Chapter Four

As the final act drew to a close, the spotlight shifted to the Ringmaster, his commanding presence emerging from the shadows. His formidable figure was cast in sharp relief against the backdrop of the now subdued tent, the light illuminating him as the focal point of the unforgettable night.

He exuded an air of regal authority and charismatic charm. His deep, resonant voice cut through the remaining murmurs of the audience, capturing their full attention.

"Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls!" He began, his voice rich with a sense of grandeur and warmth.

"Tonight, you have witnessed a spectacle beyond imagination, a celebration of the extraordinary, the magical, and the fantastical. Each performance you have seen tonight is a testament to the dedication and passion of our remarkable performers."

He paused, letting his words resonate through the tent, his eyes sweeping over the audience, who hung on his every word along with an abundance of happiness swirling around them.

"Our clowns have brought laughter to your hearts, their antics a reminder of the joy found in the simplest moments. The Contortionist has shown us the limits of human flexibility, bending and twisting in ways that defy belief. Our Illusionist has mystified and enchanted us, transforming the impossible into reality with a mere flick of the wrist."

The Ringmaster’s gaze shifted towards the Animal Trainer, who stood proudly with her majestic companions.

"And let us not forget the marvels of the animal kingdom, presented with grace and skill. Our Animal Trainer has demonstrated a bond with her magnificent creatures that speaks to the harmony between man and nature. The snakes, tigers, and the bear have performed feats of strength and elegance, reminding us of the wonders that exist in the natural world."

He took a deep breath, allowing a moment of silence to build anticipation.

"The point to be noted is that… tonight, we have shared in a moment of collective wonder, where imagination soared and reality was suspended. We hope that the magic you have experienced will linger long after the tent has been taken down and the lights have dimmed. For the true magic of the circus lies not just in the acts you have witnessed but in the memories you will carry with you."

With a sweeping gesture, the Ringmaster extended his arm towards the performers, who gathered together in a united front, their faces beaming with pride and joy.

"As the final curtain falls, we bid you farewell for now. But remember, this is not a goodbye. The world is full of wonder and excitement, and we look forward to the day when we can once again come together to celebrate the marvels of the circus."

He smiled warmly, his eyes twinkling with a touch of mischief.

"Until then, dear friends, let us meet again when the ‘Whimsical Train’ brings you to us."

With that, he tipped his hat, a gesture both gracious and grand, and stepped back, his voice echoing through the tent as the applause thundered around him.

As the lights began to fade, the members of the circus seemed to vanish right after their figures were obscured as purple flames once again wrapped around them in the growing darkness until nothing was left to witness on the stage.

The audience's cheers rang in their ears as they prepared to leave, their hearts filled with the magic and unforgettable wonder of the night they had just experienced.

As Lia rose from her seat alongside April and Nate, she noticed Danny dozing off while Leo was busy snapping selfies with Danny’s phone. The sight left Lia bemused, marveling at how these kids embodied such a delightful blend of goofiness.

She was nothing like them.

While she had once devoted countless hours to studying, which had made her remarkably smart and intelligent, today's children seemed to devote little to no effort to their studies.

"Why are you praising yourself?" Nate asked as they exited the tent, only to be met with a biting cold wind that stung their faces and made it difficult to keep their eyes open.

"What? Did I say my thoughts out loud?" Lia inquired, her teeth chattering as she hugged her arms around herself in an attempt to generate some warmth.

"Yes, you did. Even though you're just a kid yourself, you seem to hold yourself in high regard. Are you perhaps feeling a bit complexed? That can’t be right," Nate remarked.

Lia snorted in response before retorting, "No, you're just excessively stupid. Wait, is stupidity contagious? Maybe your friends caught it from you."

Nate hissed like an irate cat as he bit Lia’s arm. Lia gasped but struggled to suppress her smile as she responded, "Well, your anger is understandable. I'd be equally annoyed if someone called me stupid."

Lia gave Nate’s head a gentle pat before heading over to April, who was wrapped up in a phone call.

"Hey, what's the plan now?" Lia inquired as soon as April ended the call.

April offered a sympathetic smile in response, "I think we should head out now. The circus ran longer than I anticipated, and if we want to get home before eleven, we need to leave right away. My driver is waiting outside. My mom is fine with it since the driver is here, but I’m concerned about you guys."

Lia hummed thoughtfully, but before she could respond, Nate jumped in, "Actually, we can stay a bit longer. Mom's working overtime at the hospital all week, and Dad's out of town for a month, so we're pretty chill about it too."

April glanced at Lia, awaiting her response, when Danny piped up, his tongue savoring a cone swirled with chocolate and strawberry.

“No, I can’t stay any longer. Even though I didn’t sneak out like Leo and Nate, I have to be back before eleven. Mom’s orders.”

Lia considered the situation before replying, "I think we should head out now that we've seen the circus. Danny has a curfew, and Nate is running a high fever. If Nate’s right, we shouldn’t leave the house unattended for too long."

Nate grumbled in protest but held back his complaints out of consideration for his friend. Meanwhile, April quickly dialed her driver to arrange for their pick-up at the carnival's main entrance.

Lia sighed wearily, feeling the weight of exhaustion. After finishing the call, April approached her and asked, "Hey, did you enjoy the show? I know you’re not a fan of circuses, but I really wanted to bring you here when I heard they were coming to perform in our country."

Lia nodded, saying, “Yeah, I really enjoyed it. I didn’t expect it to be this impressive. Their performance was truly exceptional and… extraordinary.”

April happily nodded in agreement, but her phone buzzed, and she sighed when she looked at the text message that she received from her driver. “Hey, let’s head out and wait at the nearest café. The driver’s saying that he’s stuck in traffic and will come to the closest café to pick us up from there.”

Lia nodded and called out to Nate, “Hey, Nate! Come on, we’re leaving.”

Nate acknowledged her with a nod, quickly snapping a final picture with his friends before hurrying over to where Lia and April were waiting. Once they regrouped, Lia took Nate’s hand, while April clasped both Leo's and Danny’s hands. Together, they walked out of the carnival and made their way to the nearest cafe.

They crossed the bustling street and quickly entered the café closest to both the parking lot and the carnival.

As they waited for their ride, the background was filled with the loud and clear voice of the news anchor reporting the day's headlines. The café had only a few customers, but the television blared at a high volume, ensuring that the news could be heard distinctly.

ANCHOR: “Good evening, I’m Eva Snow, and we begin tonight with a deeply troubling and urgent report that spans across continents. For the past year, a disturbing trend has been unfolding—children are vanishing without a trace from various countries around the globe. And now, the unthinkable has reached our shores.

In a series of heart-wrenching developments, reports have emerged from countries far and wide—Spain, Brazil, Japan, England, and South Africa—each grappling with the inexplicable disappearance of young lives. In every instance, children have vanished in broad daylight, from bustling city streets, crowded parks, and even within the safety of their own homes past bedtime. The pattern is chillingly similar to a case ten years ago with no witnesses, no clues, and no apparent leads.

Authorities in these countries have been working tirelessly, but the cases remain shrouded in mystery. Despite their best efforts, investigators have yet to uncover any tangible evidence or viable suspects. Surveillance footage, forensic analysis, and witness interviews have yielded nothing but frustration and unanswered questions. The disappearances are as baffling as they are heartbreaking, leaving families and communities in a state of constant fear and anxiety.

And now, this grim shadow has fallen over our own country.

In the past few weeks, several children have gone missing under eerily similar circumstances. The sense of dread is palpable, as the unsettling pattern continues. Local authorities have been mobilized, and an extensive investigation is underway, but as of now, no significant breakthroughs have been reported.

Parents and guardians are urged to remain vigilant and ensure the safety of their children at all times. Simple precautions—such as accompanying young ones to and from school, maintaining open lines of communication, and ensuring children are aware of their surroundings—could be crucial in these uncertain times. The authorities are working around the clock, but the lack of leads makes every moment critical.

The community is rallying together, holding vigils, and spreading awareness, hoping that the collective effort might bring about some much-needed answers. Yet, the shadow of uncertainty looms large, and the fear of the unknown grows ever more intense.

We will continue to follow this story closely and bring you updates as they become available. For now, we ask everyone to stay alert and protect their loved ones. The hope is that, with vigilance and unity, we can overcome this chilling wave of disappearances and ensure that every child returns safely to their family.

Stay with us for the latest developments. We will not rest until we have answers. This is Eva Snow, and you’re watching [24/7 Horizon News Channel]. Good night, and stay safe.”

Even though Lia didn't turn to look at the television, keeping her gaze fixed on the outside through the glass door so they could leave as soon as possible, she found herself absorbing every word that the news anchor spoke.

She couldn't quite understand why she was so intently listening to the news, but… she just did.

Despite her attempts to dismiss the anchor's words as unsettling but ultimately out of her control, they lingered in her mind. Lia couldn't shake the curiosity about the cause behind the children's disappearances while she felt a deep sense of empathy for the grieving families, her heart aching as she imagined the anguish of those who had lost their children without any clue as to their fate. The news, with its grim report, left her feeling profoundly sad for those affected.

"Hey, let’s go! The car’s here," April called out before she opened the door to exit, gripping Nate's hand firmly, Lia left the café with the others. They hurried outside and climbed into the white car waiting right by the curb, right beside the sidewalk where vehicles often lined up for quick pickups.