Hey everyone, I know that this is my fourth story and it might seem like a lot but I really wanted to give this a shot because the idea came to me and I am trying my best to write it out. Anyway I hope you like it. It will not always follow the AHS plot lines but it will be close enough. Let me know what you think!
Jupiter, Florida has to be one of the most humid places I have ever been too, nothing like the weather back in Eastern Europe. My ¾ long sleeved dress was not helping with the heat either. Stepping off the bus and surveying the quaint, wholesome town it seemed completely normal to the human eye but after everything I had been through nothing was as normal as it seemed.
Now that I was in America, in Florida to be precise I had to find employment. I had a little over one hundred and ninety dollars left after the various travels to get here. I'm not entirely sure why Florida picked me, for all I did was look at a map of America close my eyes and point to a state. When I landed on Florida I didn't think twice before I made my arrangements. All I knew was I needed to try and start fresh in somewhere new, in America. I had to get away from bouncing around Europe for a time.
Ever since the War ended I was desperately trying to figure out who I was while picking up the pieces of my life left in shatters thanks to the Nazi's.
Shaking my head I tried clearing my thoughts, I had been doing that too much. Remembering the War, what it brought and what it left behind. Out of habit I tugged my left sleeve down further even though I knew no one could see what I was trying to hide. The War ended seven years ago, it was time to start living in the present.
Turning my attention back on the town of Jupiter I focused my mind back on the current task-Finding employment. Picking up my suitcase and clutching my shoulder bag closer to me I made my way over to what looked like a community board. Scanning the board for signs of employment one poster caught my eye.
Fräulein Elsa's Cabinet of Curiosities. Upon entering you will learn its secrets. Two miles east of town ending on Highway 33.
A German run attraction show? In a town like Jupiter, Florida. The concept seemed odd and out of place, but maybe that's why I couldn't tear my eyes off the poster. It was like I was drawn to this "Cabinet of Curiosities" because growing up a Jew in a tumultuous time in Europe my people were always out of place. Even now at this very moment in America I was different to those around me, a Lithuanian born Jewish woman traveling with just her suitcase.
Maybe the odd and different and I were meant to be together. I was the moth and my flame was two miles east of Jupiter.
Picking up my suitcase my fate was decided and to the "Cabinet of Curiosities" I went humming Glenn Miller to myself.
The further I walked down Highway 33 the closer I felt I was getting to the campgrounds. Upon walking for what I assumed was close to two miles I came upon three individuals, two men one women. They did not notice me because they were further down the road than I was, the men's attention turned to the woman hanging a banner for what I assumed was the show.
Before I could muster the courage to shout a hello a car came out of nowhere zooming by me taking me by such surprise that I tripped backward and fell on my behind landing on the grass.
I saw the car speed by the trio of people as the men in car flung glass bottles at the two men shouting, "Freaks!" sending one of the men into an enraged frenzy the other man and the woman having to hold him back while he shouted obscenities at the car racing off down the highway.
Picking myself off the ground I ran towards them, "Are all of you okay? Did any of those kiaulių hurt you?" Asking them but immediately patronizing myself for speaking in Lithuanian.
They all turned to stare at me making me feel very self conscious. One of the men, the youngest of the two, glared at me, "What?" He questioned.
"Oh I'm sorry." Apologizing, "I didn't think my accent was that thick, I mean I've known English for two years now but I guess the accent never fades away." Explaining in embarrassment but the youngest one just kept staring at me.
"Seriously?" Hastily stressing at me.
"Oh...that isn't what you meant was it?" Knowing the answer already as a mortifying blush crept onto my cheeks.
"No it wasn't." He sarcastically answered me, "I meant why are you asking about the well-being of supposed 'freaks' like us." I could feel his hostility towards me like concentrated thunder. He was daring me to tread carefully.
"Yes because it the civil, respectful thing to do. Those men-boys are just self-righteous pigs for call you people 'freaks' when really it is them who are twisted and horribly disformed inside for they do not know how to treat people with common courtesy." Speaking truthfully while they digested my words,
"I know it may not seem like it but I know what it feels like to be on the wrath and hatred of other people's opinions and actions." Images of torment and pain flooded into my head as I struggled to push them back where they belonged.
All three of them eyed me making me tug at my dress out of nerves before the youngest spoke up again, "You look perfectly normal so what makes you a freak to other people."
"I'm a Jew." Blurting out before I could even think of a better way of phrasing that answer, but nevertheless it was out in the open.
He scoffed, "If that's it then you don't know anything girly." Patronizing me like a child.
My blood boiled at his arrogance, "How dare you. You try being a Jew in Eastern Europe when the Nazi's want you and the entirety of your people exterminated from this world. I witnessed good people pushed from their jobs just because they were Jewish. Or having a curfew just because you are Jew, or having all these ridiculous, demeaning rules forced on you making you feel like a prisoner even before they place you into the Ghettos." Yelling at him and his blind ignorance.
"Don't scoff at me like a child sir because I have witnessed and been through persecution and torture you can't even fathom." Seething at this mere child I realized, innocent to what was really going on in this world. Yet I still felt like slapping him across the face. Instead I turned around and made my way back to my suitcase. Maybe my gut was wrong and I didn't belong with these people, maybe my place was somewhere else.
Picking up my suitcase I was set to walk back in the direction of town to figure something out for the night. Hopefully the long walk would give me a chance to cool down.
"Please wait, Eve and I are sorry for Jimmy's rudeness." The other man spoke for the first time. My heart and mind wrested on what to do. Turn around and speak to this man or just start walking.
Head or heart?
Slowly I turned around, picked up my suitcase and made my way back over to the trio.
"What is your name?" I asked the man.
"Paul, or known by my stage name, Paul the Illustrated Seal." He tipped his hat to me, eliciting a small smile from me. Studying him I could understand the stage name. Paul looked like an average man until you got to his arms. The limbs seemed to at one point stopped growing producing a seal like appearance with his arms and hands. His hands puzzled me a little. They didn't really seem to be fingers, just long appendages flowing from his arms.
The tattoos covering his body added to the 'seal' affect. Long strokes of gray ink mimicking fur. It was peculiar. It was wonderfully stunning, unlike the other tattoos I've known all too well.
But his face...oh he was handsome. A beaming smile showing off his perfect teeth. His pale green striking eyes that could pull anyone in. His slicked to the side graying hair.
Paul smiled at me and I mentally chastised myself for getting caught up in ogling him, but I couldn't help but smile back.
"Hey honey, I'm known as Amazon Eve but you can call me Eve." The woman spoke but I had to slightly tilt my head to look at all of her. She was so tall giving way to her obvious stage name! This woman was taller than any man I had ever seen.
I smiled at her, "Thank you Eve, it is a pleasure to meet you." She smiled back. She was gorgeous with her pinned up curls wrapped in a bandanna and her red lipstick. I had an instant draw to her because she radiated kindness and love for everyone, a gentle soul that takes care of her own.
The younger man, Jimmy spoke, "They call me Lobster Boy but I'm known as Jimmy Darling." Jimmy spoke as he held up his hands. They were fused together mimicking claws, hence lobster boy. I could tell he was daring me to gasp or possibly faint at the sight of his hands. But all I did was gentle nod and give him a small smile in return. I could see though why his last name was Darling because he certainty looked it, he was good-looking in an obvious way, but in my opinion not as handsome as Paul.
"Sorry darling but what's your name?" Paul inquired and I had realized the whole time I had been talking to them I had not given my name.
"My apologizes my name is Madalina Lekeman, but most people call me Lina since it is easier to pronounce." Telling them.
"Judging by the suitcase you're new in Jupiter." Jimmy spoke, "And looking for somewhere to go. What brings you down this way?" He questioned.
"Employment, I was hoping to speak to the proprietor of the Cabinet of Curiosities for a job." Straightening myself trying to look like a serious, respectable adult and not some out of place twenty year old.
A silent conversation emanated between the three of them deciding on what to do with me. After a minute Jimmy spoke, "Come back with us and we'll take you to Elsa and see what she wants to do with you."
Nodding I was trying and failing not to let my beaming smile make me look like a fool. Clutching my suitcase to myself I followed them down the rest of the Highway waiting to see where the end would take me.