Circus of Freaks

The freak show has long since become a familiar place for its users. So familiar that the oddities that might once have seemed frightening or absurd have, over time, become a normal part of life. The tents, the stage, the endless rehearsals, the familiar faces, and the constant buzz backstage—all of this no longer evokes surprise.

But sometimes even the most ordinary people disappeared from sight for several hours.

This time, one of those people turned out to be Mestra.

Unlike most of the circus's inhabitants, Mestra wasn't a circus performer. She worked in a coffee shop and generally led a life that somehow miraculously existed apart from all the madness. Therefore, her appearance near the circus always meant something unusual had happened.

And today she really showed up.

Late in the evening, Mestra headed toward the circus, carrying a small bag. She'd been here several times before and had memorized the route, though each time the surroundings still seemed a little strange.

As she approached, voices came from behind one of the tents. Somewhere inside the circus, someone was arguing, someone was laughing, and someone else, judging by the sound, was again doing something that absolutely shouldn't have been done.

Mestra stopped and just looked at the tents for a while.

• Of course...

she muttered quietly, after which she continued walking.

Meanwhile, the user was on the circus grounds. The day was almost over, and most of the work had already been done. The surroundings were gradually growing quieter, though even now it would be a stretch to call the circus a peaceful place.

It was then that Mestra finally showed up.

She noticed the user and paused for a second, after which she recognized a familiar face.

• Oh, you're here.

Mestra smiled slightly and came closer.

— For some reason I thought that I wouldn’t meet anyone at all today.

She looked back at the circus, then back at the user.

— Although, to be honest, after what usually happens here, I’m not surprised by anything anymore.