The Tiny Ringmaster (13 page)

A man stood up in the back of the room. “I think we might be better off if we go it alone.” The words hit Ruth like a bullet. She couldn’t stand on stage anymore. She took off running through the double doors, down the hallways, around corners, and out into the forest. She ran past the rock and out towards the waterfalls. It didn’t even matter that it was moments from nightfall, and the already cold temperatures were dropping quickly.

Ruth didn’t stop until she reached the waterfalls. She stumbled on a log to catch her breath. White hot tears stained her face. She gasped for breath in between sobs. Everything was ruined now. Her friends here were no different than her friends at home. She was a failure to everyone. Her eyes began to adjust to the growing darkness. She decided that she would just spend the night by the waterfalls. She should be safe enough here. Tryfod was crazy and self-interested. He obviously didn’t know what he was talking about.

She startled as she heard a rustling. A familiar giggle carried across the little pond. Ruth wiped her eyes. She stood up and noticed the little girl in the tunnel. The girl signaled for Ruth to follow her. Ruth checked around for any signs of Tryfod or Eritol. She thought she might be safer if she followed the little girl. After all, two is more powerful than one. Even though Ruth felt a little uneasy, she carefully crossed the pond on the stepping stones as the last of the sun’s rays disappeared from the sky.

The tunnel was pitch dark. “Hello? Hello??” Ruth heard the giggles again a little further into the tunnel. She stretched out her arms to feel her way through. She realized the opening was only big enough for a child – or an animal. She shuddered.

“Hello?? Heeelllllloooo? Where are we going?”

Ruth heard the laughter again. She was starting to panic. Maybe this hadn’t been a good idea. Tryfod said that it was very dangerous. She took a few more steps and was relieved to see twinkling lights at the end of the tunnel. She picked up her pace.

Ruth had to bend down to crawl out of the tunnel into the open. She stood up and brushed herself off. Her hoodie was covered in dirt. She sneezed and quickly covered her mouth. She crouched behind some rocks hoping to spot the little girl. She sneezed again as the stench from the alley hit her.

She was still having a hard time seeing in the dark, but she realized that the tunnel had ended in a small village. The street was lined with small lamps, but half of them were burnt out. The roads were very muddy, and the sidewalks were covered in garbage. The walls of the store fronts hadn’t been washed in a very long time. Ruth wrinkled her nose and turned back around to the tiny hole. She should go back now. This place was gross.

Again, she heard the giggling over her left shoulder. She noticed a building with all the lights on and the windows open. She could hear people talking. She looked at the tiny hole again. She thought to herself, “Just see what this place is. Then you can go back. Maybe you won’t have to sleep outside if you find the little girl.”

She tried to stay hidden as she scurried across the street and crouched under the window. She turned her head so that her right ear was just beneath the window sill. She could hear men’s voices.

“Well the anniversary is coming up.”

“It is. In a week!”

“It’s supposed to be the big one!”

They all laughed heartily.

“Now don’t you know, they think they are going to win this year.”

“I don’t know why anyone would want this dump back.”

“Well they can have it. I’m ready for somewhere cleaner. This place is filthy.”

Ruth’s eyes widened as she realized where she was. Her heart began to beat faster, and she covered her mouth so that she wouldn’t make a sound.

“There’s a little girl now.”

“She’s supposed to make all the difference.”

They all laughed again.

“Joe, what’s gotten into you?”

“If I tell you something, will you swear not to say a thing?”

The men all muttered their agreement.

“Druskov is acting crazy. He heard about the prophecy. He’s been reading some books in the library. He thinks the girl is dangerous.”

The men laughed again.

“She’s a tiny thing! What could she possibly do?!”

“I… I dunno. She’s from Earth, you know.”

The men gasped in disbelief. They all became quieter, and the tone of the conversation changed.

“Those people from Earth can be dangerous. What’s Druskov going to do?”

“Well… this… this is the part that you can’t repeat…”

Ruth held her breath. She could feel the sweat dripping down her forehead. The men encouraged him to continue.

“She travels back and forth from Earth. Next time she does it, Druskov’s going to snatch her.”

“And do what with her?”

“I think… well it’s just a rumor… but…”

“Is he going to kill her?”

Ruth leaped up with fright and hit her head on the window sill. She froze.

“What was that? I swear I heard something knocking around outside.”

Ruth heard the chairs scrape across the floor, and she darted towards the tunnel. She scraped her knee climbing down through the opening. She didn’t stop running until she was on the other side of the tunnel. She paused for a moment to catch her breath. Her heart was beating out of her chest. She then leaped across the pond, scooted around the log, and darted back across the forest. She tripped a few times in the dark, but she picked herself up. She wasn’t stopping until she was back safely inside the tent.

When she finally saw the tent, she took off in a sprint. She flung the double doors open and screeched to a halt in front of Tryfod, Eritol, and Ginger, who had all been waiting anxiously. Ginger gasped in horror at the filthy, bruised child. Tryfod knelt down in concern and panic.

“Sweet Ruth, are you ok?!”

Ruth wrapped herself around his arm and started sobbing.

“I’ve seen you’ve had quite a shock. Would you like Ginger to help you get cleaned up?”

Ruth shook her head furiously. She pried herself from Tryfod’s arm. “Tryfod, I need to talk to you.” She looked up at everyone’s horrified faces. “Alone.”

Tryfod nodded. “Of course, child.” He scooped her up in his arms, and he walked slowly down the hallway. “Let’s head to Eliza’s office.”

Ruth tried to patch all of her thoughts together. Tryfod placed the small child down in front of a small door. He pulled out a key and unlocked it. The room was plain and small. A set of switches adorned one of the white walls, while two chairs, a desk, and two other doors completed the room. Tryfod closed the door to the hallway, and Ruth settled in the smaller chair. Tryfod couldn’t hide his concern as he settled himself. “Ruth, what happened?”

Ruth was embarrassed that she hadn’t listened to Tryfod before, but now she had to be honest. Her life depended on it. “I went into the forest. I know I wasn’t supposed to, but I was so upset. Those things they said about me…” Her little voice quivered, but she continued. “I ran out to the pond and the waterfalls. I saw the little girl again, and I followed her through the tunnel.” Ruth thought she saw something flicker through Tryfod’s eyes, but it was gone before she could figure it out. “Now I realize why you didn’t want me over there. I saw the town. It was filthy and smelly and scary. I crept over to an open window because I was curious…”

She waited for Tryfod to start yelling, but he remained composed. “Tryfod, I think they are going to kidnap me next time I try to go home. And… and…” Ruth was so frightened that she couldn’t speak. Tryfod interrupted gravely. “Now let’s not speculate on what might happen.” Tryfod was visibly upset.

“I hate to lay more on you after the night you’ve had. Heaven knows I wanted to wait until a more appropriate time to tell you all of this. Now I’m afraid I don’t have a choice. First, let me clarify something. I can’t have this hanging on my conscious. Pepé did not spill your secret. He came to me very upset after the ceremony and swore that he hadn’t broken his promise.”

Ruth could still feel the sting of the betrayal. “But he was the only person that knew.” Tryfod shook his head. “That’s not true. After a brief investigation, I found that Lucin had overheard your conversation at tea. Through his vast network, he was able to quickly spread hurtful rumors and lies. He has been released from his duty.”

Ruth felt relieved and saddened all at once. She was happy that Pepé hadn’t betrayed her, but couldn’t figure why Lucin would do such a thing. It was tough to understand why he hated her so much. Tryfod read her thoughts.

“I know it’s a tough pill to swallow. Lucin had built up resentment for many years that has little to do with you. You see, a very long time ago, Lucin’s people were kings and prophets, but they were reduced to our servants after a nasty war. Perhaps one day you will learn our varied history, but I think that is all that needs to be said for tonight. Lucin will no longer bother you.”

He rose from his chair, and Ruth got up to follow him. He walked through one of the doors into a tiny hallway. He opened the other door at the end of the hallway, which led to Ruth’s room. Ruth looked at him confused. She thought her room was on the other side of the tents. Tryfod patted the bed for Ruth to take a seat. “I have to show you something.”

He walked back out and turned off the lights. It was very dark. He flicked another switch, and Ruth heard a buzz over her head. Glow-in-the-dark stars shined brightly – just like the set she had at home. Tryfod turned the stars off and turned the lights back on. Ruth spoke first.

“Are those my stars?”

“Well, not exactly. They are the matching set.”

“Excuse me?”

“Those are the matching pairs to your stars.”

Ruth looked at Tryfod like he was crazy. “Huh?”

“Ruth, we control the stars. We called you here.”

Ruth stood up and paced around the little room. “So I’m not controlling it? But why did I end up in the forest the first time?”

Tryfod barely hid his embarrassment. “My dear, I’m afraid that was mine and Eliza’s mistake. Our magic was a little rusty. We were surprised when you appeared because we thought it didn’t work.” He let out a small laugh and smoothed his beard. “We weren’t expecting you just yet.”