The driver nods to the security guard, winds the window up, and puts the car into gear, driving toward the gate where the other security guard has opened it up. The car slowly inches forward, and my driver is far from the relaxed and more social man he was before. He looks so tense, his face in the rearview mirror is wrinkled, frowny, and definitely stressed. I don’t think there will be any issue with him taking his time. I think if he could, he would floor the accelerator, yank the hand brake, slide the limo sideways toward the door, and kick me out on the way past.
When he does stop, I quickly make my way out of the car before the driver jumps out to help to pull my luggage out of the trunk. I’m all ready to go by the time he reaches me, and when he holds out his hand, I grasp it.
“Good luck,” he says. “I think you’re going to need it.” He pushes a business card into my hand. “You look like a nice girl. Don’t think it didn’t escape my attention that you never told me what you were doing with this lot. If you need a lift or anything, call me.”
He looks up at the dome with a shudder before he quickly gets back into the limo and drives off, the limo disappearing in a cloud of dust. One minute, it’s there, and then it’s through the gate and gone.
My neck stretches as I tip my head back to look all the way to the top of the dome. It really is a sight to see. I walk over to it, reaching out to feel the side, but my hand is stopped by some kind of invisible barrier.What the fuck?When I push a little harder, the barrier warms up until my hand is able to pass through it. At the unexpected feel of the material, I pull my hand back, looking between it and the dome in shock. It’s weird; it looks like a fabric or canvas tent, like any other circus, but it’s not. It’s almost as if it’s made of a type of metal. Smooth and cold and almost like there’s a slight electrical current running through it. It’s so strange, and I’m a little wary about what to make of it. To make the situation even odder, there’s now no one around. What happened to all the little ants that I’d seen running around in the distance?
Blowing out a breath, I step back from the dome, pacing back and forth while rubbing my hands against my pants. Well, this is it, I’m standing here, expectations high, just like the kids inCharlie and the Chocolate Factory. My very own Willy Wonka should be appearing any minute. My heart is beating a million miles an hour, and my breathing has quickened. I cannot wait to start the next part of my big adventure, but taking that final step is hard… freaking hard.
Suddenly, the door in the dome flies open, slamming back against the building. “Well, what are you waiting for, girly? A marching band or a parade?” The gruff voice sounds out from the darkness inside the doorway, surprising me with its normalcy. “Well, you’re flat out of luck. Get your ass in gear. We ain’t got all day, and the Misters Adams are waiting for you.”
I’ve been led into the dome and shown into an empty room that looks like it may be an office or an executive suite. It has a huge picture window that overlooks the whole inside of the arena, and to say I am speechless would be an understatement. There’s tiered seating all around the edges of the dome, surrounding what looks like a traditional circus ring on steroids. It’s the size of a soccer field! I can’t make out what the flooring is made of, but it doesn’t look like the traditional sawdust you would expect. My eyes jump up from the floor, following the curve of the walls, to study the setup. Halfway up, I can see some sort of rigging, probably for a trapeze act or something similar. There are also cat walks and a lighting rig that would put a major rock concert to shame. Down on the floor, under the seating, there are doors leading to the backstage area, and one in particular draws my eyes due to its sheer size. This must be how they get their sets or props in and out of the ring.What else could need to pass through doors that big?
Generally, the setup is impressive and a bit baffling. They must have a crew of hundreds to get it all set up basically overnight.
The door handle creaks, and I turn around just in time to see three gentlemen walk into the room. They look to be in their mid to late forties, and all are on the tall side with slender builds. Their hair is dark, all styled to various lengths, and one even has it in a man bun.How hipster.The coloring is similar to mine, but it’s difficult to figure out exactly what the shade is. Two of them are wearing jeans and t-shirts, but one is wearing a suit. They also all have brilliant emerald green eyes that are currently staring at me with varying degrees of excitement. Identical triplets, how the hell am I going to tell them apart? It’s lucky they have different hair.But wait…Aren’t they a little young to be my grandfathers? Just my luck that I’d come all this way to meet them but they send out some strange welcoming committee instead.
“Welcome, welcome.” The suited one with the shorter tousled hair steps toward me with his arms stretched wide. I take a little step back, not ready to go there yet, and he stops, looking a little abashed. “Yes, well, I’m John Adams, and this is William—buzz cut—and Eric—man bun. We are so excited to finally meet you, Lila. Why don’t we take a seat?” he says, gesturing to the plush couches in the room. “I’m sure you have many questions.”
“Yes,” says William as he walks to the couches and sits down, crossing one leg over a knee. “Let’s get it all out in the open and out of the way. Then we can see if you’ll run screaming or if you’ve got what it takes to lead the Galaxy Circus.” He looks at me, forehead furrowed and eyes squinty like he’s sure that it’s going to be the former.
Whoa, he’s not pulling his punches. Guess they’re not all Team Lila.
“Sure, Grandpa,” I say, smirking at him, “but I don’t scare easily.” I stalk to the couch opposite him and sit down, enjoying the way the grandpa comment made him just a little green. Maybe he’s not used to being called that. I’m pretty sure Mr. Ryding said I was the only option as far as grandchildren, so it’s probably safe to say that he wouldnt be used to it.
“Good, good,” says man bun Eric, casually throwing himself onto another couch. “How about we give you the rundown? Anything we miss, you can ask about later.”
Looking between the three of them, their serious faces tell me that we’re getting straight into this. I nod my agreement, happy that I’m not going to have to do some silly small talk. Really, all I want at the moment is answers.
“So, I’ll start. One,” John begins, counting off on his fingers, “Galaxy Circus is manned by aliens; that’s not a gimmick.” My heart skips a beat, but I’m not sure what to think or feel other than that. My mind is starting to come up with a wild idea that these men might be crazy, but I don’t see any easy way out of this room.Looks like I’m hearing them out. For now.
“Two, Galaxy Circus travels from planet to planet, working as a kind of United Nations. We make deals and trades between various different species.” I’m pretty sure my heart has stopped beating now. “Three, we are also used as a bit of a transport service for species who would like to travel the galaxy. You can think of us as a tour service for aliens. They work for us, and they get travel included in their salary.”
Now my heartbeat kicks back in at the rate of a freight train. I can practically feel my blood pressure rising, and I’m sure steam is pouring out of my ears like a cartoon character.
“Four, we are not human; therefore, it’s safe to sayyou’renot human either.”
“Stop,” I shout, jumping out of my seat, interrupting his little spiel. “Just stop!” I’m just about vibrating with anger. What kind of lunatics fly someone all the way to England for a practical joke? How did I get picked as the hapless orphan who’s probably going to end up as some stupid viral sensation? There’s got to be cameras somewhere if this is the bullshit they’re trying to sell me. How did I get my hopes up forthis?
“I don’t know who you think you are or why you think I’d buy this shit.” I look around the room, making eye contact with each of them. “Where are the cameras? Who put you up to this? This is fucked up. I can’t believe I quit my job and flew halfway around the world for this shit.”
I start walking to the door, grabbing my luggage as I go. Maybe I can catch a lift into town and find someone to take me back to London. Hopefully that damn plane ticket is changeable.
“Stop, Lila,” orders William. “I can assure you everything John told you is true, and we can prove it to you.” He’s still sitting on the couch, legs crossed, looking for all the world like we’re not having a conversation regarding aliens. “Prove to me you’ve got what it takes. Prove to me you aren’t a pussy and there’s Adams blood flowing through your veins. Sit down, and we’ll discuss this in detail.”
“John, you dickhead,” says Eric from his perch. If he hadn’t just spoken, I would have thought he was asleep. Arm resting across his eyes, his body is spread out along the sofa. “If I knew you were going to do it like that, I wouldn’t have let you take point. I thought you had it under control.”
“Agreed,” grunts William. He gets up and walks across to me at the door, keeping enough distance between us until some of the anger softens from my face. “Please,” he asks gently. Such a soft word from a previously gruff man makes me pause—call me a sucker, I know. I’m well aware I’ve got some sort of common sense or self-preservation instinct on the fritz, but I allow him to take my arm and walk me back to the sofa.
“I’m sorry,” John mutters, “you aren’t the only one who is nervous.” He has the grace to look ashamed while he says that, briefly glancing over at me while avoiding the gazes of his brothers. The other two still look a bit disgruntled when their eyes stray to their brother.
Eric picks up a phone from the table next to his sofa. “Yes, can I get a pot of coffee, four cups, and some pastries to the executive suite, please. Thank you.” He hangs up and settles back onto the couch. “While we wait, let’s start at the beginning. Humans are not the only beings in the world, and Earth is not the only habitable planet. In fact, our home planet Skar is the birthplace of what you would call the human race. Looking for new adventures, a group left our planet many, many eons ago. Their ship suffered catastrophic engine failure, but they were able to safely crash land on Earth. They managed to survive and thrive over the years. Unfortunately, they found out that when they were cut off from Skar and its magical waters, they lost any special abilities they’d once had. The process really happened over the course of generations, so the first of our people on Earth were not immediately bereft of their powers.”
Someone knocks on the door before bringing in a tray filled with coffee and pastries, not waiting for an answer. I don’t notice who it is, as my attention is completely riveted to Eric.
“Thank you, Max,” says John. I turn to look, but the person is already through the door, only his back now visible.Was that a tail?I’m staring at the closed door as William takes over the story.
