Phillip was shaking the entire ride to the circus, where Phineas had told him that he had to get a few things, deliver a few messages and then he'd be right back. Then the mentor had walked into the circus, leaving Phillip behind.
"Did you find Phillip?" Anne asked and everyone paused their rehearsals to look at the man, who nodded.
"I did. I'm bringing him to my estate so I won't be here during the rehearsals. We are not performing the new act tonight. I will be back here at 8.50 for "the greatest show" and closing up. The rest of the show is gonna be on you guys, but I'm gonna get Stefan to help you all out."
Slow nodded slowly started forming around the room. Phineas smiled a little and went to the backroom, where Stefan was entertaining himself by drawing.
"Stefan. I'm gonna need you in the show tonight. I'm gonna need you to show off your speed during the song "Come alive". Just run around between the audience, take off people's hats. Joke with them. They're gonna love it."
"Mr. Barnum! I can't! I already told you that I-,"
"Yes, you can, Stefan. You can. You can be the star for those two minutes. That's all I'm asking you to. I will be here for the end of the show. I will protect you. No strangers are gonna get to you, okay?" Barnum tried to reassure him.
"No! Not okay! I don't wanna do this Mr. Barnum!"
"Stefan!" Phineas sighed and placed his hands on Stefan's shoulders. "I am afraid that Phillip has been hurt badly and I need to be with him and take care of him. Neither of us will be able to be there during "Come Alive," I need you to do this for him and me."
Stefan was barely able to get another word, before Barnum patted his back proudly and wished him luck for the show before disappearing. He got back into the carriage where Phillip was still waiting. The driver took them home to Phineas and Charity's mansion and Phineas led Phillip inside.
"Phillip! Phillip!" Caroline and Helen exclaimed, running down the stairs and throwing their arms around his waist making the young man wince in pain, which Phineas noticed.
"Girls, let go please. I need to talk to Phillip privately." He said and the girls obeyed their father.
"Go to the guest room upstairs, Phillip. I'll be there in two minutes." Barnum whispered and Phillip nodded and went upstairs. Phineas went to Charity to tell her that Phillip was staying for a little while. He briefly told her about Mr. Carlyle's cruelties before going upstairs to the guest room.
"Okay, Phillip. I need you to take your shirt off," Barnum said. Phillip starred at him in distress.
"But P.T.-,"
"No buts, my boy. I am only trying to take care of you."
With those words, Phillip hesitantly dropped his shirt letting Barnum see his bruised and bloody back, which had obviously been whipped violently.
"My god…" Phineas gasped. "Phillip, my boy. Lay on the bed. On your stomach. I'll be right back."
Phineas rushed downstairs to grab a bottle of his most expensive alcohol and a cloth. He rushed back up, sat next to Phillip on the bed and soaked the cloth with alcohol.
"Breathe and try not to move," Phineas asked and started cleaning the wounds as gentle as possible, hoping that Charity and the girls wouldn't hear Phillip's pained yells and cries.