Delusions of the Mind

Day 5- Replaced

We’re on day five, most of our people who haven’t been the target of everyone’s arguments are holding up well. Ali’s service this morning left more wet faces than expected. I surely thought everyone was going to blame me again, I couldn’t blame them though. I had never had the best mental state of the performers here who suffer from some form of mental illness.

The medications I had been prescribed, would soon run out. Even taking them every other day, I only had four days left. My symptoms haven’t shown back up though. Perhaps I could survive lock down without them. Putting my medication away in a small black lockbox, as footsteps carried through the air. Everyone was outside enjoying the day, so who was coming to visit me at this time of day?

“You’re a liability.” The voice came through the air, almost like a cold chill. The hair on my arm rising, as he stood in the shadows.

Looking around the supposedly empty warehouse thinking how did this man get inside? The only entrance was the southern side, which faced the circus setup. He couldn’t have gotten inside without being seen by someone else.

“What do you want?” I inquire, still trying to process why I was a liability, and to who.

“You’re a liability.” Came the voice again. The eerie rasp grating against my eardrums.

“I understand that! What I don’t understand is who I am a liability to.” I reply, stepping closer to the shadow.

“WIC.” Floated the voice.

“Who is WIC?” I ask, even more confused.

“Doctor.” Replied the shadows

“What doctor? Why am I a liability? I don’t understand what they want from me.” I state, almost shouting now. I was getting answers only to end up more confused.

“Evan? Are you in here?” Came Emilia’s voice.

“What about me?” I ask, trying my best not to look away. The last time Emilia had appeared, the mysterious man vanished without a trace.

Watching him put a finger over his lips, retreating further into the dark, while Emilia’s footsteps grew louder. Spinning around catching Emilia in a hug.

“Thanks. I needed that. What are you still doing in here? Everyone is looking for you.” Emilia says as we separate.

“I just needed time to think. What do they want with me? If they are wanting to accuse me again, I’ll stay right where I am.” I reply, looking at her blood-shot eyes, “How are you holding up?”

“I’ll be alright, losing my best friend wasn’t expected.” Emilia stated, giving me a small smile, trying to assure me she was going to be ok.

“We should go see what they want from me.” I reply, moving to the side, allowing her enough room to turn around and follow me out.

The group of performers standing in a circle around the head ringmaster. Feeling my palms become slick with sweat. Something wasn’t right about this meeting, had Ariella got her wish having me removed from the list of current performers?

“Evan, I tried to stop the decision!” Ben stated as I walked up. So that was it, I was being replaced by a smaller, lesser-known performer.

“What decision?” I question the group not taking my eyes off Antonio.

Antonio is the current head ringmaster; he doesn’t appear in the ring with us anymore. He now adjusts the budget, picks our venues, and takes care of the rest of what is considered boring office work. Unfortunately, the rest of that office work, includes rearranging the performers at will, or replacing them when need be.

“We we’re just discussing, if you should be allowed to retain your spot on the performance roster.” Antonio replied, his dark blue eyes shining brightly as he held my stare.

“You have got to be kidding me. The next performance may not even be held now seeing as were under lockdown!” I exclaimed, glancing around at the group.

“The fact remains there are fifty-nine of us left. We can’t rule out the fact that you may be the killer.” Antonio replied, this remark was obviously said, because no one trusted me.

“As you pointed out there are fifty-nine of us left. Any one of us could be the killer!” I shout, storming off to the tent to get my costume and juggling pins. There is no point in leaving them if I won’t be on the roster.

“I told you, you’re a liability.” That cold, unyielding voice rang.

“Not you again.” I mutter, not bothering to turn around.

“Yes, me again. They think you’re a murderer. They fear you, thinking your expendable.” The voice spoke again.

“That is the most you have said to me so far. So, tell me who wants me, and what for?” I ask, turning around, shocked to see the man’s face this time. He was over six foot tall, with medium length black hair. His unnerving copper red eyes settling over me.

This man, whoever he was, was unnaturally unnerving. The way he played with the short-sword, one of our sword-swallowers had left out. Tapping his long, ghastly white fingers on the polished silver blade. The contrast unmistakable. Whoever this man was, he reminded me of the angel of death. A crisp black suit tailored perfectly to him. His gold cuff links being the only normal thing about him.

“I can speak full sentences. We we’re never alone long enough for me to speak freely.” He replied.

“Why would you need to speak freely? Who are you anyways?” I inquire, needing more information.

“My name is Gabriel, that doesn’t answer anything I know, so how about I do. You and your peers have ninety-five more days with me. You either survive, or escape, simple as that. I have a score of one so far.” Gabriel stated.

“You’re the one behind Ali’s death?” I asked.

“Yes, even if she didn't die by my hand, I told you, you’re a liability to the ones around you. You can either play by my rules, fight to survive, or figure out how to escape. I’ll be in touch eventually.” Gabriel stated, exiting the tent.