"Phillip?" W.D. called. "Where's Anne?" Phillip looked around worriedly, but he didn't see Anne anywhere—and their show was starting in just a few minutes. As he glanced over the other performers, looking to see if he had missed her, he was nearly knocked over by Anne running into him.

"Sorry Phillip, I'm here, I was trying to get my costume on and it ripped and I had to fix it I'm so sorry I know it's time for the show now and I promise it won't happen again I'm really sorry and I—"

"Anne," Phillip interrupted, putting a hand up to stop her nervous apology. "You're fine. We weren't gonna start without you." He noticed, but didn't point out to the others, the red rimming her eyes and the stray tear making its way down her face, simply wiping it away with his thumb and silently making a note to ask Anne what was wrong later. As the music started and they began the show, Anne performed with her usual grace, but seemed more subdued than usual for some reason. Phillip pushed the thought aside for the time being, filing away another note to ask Anne about it.


After the show, Phillip knocked (as well as he was able) on the door of Anne's tent. A nearly inaudible 'come in' followed. He pushed the tent flap aside, stepping into the tent. Anne was sitting curled up on the small chair with her arms wrapped around her, tears slowly falling down her face. Phillip quickened his pace, reaching her side in a few seconds.

"Anne?" No answer. "What's wrong?" Anne's face tilted upwards ever so slightly to look at Phillip, tears welling up in her eyes. Phillip's heart broke, seeing her curled up on the chair, and he picked her up, cradling her like a baby as he sat back down. She didn't resist the embrace, instead curling up more tightly next to Phillip. As Phillip wrapped his arms around her, however, he noticed how small and frail she felt.

"Anne?" Phillip asked again. "Will you please tell me what's wrong?" Anne shook her head, hiccuping quietly.

"I'm f-fine, Phil," she responded. Phillip arched one eyebrow, earning a small laugh from Anne.

"Really."

"I'm okay," she insisted. "Just tired." Phillip looked back down at her, not quite believing her, but he didn't ask any more questions, instead wiping away her tears and pulling her in for another hug. He helped her to her feet, wrapping her shawl around her and gathering her small bag of things. They walked out the door into the chilly autumn night towards the house, meeting W.D. on their way. They talked as they made their way home, mostly about the new routine W.D. was planning on doing for the shows the next month, and went to bed soon after. As Phillip lay awake, however, he wondered what was bothering Anne so much, but fell asleep soon afterwards.


The next morning, Phillip walked slowly to the kitchen for breakfast and was nearly run over again by Anne. She was dressed in what looked to be a pair of W.D.'s old pants and a white shirt and her face was flushed. She was breathing hard, and leaned up against the table, steadying herself with a hand. When she saw Phillip's confused face, she laughed.

"I was running," she explained. Phillip raised his eyebrows.

"Why?"

"Because.…" She looked nervously up at him before continuing. "I wanted to?"

"But why? You look exhausted already, and we have another performance tonight. Do you want some food?" Anne shook her head.

"I'm actually not hungry," she replied. Phillip's expression shifted to one of concern.

"Do you ever eat breakfast?" Anne shook her head.

"I'm just not hungry, okay?" She looked at him, a hurt expression on her face. Phillip raised his hands in a gesture of surrender.

"That's fine," he said. "Do you want coffee?" She shook her head.

"I—I already had some." Phillip again didn't believe her, but let it go.


That morning, Anne seemed much more cheerful than the day before. At lunch, she asked W.D. if she could go over her routine one more time. W.D. agreed.

After lunch, they walked back to the circus to run through the show one more time before the performance that night. As they walked in, however, they were met with the worst sight imaginable.

Anne, falling. From thirty feet in the air.

A/N: Sorry for the cliffhanger! I promise I'll have a new chapter up soon! Until then, I hope you enjoyed this chapter and please review!