Chapter 2: From out of the Rain…
The night had fallen over the grassy area, as a dirt path led to a traveling circus. Music filled the air, as bright lights emanated from the circus. People of all ages huddled together, listening to the Ring Leader, a tall man with a black coat and a top hat.
"Ladies and gentlemen, girls and boys, have we got a show for you tonight!" He waved his hands, urging the people to gaze around. "A once-in-a-lifetime show!"
The awed visitors gaze around at the different acts. Two performers, dressed amusedly were jiggling with fire-lit pins, several clowns were mimicking all kind of faces, wanting to draw laughter out of the crowd. "Amaze your ears, astonish your eyes, then run along home and tell your friends and neighbors" the Ring Leader continued, motioning to a group of bulky man
"A once-in-a-lifetime show, never to be forgotten for the rest of your lives" A blonde woman dressed in black held the hand of a little girl with the same hair, standing outside and gazing around. "So" The man leaned to the little girl, offering her a ticket "Why not step inside?"
The child gazed at her mother, at the ticket and at the man "We're waiting for you" The man continued, as the kid snatched the ticket, running through the entrance.
A bright light and a scream distracted the blonde woman, making her turn and look behind her. As the light of the traveling circus vanishes completely, the filed is casted in darkness. When the mum turned to look back, the circus is gone. There's nothing but fog, grass, and silence.
-#-
Cardiff was faced with a hard rain, that seemed without end over the night city. Not many people had the courage to face the harsh weather and walk out of the streets. The black-haired man was lounging on the king size bed, knees drawn in the air and laptop on them. He typed quickly, humming as a classic rock song filled the hotel's room. He was smirking, his glasses perched on his nose and foot tapping slightly on the bed. He was wearing jeans, a shirt rolled to his elbows and a loose tie.
He glanced at the bathroom door as the tall woman with turquoise eyes came out in a white fluffy robe, her hair curled in a light blue towel. She stretched until her back popped, rolling her head to make her neck pop too. Letting out a groan, she plopped next to the man on her stomach, propping herself on her elbows, head tilted to the right "So, what's new, Mark?" She murmured, looking up at the laptop.
Mark chuckled, turning the laptop to reveal a picture of the wedding of Gwen Cooper-Williams, heavily-pregnant. Her eyebrows rose and she couldn't contain a chuckle, her lips pulling in a smirk "Well, that's one hell of a wedding present" She murmured, standing up and making the man, Mark, grin "Oh, my dear Eliza, I feel so refreshed to hear the fact that you have, indeed, a sense of humor." A wet light blue towel hit his face, making him laugh.
Elizabeth, or Eliza for friends rolled her eyes, letting her long hair dry in the air. She walked to a bag next to the bed, taking a change of clothes and walking to the bathroom, letting the door slightly open to still be able to hear Mark "Is it done?" she called.
"Yep" He smiled proudly "Every photo, video, tweet or post referring to Gwen Cooper-Williams' wedding that might've leaked on the internet are deleted. These guys go into all sort of trouble. Now I know why you're pinning after them" Mark looked up towards the bathroom door smirking.
"I am definitely not pinning" Eliza rolled her eyes, coming in the room. She was dressed in faded jeans, a black tank to, slipping in a jacket. Her hair was curled under the familiar hat, eyes shadowed "I already told you, we need them. All of them." She sat on the edge of the bed, pulling on a pair of black converse.
"Does that mean you don't believe in me anymore?" Mark faked a pout, looking with puppy brown eyes behind his glasses, making her roll her eyes again "Of course I believe in you. But, I fear of what will come. Saving Owen Harper is only the first step."
He nodded, closing his laptop and facing Eliza, who was now standing up, rolling up her sleeves to her elbows. She swallowed, looking in the mirror and fixing her hat, careful for not any loose hair to fall from it "The second one is to attract attention. And to hope they won't start shooting us"
Mark sighed, scrunching his nose and running a hand through his spiked hair "The calmness with what you said those words truly worries me" he murmured, pouting "Alright then, boss, how do you want to attract attention on us?" He grinned up at her.
Elizabeth turned to face Mark, arms crossed and a smirk on her face "Let's go see a movie"
-#-
The Electro was flooded with warm light when Eliza opened the door, closing her umbrella with Mark after her. He took a deep breath smiling as he gazed around "Man, I forgot how good it is to be here. Used to come here when I was young" Eliza chuckled softly, fixing her hat and walking inside.
The small room was barely occupied, as the duo sat down in the corner, relaxing in the old red comfortable chairs, unnoticed by Ianto, Gwen nor Owen who were in the other corner. Mark leaned to Elizabeth, whispering "So, why are we here? Why are /they/ here?" She leaned to him back "The Electro had a history of rift activity. It had been quiet for years, but, call me paranoid-" "Which I call you every day" Mark added smirking and making her roll her eyes "-I have a feeling something'll happen"
They quieted down as the lights dimmed, the piano accompaniment filling the small cinema, and the curtains opened. The old black and white film started. Various footage of the city as it was in the old days are shown. Suddenly, the footage changes, making Eliza frown. There were clowns juggling some hats, and many various circus acts, along with a woman in a bathing suit, a strong man lifting a barbell, two men in turbans standing side by side and juggling fire-lit pins. "This isn't Hope Street" Mark muttered to her, making her nod.
The manager left the room, quickly going towards probably the projection room. Eliza's frown didn't leave her face as she squirmed, just as the Ring Leader was standing on a platform, looking out and beckoning with a motion of his hand.
The footage kept changing, flashing through the acts and making Eliza more and more uncomfortable. Her hands clenched and relaxed from fists, nibbling on her bottom lip. Her eyes widened upon seeing Captain Jack Harkness on the screen, pointing a gun at his chin. "Is that.." Mark murmured, and she could only nod.
As the piano song stopped and the film faded, the two stood up. She quickly made her way out of the room, sighing softly upon being out of the room. Mark frowned, starting to follow her when a shadow passed the corner of his eyes. He quickly looked towards it, seeing Ianto Jones doing the same, but whatever was there was now gone.
Mark touched Eliza's shoulder gently upon reaching her, and she offered him a small smile "M'ok. Just being my paranoid self" She shrugged, crossing her arms
"Well, your paranoid self usually is right, so spill" Mark put his hands on his shoulders, raising an eyebrow behind his black glasses. Eliza sighed rubbing her neck "There's something that unsettles me about that film" she murmured.
The door opened, revealing Captain Jack Harkness. Before Mark could say anything, Eliza tugged him, dragging him out of sight as Jack left to meet with probably Ianto who remained back. "I'll tell you while we go back home" she murmured.
-#-
Eliza and Mark walked down the street, walking under the black umbrella towards their hotel. A closed café, The Windsor Café. Their footsteps picked up speed upon seeing a fallen figure. Eliza let the umbrella hit the ground as she and Mark skipped on the floor, examining the woman. Her eyes were open and lips slightly parted.
"There's a heartbeat, but she isn't breathing" Mark murmured frowning "No saliva, and lips cracked" His gaze moved to her "Let's call-" Eliza was already speaking to the phone, nodding at Mark.
After the call she sighed, taking off her jacket and curling it under the victim's head, making her more comfortable "It seems you weren't paranoid after all" Mark murmured shrugging. Eliza pursed her lips, looking around them "Just what the hell's going on?"