Cloth

You and your friends have come for a wonderful night at the circus.

* * *

The cheerful music and the bright colours of the circus were met with a small crowd tonight. As you sat down, you and your group of friends noticed that there were very few others in the stands of the big top. A figure walked to the middle of the ring, and held up a hand.

The lights dimmed, leaving them in the spotlight. Their colourful skin-tight outfit sparkled in the light, and then they held up the colourful cloth. As they tossed one piece up in the air, another spotlight came on, highlighting another juggler, in front of one of the groups.

Another piece of cloth in the air, another juggler. A final piece of cloth, and a final juggler, in front of your group. The cloths seemed to shine and shimmer as they rippled through the air. Each time they went up, your eyes followed, each time they drifted down, so did you.

It was easy to watch, easy to follow. You didn’t even begin to notice the voices, whispering throughout the darkness of the tent. But your rapidly quieting mind heard them. It followed the cloth up and down and up and down, as did your eyes.

You heard one of your friends breathing deeply to your left, you felt the friend on your right leaning into you. It felt so comfortable to watch, to follow, and to relax so peacefully as the cloth drifted up and down and up and down. Just like your mind.

And it was getting harder for your mind to come up. Harder to find the energy to keep your eyes open. It was easier to listen. Easier to follow the cloths floating downwards. The lights were dimming. And finally, the cloths stopped being caught, and floated to the floor.

Your eyes shut. You could feel hands, pulling you to your feet, as the voices continued to whisper in your ears. You felt something covering your ears, covering your eyes. But you couldn’t remember that. It was so easy to forget. Forget your life before. You’re home now.

The other two groups left that night, feeling like they had had a wonderful time watching a wondrous show. They were a little hazy on the details, but they knew they had fun. Your group didn’t leave. Why would you want to? You were part of the circus. You always had been.