Chapter 9: Scheme
Zia went to an old wooden closet where she and Ansel kept their clothes. She threw the book, belonging to the stranger on her bed. Money fell out all over her bed. When Zia looked at the money, she realized the bills were all hundreds. She counted out two thousand dollars.
The urge to throw the money and leave it there was strong, but she knew she would need it if she made it out of there. She kept wondering what it is she did for the stranger to give her that money.
Zia plopped down on her hard mattress with a sigh. She had never held that much money before. Damien never paid her for her performances. He always told her that the performances were what she paid him for living on the property.
At that moment, she realized that Damien had never been anything but a temporary caretaker. Did he even care? She thought.
Zia fanned out the money and stared at it. She then stacked it in one stack and put in back in the book on her bed. She looked over at the area where the shadow figure stood the evening before. Did she imagine it all?
No, something was there. It felt familiar when it stood behind of her. She remembered that energy. She remembered the calming feeling, but from where? Zia was so confused about everything that had happened to her in such a short time. She started getting a headache again and began rubbing her temples.
Zia stood up and reached into the closet for the limited articles of clothing she owned. Sifting through her and Ansel's things, her mind drifted. She hadn't seen Ansel since Damien came to the cabin and took her away to the strange man. She hoped she was ok.
After Zia packed only the things she needed, she lifted one side of her mattress and pulled out the ring that Ansel gave to her. She knew if she took it with her when Damien was near, he would take it away. She rolled the ring back and forth through her fingers, thinking of a way to hide the ring so she wouldn't lose it.
Zia parted a small block of hair at the base of her hairline and began braiding. She braided the ring in her hair and let the rest of her hair fall over it. Her hair was thick enough to keep it covered. During her performance, she wore a crown with rhinestones anyway. No one would notice.
Satisfied with her work, she wrapped up her hair and went to take a shower. She had not showered since yesterday and felt disgusting. She let the warm water run over her sore skin, washing away her fears and anxiety. She hadn't remembered what happened with the strange man but he did not seem like a bad man. Zia was usually good at sensing good and bad people. Nothing made sense.
After losing track of time, the water began to lose its heat, so she decided to finish her shower. She didn't want to remember what happened anymore. Reserving her energy was the best she could do right now. She tried not to think of it any further and focused on her plan instead.
In the morning, she would leave on foot before anyone woke up. She wouldn't dare leave in the night and face the darkness. She would never make it through the forest alive. She should be able to make it before nightfall. She had to make it before nightfall. Surviving the dark stalkers twice is not likely. "Would the Gods afford me another miracle?"
There was a narrow path that led a little more than halfway towards the town. Following it would be the easy part. After the path led into its undefined terrain, Zia would have to figure out the rest of the way. Her stomach turned at the thought.
"It's the only way out." She whispered as though waiting for someone to give her a sign of an easier way out, but no one would.
The closest landmark was the old church at the end of the forest. The journey was hard. Moving quickly through the woods was extremely difficult. "I can do this". Zia convinced herself. "I am one step closer to knowing what freedom feels like." Zia knew what it felt like to be a prisoner. She knew she couldn't live out her life as such.
Most people were afraid of the church's guardian, but she had no more time for fear. After last night fear would have to be her motivation. Zia got dressed, picked up her things and head out of the cabin towards the direction of the circus.
Walking through the trail was bittersweet this time around. She knew there was no chance she would ever come back to the circus willingly. She would never see Ansel again. She would never be able to perform with Emrie again. She had hoped that Emerie would be ok.
It was so upsetting how they treated Emrie during the last show. What if they hurt him? They don't care about him She thought. Tears welled in her eyes. She wished there was a way to take him with her.
The idea of leaving Emrie broke her heart. He had been there for her for so long. She couldn't picture not being able to see her best friend.
Zia stopped suddenly. This will be our last dance. She covered her face with her hands and wept. She could no longer hold back all she had been feeling. She fell to her knees and screamed, wondering what her purpose on this earth could be. This couldn't be her destiny.
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone