I yawned, stretching my arms out as I sat up in bed. My neck creaked slightly as I stood up and made my way to the wardrobe. " Drocell probably carried me here." I thought as I looked through my dresses. The sun was just rising as bright rays came through the window. I choose a black and white lace dress. It came to my knee and had a frill lining. I've never worn this one but I suppose it looks nice. I sighed, glancing in the mirror. Honestly, I've never felt truly comfortable in dresses. "You're awake." A dull voice stated from behind me. Two strings wrapped around my waist and pulled me to face my fiance. He smirked, placing two fingers just above my eye lids before closing them. I heard rustling. I opened my eyes to reveal Drocell on one knee with a midnight black rose in his hand. He kissed the back of my hand slowly, his eyes never leaving mine. " It's beautiful." I mumbled.

Drocell stared up at me. Violet eyes set ablaze with worry and regret. It wasn't until he stood and sat at my dresser that I realized what he was looking at. The dress showed the side of my stomach where he had dug his nails into my skin. The thick, black cracks were still fresh and stung slightly. I stared back at him and for the first time I saw what the circus troupe had probably seen. A dangerous, cunning, dominant, possessive, creepy man capable of anything. His smile no longer looked warm but taunting. His eyes no longer held regret just worry. I knew exactly what he was worried about. " He doesn't care that he's marked me, he's just worried I'll leave I'm gonna run off to the circus and never come back. That's all he cares about. He just dreads being alone for eternity." I won't lie, the thought was very tempting. After all, Joker had jumped and defended me when Drocell got too close for comfort, as though he actually cared for me. I shook my head. " Forget about him." I tried to occupy my mind but It didn't help. Everything about him drew me in. The way his hair fell in front of his eyes, his bright smile, those vivid pools of violet, the way he held me ... It all seemed so comfortable, so familiar. " You're smiling." I dropped my smile immediately, a bored look replacing it. " You want to leave." He stated plainly. I just turned away from him, my eyes closed tight in frustration. He never answered instead deciding to storm out. This time I didn't follow him.

Something about this manor was different. In all my years here it had never seemed more like a prison than it did now. I felt more trapped than ever. Suddenly the dream I had came back into my mind. I had so many questions , it made my head spin but I can't find the answers to them. Not while I was still trapped. Drocell has me bound in his strings. The question was did I want to be saved ? Even I couldn't answer that honestly yet. Did I really want to leave ? Is the truth about my old life worth my life now ? Would it even change anything ? I don't know why but I have a nagging feeling that circus has something to do with it. I sighed and thought back to the circus. Dagger had said we were family. I've never had a family before...not one I can remember. Family was something I had longed for and now I had the chance to have one of my own. A family, friends, sisters, brothers. A chance to travel, meet new people, perform on stage and live life to the fullest. The circus offered all this and more but... The shop offered comfort, a home, a person I loved. A lover and a chance to live with what was familiar and safe. I sat by the window and sighed. I knew soon enough I would have to make a decision.

I sat there for the longest time, staring out the window. It was raining again today. I followed the rain drops down the window, tracing the criss cross designs they made. Minutes faded into hours. Drocell hasn't checked on me all day which was unusual. I can't tell if he's upset or mad. Honestly I'm not sure what to do.

I could just sit here. No one would notice. I could sit and rust, maybe even die. No one would care. Dying would be a lot easier than making this decision. I was still too afraid to ask him about my life before all this. I hate upsetting him. " I should probably apologies." I thought, standing up. " He created me after all." I paused for a moment. Had he created me ? Had he designed me or was it someone else. I had a feeling Drocell wouldn't tell me about it if I asked. He's never talked about life before we met. My mind was reeling and my stomach doing flips. I need to find out who I was before. I know I won't have a moments rest until I find out. I could hear shuffling downstairs but ignored it. I was still a little groggy and decided to wait until tomorrow to deal with Drocell. I quickly walked to our bed and lay down. The purple walls of my room faded to black.

Rose's Dream.

I awoke on a small but comfortable bed, The sheets felt harsh against my skin. "I'm not at home." I sat up, glancing around in shock. A small mirror sat on an overflowing dresser and in it I saw myself. Familiar wide silver eyes stared back at me but that's all that was familiar. I froze as I took in my appearance. Chin length white blonde hair, Pierced ghostly white skin, Thin face, rosebud lips. The boy in the mirror was quite young, around 19 or so. He was short, standing at about 5'7. He was thin but had toned arms and legs, clearly no stranger to exercise. His make-up was rather odd though, A large black triangle had been painted on his left eye covering his eyebrow completely. On the left side were three claw marks coming down past his cheek. I glanced around, I was in a tent. A blue and white stripped tent, in the corner was the bed I had got up from. Clothes and makeup was scattered around the room. I heard someone enter from behind me but I couldn't move. All I could do was watch as the scene played in front of me.

" Ye should be more careful Jest, Almost threw ye'r back out on that last jump." Joker moved closed, holding the blonde boy close to him. " Feeling alright ?" He questioned , his voice laced with concern. A sigh erupted from the boy. " I'm fine darling." His smoky voice rang out. Joker chuckled, slowly kissing down the boys neck. He watched him closely, a smirk playing on his lips. He moved forward, pulling Joker's face close to his. " You have the most beautiful eyes." Joker's voice was barely a whisper. The blonde boy didn't respond but simply pressed his lips against his. Joker sank into it quickly but pulled away, voice deep and breathy. " It's completely ye'r decision but I think ye should bring Dagger along , the city's dangerous at night. I don't want you gettin' 'urt. " The boy simply nodded. " Let's not talk about this right now. " He walked passed Joker, taking off his shirt to reveal a well toned stomach before laying down on the bed. " Maybe I can help take your mind off it." Joker turned bright red as Jester winked at him but he followed him to the bed, removing his shirt also...

Hey guys,

Let me know what you think of the story so far and if you have any suggestions on how I could continue it. Thanks for reading ! :)