seeing Ester's attention shift to the shackle that bound Mark to the post, Evie belatedly realized she was still grasping the ring of keys in her hand. Ester began worriedly pacing, and Evie realized they did not have the time to sit around and beat their gums. "Oh, right," she mumbled, somewhat embarrassed. She scooted over to Mark's ankle, looking through the keys until she found one that looked promising. "Just give me a sec and I'll get this right off," she said in a reassuring tone, leaning over his leg to get to the keyhole.
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An awed, open-mouthed smile broke on Mark's features at Ester's words and the nod from the other jane. They were leaving? Wow, that was brave! And he got to come along too. It was almost screwy! Where would they go. Hopefully somewhere . But with less people than this place had. He trusted Esther, so there was not a doubt in his mind that she wasn't feeding him a line, but then again he trusted most everyone so it was rather regular. But they were leaving! He didn't even realize that rationally he couldn't leave yet because he was still chained up tight to the post, he was just happy to go. Mostly because Ester looked happy, and if Ester looked happy it was a good thing. Mark had never really contemplated escaping, he'd have no where to go and his condition was too bad to be on his own anyway. He'd relegated himself to this place without a second thought.
The smile slid right off his face when two things happened nearly at the same time. A worried look crossed Ester's face, coupled with ominous words, and the girl came nearer. Mark flinched heavily as if he'd just been struck, and if his arms had been free they would have risen to cover his head. No, no, no, they couldn't come near him. he didn't want them there. The stress alone was enough to make his body convulse, but he didn't fall into the mindless throes of a seizure, he just curled up like a shelfish. "Don't hurt me." He cried out under his breath, unable to catch enough air into his lungs to make the words any louder.
She was still there though, leaning over his leg, and he struggled to get away, just in case the effects of her nearness were merely belated and would hit him at any second. The only thing he succeeded in doing was flip himself back over onto his face, nose digging into the dirt. The darkness of the ground was enough for him though, so he buried his face into the hard dirt as if it could protect him, body trembling violently.
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Evie was startled by Mark's panic, nearly falling back in her surprise, but instead she decided to hurry and get it over with. She had no intention of hurting him, so hopefully he would not panic any more than he just had. The poor man was trembling, as if she would beat him with the keys instead of setting him free. What kind of treatment had caused this reaction?
Without touching him, Evie deftly slid the key into the lock and turned it with a click. The shackle fell open, releasing the man's ankle as Evie let out a sigh and fell back onto her rear, looking around half scared that someone might have heard the clamor.
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The moment his foot hit the ground Mark made his best effort to escape, though nothing bad had happened yet. He managed to scoot himself a bit forward, rolling over onto his back again. His head spun as he managed to sit up after another bout of spasms abated. A dry sob caught in his throat, making him wheeze, and his silver eyes were wild as he stared at the girl, who'd fallen over onto her tail. He was still shaking violently as he tried to calm himself down. Nothing had happened. It was okay. He was okay. She was far enough away now that nothing bad could sneak up on him.
She hadn't known it would hurt him, that much was obvious by the look on her face, but Mark couldn't help but fear. What if she came nearer again? Though, nothing had happened. Which was strange. His fits had gotten worse over the years, he wasn't immune to any kind of nearness now, everyone set him twitching. The quiet voices were just so terrible. But...Mark racked his brains. He hadn't hear anything but the quiet murmurs of Happy, Ester, and the other fella, who were all far enough away that they didn't do more than agitate him a slight bit.
She was silent, he realized for the second time in twenty-four hours. A nearly silent laugh coughed from his lips, which were upturned again, though he was still quaking terribly. Wasn't that just the bee's knees? She was silent. Either that or he was going batty.
Mark moved to stand up, but his arms just tugged at the rope that bound his wrists behind him, making him grimace. Oh yeah, he'd forgotten about that. His wrists were actually beginning to throb from all the tugging he'd just put them through. He squirmed a bit before finding the strength in his legs to stand, trembling like a baby deer. He took an unsteady, tentative step towards the jane, an unsure look on his face.
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Evie still saw no one approaching, but she doubted their luck would hold for much longer. The terror on Mark's face made her heart hurt. She wanted to gather him in her arms and tell him it would be okay, like she did when one of her siblings had nightmares. This was neither the time or place, however, especially since she was the one who he was scared of at the moment.
For a moment, she thought there was a look of longing and disappointment on his features, but she thought it was probably just her imagination. He quickly began to look confused, then amused, as if he had not found something he expected and that pleased him. Evie had no clue what could be going through his mind, but at least he was not tied up and unconscious or scared stiff.
He tried to rise, hampered by his tied hands, before finally standing and taking a step towards her. She stood as well, looking at their little group a moment before saying, "Ummm, so...what's next?"
Jack Kempton
Although he couldn't see her features properly in the dark he found her to be exceptionally intriguing to his eyes. There was a grace to her that she portrayed without even having to move. He looked for her because she was weighing on his mind more than his sore arm. Maybe it was selfish of him to choose to help her due to him taking a fancy to her but he didn't seem to be the only one who sought out someone in particular. Of course they also made an effort to rescue others along with them.
Her fingers looked so delicate and her hand was so cold. And his hands were unusually warm partly due to the fact that his heart was pounding from the adrenaline as a result of his constant concern for getting caught the longer that they were there. With her skin so cool he might have actually felt hot to the touch. Her accent sounded not just foreign but somewhat unnatural as if she was forcing it more than she should have. He let it go. There were more important things to concern himself with.
He didn't have any extra clothing to offer her and she was barely wearing enough to keep her warm. The only thing he could do was keep her close to him when they re-united with the group. At least until he could find her something to better cover herself.
Although he couldn't see her features properly in the dark he found her to be exceptionally intriguing to his eyes. There was a grace to her that she portrayed without even having to move. He looked for her because she was weighing on his mind more than his sore arm. Maybe it was selfish of him to choose to help her due to him taking a fancy to her but he didn't seem to be the only one who sought out someone in particular. Of course they also made an effort to rescue others along with them.
Her fingers looked so delicate and her hand was so cold. And his hands were unusually warm partly due to the fact that his heart was pounding from the adrenaline as a result of his constant concern for getting caught the longer that they were there. With her skin so cool he might have actually felt hot to the touch. Her accent sounded not just foreign but somewhat unnatural as if she was forcing it more than she should have. He let it go. There were more important things to concern himself with.
He didn't have any extra clothing to offer her and she was barely wearing enough to keep her warm. The only thing he could do was keep her close to him when they re-united with the group. At least until he could find her something to better cover herself.
Ezekiel Felton
22:10 P.M
22:10 P.M
Her laughter came as a relief to him, at least he wasn't the only crazy one here. It didn't matter if she tried to deny it, they were both completely mad for this, absolutely loony, bonkers. For some odd reason though, and perhaps it was the lunacy or the adrenaline, but a tickling feeling was running up and down the inside of his stomach. Vaguely his mind was running through how he thought it was cute how she covered her mouth in her embarrassment and how she tilted her head with a smile, and mortified he tried to lock these observations away. It had to be the adrenaline, that's what made the most sense, it also must be what was making his face feel like hot coals.
Ezekiel found himself back in reality as soon as she moved off of him, the two of them sitting side-by-side in momentarily silence as their bodies processed that danger wasn't so imminent. Even if they were apart now the previous proximity still lingered, his skin still tingling from where her breath had landed, remembering each touch. He furrowed his brows as he stood, brushing the dirt off his cloths fastidiously despite not caring about getting dirty. Being incredibly hygienic was never a habit someone could really form in a travelling circus, no matter how well they were treated. Silently Ezekiel told himself that he could remember it all so clearly because of the rush, along with all those years that he went without close physical contact, being in a cage most of the time did that to people.
He found himself only nodding in response, stretching out his wings and wincing as his nerves delivered pain to his head. There were some spots that would need to be put into a splint, but it wasn't anything he couldn't manage for now. "Copacetic." His voice was quiet and his wings folded again, as if to demonstrate that he would be fine and that there was nothing for her to worry about. When they had a real shot of getting out of here alive he found himself hardly thinking about the pain at all, and it wasn't as if his wings were special to him, not to mention that he probably would have never been able to use them for flight in the first place. Rolling his shoulders Ezekiel stepped forward and onto the path, looking both ways before gesturing to where Mr.Torture had come from on that assumption that he wouldn't head back that way anytime soon.
Again was their world filled with nothing but the sound of their own footsteps. There was no time for his body to relax, everything felt tense as they walked through the circus, stopping to check pathways before advancing, avoiding brutes and guards alike. Every one of his muscles felt tight, wound up and ready to spring at the slightest noise or hint of danger, anything that would jeopardize his own freedom. Yet he still stood close to Avalin, keeping her in grabbing distance in case they needed to run. While she could most likely run faster then him (Thanks to having normal feet and all), she didn't know the layout of the circus. After all that she had done for him, leaving her behind was the last thing on his mind, and both of them would get out of this in one piece if he could help it.
It wasn't far now, and he would have kept on going if it wasn't for noise, voices, and he turned to Avalin with a perplexed countenance. What was with that racket? Even if it was hushed the noise was such a contrast to the stillness of the circus, and it obviously wasn't from anyone that they should be running from. His wings twitched as he recognized a couple of the voices and he changed his course, walking towards the sounds rather than away, thinking that if it was what he thought it was then there was nothing for him to worry about.
He wasn't wrong, but he wasn't quite right either. He saw Ester and Mark, as suspected, but there were two other people that he didn't recognize, and then another who he didn't expect to be there at all. "Well, aren't we a bunch of eggs?" He questioned, making their presence known among the others as he walked closer, specifically approaching Ester and Mark, who he was more comfortable with. For a few quick seconds he looked between the two that were foreign to him, and then glanced back to Avalin, his eyebrows raised. Maybe she hadn't come here alone after all? "Are they with you?" He whispered, hoping that it was true, because if they were her friends then at least he could trust them a little bit.
Ezekiel stopped beside Ester, and in his surprise he was unable to force himself to smile, only managing a nod. So this was a full blown operation? He had to admit, he was impressed, and perhaps they would have a better chance at breaking out of this joint with more people, more minds. He tried to not think of the possibility of all of them simply being a bunch of saps. "Hi." He greeted her bluntly and looked over to Mark, the skinny boy's hands still tied and his own eyes widening. If this was going to be a group effort they should be getting out of her soon. The longer they stayed in one spot the more change they had at getting caught, and he would fight tooth and nail to see that they didn't meet with such a wanweird.
With this in mind he stepped forward without a word, avoiding vocalization as a means to not draw more attention to themselves, along with hoping that logic and nonverbal communication would do. He pulled out the key Avalin had nicked and quirked one of his eyebrows, curious to know if it would work on the chain lock as well. Figuring there was only one way to find out the winged boy sent a brief look over to the other male before knelling down behind Mark, his eyes squinting in the dark shrouds of the night, searching for where the lock was. When he found it he reached forward and grabbed the shackles, not giving any verbal warning. Really, he didn't know how to act in this kind of situation at all. Ezekiel bit the inside of his cheek as he placed the metal shaped by heat into the lock, holding his breath as he turned it, awaiting a click or a dreadful resistance.
Mark found himself calming down as he stared from Ester to the other girl. He was okay. He was gonna be okay. Nobody had hurt him and now his feet were free. hey could run now. The jane spoke, her voice unsure. Instinctively Mark's grey eyes turned towards Ester to answer the question the other girl had posed. Ester was a leader. She was smart. She knew everything, she'd know what to do next. He swayed on his feet, his balance just out of reach and his tied hands unable to steady him. But he didn't care at all and he barely noticed that his head was still spinning from his abrupt awakening. Before anyone could make any response to the girl's words, however, because just then Ezekiel approached with another jane by his side. Mark's countenance spread into a smile. This was turning out to be a right party indeed! The winged boy approached Ester after whispering something to the jane, who must have sprung him just as his new light-brown haired friend had set him free.
That made three humans, the two janes and a lad, who hadn't said anything. Mark turned his eyes to the lad to see what he was all about, and he didn't notice Zeke approaching him from behind until it was too late. The surprise literally knocked him off his feet, pain bursting in his mind. Though the other girl hadn't caused him any problems, he could feel what he'd missed in his last intimate encounter with another being. The half whispered visions of terrible things to come plagued his mind at winged lad's proximity. He fell hard on his knees just as his hands were freed, and he scrabbled a few centimetres away from his innocent assailant, arms rising to cover his face as his body seized, curling him inward and digging his shoulder into the ground.
His mouth was open as if he was screaming, but the only sound that emitted was a very soft whimper as he struggled with his body,which was urging his mind to go blank and let his form weather the fit on its own. But he couldn't. He could accidentally hurt Ester or the jane who'd sprung him. He couldn't do that. He couldn't. His body, though his mind was still conscious, instinctively lifted all the small objects around him, which were just a couple of rocks as all the people were much too large to lift up when he was in such a state. The small stones, which were mostly pebbles, with a cig butt in the mix, drew nearer, drawn to Mark's twitching form. They wavered as he to lay them back on the ground, his body resisting. His fingers, which were white as bone because he was clutching his face so lightly, jerked and twitched, and the young man gritted his teeth, moaning softly through them as his body strained in all directions at once. He might have been crying, he didn't know, his face was wet, but whether with sweat or tears it wasn't clear.
The blonde male writhed for what could have only been about thirty seconds, but felt like an eternity, and one of the smallest pebbles went shooting off like a bullet in the air. It would land in the grass thirty yards away. The rest of the objects trembled along with his shivering body, and very very slowly he forced them down to the ground and made them fall away from his mental grasp. He sobbed as his body twisted violently one last time, then he fell limp, his face pale and his eyes red with tears of pain. He lay that way, sprawled out on the ground and twitching slightly, for a moment, then he took a sharp breath and sneezed.
The sneeze seemed to surprise him and he sat up again, body trembling even more than it had before, and drew his sleeve across his face, wiping away the tears. He wanted to go to Ester, well, he wanted to go within arms length of Ester, which was as close as he could manage. Ester was safe. But Zeke was right there. Which meant that the he'd have to go to the second safest action. Curling up and closing his eyes and not opening them again until everyone was gone. But that was not a viable option. He had to be a brave boy now. He had to get up. They'd gone to the trouble to save him and he couldn't be weak now, he had to get up.
Carefully, with much trembling and grimacing, Mark pulled against his locked muscles and stood up, wobbling on his heels again. Though he looked on the verge of bursting into tears he summoned up a smile and looked at Ester, letting her know that he was alright. He could be brave, he could be strong, he wouldn't let Ester and his new friend who didn't broadcast any noise down. He wouldn't let Happy or the lad down. He wouldn't let Zeke and his friend down either. He would be fine. Just so long as no one got near him again.
That made three humans, the two janes and a lad, who hadn't said anything. Mark turned his eyes to the lad to see what he was all about, and he didn't notice Zeke approaching him from behind until it was too late. The surprise literally knocked him off his feet, pain bursting in his mind. Though the other girl hadn't caused him any problems, he could feel what he'd missed in his last intimate encounter with another being. The half whispered visions of terrible things to come plagued his mind at winged lad's proximity. He fell hard on his knees just as his hands were freed, and he scrabbled a few centimetres away from his innocent assailant, arms rising to cover his face as his body seized, curling him inward and digging his shoulder into the ground.
His mouth was open as if he was screaming, but the only sound that emitted was a very soft whimper as he struggled with his body,which was urging his mind to go blank and let his form weather the fit on its own. But he couldn't. He could accidentally hurt Ester or the jane who'd sprung him. He couldn't do that. He couldn't. His body, though his mind was still conscious, instinctively lifted all the small objects around him, which were just a couple of rocks as all the people were much too large to lift up when he was in such a state. The small stones, which were mostly pebbles, with a cig butt in the mix, drew nearer, drawn to Mark's twitching form. They wavered as he to lay them back on the ground, his body resisting. His fingers, which were white as bone because he was clutching his face so lightly, jerked and twitched, and the young man gritted his teeth, moaning softly through them as his body strained in all directions at once. He might have been crying, he didn't know, his face was wet, but whether with sweat or tears it wasn't clear.
The blonde male writhed for what could have only been about thirty seconds, but felt like an eternity, and one of the smallest pebbles went shooting off like a bullet in the air. It would land in the grass thirty yards away. The rest of the objects trembled along with his shivering body, and very very slowly he forced them down to the ground and made them fall away from his mental grasp. He sobbed as his body twisted violently one last time, then he fell limp, his face pale and his eyes red with tears of pain. He lay that way, sprawled out on the ground and twitching slightly, for a moment, then he took a sharp breath and sneezed.
The sneeze seemed to surprise him and he sat up again, body trembling even more than it had before, and drew his sleeve across his face, wiping away the tears. He wanted to go to Ester, well, he wanted to go within arms length of Ester, which was as close as he could manage. Ester was safe. But Zeke was right there. Which meant that the he'd have to go to the second safest action. Curling up and closing his eyes and not opening them again until everyone was gone. But that was not a viable option. He had to be a brave boy now. He had to get up. They'd gone to the trouble to save him and he couldn't be weak now, he had to get up.
Carefully, with much trembling and grimacing, Mark pulled against his locked muscles and stood up, wobbling on his heels again. Though he looked on the verge of bursting into tears he summoned up a smile and looked at Ester, letting her know that he was alright. He could be brave, he could be strong, he wouldn't let Ester and his new friend who didn't broadcast any noise down. He wouldn't let Happy or the lad down. He wouldn't let Zeke and his friend down either. He would be fine. Just so long as no one got near him again.
Ester stopped pacing when she saw Evie going over to Mark. She didn't have time to warn her about his personal space issue before she had reached down to unlock his leg shambles. He began to tremble and Ester just stood there as it happened. In moments though Evie was up and Mark was, more or less, fine. Disbelief filled Ester's face as she looked from Evie to Mark then back at Evie. He had just met the dame, yet he reacted as he might have if Ester herself had gone up and done the same thing.
There wasn't much time to ponder on the subject, and she was quickly reminded of that when Evie mentioned the next move. Yes, they musn't dilly-dally. "Well, is this all of us? We should regr-" She was halted midthought as she heard Eziekiel's voice speak over her own. "Well, aren't we a bunch of eggs?" Ester looked over, trying to mask the suprise on her face. There was a girl with him, one she didn't recognize. Must be one of Evangaline's. Reading into Ezekiel's mind her thoughts were confirmed, unless there were two break-ins going on in one night. She almost laughed though when he thought it was an actual operation. This was no operation: this was last minute, heat of the moment, heroic attempt kind of act performed by a group of kids. No offense to them, what they were doing would be the kindest thing anyone ever did for Ester, or anyone else they were breaking out for that matter. But the honest truth was, they had no idea what they were doing.
Ester had stopped paying attention to Eziekiel long ago, lost in her own thoughts, dimming her high hopes of escaping. That was a mistake. In the time she had been spaced out, he had managed to put himself in the worst spot her possibly could. She saw Mark's hands go free, him falling to the ground. She put a hand over her mouth to stop herself from betraying the silence that they were relying on right now. She wanted to run to him. To tell him her would be fine. Comfort him until he calmed down. But she couldn't, and she would never be able to.
She hurried as close as she could to Mark, ignoring the pebbles and other things floating off the ground beneath her feet. She needed to get closer. She stopped about five feet away, but only because the debris was moving towards him and she didn't want to be caught in one of the item's paths. She waited there as he began to calm down and wiped at her eyes, realizing she had been crying a bit. She didn't even realized it. Hopefully it wasn't too noticeable. Slowly Mark got back up and smiled at her, she faintly smiled back, but her own smile was probably as fake looking as Mark's had seemed. They weren't okay, but they would deal with it.
Taking a deep breath, Ester tried to change everyone's train of thought. "Is there any more of you? We need to regroup and get a wiggle on if we ever plan on getting out of here." What if they were caught? What kind of horrors would Mr. Torture have in store for them? Surely they would be worse than anything Ester had ever recieved from him. After all, nobody had ever been so close to escaping. It would have been thrilling, if the current circumstances did not apply.
There wasn't much time to ponder on the subject, and she was quickly reminded of that when Evie mentioned the next move. Yes, they musn't dilly-dally. "Well, is this all of us? We should regr-" She was halted midthought as she heard Eziekiel's voice speak over her own. "Well, aren't we a bunch of eggs?" Ester looked over, trying to mask the suprise on her face. There was a girl with him, one she didn't recognize. Must be one of Evangaline's. Reading into Ezekiel's mind her thoughts were confirmed, unless there were two break-ins going on in one night. She almost laughed though when he thought it was an actual operation. This was no operation: this was last minute, heat of the moment, heroic attempt kind of act performed by a group of kids. No offense to them, what they were doing would be the kindest thing anyone ever did for Ester, or anyone else they were breaking out for that matter. But the honest truth was, they had no idea what they were doing.
Ester had stopped paying attention to Eziekiel long ago, lost in her own thoughts, dimming her high hopes of escaping. That was a mistake. In the time she had been spaced out, he had managed to put himself in the worst spot her possibly could. She saw Mark's hands go free, him falling to the ground. She put a hand over her mouth to stop herself from betraying the silence that they were relying on right now. She wanted to run to him. To tell him her would be fine. Comfort him until he calmed down. But she couldn't, and she would never be able to.
She hurried as close as she could to Mark, ignoring the pebbles and other things floating off the ground beneath her feet. She needed to get closer. She stopped about five feet away, but only because the debris was moving towards him and she didn't want to be caught in one of the item's paths. She waited there as he began to calm down and wiped at her eyes, realizing she had been crying a bit. She didn't even realized it. Hopefully it wasn't too noticeable. Slowly Mark got back up and smiled at her, she faintly smiled back, but her own smile was probably as fake looking as Mark's had seemed. They weren't okay, but they would deal with it.
Taking a deep breath, Ester tried to change everyone's train of thought. "Is there any more of you? We need to regroup and get a wiggle on if we ever plan on getting out of here." What if they were caught? What kind of horrors would Mr. Torture have in store for them? Surely they would be worse than anything Ester had ever recieved from him. After all, nobody had ever been so close to escaping. It would have been thrilling, if the current circumstances did not apply.
Happy Noko
Hi hands were warm, which she liked, but she wasn't a fan of how close he was holding her. Clearly there was something more than simple charity going on here. Did he actually feel attracted to her?
Well, she didn't have a problem with that. Besides, it wasn't as if she returned the feelings. If he wanted to pine away for a mutated snake doll, then so be it. She could just milk him for what he was worth, the sap.
There was a slight commotion, judging from a sudden flair in body temperature from Mark. He typically did that whenever his powers were in use, Happy observed. Ester seemed to be taking care of it.
And of course, there was the winged boy. Happy could always sense him, with the extra heat spreading to his wings. Another was with him, and....was there...yet another? Happy couldn't tell, but if she had to hazard a guess, it would be the strange demon boy. With his cold skin, it was always difficult for her to pick him out.
Ester suggested leaving, which Happy immediately agreed with. Deciding to urge things on, she spoke softly, "I can sense someone coming. We'll need to leave now." While her statement wasn't exactly true, she could feel some people travelling in their general direction...it was a slight tweak necessary to move them along. And besides, if one of them happened to be Mr. Torture--which, at this point, was too far out of her range to tell for sure--well, everyone could use their imagination.
Avalin Seranu
Avalin looked up with an alert look to her eyes as he whispered a question into her ear, and she nodded quietly with a grin. She stood a ways off to the side as Ezekiel strode over to a man who was obviously in chains, and inserted the pick into the lock in attempts to free him. It opened rather quickly, but the reaction the man had was far from gratefulness at that precise moment.
It looked as if Ezekiel had tortured the poor fellow and then shot him. It was not a pretty sight. A feeling of sympathy wrenched Avon’s insides, but she refrained from doing anything- obviously he had freaked out by the close proximity, or, at least that’s what Lynn deduced. He began writhing and sobbing, and finally, his form went completely limp, and for a moment she thought he might have had a seizure or passed out or something.
And then he sneezed, to which a huge grin couldn’t help curl into her lips. ’Aww, he’s just like a little cat!’ After that traumatic experience was over and the man seemed to calm down and get up, and smile at one of his friends, she took a small breath of relief.
His friend then spoke up, reminding Ava of the situation once again, ” "Is there any more of you? We need to regroup and get a wiggle on if we ever plan on getting out of here." Avalin joined the group, making sure to stay away from the strange man as to not upset him again. “Nope, this is all of us. Let’s get going.” She smiled, though it faltered when Jack came on the scene with the snake-girl Evie had told her about, and she said that there was someone coming.
With all that had happened tonight, she most definitely was not going to question anything, and she set off once again herself towards the direction of where the three had come in. She paused and turned around with another good-natured smile, and called out to the others. “Well, you guys coming?”
Ester began to answer Evie's question, but she was suddenly interrupted by the voice of a man. Evie whirled on him, an almost dangerous look in her eye, though in reality, it was more comical than dangerous. Her face, not to mention her personality, was not suited to show any sort of truly threatening expression. The odd look on her face quickly faded when she realized it was another mutant, accompanied by Ava. Evie gave them a short smile, her thoughts quickly moving on to their escape route. Her mind inevitably came again to the thought of being caught, but this only made Evie more ready to get out of the circus grounds.
The new mutant who Ava had brought, however, seemed to have one more priority before they left. Evie noticed him approaching the bound mutant from behind. She raised a hand to her mouth, concerned and uncertain as to what he would do, but since Ester made no move to stop him, Evie decided to stay still. With a sudden movement, the chain was unlocked. The mutant's reaction was almost instant, as he fell to his knees with a horribly pained expression.
Evie let out a near silent gasp, pressing both hands hard to her mouth in an attempt to stifle it. As the poor man writhed on the ground, debris from the ground rising around him, Evie quickly realized that his pain was probably caused by the new mutant's sudden proximity, though the why entirely escaped her. She had done something similar without this extreme of a reaction. She could not figure out why it was different this time.
Slowly, her eyes filled with tears until she could hardly see the man. He was in such apparent pain, and so obviously struggling against it as the quavering pebbles around them seemed to indicate, that Evie could not help but feel for him and wish for any way to help him, any way at all. Finally, a single, large tear fell, releasing the dam until tears fell silently down her cheeks.
Finally, the worst seemed to be over, and Evie composed herself a bit better, stifling an urgent desire to gather the man into her arms and comfort him. What if something was different from before and she caused another horrible reaction? She could not risk that. Suddenly, he sneezed, giving Evie a start and jarring her from her thoughts. He slowly rose, giving a shaky smile to Ester. Perhaps he was alright for the moment?
Taking this as a cue that it was time to leave, Ava began to set off, calling softly back to them. Evie fave a resolute nod back to her friend and followed after. There was no time to lose, morning would come swiftly and they had to be far away by then.
The group quickly hustled to the edge of the grounds, a few close encounters, but nothing terribly risky, though Evie managed to fall a couple more times. Finally, they reached the edge of the grounds, and Evie peered out into the night. Her heart jolted when she saw the large, mostly open ground they would have to cover. She quickly spotted a large thicket of trees not too far from where they stood, which would be a good place to hide for a moment and regroup. She pointed and whispered softly, "There!" She scanned around the group, making sure everyone had seen the area she was indicating.
Hoping they would all follow, and make it, Evie set off first. She carefully scanned the circus tents for any watchful eyes as she hustled, but it was too late into the night for that. All the time they took gathering the various mutants seemed to have placed them at the time when the 'watch' was sleepiest, though it was purely by luck rather than planning.
Finally, Evie made it, quickly turning and counting to herself as the others entered the thicket.
One...
two...
three...
four...
The new mutant who Ava had brought, however, seemed to have one more priority before they left. Evie noticed him approaching the bound mutant from behind. She raised a hand to her mouth, concerned and uncertain as to what he would do, but since Ester made no move to stop him, Evie decided to stay still. With a sudden movement, the chain was unlocked. The mutant's reaction was almost instant, as he fell to his knees with a horribly pained expression.
Evie let out a near silent gasp, pressing both hands hard to her mouth in an attempt to stifle it. As the poor man writhed on the ground, debris from the ground rising around him, Evie quickly realized that his pain was probably caused by the new mutant's sudden proximity, though the why entirely escaped her. She had done something similar without this extreme of a reaction. She could not figure out why it was different this time.
Slowly, her eyes filled with tears until she could hardly see the man. He was in such apparent pain, and so obviously struggling against it as the quavering pebbles around them seemed to indicate, that Evie could not help but feel for him and wish for any way to help him, any way at all. Finally, a single, large tear fell, releasing the dam until tears fell silently down her cheeks.
Finally, the worst seemed to be over, and Evie composed herself a bit better, stifling an urgent desire to gather the man into her arms and comfort him. What if something was different from before and she caused another horrible reaction? She could not risk that. Suddenly, he sneezed, giving Evie a start and jarring her from her thoughts. He slowly rose, giving a shaky smile to Ester. Perhaps he was alright for the moment?
Taking this as a cue that it was time to leave, Ava began to set off, calling softly back to them. Evie fave a resolute nod back to her friend and followed after. There was no time to lose, morning would come swiftly and they had to be far away by then.
The group quickly hustled to the edge of the grounds, a few close encounters, but nothing terribly risky, though Evie managed to fall a couple more times. Finally, they reached the edge of the grounds, and Evie peered out into the night. Her heart jolted when she saw the large, mostly open ground they would have to cover. She quickly spotted a large thicket of trees not too far from where they stood, which would be a good place to hide for a moment and regroup. She pointed and whispered softly, "There!" She scanned around the group, making sure everyone had seen the area she was indicating.
Hoping they would all follow, and make it, Evie set off first. She carefully scanned the circus tents for any watchful eyes as she hustled, but it was too late into the night for that. All the time they took gathering the various mutants seemed to have placed them at the time when the 'watch' was sleepiest, though it was purely by luck rather than planning.
Finally, Evie made it, quickly turning and counting to herself as the others entered the thicket.
One...
two...
three...
four...
As the group moved on, Ester began to fully realized the danger they were in. The danger that they were putting their new...aquaintances in. Then again, that's all they simply were, aquaintances. She would warn them of what they were getting in to if not for that small fact, and that she had been waiting for this day for years. It was difficult not to to go up to Evangaline and tell her to take her friends and run. Mr. Torture was not accustomed to losing, she knew that much. If some of his main act mutants were to go missing, well Mr. Torture wouldn't be one to just let it go. If they made it out of here without a hitch though, then the runaways could just part ways with them and everything in their life would be dandy. Well, except for the fact that they were runaways.
Ester's train of thought was interuppted as they approached a wide open space. She wanted to punch herself for seemingly jinxing the whole group through her train of thought. Getting all the way to the exit would be near impossible, and it was even less likely they wouldn't be spotted in the slightest. How could she have forgotten about this? She had lived here long enough to map these kinds of things out. Then again, she hadn't been allowed over here often. What with her count of escapes and being in such close proximity to the opening gate. Still, if they did not make it being so close, she would never let herself forget it.
Just then though, Evangaline ran across the open space and straight into a bush. Ester's eyes widened in disbelief as she did so. Then everyone else followed, along with Ester, figuring there was no reason not to. Amazingly, she found that they were making it just fine. She felt the needles poking her from all around, and she shifted a bit to try and find a more comfortable position. As she did though, she felt three needles poke her in her ear and moved back as she had been. Then she looked at Evie and sent her a little message. "You are either one of the bravest, or the most rash people I have ever met."
Ester's train of thought was interuppted as they approached a wide open space. She wanted to punch herself for seemingly jinxing the whole group through her train of thought. Getting all the way to the exit would be near impossible, and it was even less likely they wouldn't be spotted in the slightest. How could she have forgotten about this? She had lived here long enough to map these kinds of things out. Then again, she hadn't been allowed over here often. What with her count of escapes and being in such close proximity to the opening gate. Still, if they did not make it being so close, she would never let herself forget it.
Just then though, Evangaline ran across the open space and straight into a bush. Ester's eyes widened in disbelief as she did so. Then everyone else followed, along with Ester, figuring there was no reason not to. Amazingly, she found that they were making it just fine. She felt the needles poking her from all around, and she shifted a bit to try and find a more comfortable position. As she did though, she felt three needles poke her in her ear and moved back as she had been. Then she looked at Evie and sent her a little message. "You are either one of the bravest, or the most rash people I have ever met."
Ezekiel Felton
22:10 P.M
22:10 P.M
There was nothing he could do but stare as Mark reacted, seized by the tortures effects of his powers, and though his stomach twisted in guilt the boy with wings kept his visage steady, void of all emotions aside for the transitory expression of surprise. He should have been more careful, but they needed to go, and the others seemed to be on the same page as him, feeling that danger was nipping at their ankles. “Let’s blow this joint already, good riddance.” He replied, following where one of Ava’s friends had pointed to, smartly into the walls of plants that would gladly conceal them. However, his wings twitched, as if possessing a mind of their own that resisted being trapped in such cramp places, but he silently told them how useless they were and forced the feathered limbs to fold, lest he injure them further.
They complied into a state of inertia as he walked into the branches, the only sounds being inhales, exhales and cracking branches, leafs that crunched underneath their footfalls. Ezekiel almost wanted to hold his breath, fearing that if he made a single noise that was too loud it would travel, shatter their bad luck in a single act of respiration. His fingernails dug into his palms, and he pictured the edge of the circus. All they had to do was continue to head south, past there was what he perceived to be a quiet part of the city, and in it was a train station. They were getting closer to freedom, only feet away, and he made crescent indents in his skin.
Then his nightmare thoughts came true in the form of dogs barking, and the signals echoed into the night, shaking it and sending ice cold water through his blood.
“Shit.” He swore in a hushed hiss, his mind paralyzed for a second before his spine shot up straight, the adrenaline digging claws into his bones, fittingly triggering a reaction of flight. Nevertheless, his true instinct wasn’t selfish, and his first priority was to turn his head to the others, and of those that hadn’t made it to the thicket, with his eyes wild and fierce, more awake than they have been in his entire existence. “We have to run, now.” For some reason, perhaps he felt responsible or was simply indebted, Ezekiel reached for Avalin and grabbed her wrist, stepping out of their cover and into the camp, which wouldn’t be empty for long. “Run south and don’t stop running.” This was all he could manage, unable to add where they should meet if they were to become separated in the rush. It was all happening too fast, and with his heart pounding he looked towards Ava, seconds from running for his life, and hoping that they wouldn’t be caught, or worse, killed.
- 75 posts here • Page 3 of 3 • 1, 2, 3
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View All » Add Character » 11 Characters to follow in this universe
Newest
Kraus Bodenstein
how can such darkness and sorrow lie within a young man's heart?
Avalin Seranu
"Get a wiggle on, this novel section isn't going to write itself!"
Ester Pradin
You know, it would be swell if we could have one night out of the circus.
Evangeline Davis
"Even on the worst day, there is opportunity for joy."
Jack Kempton
It wasn't me officer, honest!
Samael Barker
"The Vampire Samael", a Daemon mutant who may or may not be as sinister as his reputation...
Ezekiel Felton
"Alright, let me level with you."
Trending
Avalin Seranu
"Get a wiggle on, this novel section isn't going to write itself!"
Ezekiel Felton
"Alright, let me level with you."
Ester Pradin
You know, it would be swell if we could have one night out of the circus.
Samael Barker
"The Vampire Samael", a Daemon mutant who may or may not be as sinister as his reputation...
Kraus Bodenstein
how can such darkness and sorrow lie within a young man's heart?
Evangeline Davis
"Even on the worst day, there is opportunity for joy."
Jack Kempton
It wasn't me officer, honest!
Most Followed
Samael Barker
"The Vampire Samael", a Daemon mutant who may or may not be as sinister as his reputation...
Ester Pradin
You know, it would be swell if we could have one night out of the circus.
Ezekiel Felton
"Alright, let me level with you."
Kraus Bodenstein
how can such darkness and sorrow lie within a young man's heart?
Avalin Seranu
"Get a wiggle on, this novel section isn't going to write itself!"
Jack Kempton
It wasn't me officer, honest!
Evangeline Davis
"Even on the worst day, there is opportunity for joy."
Fullscreen Chat » Create Topic » Torture Circus: Out of Character
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Torture Circus
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Torture Circus
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by coricidinForte on Mon Oct 15, 2012 12:43 am
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Relationships (Torture Circus)
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