Chapter 1

So, I know the prologue was kinda short, so I made this one extra-long to make up for it. That said, I hope to have most chapters be about 1,500 to 2,000 words. The prologue, if you don't count the author's note, was about 800 words, so it falls WAY short of that guideline, but it's the prologue, so it's okay. That said, I'm not posting on a regular schedule as of now, as I'm not sure how quickly I can write that amount, but once I get into a rhythm I expect to have an official schedule up. No promises though!

"Welcome to the circus, kid."

He blinked at that, his mind going blank as he tried to comprehend the gravity of what was happening. He barely heard the man from earlier speaking his own protests to the matter, too consumed by thoughts of nonononono and what the hell do I do now? He felt a headache pressing into his skull, but he ignored it as he leveled his eyes with Barnum and stated as boldly as he could manage in his panicked state, "No."

The words came out of his mouth like a blade cutting through the air, and he didn't realize the fatter man was still talking until around the same time he realized he'd interrupted him. Barnum looked visibly deflated, but it was mere seconds before that glint returned again, and he knew he was in trouble. "Fine. At least let me take you on a tour of the place, alright?"

Barnum's plan was terribly obvious, but it wasn't like he had a choice, given that he was locked in the box office until they let him out. Hesitantly, he nodded. It was true that he'd been unintentionally stalking the circus almost his entire life, and yet the truth was that he'd never been inside. The last show for the day may have just finished, but seeing the inside even without being able to see their performance was fascinating enough. He just hoped he'd be able to stay on his guard despite his excitement.

Technically, it wasn't the first time he'd been caught in his snooping, but he'd always been able to escape before he got roped into something. This situation was new to him, and he wasn't sure what to make of it. He didn't have much time to dwell on it before Barnum's face lit like a light, and he was once again dragged through a door labeled 'staff only' and brought into a world of wonder.

Everyone and everything seemed to be made of color - a woman with bright pink hair reminiscent of cotton was checking the ropes as customers filed out for the day; A bearded lady in a purple dress was taking off her make-up at a vanity; the tallest man he'd ever seen waltzed past in a green overcoat and exotic animals he'd never seen before waltzed about between the crowds, although he saw several animals resembling giant cats being put into their cages by a blonde man with golden tattoos. The man leading him stopped so suddenly he almost ran into him, although it didn't help that he hadn't been paying attention to where he was walking, too entranced by the magic of the world around him. He'd never seen colors so bright or people so diverse all in one place, and it exceeded his wildest imaginations. He was busy observing the many extravagant and exotic props scattered backstage when P.T. Barnum's voice reached him.

"It's magical, isn't it?"

He nodded mutely in response, his earlier reservations forgotten. This truly was the greatest show.

Phineas knew the boy was special the moment he laid eyes on him. He wasn't quite sure what it was, but something about the boy radiated opportunity. Or, perhaps, he was simply too reminded of himself to consider the possibility that he was just another orphan. Regardless, he was determined to show the boy the magic of his circus, even if he refused to join it. That, and maybe he was hoping to change the boy's mind.

Even so, watching the child's eyes light up was a treat in and of itself. He'd never get tired of watching it - the moment when they realized that the things they thought impossible were more than just fever dreams. When they realized that they'd walked into a land of magic. He stopped, giving the boy time to process the things around him, and nearly chuckling as the other almost ran into him. If this was how he reacted to the backstage, then how would he respond to seeing an actual performance. He hoped he'd stick around long enough to be given that opportunity, at the very least.

"Who's the kid?" He heard Lettie call from her place at the vanity, and he realized suddenly that he hadn't even asked the kid his name. He glanced back at him, his earlier grin fading as he realized the light had disappeared from his eyes, his expression returning to that guarded stoicism he'd exhibited before. He had a feeling he wouldn't be getting his name out of him anytime soon, so he didn't bother asking.

"Not sure. O'Malley caught him nabbing his watch." He explained simply, to which Lettie turned to him and raised a single eyebrow. She didn't need to say anything for him to know what she was thinking: he must be a pretty talented thief if he managed to steal from another thief.

"So, you brought him inside?" She asked, giving the boy a once-over. He felt the boy tense through his grip on the boy's wrist like he was ready to dart at any moment. He just shrugged, hoping his nonchalance would help the boy relax. Lettie laughed boisterously, and he saw a glint of confusion in the kid's eyes. "That's just like you, Phinn." She turned her attention towards the boy now, meeting his gaze. "You got a name, kid?"

The boy hesitated, before breaking his gaze from Lettie and muttering, "Yes." Lettie waited a moment for him to finish, but he never did. She gave Barnum an unreadable glance before her gaze returned to the boy, and she crossed the room to place a finger under his chin, lifting his face until his gaze met hers once again.

"This place gave me a family and a home when I was left alone…" She paused for a moment, searching the boy's eyes. She didn't seem to find what she was looking for, because her gentle smile faltered slightly. She let go of his chin and turned to Barnum once more. "Phinn, can I talk to you privately for a moment?" He glanced a the boy and nodded, before stepping off to the side with Lettie.

"What is it?" He questioned, keeping an eye on the boy over Lettie' shoulder to make sure he didn't dart off the first chance he got. The kid glanced around, seeming to consider it, before spotting Barnum's eyes on him and seemed to resign himself to stay.

"That boy...Something, or someone, has hurt him. Badly." The words startled the ringmaster, and for a brief second, he took his gaze off of the boy to meet Lettie's eyes. They searched each other's eyes for a moment and a sense of understanding washed over Phineas. He hadn't seen it himself, but clearly, she did. He supposed it only made sense that she could spot one of her own. She didn't need to say what came next, but she did anyway. "If anyone can help him, Phinn...It's you." Her words were gentle, but he heard the hidden message underneath. He knew that if he couldn't at least attempt to help this boy, her respect for him was on the line.

He didn't need the convincing, though. He nodded before glancing back at where he'd left the boy, a sense of dread settling in his stomach at what he saw.

The orphan raced through the set, trying to find the main exit to the building. He couldn't leave through the staff door he'd come in through, given that it had been locked behind him. His eyes darted around in search of his escape route, his eyes settling on a set of three glass doors. That must be it! He began towards it, but he'd barely made it a few more steps before he felt a hand on his wrist, again, dragging him away from his goal. His hopeful expression faded as he realized that he was caught, turning around to see the woman with pink hair he'd spotted when he came in, although her identifying pink hair had been replaced with dark brown curls.

Barnum and the bearded lady from earlier caught up shortly, taking in the scene with relief in their eyes as the trapeze artist glanced between the three of them, trying to figure out what was going on. He struggled at first, but he inevitably gave in at the grip on his wrist tightened. When would they get tired of abusing his wrists?

When no one spoke, the woman holding his wrist seemed to snap. "What's going on? Why are you two chasing this poor boy everywhere?" Her words held heat, but she was clearly not angry. Her eyes betrayed her trust for the two people across from them, but she was clearly trying to seem upset. P.T. Barnum decided it best to word himself carefully, just in case. Anne could be as stubborn and unruly as a mule when she wanted to be.

"We're trying to help him, Anne," Barnum stated slowly, glancing at the boy even as he spoke it. He tried to hide the surprise he felt. It seemed either he was successful or Barnum was just as good at hiding his reactions as he was. He felt Anne, as she had been called, loosen her grip ever-so-slightly. He took the opportunity to yank himself out of her grip, darting out the door he'd spotted earlier as fast as he could. He heard Barnum call after him, but he wouldn't realize what he'd said until after he was already far down the street and out of sight.

"You don't have to be alone anymore!"

He didn't have a choice.

P.T. Barnum's Circus, 4 Days Later

"Did you find him?" Lettie's hopeful voice didn't match her expression. She looked like she was about to give up. Phineas hated letting her down...but he was out of options. It was like he'd disappeared into thin air. He shook his head, watching as her face fell with a grim expression of his own. When he'd left, they'd initially had optimism that he'd come back. After the first day, though, they started looking. It was Lettie's idea; he knew she saw herself in that kid. He did, too, but in a different way. He saw potential and talent waiting to be surfaced, but Lettie saw all that and more. She saw a kid who was hurting and alone, and she wanted to help. That was just how Lettie was. Yet, four days after his last appearance, it was time to call off the search. He didn't want to be found. He didn't think that even he could help someone who wasn't willing to help themselves.

"Phinn, look!" Anne's voice broke him out of his somber thoughts, and he glanced out the window on the doors to see what she was pointing at. At first, he didn't believe what he was seeing. Then, slowly, he began to process it, meeting the gaze of the boy across the street through the window.

He was back.

He hadn't been quite sure where he was walking until he'd arrived in front of the circus doors. Of course. After all, when had his life brought him anywhere else? His mind felt fuzzy even with these thoughts, the irony of it all not escaping him even as sweat beaded profusely down his brow. It was the last place he wanted to be, and yet it seemed like he could never escape the ever-looming presence of the circus. He laughed deliriously at the thought. The fever was starting to get to him, wasn't it? His legs wobbled beneath him, threatening to buckle underneath his weight, yet he fought to remain standing even though he'd forgotten why. Why had he left the shelter of his cardboard box to walk to the last place he'd ever wanted to go? Why did he want the last thing he saw to be those neon lights proudly proclaiming 'P.T. Barnum's Circus' for all the world to see? Why did he so desperately want to hear the songs that he'd always dreaded filtering through the walls one more time?

He looked through the window of the front doors, barely making out Barnum's face through the haze in his vision. He met the gaze of the other man and blinked, but he must have closed his eyes for longer than he thought because he saw the man had already crossed the street by the time he opened them, something like worry etched across the older man's features. He wasn't sure when he started falling, but the last thing he remembered was being caught in his fall by steady hands and the smell of magic before everything went dark.

Sorry, not sorry!

As an interesting question: what did you guys imagine when I said 'the smell of magic'? For me, it was citrus. Mostly oranges, but I think a bit of grapefruit in there too? Not really sure why; it just made sense to me. I don't even particularly like oranges or grapefruits. Weird.