Strings Of Fate

Chapter 23

"I see," Daniel twisted on his chair, a pen tucked behind his ear as he considered something. "What do you fancy for dinner? I can afford pizza? Or we can head to the local and pick up a meal deal. They have a meal for two offers on at the moment. Terry and I were going to try it out and watch some bad horror films, but I'm not sure if that plan will happen."

Right, because the circus wanted them separate as much as possible to hook them back in using different methods. Divide and conquer had been in the brief meeting about it. Daniel needed the traditional way of ensnaring him and reeling him in tight. Last night he'd broken the line or at best made it slack in his selfish fight. His best path to avoid that upset was to endear himself to Daniel, so the man had a reason to like someone in the circus. Terrence had to face the weight of the entire circus demanding his time and reminding him that he had people who cared about his wellbeing. He didn't have to stew in the apartment of cold grief. He could recover in the warmth of family and home.

Sanvish had plans. He needed them. Marquez clearly couldn't be trusted not to mess things up with Terrence with how often the tiger tripped up around him. Avalon could sympathise, and Daniel was waiting for an answer.

"That sounds nice. We don't get to watch movies often on the road. No one has the space for a chunky TV in their vans and the equipment we'd need. Sometimes we put something on the projector," Avalon curled his feet under him as he remembered the last movie night. Some kids' movies and the younger ones had been delighted. The older ones watched it more for the novelty of watching a movie than the movie itself. Or most of them did. Avalon had noticed one or two a bit more into it than they'd ever admit.

"Maybe not horror movies then. We could watch more of the newer movies that have come out? I got some good deals from a friend at college," Daniel said, moving over to a box and digging out some video cases. "Could be a nice chance for you to see something new."

"Great," Avalon knew he hadn't infused as much enthusiasm as expected in that, but the hollow in his chest struggled to fake the happiness needed for that. He offered a smile regardless and shuffled through the cases. They were lighter than the reels that they kept the films in for the projector but still rather big. He was lucky to have his own van, but it was because it held some of the kitchen supplies that didn't fit in the truck. He barely had room for his things, forget a collection of these tapes. He picked one more at random than from a desire to see it, and Daniel settled next to him on the sofa.

The film played. Avalon enjoyed it but little sunk in beyond the warmth of Daniel near to him. Daniel shut the window when the circus music started up, but the sound continued even dimmed. He relaxed into the sofa cushions. Everyone would be too busy to bother him for a bit. Nikolai was not the only one today to try to lure him out from beyond the wall. Everything would be fine for a few hours. The night got darker, bright and colourful pictures flashed on screen in a mixture of story beats and emotions.

His stomach rumbled. Daniel laughed, hitting the pause button. "I've watched this before; we can pause here to go get food?"

Daniel lent him a jacket to go with the other clothes he lent earlier on during the day. Avalon wasn't a performer, but even the background characters wore costumes. He wore something to make him look exotic while working to keep up the illusion of the circus being otherworldly to the masses. They slipped outside and down the street.

"Avalon," Brad appeared next to them. Avalon moved away before the man could get any ideas about touching him. "Where are you going?"

"The local," Daniel answered, nodding in the direction. "It's two streets away."

"I'll come with you."

"We don't need an escort," Daniel narrowed his eyes.

"You may not, but Avalon does," Brad batted back, eyes darting over to the crowds of people. Eyes watched them, adoring murmurs at seeing some of the hybrids outside the circus for free, even if they were in everyday clothes and not doing tricks for entertainment. Brad had a smile on his voice for the watchers, but Avalon knew Brad. That wasn't a happy smile. It was a tense one. "It's not safe."

"Unless I've misunderstood something, Avalon is an adult. Walking two streets is not going to be dangerous."

"Brad, it's fine. We're going to get dinner."

"Please," Brad pressed.

A moment of tension fizzled around them. Daniel did not understand why it was dangerous. Avalon understood but did not want a pack member near him, and Brad was desperate to do his job and not let anything horrible happen to Avalon; Avalon broke first. He slumped and started to walk, not protesting as Brad slipped behind him and Daniel. Daniel rolled his eyes but ignored the wolf. He chatted about the movie and explained how the director was using new techniques to achieve some of the effects.

They picked dinner. Brad looked jealous. Avalon wanted to tease him about not letting Mika know. Mika got picky about food and annoyed when people enjoyed food, not from his kitchen. Brad paid for it, pointing out that they should go halves regardless, and Avalon didn't have any cash on him. Who needed money when the circus provided everything for them? They had wages in the sense that Marquez had a book listing how much everyone was allotted and when people needed things, updated the number to provide. They didn't make that much on the circuit. A good portion of the money went to keeping the thing running and paying for permits.

They were barely out of the shop two steps when it happened.

A sharp pain shot up his neck. Brad yelled something. Hands grabbed him and yanked, the world shifted into a blur of light and sounds. There was a loud crashing noise as glass broke. Everything went dark.