Chapter 1: The Circus Comes to Town

The town I live in (or should I say lived in) isn't perfect; I'd say it sits on the border line of perfect. It's just a small little town in Olsztyn, which is about 3 cities away from Poland's capital. It's also not that far from my home, Russia. Before my parents died, my little brother and I lived in Russia with them. After they died, we moved to Poland to live with our Grams'. It took us a while to get adjusted, but we fit in just fine.

My name is Mishka Vasiliev, I am just your average 17 year-old who has too big of an obsession with spiders.

Or at least I thought I was.

That day, when we met on that cold night, you changed my life in the most unbelievable ways imaginable. I was able to find myself, my true self, the self I never knew I had. Thank you for finding me.

xXx

In my semi-perfect little town is a small mining company. I work there Monday to Friday and get every other Wednesday off. The mines today were horrible, as usual, with the typical claustrophobic feeling, and the same soot clogging up your lungs which in the long run will give you cancer or something. But there's a reason I go through this hell every day. It's to give my little brother the security of a good life. Since our parents died when we were young, we are now in the care of our Grams. She can't walk much anymore, but she tries to make do with what she can. Ending my shift for the day, I walk home through the blistering cold to the bus stop where my brother and I wait for the 45 bus.

"Hey Alek, how was work?" I ask him once reaching the bus stop.

"Mishka!" He runs up happily and gives me a hug. His real name is Aleksandr, which means Alexander in English. I forgot what my name means; I've forgotten a lot of things since mom and dad died.

"So, how was it? Your work I mean?"

"It was fine, no problems."

"That's good."

Just to make ends meet, even Alek is working. The landlord has already come to our house 5 times asking for rent. Every time I have to beg him not to kick us out. We're lucky his wife is so nice because she's able to change his mind and let us stay. It won't always be like this, no; soon I'll make enough money to get Alek, Grams, and me out of this place. Until that happens, we have to survive through this hell just a bit longer.

"Hey Mishka?"

"Yeah Alek?"

"What's going to happen to us?"

I look at him skeptically, "Why are you asking such an out of the blue question?"

"I've heard you talking with Grams about the rent."

He had heard all that? "Look, Alek, don't worry about that. I'm working on that and it will be dealt with soon, ok? So-"

"But when Mishka? I've seen how many times you've had to beg and plead to the landlord, just so we can stay there! I don't want to see you look so weak anymore!" Alek was on the verge of tears by the time he was through. He was right, I did feel weak, but what could I do?

"I'm sorry Alek, but what choice do I have? I'm trying my best to keep this family above water." I bent down and wiped the tears from his eyes.

"I know, I'm sorry I snapped at you."

"It's ok; I know how worried you are." I wrapped my arms around him, and gave him one of my famed bear hugs. It always put a smile back on his face.

Once the bus arrived, and we were safely wrapped in its warmth, my mind drifted back to what Alek had said. How exactly was I going to make everything better? This question repeated over and over in my head, all the way to our destination.

After jumbling around for my keys, we finally entered the house. Grams was sitting in her usual place by the fire. "Hey kids! Want something to eat?"

"Sure! We're starving!"

Tonight Grams decided to make Shchi, a famous Russian stew. Grams' cooking is so good! We slurped down at least two to three bowls. Once supper was done, Alek and I helped Grams with the dishes, then I put Alek to bed. I was going to go to bed myself when I heard Grams calling for me.

"Yes Grams?"

She was sitting in her usual spot by the fire, working away on her knitting.

"Mishka, would you be a dear and go and get me some more yarn?"

"More yarn? Do you think Jonas's will be open this late?"

"It should be, here," she handed me some money. "Take this and buy me two rolls of black yarn, ok."

How could I say no to Grams? "Ok Grams."

"That's my girl, be careful out there ok."

"I will." I wish I had said no that day. If I had said no then I would have never met you at that corner. Then I would have never had to leave Alek.

xXx

Walking to town in cold weather was not one of the brightest things to do, but if it was for Grams, I'd walk on broken glass all the way and back. Jonas was a little craft store down the block from our house. You could find all kinds of things in there, from pipe cleaners to beads the color of the rainbow. It was unusually quiet tonight, which struck me as strange. There would at least be two or three pedestrians walking the streets. It was pretty weird to see it completely empty for once. Just as I was about to turn a corner, someone shoved a slip of paper in my face.

"Here." said the unknown voice.

"Um, thanks." I said as I was turning back around, but the owner of the voice seemed to have vanished. I looked down at the slip of paper. In big bold letters were the words:

CIRQUE DU FREAK

I wish I had never picked up that flyer, then I would have never had to have met you. Then again, if I hadn't met you, I wouldn't have met such a wonderful and loving person.

Crepsley, do you think it was fate that we met? Or was it just Mr. Tiny messing with destiny again? Either way, I don't mind. I'm happy I was able to meet you on that cold and windy day.