Hardly a cloud could be seen on the day’s bright blue sky. Dozens of people flooded the walkways as they made their way through the circus grounds. Which made Morgan all the more uncomfortable. 

“Surprised you even suggested coming. Normally I have to bribe you to leave the house,” said Ingrid.

“I mean, they were free,” said Morgan with a shrug.

“Too bad your dad had work,” said Ingrid. She stopped and laughed. Morgan looked over her shoulder, only to find that a mime had been following them. He was hunched over and had his hands stuffed in his pockets just like Morgan.

“I think he got you down pat,” said Ingrid.

Morgan frowned and raised an eyebrow. Much to her annoyance, the mime did the same. Morgan wrinkled her nose and crossed her arms. This time the mime pressed his fingers into the corner of his mouth and grinned.

“I think he wants you to smile,” chuckled Ingrid. 

Morgan scowled in response. "Do you know where the magic show is?” 

The mime spun around. He came to a stop and extended out his arm, pointing in the direction of a very large red and white tent. Exactly like the one from Morgan’s dream. The only difference was that there weren’t any torches.

“Um, you guys have any dragons by any chance?” asked Morgan wearily. The mime nodded. He pulled out couple balloons from his pocket. He blew them up, twisting and knotting them all together. In no time at all, he created a small balloon dragon and presented it to her with a smile.

“Funny,” said Morgan, taking it. The mime tipped his hat and went on his merry way.

“I like him,” said Ingrid.

“Come on.”

They headed to the tent and settled into one of the seats up in front. The ringmaster stepped on stage, a big grin plastered on his face.

"Ladies and gentlemen! Damas y Caballeros! For our next act, your eyes will be dazzled and your minds blown as you witness amazing feats you’ll have to see in order to believe!” he announced. “Without further ado, I present you, Rico El Magnifico!”

An explosion of smoke enveloped the ringmaster. When it cleared away, a young Hispanic man stood in his place. He bowed to the audience and removed his top hat. Reaching inside it, he pulled out a string of colorful scarves tied together. The magician crumpled them up and threw them up into the air. In the blink of an eye, a flock of parrots flew right out of the scarves as they came apart.

The crowd erupted into applause.

“Amazing isn’t it?” said Ingrid.

“It was a pretty good trick,” admitted Morgan, watching the birds fly away.

Meanwhile, Flor was dragging her feet as she trailed behind her aunt Alma.

“How long do we have to be here for?” asked Flor.

“I thought you liked the circus?” said Alma.

“Not if it means watching Rico’s magic show for the hundredth time.”

Flor looked back, expecting for a reply. Alma had her eyes closed with her hands over her ears.

“Everything okay?” asked Flor worried.

Alma straightened up and put on a smile. “Mhm. But why don’t you go catch the show? It’s probably starting soon. It shouldn’t take me long to find Del.”

“Okay, but it’s going to be a boring show.”

Flor left and ran off into the tent. Rico had just released the parrots when she arrived.

“At least change it up a little,” she said unimpressed. With all the seats filled, she settled herself in the back. Bored, she scanned the crowd. Seemed like the typical people. Lots of kids and their families along with flirty couples and giggling groups of friends.

Her eyes eventually fell on a girl with dark raven hair. Flor adjusted her glasses and squinted. Had she seen her before?

Morgan glanced back at her. Flor quickly turned the other way in embarrassment. She waited for her to go back to watching the show before looking over again. Something about her seemed, familiar.

Suddenly Morgan whipped her head around and locked eyes. Flor squeaked and ducked down behind some people. She could see Morgan speaking to her mother before marching right over.

“Can I help you?” asked Morgan.

“Oh, I’m s-s-sorry. I-I-I just thought I recognized you from s-somewhere,” Flor stammered. Morgan pursed her lips.

“Actually… you do look familiar,” she said. “I’m Morgan?”

“D-doesn’t ring a bell. I’m Blanca Flor. Flor for short?”

“I don’t think I’ve heard that name before. Do you go to school here?”

“No. I don’t even live here. Do come to the circus a lot maybe?”

“Almost never.”

Flor shrugged and tossed up her hands.

“Maybe we met in another life,” she chuckled.

“Who knows,” Morgan laughed.

Loud pops came from the stage. Rico held up his wand over his head. It shot out fireworks that lit up the tent in flashes of color. Morgan stared at the lights, almost mesmerized by them.

“That’s my brother,” said Flor.

“Really?” said Morgan surprised. “Can you do that?”

Flor laughed and shook her head. “Not even close. Plus, I get really bad stage fright.”

Rico tossed the wand into the air. It exploded into rose petals that rained down on the audience. Morgan reached up and caught one. She held it in the palm of her hand and examined it.

“I can take you to meet him if you want,” said Flor.

“Uh, it's fine,” said Morgan.

“You sure? He won't mind. He loves meeting fans. His ego is the size of an elephant.”

Morgan furrowed her brow, thinking it over in her mind.

"Well, if it's not too much trouble," she said.

“Not at all," said Flor.

Flor shivered, feeling an odd chill. She looked around and tightened her shawl around herself.

Something is lurking…