THE CIRCUS
By Anna Triviño
Translated by Gabriela Clarke
The looming figures crossed my path constantly. I squeezed Lila tightly and clung to my scarf as I ran.
The main tent took up the most beautiful spot at the fair. Even at night, it glittered with red and white hues. Huge torches dotted the path all the way up to the door.
“Mama! Mama!” I called as I tore through the thousands of people clustered around the booths and gathered at spontaneous shows.
Tears started to streak down my cheeks. A few times, I saw Mama in a few dark-haired girls who peacefully ate cotton candy. I tried to visualize her face, terrified I would forget it and it would be swept away in the wind.
The night continued, and I could barely see where I was going. I turned to the right a couple times and later to the left. Instantly, I knew the last turn had been a bad decision.
I was by a pair of big caravans. It was dim, and there were hardly any people. A couple men dressed as clowns — who looked more like monsters to me — laughed loudly, both holding drinks in their hands.
Startled, I reeled back. I tried not to make any noise as I backed away, but I ran into one of the caravans. The laughing stopped, and four dark eyes bored into mine.
“Are you lost, little girl?” asked the tallest one.
I started to run, deeper into the labyrinth of caravans. I thought I heard them laughing again, and ran faster.
I regretted not waiting for Mama. She had told me to stay by the Ferris wheel, but I had been scared by all the chaos and run away. By the time I was sorry, it was late at night. The Ferris wheel was covered by the main tent . . . the main tent!
I stopped for a moment. Of course! If I could catch a glimpse of it, I could follow it back to the path.
At nine years old, people were always surprised at my level of understanding. That was why Mama had brought me to this dreadful fair — as a surprise for my good report card.
Looking around, I realized that now the big trucks were blocking my view. I didn’t want to cry any more, not now. There was no time for that. I took a moment to calm myself while I looked at Lila, my doll. She was a little scary too, in this light, with her white porcelain face and exaggerated brown ringlets, but she had been by my side this whole time.
I took choppy breaths until I was better and resumed the race.
I’ll never be able to explain how it happened, but suddenly the imposing entrance of the main tent was looming over me. My eyes squeezed shut from the glare of the blinding lights. Amazed at the massive size, my curiosity to see the inside was so strong it almost burned. I pushed through the flap without even taking the time to look at the rest of the tent.
A circular stadium took up most of the space, forcing the layers of stands to be very close to each other with steep stairs. Everything was embellished with bold, beautiful colors. The show was about to begin.
The music swelled and the smell of buttered popcorn settled in my nostrils. I clapped loudly for the clowns as they juggled colorful balls.
Everything seemed like a dream, even to the end of the magnificent show. Then the circus director appeared, and for a moment I thought he seemed too tall and too thin to be a person.
He wore a pretty top hat with a matching black suit, and came toward me. He was spinning some sort of staff between his fingers with astonishing ease.
“Hello, dear. Are you lost?” he asked in a mellow voice.
I nodded.
“Well, I think I can help you . . . but you would have to give me something in return. You understand, no?” He sat next to me, nimbly perching on the bench. “I love the doll you have with you. What’s her name?”
“Lila,” I replied in a shy whisper.
“That’s a beautiful name. How would you like it if I helped you find your mother?”
I nodded, excited. Mama would tell me everything was alright, and that was all I wanted.
“Excellent. But before we do that, you need to give me the doll. It’s a trade, you see? You give me Lila and I will return you to your mother. Alright?”
I nodded again, but not as happily this time.
Hugging Lila tightly, I gave her to the strange man. I didn’t want to give her away, but I knew I had to.
“Now it’s my turn,” he said. He reached into his pocket and pulled out an hourglass with sand and beautiful trinkets inside. “Here, take it in your hand.”
I didn’t have time to reply. The circus faded away rapidly, dissolving into nothing.
I opened my eyes, drenched in sweat. I drew in several deep breaths, slowly realizing it had been a dream . . . and then I gasped.
Lila was gone, but on my nightstand there was an hourglass with beautiful trinkets inside.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: ANNA TRIVIÑO
Hi! I’m Anna, and I live in Spain. I have loved to tell and be told stories ever since I could understand them, and now my favorite hobbies are reading and writing. My dream is to become a great writer — that’s how I want to spend my life. I still have much to learn, and I look to Stephen King as a reference as far as quality of writing. Photography and directing are some of my other hobbies — I shoot a lot of video clips and films. I’m excited to be part of the Book Nook, and I hope you enjoy it. Until next time!
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