“You, over there. Yes, you. Come here.”
A young woman hesitantly walked over to one of the bright
tents of the travelling circus, a spindly young man standing in the doorway
wearing a grin.
“You’re the fortune teller?” She asked upon catching a
glimpse of the inside of the tent.
“I am indeed. I can see into the catacombs of your mind and
life. Would you like a peek?” He stepped back into the tent, holding the door
flap open for her. Inside were jars filled
with small, dead animals, floating in a sickly liquid that made them look only
asleep. The scent of herbs and spices barely overpowered the smell of death.
“Now now, what an interesting future you have.” He purred as
he circled around her. “So many possibilities, so jumbled in such a short
time.” He reached forward and made as if to pluck something from her head. He
stretched it out like a string and investigated the invisible thread. “Such a
bad choice. Oh no no no, you should not have come.” He looked up from his
reading, the light casting odd shadows over his face and turning him into a
living revenant. With one quick motion, he snatched up her hand, tracing with
one long finger each line on her palm. “So short, so short. Faded like a dream…”
He trailed off into silence, then looked down at her, a malicious smile
creeping over his lips. “What is your name?”
“Abigale.”
“Well Miss Abigale. Welcome to our show. Would you care to
join it?”
“I don’t think I would make a very good carny.” She stated
nervously.
“Oh, no need for that. We have a wonderful display of phantasms.
So lifelike, almost as if they were real humans.”
“I think I would rather go home.”
“Oh but the show is about to start.” He grinned and pulled
back the door of the tent.
Off in the direction of the big tent, a blood curling scream
rang throughout the circus.
“They call me The Jinx. My fortunes are not very fortunate.”
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