Pretending To Be Gilead's Prince and Master Wizard

"What? A circus show?"

All of my friends' stares turned to mine once I mentioned the banner I saw yesterday afternoon. I know it's too early to tell them about the show because it says that it will be held at the end of the month, but it's better to inform them now than to forget about it later.

"Yes, a circus show," I repeated then puckered my forehead. "Wait, why are so surprised to hear about it?"

Ariella crossed her arms and glanced at me. "It's been a decade since there was a circus performance in the city. The fact that you are announcing it now is just... weird and exciting at the same time."

I was surprised to hear this. I never imagined that the circus troupe would visit here less often than they visit our home village, which is comparatively small. I remember that they used to visit our village at least three times a month.

"Wow, really? They often go to our village back in my childhood though. At least, 3 times a month." 

"Well, lucky you."

"It also says the ticket is free. How awesome is that?" I shrugged and went back to my main point here. "So, are you coming with me or not?""

"That also sounds suspicious to me," says Cailin, the ever-careful and critical thinker of the group. "I've never been to any show that's free. You?"

The others shook their heads. Even I can't remember any show that I've been to that's free.

Exasperated, I sighed. "Please, would you join me? I haven't been in a circus performance since I was eight years old. And now that my mother is gone, I want to spend the last day of the month with you having so much fun."

Their expressions changed when they heard me trailed off.

"What? What happened?" asks Maggie.

I didn't think I had to tell them this, but I guess I must in case they find my life suspicious once again.

"My grandmother passed away two days ago…" I said, almost in a whisper. It's true. Grandma Lucy has already been like my real grandmother to me.

Their faces softened upon hearing the terrible news from me. They all hugged me at once.

"Oh, I wish we had heard of it sooner. We're so sorry for your loss Krisella," Ariella crooned while soothing my back for me.

"Alright. Let's go to this circus show that you are talking about." Maggie smiled at me and I smiled back. And everything has already been set for our month-end escapade.

---

Mr. Pumpkin gave us our surprise quiz this morning. I call it that way because he doesn't tell us when it's going to take place or the pointers for it. He just tells us we need to prepare for this week's topics.

And you know me, I never liked to study. My idea of studying has always been to prepare at the last minute before the quiz, or test, and I am too busy even to review my notes. Okay, I admit that I am making excuses, but it is still true.

As a result of my last-minute studying, I ended up having three mistakes only in the quiz. How awesome could that be? 

In our last period, he always gives us an assignment before dismissing us; why can't he just dismiss us for once without us having to do anything? Even on weekends, we have to carry out research at his command when other teachers don't give us anything to do.

Then, before Mr. Wimbshaw left, he gave us a topic to research on and provided us with a reference that we were to read. Everyone groaned, including myself, as I would have to juggle training along with this.

It was only me and Cailin who is now walking towards the gates of Gilead Academy. Being part of the same cleaning group, Ariella and Maggie have to do their cleaning assignments for today so they can't walk with us now.

As Cailin was telling me about the book she finished yesterday night, something felt... off... around me. I tried to play it cool while my eyes secretly scanned the area looking for someone acting suspiciously. It felt as though someone is secretly stalking me right now.

"Krisella? Is something wrong?" Oh crap, Cailin has finally noticed my weird act and I have to make some excuses for her to not get deep into it.

"No. Nothing. It's just that I am thinking also to read that book that you're talking about. It will probably suit my taste," I smiled, trying my best to hide the fact that I was never really into books unlike her. And I won't probably try to read that book she was blabbering about earlier--whatever that is.

"Good. I can't wait for you to read it so that I will have someone to discuss it with," Cailin also smiled back. I suddenly felt a pang of guilt building inside of me.

A few minutes later, Cailin and I said goodbyes to each other before we went our separate ways. I hid somewhere safe after that, somewhere that I am sure fewer people would notice me, before grabbing something from my backpack. Once I had the invisibility cap in my hands, I eventually wore it and proceeded on my way towards the castle.

It was Alex's idea the other day that I should wear it every after class if my instincts tell me that there's someone following me from behind. I never wear it really often, since Alex or Lucas (whoever is assigned to pick me up from the alley) is having  trouble finding me right away.

However, in the middle of my trip going to the said alley, a random idea pops into my head… just like how that comical bulb appears in someone's head just like in the cartoon shows I've already watched. I moved with haste towards the meetup place, where I spotted Alex waiting for me, his one hand inside his pocket as usual.

I immediately removed my cap and then I saw him waving at me.

"You are wearing that cap. Does that mean someone is following you now, right?" he immediately asked about it. I nodded.

"I've got a plan. What if we try to know who is this secret stalker to see if he or she is a real spy or not? Just like what Lucas did to my classmate a few months ago." I suggested and I can see it in his eyes that he is so into my plan right now.

Then he asks what's been bothering inside my head just now. "Why haven't we thought of this in the first place, huh?" 

I just chuckled and said, "Good question you have there." and we began to move with our invisible mode on.

We tried to roam around the marketplace, but since it is a Friday, it is kind of expected that more people come over here to shop for their needs for the weekends. Plus, I also think that today is the day where people receive their wages from work. We have to keep a keen eye for anyone who is acting out of the ordinary so that we may spot right away who is this secret stalker that is trailing on my back for today and the other day.

"It's like I am under surveillance," I said all of a sudden in the middle of our walk. "Like someone is trying to know my everyday routine, or something like that. It kinds of creeping me out, you know." 

Alex must have seen my worried face despite acting all natural in front of him, thus he gives my hand a sudden squeeze, like what I am doing to him if ever he feels down.

"I'm here… We're all here for you to keep you safe," he says. "Whoever this is, we'll bring him down once and for all."

I smiled at what he said. "Okay."

A short distance away from us, on the roof of a brick house, I spotted a man wearing a ninja-like mask and black suit. I saw the man behind the chimney, as if he knew I was looking that way.

I looked at Alex once more and tried to point the strange person's direction using my eyes. 

"I know where this person might be," I declared. He nodded.

With just one snap of his fingers, I saw ourselves being teleported and now standing on the same rooftop where I saw the person earlier. Truly, he looks like a ninja to me up close.

"I wonder, what is the spy doing out here in the open, hmm?" 

The spy, on the other hand, shifted to his fighting stance and looks like he is ready to take us down any minute. I saw Alex crack his knuckles as he stretched both of his hands, as if trying to intimidate him.

"Oh, you want to fight?" Alex asks, smirking.

"Game on."