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Gage leads me down the narrow aisle, past rows of curious faces. I can feel their eyes on me, sizing me up, trying to figure out who I am and what I’m doing here. My gaze remains fixed straight ahead as we go to the back of the bus.
We settle into a pair of empty seats, and Gage pulls me close, his arm draped over my shoulders. I lean into him, inhaling his scent, letting it calm my frayed nerves.
“You okay?” he asks.
I nod, not trusting myself to speak. I’m scared and excited all at once, my emotions swirling in a way that makes me dizzy.
Settling into my seat, my heart is still racing. Suddenly, a girl in the seat in front turns around and smiles. She has dark brown hair and green eyes that sparkle.
“Hi there! I’m Alice,” she says, extending her hand. “And this is Lily.” She gestures to the stunning blonde woman sitting beside her, who gives me a small wave.
“I’m Aurora,” I reply, shaking Alice’s hand and feeling a sense of relief wash over me. Seeing other girls my age on the bus is comforting, and their friendly demeanor puts me at ease.
“So, what brings you here?” Lily asks.
I glance at Gage, and he gives me a reassuring nod. “Well, I met Gage at the carnival, and we just...connected. I couldn’t imagine letting him leave without me.”
Alice and Lily exchange a knowing look. “We know exactly how you feel,” Alice says, her eyes twinkling. “Lily and I were swept off our feet by carnival workers, too.”
My eyes widen. “Really?”
Lily smiles. “I met Cade three months ago, and everything just clicked into place. I knew I had to be with him, no matter what.”
Alice chimes in, “And I met Lars at the same time. He’s quiet and reserved, but something about him draws me in. I can’t explain it.”
A rush of relief and excitement washes over me, knowing that other girls on this bus understand what I’m going through and have experienced the same intense connection with someone from the carnival.
“It’s crazy, isn’t it?” I say, leaning forward in my seat. “The way they can just get under your skin like that. Make you feel things you never thought possible.”
Alice and Lily both nod. “It’s like nothing I’ve ever experienced before,” Lily says. “Cade is intense. Dangerous, even. But I can’t stay away.”
I think of Gage, the darkness that lurks behind his eyes, and how he sees me in a way I’ve never been seen before. “I know exactly what you mean,” I say.
As the bus rumbles away from Glendale, I feel like I belong. Surrounded by possible new friends who understand the pull of the carnival and the men who work there, I know I’m exactly where I’m meant to be.
27
GAGE
One month later…
Iwrap my arms around Aurora as we settle into bed in our trailer in the newest town, Redwater. Her presence hasn’t felt intrusive since we left Glendale, which has surprised me. I’m not used to sharing my space with anyone, yet she fits like a missing puzzle piece.
“Will you tell me about your childhood?” she asks softly.
I stiffen, my muscles tensing.
Aurora senses my discomfort and adds, “I can tell you about mine, too.”
I take a deep breath, knowing that sharing this part of myself is a step toward healing. With Aurora by my side, I feel a glimmer of hope that I can confront the demons of my past.
“My stepdad was a monster,” I begin, my voice barely above a whisper. “He beat me and my mom regularly. When I was eight, he beat her so badly that she died.”
Aurora gasps, squeezing my hand gently. “After that, he started raping me because he didn’t have anyone to ‘satisfy’ him. It went on for four years until I couldn’t take it anymore. I killed him.”
Aurora pulls me closer, her embrace providing a comfort I’ve never known. “I’m so sorry you had to go through that,” she murmurs. “No one should have to endure such horrors at any age.”
“What about you?” I ask, intrigued to learn more about the girl who has shattered the walls around my heart. A heart I thought no longer beat.
