Cirque Periculum

Chapter 10.2

The younger group of performers lagged behind the others, darting in and out of the waves as they walked along the beach. They were walking toward the dock with their shoes in their hands and smiles on their faces. The rest of the performers walked ahead of them.

Kirk teleported out into the wake a few feet so he was waist deep in the water. He jumped up before teleporting again, reappearing and splashing Riley as he landed.

"Hey!" Riley laughed, kicking water back at him. Adam walked deeper into the wake, jumping over the waves. Looking around to check for tourists, Adam found the coast was clear and sent a pulse straight down at the water, soaking all of them and even Largo and Mr. Salem, who walked ten feet ahead of them. That immediately got them back onto the beach and walking in silence.

Adam strolled back to them in a fit of giggles, failing to hide them from Mr. Salem, who turned around and glared at them.

Kirk fell in step with Connor, lagging behind Adam and Riley, who were chasing each other again and splashing.

"Connor, I've been thinking about the performance," Kirk whispered. "I don't think that it was Mr. Salem that burned your trapeze."

"Who else could it be? Unless someone got me to burn my own rope without me knowing it."

Kirk didn't smile. "I don't know about that, but I do know that there's a rival camp. I think that they did it."

"Why would they do that?" Connor said. "They don't know me."

"But they know Mr. Summertin, and what he's looking for. They can probably put together the reason why you were asked to join."

Connor shook his head, his brow furrowed. "They asked everyone that was glowing to join. They all had powers. And I didn't even say yes at first."

Kirk's eyebrows rose. "You said no to the circus?"

Connor nodded. "That's not the point. Who are these people then? What do they want with me?"

"They want to stop you."

"From doing what?"

Kirk glanced around before leaning in closer. "Finding the Alchemist's Mirror."

Connor looked at him, Amanda's prophecy ringing in his ears. Fear the alchemist. "What is the Alche-"

Kirk made a choking noise, elbowing him in the gut. "Well hello Mr. Salem, it's nice to see you today. I'm sorry about Adam's splashing. He's a wild one that one."

Connor lurched around to see Mr. Salem standing a few paces ahead of them, staring at the duo. He sneered before continuing on without uttering a word.

"Do you think he heard us?" Connor whispered once he was out of earshot.

"No, not unless he's suddenly developed telepathy," Kirk chuckled. "Besides, if he had heard us we would be two piles of ashes. We aren't supposed to talk about- y'know..."

"The Alchemist's Mirror?"

Kirk nodded. "I don't think Mr. Summertin would be very happy if he knew that I told you. It'd be better for you not even to think about it when you're around any of the performers, especially Amanda and Riley. Nobody can know."

"Kirk I don't even know! I don't know what it is, or why he wants it, or where it is."

"Hey guys," Adam exclaimed, splashing them with water. "Watcha talking about?"

"Nothing!" Kirk exclaimed, going rigid. He doesn't even trust Adam? "We were just talking about... the last performance."

"Oh yeah! Did you see me? I was a hit out there!"