Chapter 14- Forming A Plan:
Mia:
"Why didn't we get them," I whimpered, "Maybe they could help."
"Mia," Sophia snapped, "I'm sorry, I honestly am and I understand, but we just can't risk it. There's only a slim chance that they could get us out of here and I don't want to see them dead if Ringmaster actually goes through with his threats."
I bit my lip. I knew she was right though. We couldn't go back to them, as much as it hurt. Because if we went to them, Ringmaster would find out and he would kill them like he said. Even if it meant being back in the circus and facing pain each day for a long time, I would do it to keep my friends, and Nekozawa, safe... No matter how much I missed him. I knew that Sophia felt the same way.
I knew that the rest of the circus knew that we were back now. I also knew that they wouldn't be much help- they didn't even know the reason we left in the first place. Honestly I was scared that if we told them that something would happen. What would happen I wasn't sure since so many things could happen- he could kill them, he would start beating them all too, or maybe he would just leave the circus all together. If Ringmaster left though, would he leave us all in peace? Or would he just leave the circus and take Sophia and me with him? I shook my head and took a shaky breath to calm down.
Sophia and I were a bit beat up by Ringmaster. He wasn't happy with us at all so the second he had a chance; he took out all his anger on us. He had taken Sophia away to a separate room and I wasn't sure what happened in there but it seemed like forever until she finally came back. I wasn't even sure how long I was waiting, but it felt like hours. When Sophia did come back into the room, her clothes were a bit torn. She had bruises and a few cuts and she was back to being a shell. When I said that, I meant that she seemed a bit void and distant. She used to be like that before we escaped. She would always do what was she was told without complaining, take any and all hits and insults, and her eyes seemed dull. The only time I ever saw a spark in her eyes was when she was doing something to protect me.
Then when we escaped, it was like I was seeing a whole new side of my twin. She was happier, more relaxed, and she started to get that spark in her eyes again. Then when she started to date Takashi, her eyes were filled with so much happiness and life like they were when Mom and Dad were alive.
Sophia said that my eyes always had life in them and that was why she protected me- so that I would keep that spark alive. Well, actually she didn't tell me, I just heard her say it in her sleep but same difference.
I looked over to my twin. She sat with a far-away look in her dull eyes. For a second, I was worried that she finally broke, that she didn't care anymore. I hoped that wasn't the case..
"I'm okay," Sophia whispered as if reading my thoughts, "I promise."
"You don't act like it," I teased, but realizing that it wasn't right to do so, I then shut my mouth as Sophia winced.
Sophia:
For the next few days, the host club, or even Nekozawa, didn't come by. Well, if they did, I didn't see them. Though, I supposed that was for the best- that meant that Ringmaster couldn't figure anything out and hurt them. It's for the best, I repeated in my mind, as much as it hurt me. I mean, it did hurt a lot. I was hurting Takashi by not telling him what was going on but I just couldn't risk it.
To make bad matters even worse, Ringmaster set up for the circus to leave tomorrow. I needed to think though. There had to be some way that I could warn the hosts, maybe even escape, without Ringmaster knowing. If he did find out though, I would make sure that I took all the anger and hits and anything else that may come and I would make sure that Mia escaped because I knew that if he found out that he would be angrier than before. He was already angry at me for escaping- well, he was angry at Mia too, but he knew that I had to be the brains behind it. As a result, he made sure that I took most of the blows and that I was the one that got…. I shivered. You know you want it, his voice had whispered. I clenched my fists and took deep breaths, forcing myself to relax- if ever so slightly.
Honestly, the only reason that no one else found out was because I made sure to cover up everything with foundation and powder- that wasn't easy. I supposed maybe all our problems would be solved if we didn't hide the marks and bruises and cuts, but Ringmaster insists that we cover it up. I was sure that if we didn't, the reports might spot it, ask about it, and Ringmaster would tell them that it was just an accident with the equipment or that we fell or that a circus-related incident had happened and that 'his girls' were strong enough to do it. I was sure that he would tell them that we covered it up most of the time so we didn't get embarrassed or to look our best for shows. Then, he would make us suffer for showing the marks.
I just needed to find a way- some way. I mean, there had to be a way to get a hold of the host club- a way to let them know to now worry. While I knew it was risky and dangerous, I needed to make sure that Takashi wasn't upset and that he knew that it would be okay. My eyes widened, I got it.
