Jynx listened to the gentle breathing of the girl beside him as the bed softly swayed and thought about how, for the first time in far too many years, he was allowed to relax in a soft bed. He never could have imagined meeting someone like Poppy, let alone becoming her friend. What made her think a killer puppet would make a good sleeping companion? How could she trust someone like him? He could all too easily kill her as she slept. Thinking about hurting such a nice girl repulsed him, but she couldn't know that. Yet here they were, inches apart as she dreamed of lollipops and rainbow bridges.
The sun was starting its lazy rise into the sky, telling Jynx it was time to go. He needed to get ready for the opening. If he wasn't where he belonged before the gates opened, there would be hell to pay.
Not wanting to wake the sleeping girl before she was ready, Jynx carefully removed the most comfortable blanket he'd even touched from his small body and rolled over the pillow that kept him from falling off the bed through the night. His bare feet were soundless as they met the cushy carpet, but the bed rocked a little faster than it should have. Steadying the bed so it didn't toss Poppy to the floor, Jynx sighed when she didn't wake up.
After putting on his new shoes, he crept to the tent opening and slipped into the cool morning breeze. After being wrapped in a nice warm blanket for hours, the summer wind seemed a bit more chilly than usual. He wrapped his arms around himself as he walked from the safe tent to the unknown.
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They sat outside Poppy’s tent all night, hidden in the shadows. They listened to the silence inside as they pondered the meaning. The puppet had stayed with Poppy throughout the night, and if they had heard correctly, in the same bed.
When Jynx snuck from the tent, thinking he was sneaky and alone, the observer grinned. They pushed back against the tent they were hiding against to keep from being seen as they watched the little imp walk away in his new clothes that Poppy had obviously made him. They would know her work anywhere.
The ideas were bursting in their head, the implications. This could go in so many different directions. They were curious to see what came of this new development.
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It took about five steps for Jynx to realize where he was, and he froze. He was on the wrong side of the circus, the side strictly meant for the high priority performers, the ones who brought the high paying customers in. He'd never dared step foot on this side before, and he definitely didn't want to be found here.
The performers that lived on this side were called the specials by the lesser performers, like himself, because they got treated like royalty. The specials got large, personal tents filled with anything their hearts desired. They were treated with respect, for the most part, as long as they followed the master's rules. The area outside the tents was spacious, and most had rugs or carpets at the openings to keep the dirt and mud from tracking in. If the specials wanted anything, all they had to ask and it was theirs. Jynx assumed there were limits, but he had no idea what they could be.
The hair on the back of Jynx’s neck rose as a tingle ran down his spine. The feeling of being watched had finally registered in his brain. He'd felt it from the moment he left Poppy’s tent, he realized, but his subconscious hid it.
Silent as a mouse, Jynx began walking again, his eyes darting this way and that, suspicions of every shadow. He was on high alert for any sound or movement that would give his tag-a-longs whereabouts away. He couldn't imagine who would be following him, but he was certain someone was. He wished for the hundredth time that he had carried some sort of weapon with him. He knew if he was searched, which happened often, and was found with a knife or anything similar, he would spend days or weeks in the box.
Most of the carnies got along well enough, and fights were less often than you would think. The fact that they were all trapped here until they died made them understand they needed to keep the peace between them. The lessors harbored ill feelings towards the specials out of jealousy, but they didn't go out of their way to make trouble. Most of the specials looked down on the lessors as if they were parasites, but they hardly ever harmed anyone. There had been instances where one side attacked the other obviously, but it was a rare occurrence.
Today may be one of those rare occasions since Jynx was where he didn't belong. It may be seen as him overstepping his boundaries, and the special might think he needs reminding of his place. He hoped that wasn't the case.
Jynx walked faster as he tried to find the quickest possible route back to his area. No matter how quick he went, the feeling of eyes on him never wavered. He made a mental list of all the specials he'd seen or heard about and tried seeing who he could cross off based on personality. Not knowing any of them personally made his job very difficult. He finally gave up guessing since he honestly had no clue who was capable of what.
When another gust of wind blew some leaves along the dirt, Jynx almost screamed. His nerves were on end, and his anxiety was through the roof. If he had a heart, it would have beaten out of his chest.
The child possessing the puppet was terrified of the dark and the things that lurked inside it. He knew all too well that monsters did indeed exist and the circus was full of them. He didn't want to be out here any longer. The boy's soul pleaded with Jynx to go back, back to Poppy, and the safety of her tent. Jynx agreed.
Jynx turned around quickly, catching a glimpse of something tall and thin hidden in the shadows of a large blue tent just before it dipped around the corner. That was all the evidence he needed to prove he was being followed. Jynx turned to his right so he could backtrack the way he'd come without going past what or whoever was watching him. He went around an equally large tent that sat next to the suspicious blue one. Once behind the tent, Jynx broke into a run, moving as fast as his tiny legs would take him.
As soon as the pastel pink and white of Poppy’s tent was in sight, he moved faster. Jynx threw open the cloth door and damn near tripped on her rug. He stumbled across the tent four or five steps before he caught himself.
Hearing someone stumble into the tent while letting in the cold morning breeze, Poppy slowly sat up in bed and yawned. “Jynx?” She called his name out softly while she rubbed the sleep from her eyes. “You’re up super early. Did you sleep well?” She asked. She reached her arms up and stretched out her limbs a bit, swung each leg out of bed, and then slowly got up. Another day, another dollar to make. But today, she was happy that she would be the first one performing instead of the last.
Poppy hated performing last after everyone else, especially after Chayne, the archer. Even though she didn’t want to call the girl out and cause trouble at the circus, Poppy had a hunch that most of her stuff that went missing before she had to perform was none other than Chayne. Ever since the girl joined the circus, she had been head over heels for Tyco, the lion tamer, but his fascination was mainly focused on Poppy.
As Poppy was about to ask Jynx another question, a deep and gentle voice with a strong Italian accent cut her off. “Poppy, are you awake?” They asked. But before Poppy could grab Jynx and hide him, muscle Joe had already made his way into the tent. He stood about six feet nine inches tall and was staring down at the small wooden Jynx with an eyebrow raised and deadpan expression.
“What is this?” He asked while crossing his arms over his bulging chest of toned and sculpted muscles. “Bambina, you know Mr. Quinn’s rules, you can’t have just anyone sleeping over, especially…” he looked at the wooden jester again before bending over, so they were on the same eye level. “Especially someone like him.”
“Oh papa! You worry too much. And he has a name, this is Jynx , I was just making him some new clothes because his old ones had gotten really dirty. You know how rambunctious the kids can be, be nice.” Poppy replied as she gently pulled Jynx next to her and placed both hands on his shoulders. “Don't mind, Papa, he means no harm. I promise.”
Jynx glared up at the giant of a man and then smiled as he always did when he was pissed. He had nothing to say that wouldn't get the guy in a fighting mood, so Jynx kept his mouth closed.
“I am nice, I came to remind you not to skip out on breakfast this time.” Joe huffed as Poppy smiled and giggled and promised him that she would get something to eat right after she got ready. “Don’t be late. And you, Jynx, let’s go, I’ll escort you back.” Joe said as he made his way out of the tent and held the flap open for the jester.
“Graci papa! And Jynx, I’ll see you before I have to perform, you’ll be there to watch me, right?” Poppy asked as she gently patted his head and gave him a big warm smile.
“If I can.” Jynx gave Poppy a real smile before he followed the intimidating man from the tent. Once outside, Jynx began walking the way he had gone before, hoping this time the mystery figure would be gone. He wasn't worried now, though. He had a massive boulder of a man with him. No one would dare start anything now. Jynx still had nothing to say to the man who so clearly saw him as nothing more than trouble, so he kept the silence.
“Listen here. I can’t stop Poppy from hanging out with whomever she chooses to hang with nor can I tell her what she can and can’t do, but if you so bring her harm or she gets hurt, I’ll be looking for you.” Joe warned. It wasn’t a threat to the jester, just a serious warning, showing how much Poppy meant to the man, like a father and their child.
The child inside Jynx wanted to kick the man in his shins and stick out his tongue, making Jynx giggle out loud. He had no idea how he was supposed to respond to the threat, so he did what he had been doing all morning. He ignored the man as he continued to walk.
Jynx was still scanning the area for any shadows and keeping alert for something to jump out. His nerves were fried even though he somehow knew the big guy next to him would stop any violence towards him. Poppy would have flipped if he allowed Jynx to get hurt while on his watch. The idea of her yelling at this mountain man made Jynx giggle again.
Hearing the little person next to him giggle, Joe couldn’t help but roll his eyes and wonder how on earth Poppy came across this clown. She had an odd way of making friends and always attracted odd people to her, but as long as no harm came to her, Joe wouldn’t interfere with her life and friendship. “One more thing, I do hope you will be able to make it to see her perform. She’s the first act up.” As much as Joe didn’t want to admit that Jynx could be trouble for Poppy, he also hadn’t seen her smile like the way she did to Jynx ever since the first time she joined the circus.
Jynx nodded when he was told he should be at Poppy’s performance, and he honestly wanted to watch her. As long as the master didn't stop him, he would be there, even if she didn't see him. He would have to hide in the shadows like before. If he were seen inside the tent, he would be punished for sure.
“Tell her to check the left corner, up front. If I can go, I'll be there.” He wanted her to at least know where to look for him if he made it. As he spoke, the hairs on the back of his neck stood up for the second time that morning.
Jynx looked around again, then behind them as they walked. “We're not alone.” He wanted the big man to be aware of the danger in case something happened. He couldn't have the guy getting hurt because he refused to talk to him. “Someone was watching me earlier. They're back.” Jynx took another look around but still saw nothing making him sigh.
Hearing his warning, Joe figured the boy was crazy. “It’s alright. Whoever it is, they won’t start anything, Mr. Quinn doesn’t want any fights going on, so whoever it is, they wouldn’t dare start something they can’t finish.” He hoped his response would give Jynx a little bit of reassurance, but who knows what would’ve happened if Joe hadn’t offered to escort him back.
When the man brushed off his warning, Jynx shook his head. He had no idea how bad things could get and quickly. As much as he wanted to believe the words he could feel in the grains of his wood, trouble was brewing.
Jynx could tell the second they left the specials side to his own. The tents grew smaller with each step, and they were dingier and faded. Some tents even had holes in the sides. Tent flaps danced
in the wind, and the air even smelled different, poorer. For the first time, Jynx was embarrassed by his living conditions. In a low voice filled with shame, Jynx told Joe, “I'm good now. You can go back. Thanks for bringing me safely.” He wanted the man to leave and not witness the shambles Jynx was used to. He didn't want him telling Poppy what his friend really was.
Seeing how Jynx’s demeanor changed, Joe patted his back and left without saying a word. Everyone knew how things looked on this side of the circus and how these people were treated compared to the specials. And even though Joe wanted to tell Jynx that Poppy wouldn’t care or make it a big deal, he would find out for himself later.
As the day went on and it was nearing opening time for the circus, Poppy had gotten Jynx’s message and was really looking forward to her performance. She kept her promise to Joe and ate a decent meal before she packed up her makeup bag and outfit and walked over to Timon’s cage to refill his water bowl. “Wish me luck!” She spoke to the litter critter as it squeaked and twirled around in a circle for her.
Ducking out of her tent and making her way over to the big top, she entered around the back and sat down on one of the chairs that was placed in front of a vanity mirror. Everyone rushed around and got the last few things set and ready that Poppy didn’t even realize a pair of blue eyes were watching her and boring into the back of her head.
Smacking her hand down onto the table that held Poppy’s makeup, Chayne stared at her through the mirror and gave her an apologetic and sweet smile. “Did I scare ya?” She grinned. But Poppy didn’t play into her trick as she continued to lightly brush a bit of blush onto her cheeks. Because she had such fair skin and complexion, she had no use for foundation or needed to use any moisturizer or toner.
“Not really Chayne, but what can I do for you?” Poppy asked. As she took her hair out of the bun, she had it in and made the soft pink locks cascade over her shoulder in waves. Of all times for Chayne to show up, it had to be before she went on.
“Just wanted to say good luck. Break a leg out there.” The other girl smiled before tucking a loose strand of hair behind Poppy’s ear and then walked away, causing Poppy to cringe in place. For a phrase that’s meant to say good luck out there, Chayne surely did mean what she said. “Focus Poppy! You can’t get distracted now.” She spoke to herself while looking in the mirror at her reflection.
“Alright everyone, you got 5 minutes left before it’s showtime.” The stag director shouted, catching everyone’s attention. Soon enough, the entire backstage was crowded with people rushing about, animals being escorted to where they needed to be, while the director called out the acts that were going on in order.
Slowly, the lights under the big tent began to dim as people started to push and shove their way in just to catch a glimpse of the first show. Every seat on the bleachers was full as all eyes were focused in the center of the ring where a spotlight was shining. Stepping out from the shadows and appearing out of thin air, Mr. Quinn stood proudly before the audience.
“Ladies and Gentlemen, girls and boys, we have prepared for you a show unlike any other! Dare devils and dangerous acts that shouldn’t be done at home and performed by trained professionals. Tonight for our first act, our beautiful aerial acrobat will defy gravity but keep you on the edge of your seat as she gracefully flies like a butterfly before your eyes! Please give it up for the magnificent , majestic, and beautiful Poppy!”
The audience broke out in cheers and applause as Poppy came walking out in a dark blue low back halter neck leotard that had a short but flowy peach and tangerine colored mesh skirt around her waist. Across the top of her cleavage that followed the fabric of the leotard were small crystals scattered across the outfit that would twinkle and sparkle whenever the light reflected off of them.
She entered the ring and grabbed a hold onto the two giant sets of blue ribbons and held on tight as Joe stood behind the scene and began to pull on the other end of the ribbons, thus hoisting her up into the air. She Twirled and tucked her foot into the little pocket she made in one of the ribbons and used that as a footing to push herself up higher while twirling her body round the other ribbon and getting it wrapped around her.
Jynx was outside the tent juggling a man's wallet, phone, and keys that he playfully snatched as he walked by. The man was chuckling as his children cheered him on. When Jynx heard the master speaking, he almost dropped everything in fright. Just hearing the evil man set the puppet on edge.
Jynx quickly wrapped up his silly act and gently tossed the man his belongings. He had somewhere he needed to be. He grinned as he danced around the kids, kicking his feet so his little bells rang merrily. He wiggled and jiggled further away from the family as if he meant to entertain other guests, but as soon as their attention was diverted, Jynx snuck behind the big tent.
He knew he'd already missed Poppy’s entrance, but he wasn't going to miss any more. The master was busy with the specials and the running of things so he wouldn't notice if Jynx wasn't where he belonged.
Jynx ducked under the tent wall and crept into the corner, being careful to stay deep in the shadows so he wouldn't be seen. He squatted down to make his small frame even smaller and rested his arms on his knees while watching as his new friend swirled and twirled around beautiful ribbons. Her costume was amazing as he knew it would be. She looked so at home up there without a care in the world as she sparkled and swung around. Jynx couldn't help but smile and feel proud of her. She really was good at her job.
Climbing her way back up again on the silk ribbons, Poppy was about to do her final trick, the windmill she’s been practicing and trying to perfect. At the top of the ribbons and holding on tight, Poppy had slowly flipped herself upside down and used her left leg to wrap the top part of the silk ribbon across her thigh before tucking it underneath her left knee. With the bottom part of the ribbon running across her back, she pulled on it tightly before she wrapped it around her right thigh and then tucking it under her knee, just like she did with the left side.
Now, having the ribbon wrapped around her waist, Poppy began to use her legs and knees to help her twist the ribbon even more around her. Like a toy being wounded up, she kept her legs in a split position and started to let herself slowly fall. As she was going down, her body began to spin like a windmill while she kept her legs locked in place. The faster her body spun, the faster she fell, getting closer and closer to the ground quickly. She could hear the gasps from the audience as the people watched intensely.
In the nick of time, Poppy had lifted her left leg back and was able to wrap it around the ribbon, which halted her spin. Her back was arched, and her fingertips brushed against the ground. She slowly started to unravel the ribbons from her body as the crowd stood up and applauded and cheered as Poppy took her bow before she glanced down at the left corner of the stage. Even though no one could see him, she knew he was there.
Smiling brightly, she started to wave at him before she glanced up at the audience and started to wave at them as well, just so it wouldn’t look suspicious.
Jynx was stunned and anxious as he watched Poppy falling and spinning so fast, but she pulled off her performance perfectly. When she waved at him, he grinned, wanting to wave back, but he knew she couldn't see him. Knowing she knew he was there was enough. He was happy he came and could make her smile.
When she waved to the cheering and screaming audience, Jynx turned and pushed himself back out from under the tent. He blinked a few times as his eyes adjusted to the light.
“Slacking on the job again, I see.” A deep and venomous voice sneered angrily from behind Jynx. Mr. Quinn could only glare down at the useless piece of wood that sat at his feet as he shook his head in disgust and disappointment. “I think we need to have a little bit of reeducation. Seems to me like you have forgotten your place.” Mr. Quinn grabbed Jynx by his arm and yanked him up so effortlessly, then he had turned Jynx in a certain direction before pushing him forward to make him walk.
Because there were so many people around then, Mr. Quinn couldn’t reprimand Jynx how he wanted to, so he had to play it cool until they got back to his tent. “If you try to run, I’ll break those fucking legs off and turn them into toothpicks.” Mr. Quinn replied lowly, so the only person who heard his warning was Jynx himself.
Jynx was terrified. His little wooden limbs trembled as he walked in front of the master. He knew the master's threat was real. He didn't make empty threats. His head spun as he tried to think of options, but the only choice he had was to continue to the master's tent. Had he been a human he would have cried. His chest hurt even though he didn't have a heart and his hollow stomach twisted inside.
Jynx smiled widely as he led the master through the crowd, closer and closer to his doom. When the ginormous tent was in sight, Jynx almost collapsed in fear.
Mr. Quinn could tell that Jynx was sweating in fear, he could smell it so easily coming out of his wooden pores. “Did I tell you to stop walking?” Lashing out, Mr. Quinn had used his cane to shove Jynx in the back and made him stumble inside. Finally being out of sight, Mr. Quinn had wrapped his centipede tail around Jynx’s body and throat before he lifted the doll into the air and made him look in his crimson eyes.
“Now what did I say the last time if I were to ever catch you slacking off, hm?” He asked Jynx. His time and patience was wearing thin and if someone were to make a fool out him, Mr. Quinn would have their head mounted on his wall.
“Please! No! I'm sorry!” Jynx was so scared his mind wasn't working properly. The child's soul had shut down and hidden deep within their mind, unable to witness what was coming next. Jynx was alone. His eyes darted around the room as if he could escape even as the master's tail squeezed him so tightly he thought he would shatter. “I wasn't slacking, I swear. I um…I thought I heard something so I was checking it out. That's all!” He squirmed and tried to slip from the master's grasp to no avail. Jynx whimpered, he knew the man hadn't bought his story. “It won't happen again! I promise! Please!” He wasn't above begging if it meant less punishment.
Listening to the pathetic firewood as he begged and pleaded, trying to pass off a stupid story as an excuse only made Mr. Quinn more angry. Having enough of his blabbering, he whipped his tail and flung Jynx into a nearby dresser, knocking all the contents that were on top of it onto the ground. “I asked you a question.” He walked over to Jynx and yanked him up by his hair, Mr. Quinn replied again, “and I expect an answer right away, not your fucking sob story or lame ass excuse!” He flung Jynx into the dresser again before he took off his top hat and ran his fingers through his hair.
“I think you had a little bit too much freedom. It’s time to go back to solitude and think about what you’ve done.” Giving him no time to response, Mr. Quinn had his tail wrapped around Jynx’s body again as he took a four sided screwdriver and began to unscrew the bolts that kept Jynx’s legs attached to his body. One by one he unscrewed all eight, leaving Jynx leg less before he tossed him into the trunk, slammed it shut and locked it up tightly. “Nightly night, have a pleasant dream.”
Jynx was still screaming in agony when he was thrown into the box he hated so much. He hated the wizard for making him feel pain, hated the master for giving him pain and hated that he was even alive. He would have given anything at that moment to be a regular puppet.
Jynx wrapped his arms around his chest as he tried to focus on anything other than the pain and darkness. Had he been able to, he would have cried until he became waterlogged.
He learned long ago that no matter how hard he tried, there was no opening the box from inside. He wasn't strong enough to break it or even make it budge. He was trapped. Who knew when the master would come back and let him out. He wished for the millionth time that he was just a doll.