You are having that dream again... you are five years old... running in a field of flowers... you are smiling... then, the sky turns black... a train shines light on you... the ground turns into a coffin... and a hand pulls you in... the coffin closes, leaving you in the darkness...
"NANCY!". Your eyes are wide open... you are holding onto your blanket, breathing in and out quickly. A maid walks in.
"My Lady...". You look at her. You sigh, closing your eyes. It was a dream. There is no need to worry. "I brought you your tea...". You open your eyes and look at her.
"But... isn't Nancy...". You stop. She is retired now. You sigh again.
"Miss Nancy left a note... here it is...". The maid hands you a note. She bows and walks out the room, leaving your tea on the night stand. You look at the note. You open and read it.
"Miss _... I requested a temporary leave from... my superiors... you probably want to know why this is only temporary... well... I felt that I am needed here still, because...". You start to tear up. The note shakes in your hands. "Because you are not ready to be on your own... just yet... and I am willing... to send you... away... so you can... learn... what I obviously... have not taught you... yet...". You cover your eyes with one hand. Tears fall in between your fingers onto the note. Why... must she feel this way? Does she not care about me? Or does she... and I do not obey her wishes? And then... you hear something... music? Coming from... outside? You wipe your face and stand up. You walk over to your bedroom window, opening it up. You look outside. A crowd of people are standing in the street, watching the circus pass by. You close your eyes and breathe in the smells of the circus. You smile. Your long hair blows in the morning wind. Circus members are passing out flyers. You hear a familiar voice shouting.
"Two more nights left! Don't miss out!". You look down. It is Dagger. He gives a flyer to a little girl, smiling at her. You look through the crowd... and find him. He is talking to the animal tamer while walking... you do not hear their conversation...
"Last night wasn't so bad...", says Beast, looking at him. He sighs, looking down.
"Yeah, I guess... but... I still don't feel...". He stops. His hair blows in the wind. He looks up, his eyes open wide.
You look at him. He pauses for a second. He turns around and looks up at you... but you are gone. You noticed him turning around and just could not let him see you in your nightgown.
"It... can't be...", he says, looking up at the window and in awe. He only saw the back of your long hair, blowing in the wind as you turned around. His mouth is open slightly.
"What... Joker, did you see something?", says Beast, tugging his arm. He looks at the open window, his hair blowing in the wind. He looks down, closing his eyes.
"I... thought I did... but I guess... I guess I didn't...", he says, slightly frowning. She gives him a scowl.
"Well, let's get going! The second show starts tonight, you know!".
"Yes...", he says, looking up at the window again. "I know...". He starts to walk again.
You are changing very quickly into your dress... it is white and lacy... you quickly run down the stairs, holding a pastel pink ribbon in your hand. The maid sees you.
"Miss... where are you going?".
"Out...", you say, quickly running out the door. You close the door behind you. You look around, your hands behind your back. Your grey button up boots are seen underneath your dress. You take two steps off your doorstep... you look around, but he is no longer in sight. You frown. You turn around and take a step back on the doorstep, closing your eyes and putting one hand on the door.
"My, my... this is a surprise...". You open your eyes. That voice! Could it be? You turn your head around, your hand still placed on the door. You smile. You turn around completely, your hand now off the door. Your hands are at your sides. You are looking straight at him now.
"Indeed...", you say, blushing. He smiles and comes closer to you.
"So close to home... it's usually the other way around...", he laughs, somewhat serious. You blush.
"Well, this isn't exactly... my home...".
"Oh?".
"My... aunt is taking me in... temporarily...", you lie, looking to your right. It is better that he does not know where I live... or my place in society.
"Oh? Is she that old lady from nine years ago? You know... the one that stopped us... um... me from... uh...". He moves his hand over his mouth and whispers in your ear. "Kissing you?". You brush his arm away from you.
"What? Why are you acting like it's such a bad thing to say?".
"Well... I'm not taking any chances with her...", he says, looking up at the house. He looks at you and laughs. "I guess that's how it is these days... pesky aunts... and morbid nieces...", he says, smiling at you. You smile slyly.
"And then the jokester comes in...".
"And peace returns to the household!", he exclaims, laughing a little. You smile. You look at each other, smiling and with gleaming eyes. After a minute or so, he reaches his hand over to your neck. You look down at the ribbon in your hands. Instead of your neck, he places his hand on your right shoulder. He moves his hand down your arm slowly. You get chills. He stops at your hand. He lifts it up slowly. He looks at the ribbon in it. He takes the ribbon from your hand, you slowly letting it leave your grasp. You look up at him.
"Allow me...". You nod. You turn around, facing the door. He moves the ribbon over your head. He places it around your waist. He ties the ribbon slowly and securely around your waist, in a bow. He moves both of his hands along the ribbon... following the fabric... around your waist. He clasps his hands together at the end, holding onto you tightly. He puts his head on your shoulder. You turn your head towards his.
"Aren't you afraid of her?", you whisper.
"Nah... besides, I don't hear any complaints...", he says, smiling. You feel his warm breath on your cheek. You smile. You turn around and wrap your arms around his neck. You give him a kiss. You embrace each other passionately... your long hair, blowing in the wind...
"Hm... why, whatever could this mean?... says Emily...". A voice in the shadows sighs... walking away...