The house wasn't large, but it was cozy enough for five people. As soon as they stepped inside, they dropped their luggage by the small wooden table and took a moment to rest their tired bodies on the worn-out sofa in the living room.
The air smelled faintly of dust and roasted coffee, an oddly comforting scent after everything that had happened.
"So," Kael Draven broke the silence, leaning back against the chair with an almost casual tone. "Who were the latest victims of the suicide cases in this city?"
While Kael talked, Eira Solenne was already rummaging through the fridge nearby. Instead of grabbing a cold drink, she took out a jar of coffee beans and began to brew a fresh pot. The rich aroma of roasted beans soon filled the air.
Ean placed their bags neatly in the corner before sitting down. "From the reports I read earlier," he began, "the first was Jade, a businessman. His fiancée ran away on their wedding day, taking all his savings with her. After visiting the circus, he… jumped off a bridge."
Kael's brow furrowed slightly, but he didn't interrupt.
"The next one," Ean continued, "was Sarah. She had planned to visit the circus with her husband and children. But the day before the show, she found out something shocking, when she gave birth years ago, her stillborn baby had been secretly replaced by her husband. Out of despair, she went to the circus alone… and was found hanging in her room afterward."
Eira sighed quietly, setting her steaming cup down on the table. "Her husband said he did it to protect her from the pain of losing their child. He never thought it would end like that."
"Still," Ean muttered, clenching his fists tightly. "No one knows how that secret was revealed. He kept it hidden for years."
The young man's voice trembled slightly. He couldn't tell whether it was anger or grief swelling in his chest. "I can understand her sorrow as a mother," he whispered, "but why end everything like that? She still had family. If she was in pain, why didn't she talk to someone, why didn't she ask for help? Didn't she think about her husband at all?"
Kael gave him a long look - half pity, half warning. "Ean," he said quietly, "I understand your feelings. But our job is to uncover the truth behind all this. Don't let your emotions cloud your focus."
Eira set two cups of coffee in front of them, her tone soft but firm. "That's enough for now. Let's get ready for tonight."
***
Night fell swiftly over Duskbell.
As promised, Jack - the officer from the city's security office, arrived to escort them to the circus grounds.
The streets were quieter than they'd expected. Duskbell was known as a bustling trade city by day, its streets overflowing with vibrant fabrics, spices, and shouting vendors.
But at night, the liveliness faded into an eerie silence. Only a few lanterns flickered in the fog, and soldiers stood guard at every corner.
When they reached the central square, the source of the noise became clear. A large, colorful tent had been set up where the city once held public executions, a cruel irony. Now, the space was alive again, painted in crimson and gold, echoing with faint music and laughter.
Ean's stomach suddenly growled loud enough for the others to hear.
"Uhh…" he groaned, clutching his belly.
Kael turned toward him, his eyebrow twitching. "What now?"
"I... uh... I need to use the restroom." Ean's face turned red with embarrassment. "I've been holding it since the train ride. I think the coffee earlier was a mistake."
Eira pinched the bridge of her nose, muttering something under her breath.
Jack chuckled, handing him a folded ticket. "Go ahead, kid. Catch up with us when you're done. Here's your ticket."
Ean nodded gratefully. "Thanks! I'll be quick." He hurried toward a circus attendant to ask for directions, leaving the others behind.
"Let's go," Kael said, leading the rest into the main tent.
The circus grounds were like another world, bright stalls lined with glowing lanterns, children laughing, and vendors selling sweets and trinkets. But Kael and the others ignored the festive chaos and headed straight for the grandest tent in the center.
Two performers in colorful costumes stood guard at the entrance, their faces painted white with crimson smiles.
"Tickets, please," one of them said politely, holding out his hand.
Jack presented the tickets with a grin. The guards exchanged glances before nodding and taking them.
"Here to enjoy the show this time, officer?" one of them teased.
Jack laughed awkwardly, scratching his neck. "Of course. I'm off duty tonight. Brought some friends, too."
"Good to hear," the man said, fastening glowing wristbands on each of them. "These act as your seat markers. Follow the number inside the band."
Kael examined his bracelet. "Understood."
"Enjoy the show," the performer said with a bow.
Eira smiled politely as they entered the tent, unaware of what awaited inside.
---
Meanwhile, Ean found the restroom after a short walk through the dimly lit stalls.
"Never again," he muttered weakly, gripping his stomach. "I knew I shouldn't have drunk that coffee."
By the time he was done, his legs felt like jelly. He washed his face, took a deep breath, and stepped out, only to find the area eerily empty.
"Huh?" he whispered, glancing around. Just minutes ago, there had been people laughing, buying food, children playing games. Now, the air was silent, cold. Even the vendors were gone.
"Where did everyone go?" he murmured, his voice echoing slightly.
The faint sound of music came from the main tent. Ean frowned and made his way there quickly. Two guards were still stationed by the entrance, their painted faces unmoving.
"Hey," Ean called, holding up his ticket. "I'm with friend's. Can I go in now?"
The guards didn't move. "The performance has already begun," one of them said flatly. "No one is allowed to interrupt."
"But I have a ticket," Ean insisted. "I'll be quiet. I'll sneak in without disturbing anyone."
"Leave," the guard repeated coldly, pushing him back slightly.
"Are you kidding me?" Ean snapped, frustration flaring. "I paid for this ticket! I could report this to city security."
At that, one of the guards reached into his pocket and shoved a few folded bills, three times the ticket price into Ean's hand. "Take it. Now go."
Ean stared at the money in confusion. "Something's definitely wrong…" he muttered. "But Kael and Eira are inside. They'll be fine, right?"
He hesitated for a long moment before sighing. "Fine. I'll just wait here."
But then, a melody drifted through the night - soft, haunting, played on a piano. The notes carried something strange, almost hypnotic. Before he could realize it, the world around him shifted.
The circus vanished.
Ean blinked rapidly. The guards were gone. The glowing tent disappeared. Instead, he stood in a simpler version of the circus: smaller, older, filled with wooden benches and flickering candles.
"What…?" he whispered, his breath catching in his throat.
Then a familiar voice spoke beside him. "Are you watching the circus, Ean?"
Ean turned and froze.
It was Shadow.
His smaller hand was clasped tightly around the man's. His heart thudded.
"This… this is my memory," he realized. "My past."
He looked down and saw himself - years younger, shorter, wearing old clothes with patches on the sleeves. He remembered this night vividly.
"You've already bought me so many things," the child version of Ean said with a small pout. "If we're going to travel the world, we need to save money."
Shadow chuckled softly. "You're worried I'll run out of money?"
Ean's younger self nodded earnestly. "You always give me the best. You make sure I eat, even when you don't. I've never seen you eat anything."
Shadow paused, his dark eyes softening. "You've noticed that, huh?"
"I saw a father once," young Ean murmured. "He told his child he'd already eaten so the child could have more food. You're like that. You always put me first. I don't want that. I don't want you to starve just to make me happy."
For a long moment, Shadow didn't speak. Then he smiled gently and ruffled the boy's hair. "Watching a circus won't make me go broke, you know."
"But still…" the boy mumbled shyly.
"Alright," Shadow relented, his voice warm. "Then next time, we'll watch together. Deal?"
Ean's young eyes brightened. "When I grow up, I'll work hard and take you to see one myself! Promise!"
Shadow laughed quietly. "Then I'll make a special circus just for you, one you won't need to pay for. How about that?"
"Really?" the boy's eyes widened with innocent excitement. "You can do that?"
"I can," Shadow said softly. "For you."
The scene shimmered like smoke. The music halted. The memory unraveled before his eyes, melting away into the cold, colorless night.
Ean gasped as reality snapped back around him. The guards still stood where they had been, eyeing him with suspicion while he froze in place, breath trembling.
"What... was that?" he whispered, clutching his chest. His pulse thundered in his ears, his breathing uneven.
"It wasn't just a memory..."
His gaze flicked back to the tent. A chill crawled down his spine.
"Something's wrong inside," Ean muttered, fists tightening. "I have to get in, no matter what."