Total pages in book: 20
Estimated words: 18406 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 92(@200wpm)___ 74(@250wpm)___ 61(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 18406 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 92(@200wpm)___ 74(@250wpm)___ 61(@300wpm)
Jasper arrives, his expression dark with worry. He kneels by the cage, inspecting the latch. “This shouldn’t have happened,” he mutters, the clinking of the cage door echoing his frustration. He turns to the animal handlers, who are pale and anxious.
“We locked it last night, I swear,” one of them stammers, his voice tinged with fear.
Jasper’s eyes narrow, his voice cold and commanding. “Well, it’s open now. Someone tampered with it.”
I watch from a distance, my heart pounding. If someone’s targeting the animals, it means the danger is escalating. The murmurs of fearful performers ripple through the camp, and the distant roars of Zeus add to the tension.
“Track him down–do whatever it takes but don’t call the local police–we don’t need a public scandal on top of everything else.” Jasper growls.
The lead lion tamer, Sophia, nods and hauls a bag of fresh meat over her shoulder as she gestures for her assistants to follow her into the distant woods. “We’ll catch him, Jasper. Zeus looks like a killer but he’s really a kitten. I raised him since he was a cub, he’ll come to me as soon as he hears my whistle and catches a whiff of his favorite snack.”
Later that evening, the atmosphere in the big top is thick with anticipation. Gabriella, our high wire artist, steps onto the wire, her sequined costume sparkling under the spotlights. The audience watches with bated breath. Suddenly, there’s a loud twang, and the wire snaps. Gabriella plummets into the safety net below, her scream piercing the air.
The audience gasps, panic spreading like wildfire. Jasper rushes to help Gabriella, who’s shaken but miraculously unharmed. I climb up to inspect the wire, my hands trembling. There are clear signs of tampering—this wasn’t an accident. How is someone managing this right under our noses? The thought is unnerving–with so many people around how are they getting away with this? I think then that whoever is responsible must be doing this under the cover of night while the rest of the circus sleeps.
Jasper’s voice cuts through the chaos, issuing urgent commands to ensure Gabriella’s safety. The performers gather, their faces etched with fear and uncertainty. The colorful tents now feel like a prison, the joy they once brought overshadowed by dread.
Dante stands in the center of the circle, trying to reassure everyone. “We’ll get to the bottom of this. I promise you all, we’ll find out who’s behind these attacks.”
His words ring hollow, though. I exchange a look with Jasper, knowing we need answers fast. The low murmur of worried voices fills the air, the rustling of costumes creating a tense backdrop.
“Someone’s trying to destroy us,” I whisper to Jasper, my voice barely audible over the din.
He nods, his jaw set in determination. As the performers disperse, I stay close to Jasper. His presence is a steadying force, but there’s also a magnetic pull that’s hard to ignore, intensified by the danger and adrenaline coursing through my system.
We head to the security tent, where Jasper continues his investigation. I stand by his side, offering my insights and support. Despite the rising tension, our playful banter occasionally slips through, a welcome distraction from the true gravity of our situation.
“Looks like you’re stuck with me,” I tease lightly, trying to lighten the mood.
Jasper glances at me, a faint smile tugging at his lips. “Could be worse.” His eyes hang on mine. “To be honest, there’s no one else I’d rather spend my time with.”
My cheeks flame with his flirty looks as my admiration for Jasper grows—his intelligence, his strength, and the way he carries the weight of this responsibility with such grace and makes me feel so protected at the same time. Finally, we step outside, the cool night air a stark contrast to the tension inside. The circus tents are illuminated by the moonlight, casting an almost ethereal glow.
“We’ll catch them,” Jasper says, his voice filled with resolve, but it sounds like he’s trying to convince himself as much as me.
I nod, my confidence in him unwavering. He’s the most calm and competent man I’ve ever met. He’s the kind of man that makes me want things I’ve never wanted before. I pride myself on being independent, attaching myself to no one, but with him…I want things like forever. As we stand there, side by side, I realize just how much I’ve come to rely on him.
The security tent is bathed in a warm, flickering glow from the lantern on the table. Jasper and I sit close together, our shoulders almost touching. The intimate proximity sends a thrill through me, one I’m not sure how to handle just yet. Our connection has deepened through the chaos, and tonight feels like a turning point.
“I’ve always been afraid of failure,” I confess, my voice barely above a whisper. The admission feels raw, vulnerable. “Every time I’m up there, swinging on the trapeze, it’s not just about the performance. It’s about proving to myself that I can do it, that I’m not a failure.”