The days when the ringmaster was kind to his performers still replay in my mind. 

The days when he was filled with excitement at the sight of even a few patrons coming to view our traveling show. There was always a hint of hope in his eyes, a bright grin of genuine joy on his face. He was softer back then, using his magic for good to create the childlike wonder we were so known for. There weren't many of us at this point: just me, a young tiefling boy, and Will. He genuinely cared for the boy, even though he had a history. He always made sure to encourage him after performances; he really took on a paternal role for him. Dare I say, the boy looked up to him. I tried my best, but I was never the most maternal woman. 

No. My interest was found in a young dwarven woman we took on. She wasn't much of a talker, but Will took an interest in her. She wasn't in the best of spots, just like most of us were, and Will offered her an opportunity within the show. However, with her quick temper, he didn't see her much of a typical stage performer; instead, he decided to start course with a freak show. He was sure this would change the show, and we could even make a permanent home for all of us. Of course, I was thrilled; especially as I started to catch the eye of the newest member, and frankly, she was beautiful in her own right. 

We spent years searching for more and more performers, outcasts, and "freaks" alike. Will even found a way that we were able to construct a moving circus; if there was anything I would say about the man, he was brilliant. It was to be set in its own miniature universe; a world all his own, all from his imagination.

Genuinely, the world was a thing of beauty. The entrance was through a beautiful grand circus, with the inside hosting just enough guests every single time. Plus, we each had our own caravans behind the circus, no matter where we were located, and we always had a view of the night sky.

So many wonderful memories under those stars.

We continued our search for more performers and members, and we found a good few; living conjoined twins, young acrobats and clowns, I even made some friends of my own! There was something wonderful about teaching the tiny creatures how to perform their own tricks. Plus, Morgan Jr. was going to be a wonderful little ringmaster; the wonderful tiefling boy even made him his own little top hat, just like Will's. It genuinely felt like a growing family, with William running it all.

Things weren't always so good, though.

Something happened to him on one of the searches. I was never quite sure what, but he had heard news of someone interested in joining in a local city. He insisted on going on his own. We were all apprehensive, but he reassured us that he would be fine. The circus lasted without its leader for a few days, before he finally returned. 

He came back, seeming much more absent than usual. I used to love seeing his smile, but something about it just seemed slightly off. His grin was just a bit too sharp, and whenever anyone spoke to him, he almost seemed in pain when he was smiling. Yet, he never stopped. I caught him in his caravan, laughing alone to himself and pulling at the skin on his face, before he noticed me; his neck popped and cracked in a horrific manner, and I felt like I was going to be sick. Never before had he genuinely frightened me, but he had changed. Everyone else in the circus saw it, even though he insisted he was just as he had been.

The circus started to lose business as well. What once was full crowds only ended up being a handful of people, and I never really saw them leave. I tried to talk to my friend, but she knew I had been close with him. The tiefling boy, now fully grown, had grown close to him as well. While not officially an assistant like I was, he was still on Will's good list. 

It wasn't long before Will became violent. He was quick to lash out at all of us, and I witnessed him hurt my friend before. I sat back and watched, horrified at the sight. She didn't trust me after that; she wouldn't even look my way. He refused to let me call him Will, either; it was always the same thing, the persona he put on for his announcements; "Mr. Morgan."

I stopped questioning his motivations, when one day the audience was suddenly filled with young eyeless children, all carved with the same grins on their face, and distant laughter filled the stage; that was when blood started to drip from the stage.