Hibiki's POV

I was curled up in the barrel, hugging my broken arm to myself, when a bump make me hit my head. I groaned in annoyance as I sat up and pushed on the lid once again.

And once again, it didn't budge.

"Edwardo, how many times do I have to tell you, lift higher! You are able to lift an elephant, but not very high. Lift it higher!!" I heard the ringmaster scream.

I heard a grunt and some gasping, then the ringmaster's sigh of approval.

"Better. Keep working at it, and maybe one day, you'll be worth more than a circus grunt." He cackled.

I heard Edwardo sigh unhappily, and the sound of the ringmaster's shoes clacking away.

"Hey." I call out to Edwardo.

"Who's there?" He asked, a little freaked out.

"Its me, I'm in the bucket. Could you help me out?" I ask, my voice getting raspy.

I heard lumbering footsteps and then a smash as a metal lock fell to the floor.

I saw the lid come off as bright light flooded my vision.

"Oh look, there really was a person in the barrel." I hear Edwardo's deep voice say.

I look up, and rub my eyes with my one good hand, as my bad arm sits in my lap.

"Can you help me out of the barrel?" I ask, my voice cracking from the lack of water.

"Ok." He said, as he lifted me up and pulled me out with ease.

"Thanks." I said, then I coughed, making my throat scratch.

Edwardo sat down in front of me and the floor shook. "Hello." His voice boomed.

"Hi." I said, holding my arm close to me.

"Are you ok?" He asked, tilting his head a bit.

"No, my arm hurts. And my head. And my throat." I said, coughing again.

Edwardo picked me up and carried me through the halls.

"Where are we?" I ask him.

"We are in the Mexico of New. We picked up a gal here and on our way to our next show." He said, confusing New Mexico.

I nodded, and frowned.

'My family is probably worried to bits about me. And Ritsu. The host club. Haruhi. Ritsu.' I thought, sadly.

"Do not be sad, my skinny friend. I know a gal that can help you." He said, with a comforting smile.

I nodded, and smiled back.

He carried me to a room on this extremely large train and there sat someone I'd thought was safe, treating this little red haired girls injury. She had bright blue hair and blue eyes to match.

"Silica?!" I ask, almost shouting.

"Habu?! What're ya doin' here?!" She asked, just as awestruck.

"You two know each other?" Edwardo asked, setting me down.

Silica and I nodded, as we looked at him.

She got up, patting the little girl on the head.

"Run along now." Silica said to the little girl.

The little girl nodded, and quickly climbed up the huge Edwardo.

He chuckled and walked off, with the little girl on his shoulders.

"So, what bring you round these parts, Habu?" She asked, once we were alone.

"Well, I was on a date, then he showed up and threatened my boyfriend at close range with a gun, then I was taken away, and knocked out. What about you, how'd you get captured?" I asked her, in disbelief that she was captured.

"Well, I was in ma restraunt, cleanin' up, when a knock on my winder alerted me. I looked up ta see 'im. I grabbed ma fryin' pan and I smacked 'im up the face, but the others grabb'd me and knock'd me out cold." Silica said, looking at my broken arm.

"Ya hurt?" She asked.

I nodded, and felt kinda dizzy, so I stopped.

She sighed, reaching behind her and grabbing some water.

I grabbed it with my good arm and greedily chugged the whole bottle. I sighed, and sheepishly set the bottle down on the floor.

Silica grabbed my broken arm, and I pulled away, unconsciously.

"Stay still." She said, with no accent.

When she doesn't use her accent, I know she's being serious, so I stopped and let her touch my arm. It stung at her touch and I cringed.

She sighed, as she looked up at me, and snapped my arm back into place.

I let out a shout, before her hand was over my mouth, muffling my scream.

"Be quiet." She angrily whispered, as my arm throbbed with pain.

I nodded, and held in my screams.

She looked at me with sympathy and stood up, grabbing sone wrap. She carefully wrapped my arm, as she gave it a brace.

I whimpered, as pain shot through my arm.

She nodded when she was done and I sighed.

"Ya ok, now?" Silica asked, looking me in the eye.

"Yes, I'm fine." I said, lying through my teeth.

She sighed, and pulled me in for a hug.

"We'll get you back to yer family. And me ta ma restraunt." She said, whispering in my ear.

I nodded, as I hugged her back.

Edwardo came back in, with the little girl on his neck and smiled. The little girl smiled as well.

"Grab as much food and supplies as you can, and give them to me." He said, as he held open a really large sack full of two water packs and a smaller barrel of peanuts.

The little girl had a worn out teddy bear in her arms.

Silica didn't hesitate and grabbed two first aid kits and cans.

I grabbed the fire starter kit and some blankets, really confused.

We piled them into the sack and he tied up the sack, setting it onto the floor next to him. He smiled, really big.

'Why is he smiling?' I wondered.

"Get back against a wall." He said, hugging the little girl close.

I looked confused and did as he was told, and so did Silica.

Edwardo kept smiling, as he held up 5 fingers.

4

"Ed, what's going on?" Silica asked, bracing herself.

3

"Ed?!" I asked.

2

"Just wait and get ready." He said, as he grabbed the sack and looked ready.

1

"Ok, I'm ready." Silica said,
"So am I." I said.

Then, something terrible happened, something so terrible, it was miraculous.
It was spectacular.
It was dangerous.
It was our chance.

The train hit a bump on the rails, and one of the wheels got lodged, as the train cane to a screeching halt.

Silica and I looked at each other, and I smiled, opening the door.

"C'mon!" I shouted, and everyone hopped out.

We ran for our lifes, in the hot heat of New Mexico, while the train sat there, aflame.

One lone angry shout could be heard.

"I will find you again.
After all.
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The show must go on!
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This is chapter 28.

The plot thickens!
I hope you like it.