I’m not even on the Circus’ property when I begin to hear the screams of elation from the Humans on their death-trap rides turn to terror. Underneath the vocalizations I comes the dull ‘whump’s of bodies dropping.

Human lives mean nothing to Zion, so she has no problem tearing out throats with her claws or slicing through major arteries to ‘thin the herd’ so Myles could scent out Tereza easier. He has the better nose of the two of them, but I was expecting a near miracle to have him find her in a crowd this large.

The vehicle lined road drops me off at a small gate that has a sign on it reading ‘Circus Employees Only’. I could continue down another few hundred feet to the actual Circus and join Zion in the chaos…but screaming Humans wailing like the infants they are, are spilling out of the main gates already. No, I’ll hedge my bets and take the Employee’s camp. My team and I can meet in the middle, if anything.

Frosty air whips my face as the force of my jump propels me over the fence and into the Circus camp. I could have broken the padlock on the gates, but I don’t want to give Tereza an easy out.

She is either coming with me or dying here.

The choice is hers.

There’s a group of children playing near the gate that stare up at me in awe as I land creating a small plume of dust for my efforts. They gawk at me, a man six and a half feet tall with red eyes and large feathered wings, their toys forgotten and then to where an adult must be.

Children are my favorite creatures on any of the planes. They are innocence; curious little beings that have not yet been corrupted by too much time in the universe. I yearn to go back to that time.

“Hello,” I offer, hitching up my slacks to squat down to be on their level. “My name is Ward.”

The five youths look at each other, eyes still round and wide as saucers and then back to me. I get small waves in return, a start at least.

“I’m looking for a friend of mine. Tereza Miller. Do any of you know where she is?”

“Reza?” A little boy cocks his head like a pup and steps forward. “She—uhm…” he droops his head with a blush, blonde curls falling forward over his eyes. “She’s with my girlfriend.”

Little chap has a girlfriend? Ahhh, young love.

“Your girlfriend? I bet she’s beautiful—I can talk to her for you, but I need to know where she and Tereza are.” I grin.

“How do you know Tereza?” A girl pipes up.

“You know that baby in her belly?”

The children all nod.

“I’m the one who gave it to her—” A loud string of ‘oooo’s come from the little Humans. “…I’ve come to take care of them, I was away working and couldn’t be here for her. So, how about it, kiddo? Tell me where Tereza and your girlfriend are? Please?”

The blonde boy bites his lip, a dramatic sigh wooshing between his lips. He nods and steps up to me, showing great bravery and meets my gaze.

“Tereza’s trailer is in the center of camp, last I saw she was letting Rosilyn in. It's right by the big bonfire.”

“Thank you,” I muss his curls and give his cheek a slight pinch. “I’ll be sure to let Rosilyn know you think she’s the most beautiful girl in the world, and that you care for her very much…but I need you and your friends to do me a favor, okay?”

“Anything,” the boy says eagerly, considerably more at ease with my presence.

“Stay here. Play with your toys—and don’t move from this spot until I come back with word from Rosilyn. Okay?”

“Okay!” He grins. There’s a gap in the front of his teeth where a tooth is missing making him all the more endearing.

“Good.” I stand look at the group, wondering which ones will blame themselves for not listening to their gut instinct to run and scream for an adult upon my arrival. No matter. The children get a wave, and then I’m off, hopping up onto the nearest trailer, heading for the center of the camp in search of my prize.