Thread: Carnival: Shadows And Whispers Under The Big Top (Dane Stalling & darkangel76)

Felicity heard scuffles, like feet shuffling along hard ground. She slowly brought her hands away from her face, letting one drop to her side while the other covered her heaving chest. Oh, the monster was fumbling with something, her heart pounding hard as her green eyes widened and fixed upon his hands as they moved. Her head tilted for a moment as she watched them, eyes blinking away the tears as she studied their fine features. Just then, he reached out and took hold of her wrist, his grip firm though not hard. He pulled her closer and her eyes flitted away from those strangely sculpted hands and looked directly into his. She had all she could do not to shout, to scream, every instinct urging her to run and get as far away as she could as he held onto her. But her feet wouldn't move. Her entire body was frozen to the spot and she struggled to find her voice. Trying to breathe, her cheeks slightly chilled from her tears, Felicity glanced over at her suitcase. Oh, she was so close to retrieving it, to having her life returned to her. Maybe if she just gathered up her thoughts and wits, this could all be over. After all, his request was simple enough. She knew the entire contents held within that bag. She'd packed it herself only hours ago and she needed it if she was going to put her plan into action. She had to this. There was no more time to waste on fears and hesitation. I... Felicity began, but her mouth felt dry, almost sticky. She swallowed once, then again. Licking her lips, she closed her eyes and silently counted to three. There's a book, the c-cover soft leatherbrownthe edges w-worn. Her eyes opened and she looked away from the monster, unable to hold that horrific and penetrating gaze. In g-gold letters it says 'Metamorphoses' and...there's a b-bookmark. She turned to look back into his face, that hideous face that made her blood run cold. Wincing, her eyes drifted down to where he held her wrist, such fine hands to go with such an ugly face. It's placed at my favorite story, she went on. Eros and Psyche. Ava curtsied, taking in the entirety of the crowd's uproarious applause. The tent was filled with beaming faces all looking up at her and Albert, but her partner was already making his way down to the ground below. She chuckled lightly and soon followed after him. He was clearly unnerved that one of their spectators had made an early exit, hadn't even watched their performance. Knowing Albert like she did, the man would be relentless in his pursuit and the girl would be helpless to resist. After all, who could resist such a talented rogue? Miss Sparrow! Miss Sparrow! came the shouts of several young men as Ava made her way to the back of the tent. She smiled and blew kisses and even let one of the men take her hand so that he could plant a firm kiss upon her hand. Being the coy vixen she was, she batted her eyes and lowered them, peering up through thick lashes. Her smile was sweet, demure and promised dark things if he decided to pay her extra special attention. Giving the crowd a final wave, Ava headed out of the tent. She saw Barker Clive standing there looking rather smug, his grin wide like he knew somethingthen, the man always knew something. Her eyes locked onto his for a moment and then narrowed into dark slits. Turning her head, she saw Albert running off to find his prize. She smiled and laughed lightly, almost matching the tinkling sound of the calliope that echoed above the crowd. I'm sure he'll have quite the competitive match, Ava joked, hand moving to touch her hair, but everything seemed to be as it should. She then looked up into the sky dotted with stars and a bright, silvery moon. The night is young, she continued. I dare say, I very well might miss this town. She nodded at Clive and strolled back to her trailer to freshen up.