Venessa Foster was six years old when she went to her first circus. It was an entrancing night. As the lights twinkled in her crystal blue eyes, and the music hummed in her small ears, Venessa found herself falling in love with the scene.

The child's eyes lit up as she watch the acrobats preform with such skill, it only made Venessa become more sucked into the scene before her.

She looked at her parents adoringly, "Mommy can I join the circus?" The child's mother then looked down and flashed her smile. The smile that always seemed to make Venessa giggle.

Venessa and her mother were just alike. Same vibrant blue eyes, and jet black curly hair. Her mother was beautiful, and Venessa would soon be as well. "What makes you want to do that honey?" her mother questioned gently, stroking Venessa's hair.

The girl giggled at the touch and smiled, "It looks fun!" Her mother then placed a hand under her chin, "I'll make a deal with you. When you grow up and you don't find yourself completely happy with what you have done with your life, you can do something as wild as join the circus."

"Just join the circus or anything I want?" Venessa asked, wanting to know what she could do. Her mother flashed another smile, "You can do what ever you please. It's your life, don't let anyone hold you back."

The child smiled and hugged her mother tightly. An hour or so had passed, and people had started to clear out of the main stage. The side show was going to being, and no one really stayed for that.

The side show was like an intermission, everyone got up and bought snacks, drinks, toys, and whatever else a person could imagine. However Venessa became awed by a woman dancing with a snake. The little girl stood up and approached the lady. The girl had some fear in her eyes, for a big python was staring at her in the face. But the little kid remained brave.

"Hello dear. What's your name?" the dancer asked, twirling the snakes's tail in her fingers. The girl swallowed, and gave a big smile, "Venessa."

"Oh what a lovely name! My name is Lila, and this is Sheba," the woman commented, showing off her slithery friend.

Venessa felt her mother's presence approach behind her, "There you are. Do you like the snake?" Venessa nodded her head and looked up at her mother, who was smiling warmly. However upon looking back, Venessa noticed a boy staring at her.

With her mother looking into her purse in order to tip the performer, Venessa slipped away once more. She made her way to the boy, but before the girl could reach him he ran away. Venessa ran after him, curiosity getting the best of her. She couldn't make out any of his features, for he had stopped in the shadows.

"Hiya," the kid spoke, a weird tone in his voice. "Hello," Venessa said trying to be polite, she did follow him after all.

"My name is Jerome, what's your's?" the boy said as he stepped into the light. He had bright red hair, which was tousled and very messy. The boy was slightly pale, and had bright green eyes that were cold.

"Venessa," she stated, starting to back away. The girl was intelligent, extremely gifted. And she was old enough to know when someone was good or bad.

And this boy in front of her, was bad to the core, she could see it in his eyes. As she took a step backwards, he took a step forward. "And where are you going?" Jerome questioned, a laugh escaping his lips.

With one swift move, the boy had grabbed Venessa, and slammed her into a wooden pole. The girl winced at the pain, but cried out once she felt a sharp pain in her arm.

She looked down and saw a blade piercing her skin. Blood started to flow, dripping all over her expensive white dress. "Stop it hurts," Venessa cried, wanted to run back to her mother.

However he didn't stop, instead Jerome started to drag the knife down her arm, making more blood appear. The girl closed her eyes as he dug deeper into her skin, laughing sinisterly.

She didn't know what was wrong with him, but she needed to get away. And then, as if God had hear her prayers, she felt the knife leave her flesh, and Jerome was pulled back. Venessa opened her eyes as she was face to face with someone who looked just like the boy with the knife, however his eyes were full of warmth and were hidden behind glasses.

"Run!" he shouted, latching onto her hand. Venessa didn't argue as she ran. The boy led her through twist and turns of the circus, eventually stopping after minutes had passed.

Both kids were out of breath as they reached the main tent once more. The boy looked at the girl and took her arm in his hands, immediately she pulled away. "I won't hurt you I promise," he spoke.

And Venessa, despite what had just happened to her, trusted him. She gave him back her arm. The boy then pulled a bandage out of his pocket, as if he always had one on him.

The young boy then began to wrap her blood covered arm, "I'm sorry for what he did." Venessa didn't speak as she looked at the kid. He seemed to be about a couple months older than her.

"I'm Jeremiah, Jerome's twin," the boy explained, as if Venessa couldn't put the two together. Normally she would be upset that someone underestimated her intelligence, but she simply whispered, "Thank you."

The boy didn't get a reply as her mother came rushing up. Jeremiah then ran away. Venessa's mother started to scream, but Venessa couldn't register it as her head started to buzz, most likely due to the amount of blood loss. All she could see was her father yelling that someone was going to pay for what they did, and then Venessa slipped into a dreamless sleep.