Carnival chronicles: The Revelation (Part 1)

‘’Step right up! Step right up! Spin the wheel of fortune! The beginning prize whatever you would like! You can even pick one to become handsome just like me! A ha. A ha, ha, ha!’’ the man with the top hat and big mustache yelled from one of many platforms that were scattered across the wide town square.

The traveling carnival was here, in my Silver Mane, and with its sound of Merry-go-round, marching bands, crystal xylophones and calliopes it made quite a spectacle of chaos. Fortune tellers, magicians, acrobats, people who breathe fire, snake whisperers. They had it all. Only after the laughter of the clowns, did I experience full adventure of this place.

My name is… well it could be Alice, or Gabriela, Elizabeth or Claudia. It doesn’t really matter. The one thing I knew for sure: Carnival was in my hometown.

 ‘’ Money, success,… maybe youth…’’ a man with the top hat continued, ‘’Ha?! How about you sir?! Yes, yes you. You with a goatee. You look like you need a few years less, ha, ha, ha, ha!’’ said the man, ‘’ Come on up dear sir! Come up.’’ he offered his hand to the poor stranger, but the stranger refused profoundly insulted with this supposed joke and climb up the podium himself. The poor man sat in a swirly carved chair near the massive mirror as I was walking away looking for my friend.

It was chilly November night, and my leather jacket wasn’t enough. It basically became part of my uniform, who I was: a detective. But tonight I wasn’t on my duty: I got a text from my very good friend to meet me here. She was very excited about the carnival; I on the other hand didn’t like crowded places.

‘’Come join the fun.’’ Someone yelled. You could hear the kid’s laughter, screaming from the old octopus whirligig, creaking from the carousels.  The air was filled with the colors of the reflectors, fire and tents.

After I bumped into the man on stools, I got a message that she would be late. Just my luck.

I ended up in front of a small podium and the show was about to start. It was some sort of magician. Heh, nothing could fool these eyes. I got interested I admit.

’Gather around! Gather around! Dear ladies and gentlemen be heartily welcomed to Cirque de Lune! And what a show we have for you tonight!’’ the music commenced as the girl was announcing, ‘’I proudly present to you Angus the Great!’’

Suddenly people actually began to gather around: they were clapping and whistling. This became a little amusing for me. On stage appeared young and, honestly, very attractive man. Strangely, he was familiar, and as he could read my mind, he gave me quite a look.  After a while people started enjoying his tricks and applauded him. He even gave one toy to little girl in the audience which caused even bigger excitement.

Just when I was about to give in to the joy of carnival, I felt a sudden stir.  The magician looked up which made me do the same. A lightening from the sky hit stage where the man with the hat was doing his tricks, making the man on the chair disappear. Then, in hurry, he packed his things and rushed off the stage. A chaos ensued: people were screaming and running. I suddenly felt that someone was grabbing my arm and was pushing me away. It was the girl from stage, the apprentice of the magician.

‘’Come on! Come with me. Hurry!’’ she panicked.

We finally got thorough the crowd. She led me to one building which I hadn’t noticed before.  It was rustic and abandoned from outside. When we got inside I realized the girl was scared but she looked like she knew what she was doing. With gentle swing with her hands she turned on the lights revealing the brightness of the baroque, white and wide walls which led to the old staircase.

‘’This is for you.’’ She said giving me the letter.

‘’Quickly! We don’t have much time. Follow the instructions precisely.’’

I opened the letter and started reading:

‘’My dear friend,

I know that you don’t remember me, but I am on your side, I promise. Our people are in great danger and you are the only one who can help us right now. Go to the big wall at the border of your city. You will find the next letter there. Please, help us.

Angus.’’

 I raised my head to ask the girl who she was, but disappointingly enough she was already gone. I rushed outside just to find out that the circus was gone too. There was no one left. I started my car and thought: This is going to be an interesting journey…