The unexpected

 Before I could look at the person's face, I heard their voice. It was Valentina, a gymnast, who was about to show off her tricks right after my grandpa.  

 "Focus" she whispered to me, with a shaky voice "Come. We need to get out of the tent." 

I looked her in the eyes, and I shook my head. "No way! I need to wait until grandpa finishes his show" she didn't seem convinced, so I quickly added "Mister Ghaard told me to throw petals on the stage in between acts. I can't let him down." 

 Valentina frowned "Focus. You need to come with me. Right now." 

It was weird to see her so persistent, something was clearly wrong. She was always so calm and polite, and very obedient when it came to our boss's orders.   She started dragging me out of the tent, despite my obvious resistance. I tried to oppose, but there wasn't much I could do.   

Once we were standing on the grass outside the tent, she finally let go of my hand. She was looking very pale, as if she just saw a ghost. I thought that it was silly. She was a gymnast, and she has seen grandpa's performances multiple times. Why was she so terrified of his trick? Did she forget that it was just an act, to make the guests shocked?

  "Do you need my help with anything?" I asked, as she hesitated. She was visibly confused, and she didn't know what to answer. It made me annoyed, so I crossed my arms in an angry manner. "If not, then let me go back. I need to do my job. And I want to give grandpa an applause, alongside the public." 

 Valentina's eyes started to get wet. She wanted to look very collected while talking to me, but she was clearly not in the best mood. She tried to stop the tears, but they kept running by her cheeks, ruining her stage make up. I approached her, and hugged her.  

"Hey, don't cry! What's the matter?" I started to feel bad for getting so irritated at her "Did the performance make you so touched? I know that it was great, but you should start preparing for your act. You are scheduled to perform right after Firethorn, no?" 

 As I hugged her, I noticed that her whole body was shaking. I didn't know how to comfort her - she was my big sister, but she was always so mature and collected. I have never seen her weeping like that. I decided to keep her company, and hug her for as long as she needed.

  Suddenly, I heard a loud noise. I probably wouldn't be able to hear it normally, but it was very quiet. Too quiet. Only now did I realise that the music has stopped. I started to look around, to check what the noise was.  

 It was an ambulance. It's roar was irritating to my ears. I wasn't used to hearing loud sirens, so this sound filled my heart with anxiety.   Valentina hugged me back, as if she wanted to hide me from the loud noise. And that's how we remained in a tight hug for a while. 

Only after a few seconds, I managed to ask her "Is the ambulance coming to us? It's getting louder and louder with every second."   

"Yes. But everything's going to be okay. Just don't look up." her voice was shaking, she could barely speak.  

 "Was there an accident?" I frowned, as I tried to get away from her arms. She wasn't a strong person, her posture was rather fragile. But at that moment, her hug seemed to be made of iron, impossible to break through.

  I was able to hear voices of many people, who started to spill out of the tent. That made me very worried. The show was still going on. Why are they leaving? 

 "Did they dislike pawpaw's show? They sound very upset..."  

 "No, no." she whispered "The show was great. I am sure that they loved your grandpa." 

 "Please, just let me see what's going on. I am worried." I really was. But I couldn't ever think of something so bad happening. I thought that there was a minor accident, maybe some kid threw up from consuming too much cotton candy, and started to feel nauseous. Or maybe some elderly woman has fainted, while standing up from her seat.  

The truth was, in fact, a way greater tragedy. One that I could never expect to happen.   

"Please, please! Let me go!" I tried to push her away, but it seemed impossible "I need to see what has happened! I need to check on.." 

 "Your grandpa." she was speaking very quietly, as if talking costed her a lot of willpower. She took a deep breath "He will be fine. He is just having a very quick doctor appointment, that he forgot to tell you about."  

My eyes widened, as I felt a sudden wave of fear "What?" I shook my head "He never forgets to tell me anything. We tell each other everything!" 

 "It was an urgent appointment. But he will be back in a few... days. Now please, let us go to your room. I will play dolls with you, so that you don't have to think about this sad turn of events. Okay, Focus?"  

 I hesitated. There was no point in fighting her anymore, as the ambulance has already fled. I could only hear it's sirens, roaring in the distance. Not to mention that she seemed very scared and anxious right now. I didn't want to make her even more upset, so I just nodded.  Valentina stood up, as she grabbed my hand and led to my room. She still didn't want me to look back, so I was staring at the green grass below my feet, as I followed her.