Kitten957

The tent went up during the morning and afternoon of Thursday, as it always did. The little shacks, seeming ready to fall over at a strong wind, went up the evening of Thursday. That night, the circus folk slept. Deep, sleepless dreaming as it was every Thursday night. Early on Friday morning a few of the men and women working would venture out into the town, buying milk, eggs, bacon - anything that they could afford for the weekend. Two strong men would put up the sign, "Cirque des Damnes" it proclaims in huge red letters. Parents find young children excited, thrilled at the idea of this circus that has only just shown up with no warning.

I looked behind me, at the place I had called home for so long. Today marked a day in my life that I never thought would happen. I was leaving this place, for a long time, if not ever. The familiar wood walls greeted me as I looked at the doors I so rarely passed though. Hot food, cool drink and warm friends had always been inside and it had been hard to leave the first time, but now it felt terrifyingly easy. The windows showed me the view inside, my family laughing and having their fun. I smiled, turning my face skyward. The sky was pale with winter clouds, little white snowflakes descending slowly. Smoke floated lazily upwards, as if str