As I tiptoed across the tightrope, all eyes fell on me. All the bright, blinding lights. Everyone- including me- held their breath. I held on to my balance beam for dear life as I focused on getting to the other side. I didn't care about anything else. Getting this right was my only priority right now. Though, living in a broken, diseased world, I probably should've had other priorities.

My name is Roxanne, but everyone close to me calls me Anne. I'm the tightrope artist for the Underground Circus. I was abandoned by my mother, along with my older sister and younger brother. My father was never in the picture. I always thought he was taken by the Corrupt, or he had become a Wasted.

Anyway, my siblings and I lived on the streets together, until they were killed by a freak explosion when I was 10. I was alone for a few months, but then I was found by Ringmaster Oogway. He's the ringmaster for the Underground Circus. He took me in, and I've been balancing on a tightrope ever since.

Now, you may be wondering- Why would a circus have to be underground? Well, that's the fault of the Corrupt, our government. Whenever the Wasted plague came to humanity, the government was originally there for the people. But as more and more citizens were infected, the government became more and more corrupt. They began taking people to who knows where. Rumors were passed around in whispers- of facilities where people were experimented on, labs where scientists tested biological warfare. Thus they became known as the Corrupt.

When the Wasted came to our world, all governments should have come together to help protect humanity. But people, being people, decided to fight against each other for control over the remaining lands that haven't been drowned in either the sea or blood.

On top of all that, the Corrupt said that happiness was illegal. Which had to have been the most stupid law ever! They claimed that the Wasted were naturally attracted to happiness, so we all had to be as depressed as possible. Many people, such as Ringmaster Oogway, saw this law as ridiculous. The Wasted took whoever they wanted, no matter how happy or sad they were. So he and many other people came together to create the Underground Circus.

The Underground Circus was a place of orphans and rebels. That's how I became a performer here. But being in the Underground Circus doesn't mean that we're safe. If anything, it's the exact opposite.

As if to prove my thoughts, the universe places the cruelest turn of events in my path.

I saw a glimpse of him... I lost the air in my lungs as my balance beam slipped out of my fingers. I gasped as a loud clang filled the silent tent. It was just me now. It always was. I had no balance beam, no help anymore. I just had to try to get to the other side on my own. Tears pricked my eyes as Ringmaster Oogway looked at his watch. I was running out of time. I never had enough time...

I hurried across the tightrope and finished my act. People cheered and watched eagerly as the next act came on. I was just another act, something they expected. Just another girl trying to balance through life...

I climbed down the ladder, picked up my balance beam, and walked to my dressing room. I collapsed on my cot, pressing my fingers to my temples. It did little to ward off the incoming headache. I almost didn't hear the soft knock on the door. I looked up, my heart pounding, and took a deep breath. "Come in." I whispered, fearing the worst.

In walked my best friend, Whisper. She was the trapeze artist for our Underground Circus. I had never seen her face. She always wore a mask carved in the likeness of a wolf. She rarely spoke to anyone. I was the only one she ever really opened up with. Well, myself and one other person.

"Hello, Whisper," She smiled, thanking the gods that you-know-who didn't come in. "How are you?" "Fine," she said quietly. That was how she had gotten her name in the circus. She never spoke above a whisper, and even then, she didn't say much. "Saw you froze on the rope... You alright?" I sighed. "I'm OK. Just a little shaken up after seeing him here." 'Behind her mask, I saw her eyebrows raise. "He?"

I inwardly kicked myself. I had forgotten that I hadn't shared what had happened between me and him to Whisper. I haven't shared what happened with anybody. "I thought I told you... I guess not. It really doesn't matter," I murmured. "Seems like it does. You nearly fell." She came and sat next to me. "If you wanna talk 'bout it, I'm here. I'm a good listener." I felt a grin spread across my face. "Thanks, you're the best." I took a deep breath and began my story.

"So, you remember... Dean, right?" I say. Even after two months, I hesitate before saying his name. Whisper squints, obviously trying to remember. "He used to be a part of the Circus, right? A weightlifter?" she said uncertainly. I nodded. "We- I used to be in love. Then- then, he just disappeared. Left me in the dust." I balled my fists. "Then he showed up tonight and watched me like nothing happened!"

Her eyes narrowed. "Is he still here? Don't remember him too well, but if he left you if he hurt you..." I looked down and fidgeted with my pendant, a bronze circle with a tent carved into it, and a piece of Void Crystal. "He didn't hurt me... Physically, at least." I didn't want Whisper to get mad. She was really calm and collected, but when someone hurt the people she cared about, she could get incredibly violent. That was learned the hard way when another actor insulted me and made me cry. Hopefully, she would leave Dean alone...

I looked down at the scar I had on my arm. I was lying to her. He did hurt me. Claimed it was an accident. I didn't believe him. Still don't. "But the thing is, I still love him. I-I know I shouldn't... he's done terrible things to me and put me in really tough situations, but I just can't. He was my first love. I can't just get over him so easily." Tears welled up in my eyes and I tried hard to blink them away.

She followed my gaze to my arm, and I pulled my sleeve down quickly over my scar. I thought I caught just a flicker of doubt and hurt in her eyes, but I must have been imagining it because a second later she pulled me into a hug. "I understand. You'll be fine, Anne. You're tough." That small bit of sympathy broke me. I couldn't help myself as I sobbed in her arms. The world was already broken. We had enough problems. I didn't need this extra drama. I certainly didn't need to drag Whisper into it. I just hoped that nothing bad happened.