It’s almost afternoon and we’re almost ready to depart. I did quite a lot the entire day and due to the arrival of the girl, whose name was “Aria” (from what I heard), some things were not discussed. Trent was not able to talk to us but he promised to have that on our way. While I am on my way to the next task, I saw Althea get out from one of the trailers. She saw me and asked me to escort her to her trailer with the things that Sif asked her to bring. I did as she told and we had some nice talk about anything that’s currently happening – from last night’s event to that “Aria”.

“You seemed to be interested in her, I think” Althea told me. She started to giggle.

“I don’t even know her, Thea”

“Yes, and it’s been a while since we had a new girl in this circus so I can’t really blame you” Althea justified. I nodded in agreement.

Althea stopped walking and looked at me in the eye. “She will stay here, but I am not sure if that’s for good. I saw her coming, but that’s it. And you know what, Gale? Between you and me, Aria might be the start of something that will change our lives forever” Althea bit her nails.

“And?” I asked.

“And that’s all I can say. I don’t want to change the ‘Course’ for now”. She said. That ‘Course’ again. I know I don’t necessarily understand how Althea’s ability works but at this point, I knew that she knows something; something that will make things off the rail but she usually tries to either prevent or pursue on that sight based off her and Trent’s judgement. In some way, I resented to be treated like a doll who answers on what this girl sees. I am not angry at Thea, I am angry of the odds that we are being pushed in and out of the grid and we weren’t informed of every detail. We always have to trust Trent and that’s it. At this point, the circus is the only family that I got so I lived my life being with them, even if there are things that I know that holds me back.

“Of course, that again” I answered Thea.

“I, uh, I’m sorry Gale.” Thea touched my shoulder. “This is for the better. Soon, you’ll see”

“It’s okay, I understand. Don’t worry about it.” I smiled and as we approached the trailer, I placed the things that I am holding on the table near the door.

Althea opened the door asked me to place the things inside. Before I went inside, she sat on a chair by the porch and by the looks of it, she was waiting for me to come out. As soon as I finished piling up the things, I went to Thea to tell her it’s done as I have to go to another Trailer.

“Hey. Are you good? I’m off now” I told Althea. She didn’t respond.

“Hey?” I turned around her and saw her face pale. At this point, I know that another vision will be seen again.

“I will go get Trent, okay? Just sit there and try to remember everything you see”. I said, kneeling on her side. As I was about to stand up to sprint, I felt Althea’s cold hands grasped my forearm. I slowly looked at her and saw her pupils turned white. Thea’s grip tightened and her hands trembled.

“Just stay here” Althea said, her voice started to change, as if she was taken over by a huge, underworld entity. My sweat started to fall as soon as I heard her voice. This is the first time and I’ve never felt so scared of this kind of event.

Shaking, Thea started to mumble things that I cannot understand. “Thea? Althea?” I said, while lightly patting her cheeks. I don’t know what to do so I looked around for help. It’s no good running away, as her grip’s tightening slowly. At the edge of my eye, I saw the light from the next trailer lit up. I remembered that it was Serena’s and Lea’s. They shared trailers by the way and the first thing that came to my mind was to call out for the siblings.

“SERENA! LEA! HELP!” I shouted and repeated for a couple of times. Serena got out of the trailer with her hair curlers matched with a massive frown. She knew it was me and her frown suddenly disappeared when she saw what’s happening and probably figured what to do. Serena ran to us while Lea followed, who must have already understood what had happened. Her pointing fingers are already at her temples and seemed to be calling out for the others.

“Okay, Gale, I want you to calm down, and try massaging her hands.” Serena said. She sounded panicked but her actions showed that she knows what must be done in cases like this. As to what Serena said, I massaged Althea’s hands.

Althea stopped trembling but her eyes still white. She took a deep breath and started talking with her deep, unearthly voice.

“Listen to me, o’ special ones. In the midst of a place where different lights fill everything, a dark force will try to turn the lights off. Be the light, do not let the darkness prevail. Separated or not, one must trust in each other’s hearts. Never forget who you are, as other has never forgotten. BE prepared, BE alerted. The rise of the unknown is near.” Thea’s voice started to tone down.

“And you” Thea looked at me. “The one who protects, the one who can nullify the colors, the one who will accompany the end. Your path with the four other powers will entwine. Follow that which who makes you think, follow what gives you the creep, and start your trail by going after the crimson eye”. Thea fell on Serena’s chest. Serena hugged Althea, who fell unconscious.

The three of us were silent. We looked at each other, our foreheads are beaded with sweat. I can’t move. I don’t know what to say. Is this how Trent and the others feel like every time Thea says things like this?

“Lea, did the others got it?” Serena said. Her face was pale.

“I…I think so.” Lea answered, her voice trembling.

“What was that supposed to mean?” a voice inside our head came up.

“What?”, “Was that Althea?”, “Four powers?”, “What is the Crimson eye?” and other puzzled questions filled up our telepathic network from Lea’s mind.

“LEA! Was it broadcasted to everybody?” Serena said, voice suggested anger but she was able to contain it.

“I’m sorry, I panicked so I just turned it on. But I’m sure that the words were only sent to those who were like us” Lea said. Her voice croaked, as if she was about to cry.

“It’s okay, Lea” We’ll get this covered” Trent answered from Lea’s telepathy. “At least at this point, everyone now knows why we keep these kind of things, and as you know, I don’t want to cause a panic. Anyway, I want to know who were able to listen to this?”

“Arthur here” said Arthur inside our head.

“Serena” Serena said,

“It’s Flint”

“Blanche”

“It’s Tanya. I’m here with Ed”

“Sif”

“Ronald”

Then there was silence. “Okay, so I guess that’s all we—” Trent said but he was interrupted.

“I… um,” an unfamiliar voice filled the connection.

“Who is this?” Trent asked.

“I…uh, it’s Aria”. A voice from a girl said.