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Goodnight Noises Everywhere	By : FlayraDowitcher Category: +G to L > Hetalia: Axis Powers Views: 1121 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 1
Disclaimer: I do not own Hetalia. I am making no money off of this fic.

Chapter List
- 4
- 5
- 6
***Warnings: Language, oral, minor violence
***Disclaimer: I do not own Hetalia. I am making no money off of this fic.
'I see skies of blue, and clouds of white.
The bright blessed day, the dark sacred night.
And I think to myself, 'what a wonderful world'- Louis Armstrong
Chapter 5: What A Wonderful World
Ivan jumped up as something ran across his shoulder, startling him from his light sleep. The movement forced Gilbert awake, who let out a cry of fright and alarm.
"What's going on?" Gilbert almost shrieked.
"Rats!" Ivan jumped up, kicking one of the gray rodents away from him.
Gilbert saw more of them coming towards them. "We're surrounded! We need something to beat them with!"
Ivan kicked another out of the way as he searched for something to use as a club. Gilbert jumped over a few of them and picked up a piece of wood to use. Ivan looked around for something similar. The albino wasted no time batting and smashing at the rats as they attacked. He knocked one to the wall as another started to climb up his pant leg. Ivan tore off a board of broken wood just in time to bat one away. Gilbert could only stun the rats while Ivan was able to smash them with just one or two blows. The rats wouldn't stop coming at them. On and on they fought the small demons, smashing and batting them here or there until only one was left. Ivan quickly stepped on it, and raising the sharp end of the board, broke its neck. Gilbert dropped his board and leaned back against the wall, panting and holding his chest.
"They gone?"
Ivan let out a breath. "I think so." He looked around at the carnage of crushed and beaten rats. "Best we clean these up."
Gilbert stomach growled, and so did Ivan's. Both men looked at each other and thought the same thing.
Outside in the dark, behind the church, the two started a fire in a rusted barrel. They stabbed three rats each on sharpened sticks and laid them along the top of the barrel. The fire would burn off all the fur. Rats weren't the best things to eat, but they were solid meat that would fill their aching bellies. They sat side by side before the burning barrel, watching the rats cooking and listening to the crackling of the fire.
Gilbert tilted his head up and looked at the stars. "There's so many of them."
Ivan looked up as well. "You're right, there are. It's a clear night, which means we'll have a bright day tomorrow." Gilbert was suddenly shaking with coughs and Ivan rubbed his back as the other leaned forward. "Are you okay?"
Gilbert took a deep breath once the coughing fit had ceased. He swallowed hard, wincing at the pain in his throat. He heard Ivan's sharp intake of breath, and then he himself did the same. There were speckles of blood in his palm, more than the last time. Gilbert turned to look at Ivan, holding out his palm. "I'm dying."
Ivan reached his hand out and wiped away the bit of blood from the corner of Gilbert's mouth. "The blood is still little. You have some time. We have to perform more and then we can get you some help." He saw the tears in Gilbert's eyes. "We'll figure something out, don't worry." Ivan used his sleeve to wipe away the blood on the palm.
"We'll never make enough money for a doctor…not doing what we're doing. The need for food is strong…I may not last by the…the time…we save up!" He voice broke.
Ivan brought him into an embrace, stroking the back of the white hair. "We'll just have to find a way."
"Oh Vanya…I wonder, how much longer I'll be able to see the stars? Hear the sounds of the city? Smell the morning air as dawn breaks?"
"A very long time. Stop talking like you're giving up. You still have options."
Gilbert scoffed, wrapping his arms around Ivan. "What options?"
"Undesirable ones." He felt Gilbert tense in his arms. "You may have to decide which need is greater; the need to survive or the need to suffer. I can't make that decision for you, Gilbert. You have to do it."
He buried his face in Ivan's neck. "I don't want to be a freak…I don't want to be a prostitute…I don't want the doctors to test on me…but those are the only options for me. I can't do it, Vanya. I just can't."
"Let's just see what tomorrow brings. We'll put on our little song and dance again, but this time we'll be aware of the police." He felt Gilbert nod against him. "Come now, the rats are done. Let's eat until we're filled."
So that night they dined on cooked rats, which helped to give them a little boost of energy. It was nearing sunrise. Gilbert took Ivan by the hand and guided him up onto the roof from a secret stair in the church. He showed Ivan where to step and when to move quickly. They sat down on the roof near the edge, side by side, to watch the city come alight with morning. Silently they sat, watching as the moon gave way to the sun. The bright rays came up over the city rooftops, chasing away the night. Gilbert slipped his hand over to Ivan's, threading their fingers together. Ivan glanced down at their hands and smiled at the albino.
"I want to thank you, Vanya, for staying with me. For not shunning me, or calling me a white demon…or thinking I'm a bad omen."
"And I want to thank you for accepting me as how I am…bandaged like this."
Gilbert smiled. "You know, you don't have to keep those bandages on around me if they bother you. I don't care if you're ugly or if your skin is rotting off."
"Ah, I'm happy keeping the bandages on. I don't want the sores to get dirty."
"Oh, right." Gilbert turned back to the sunset, letting out a sigh. "How many more sunrises do I have?"
"Many."
The albino scoffed. "The only friends I have are you and Death, and Death is winning."
"Death will come for me too. Please, stop talking like that. You still have a fighting chance. You just have to…swallow your pride for a little bit. You might have to belittle yourself to get ahead."
Gilbert was silent for a long while, watching as the sun rose higher in the sky. "You know…I remember when I used to be young and strong. Now this sickness…this life…is just taking everything away from me."
"Then you have to get it back." Ivan said.
"You're right. Let's see how we do with our performance today. If we fail, I will…prostitute myself for the evening. That should gain us a few extra coins, especially if I market myself at the higher end of the city. Those rich, snobbish bastards will take us street rats because we'll do things their prim and proper ladies won't do."
Ivan raised his brows. "Are you certain you want to do that?"
"Of course I don't. But what choice do I have? That's the easiest one out of the three." He glanced at his partner. "Maybe not for you."
"Hm?" It took Ivan a moment to understand what Gilbert was speaking of. "Oh, yes. My disease." He cleared his throat. "You don't want to end up like me."
Gilbert grinned. "And you don't want to end up like ME! Coughing up blood and wasting away."
Ivan stood up then with a clap of his hands. "Let's not talk about this. It's a new day and we have people to impress!" He held his hand out to Gilbert and helped the man stand. "Are you ready, Famine?"
The albino couldn't help but snort at the title. "Ready as I'll ever be, Pestilence!" He took out his flute. "Let's go earn us some dough!"
/
They went to the same area of the city but chose a different place; Gilbert was to play and Ivan was to sing. The people stopped to watch them like before, but only one had donated a silver coin. On and on they played until Gilbert was out of breath and Ivan's voice was raw. Ivan quickly snatched up their earnings and they hurried away into an ally to count what they had earned. Four silver coins; enough for two loaves of bread and even a pint of milk! Ivan put the coins in his pocket and they rushed to the market, hoping to find that a baker or two still had some loaves.
"This is awesome, Vanya!" Gilbert practically galloped through the market streets. "We're gonna eat! We're gonna eat!"
Ivan just followed behind. "We certainly are! Look! That baker still has bread!"
Gilbert pushed through three or four people to get to the stand where a plump and round baker whistled merrily. "Afternoon baker man!" Greeted the albino. "How much is your bread?"
Ivan joined him.
The baker looked at Ivan and cringed. "You! Don't you touch any of my food!"
Ivan put his hands up. "I won't."
"You're sick! So stay away from it!" The baker smiled at Gilbert. "Now then, what can I get for you? These were all baked fresh this morning!"
Gilbert's mouth was watering at the sight of all the fresh bread. Some were round, others long, and the rest fat. "How much for one whole loaf?"
"A silver for the long ones. Two silvers for the rounds."
"WE'll take a long one!" Gilbert took the silver coin from Ivan and gave it to the baker. The baker picked up the loaf to hand it to him. Gilbert cradled the bread in his arms as if it were a child.
"Thanks a plenty!" Said the plump baker, sniffling with his red nose.
Gilbert licked his lips as they walked away. "Just think, Vanya! Soon this bread will be IN our bellies!"
Ivan laughed. "It's a feast fit for Famine and Pestilence! What else should we get?"
"Hm. I think we should get some milk to go with the bread! Then we'll keep the silver piece to start saving up. And there, good sir, is some milk!" Gilbert grinned and pointed to the farming stand where there stood a cow tied to a lamp post behind its vender.
Ivan and Gilbert went up to the man and asked how much a pint of milk was.
"Two gold pieces." He answered. Both their jaws dropped at the steep price.
"Why so high?" Asked Ivan.
"For the glass bottle, you dolt." Answered the lanky man. "If you want milk, it's only a silver coin for however much you can fit. You got anything on you? A bowl? A cup?"
Ivan and Gilbert looked at each other and shook their heads. "If we give you a silver coin," Started Ivan "Can we get a bottle of milk and just bring it back to you?"
The man threw his head back and laughed. "Yeah, right. I'm gonna trust my hard earned glass bottles to some riff rats? I don't think so. If you don't got nuthin' to put it in, then scram."
"Let's go, Gilbert." Ivan led him away. "We'll try again next time."
"He's a jackass!" Gilbert growled. "Whatever. We still have rain water left. Let's sit down and enjoy our bread. Then we can go to the rich part and dig through our favorite trash bins. Sound good?" He brought the loaf in half and gave one to Ivan.
Ivan accepted the bread. "Sure. Hopefully we can find something to store in liquids. I haven't had milk in so long."
"Yeah, and it would have gone great with the bread!"
They escaped into the more deserted part of the market to dine on their bread. Gilbert viciously bit and tore at his, barely chewing. All he cared about was that fluffy deliciousness making its way into his belly. Ivan controlled his intake, chewing slowly and savoring the bread. But their happiness was to last, for soon they were approached by two policemen. The officers always traveled in pairs. Gilbert's eyes widened, for he recognized their faces as the two who brutally attacked him a few nights ago. This must be their route. They were coming his way too. Gilbert moved closer to Vanya.
"Well, well, well, lookie here!" Said the first one. "Why if it isn't our little white street rat. Who's your friend?"
Ivan looked at them but said nothing.
"None of your business." Gilbert answered with a glare. "Leave us alone. We're not doing anything wrong."
The second officer twirled his night stick. "Maybe you aren't NOW, but you were."
Ivan's brows furrowed and Gilbert sneered. "You're lying! We didn't do anything!"
"You stole that bread." Said the first.
"No." Ivan finally spoke up. "We bought it from our earnings. Go ask the plump baker with the red nose. He'll tell you."
The officers chuckled at one another, clearly not believing their story. "Just hand over the bread and we'll let you go." Said the second.
Gilbert held the bread to his chest, his eyes wide and his teeth grit. "NO! THIS IS OUR BREAD!"
"Hand it over, pinkie." Said the first, taking out his nightstick. "Don't make me have to break your little hand."
"JUST LEAVE US ALONE!" Gilbert pleaded with them. "Just go…please. We're tired and hungry."
The officers laughed again. "That's what they all say. We've heard it before." Said the second. "We've heard it many times, from men, wives, mothers, children. But the law is just and true. It overrides everything."
Ivan glanced at them. "The law is also made to protect the people."
The first responded with a scoff. "TRUE and HONEST people. Not scum like you." He turned back to Gilbert. "Hand over the bread which you had stolen or lose what few teeth you probably have left."
Gilbert only held the bread closer to this chest, squeezing it tight. "It's mine. I bought it." 'Why isn't Vanya helping more?' He wondered nervously. Gilbert laid pleading eyes on the first officer, noticing the dirty look on the man's face. Gilbert lowered his eyes; he recognized that look. Letting go of his bread was out of the question. He wanted this bread; he NEEDED this bread. His heart would break if it were to be taken away. So swallowing hard, Gilbert lifted his eyes to look into the officer's brown ones. "Can I do something for you in exchange for keeping the bread?"
Ivan gave his partner and intense stare. Was Gilbert serious?
The first guard looked to his partner silently. "Do what you want." Said the second. "I won't fucking touch him."
"Alright then, pinkie." Said the first. "You're always running off at the mouth, so let's give it something to talk about, hm?" He smirked. "I'll let you keep the bread and forget any of this happened."
Gilbert looked down at the bread in his arms, remembering Vanya's words from earlier in the day. Sacrifices were going to have to be made. This officer just wanted him to use his mouth, which wouldn't be difficult. It was easier than getting fucked. Vanya was lucky to be diseased for no one would bother him. He was diseased too, but his illness was not physically noticeable.
Holding his breath, Gilbert handed the bread to his partner. "Vanya, just wait here. I won't be long." His voice was soft and defeated.
Ivan held the bread in his arms, giving Gilbert a woeful look. He watched as the officer ushered Gilbert into a nearby ally to perform the preferred act. Ivan wished he could do more, but he could not risk being found out by the police. If they were to unmask him, then he'd be back in that mental house hooked up to electric. He cared for Gilbert, but the chilling fear he had of that horrible place was stronger than his emotions. Gilbert was free to make his own choices. Ivan glanced at the other officer, who was staring intently at him.
"You're a big fellow." He said. "The biggest guy I've seen in a while." Ivan just gave a nod. "Why you all bandaged up?"
"I'm sick."
"Sick with what?"
"Syphilis."
The officer made a face of disgust. "Ew. No wonder you're dirt poor. Spent all your money at the whore house, got sick, and now no one will give you honest work. Tsk. I wish we could just kill all the diseased people the moment we saw them. You know, to slow the chance of it spreading." He gave a laugh.
Ivan was not amused, but kept his mouth shut and looked away.
In the ally, Gilbert could feel the officer getting ready to reach completion. He didn't think about the cock he was sucking on but rather the bread that he would soon be eating. The man was average size, barely anything extravagant. It was disgusting, what he was doing, but if it let him keep the bread, then he could stomach it. The man was close now, signaling ejaculation by gripping his hair. The officer held his head and pushed further down his throat as orgasm hit. Gilbert choked back the urge to vomit as he was forced to swallow all of the bitter cum in his mouth. The man let out a deep breath of relief while Gilbert quickly pulled his mouth away. The taste was horrid, and his lips went flat as he felt the venom burn on the way down. He held his stomach and lurched over just slightly, trying not to throw up or cough.
"Full now?" Laughed the officer. "Hey, whore, look up at your superior."
Gilbert held his breath but did as he was told. The officer gave him an eerie smile while reaching into his pocket and taking out a gold coin.
"You want this gold coin? Tell you what. Since I've never fucked an albino before, I'll give you this gold coin for the pleasure."
'A gold coin?' Gilbert's eyes widened slightly. 'I could buy three loaves of bread!'
"I see it in your little pink eyes, mousie. You'll do anything for a bit of money, hm? You must like taking cock in whatever way you can get it so long as there is a promise of money." He flipped the coin in the air and caught it in his palm. "So? Do we have a deal?"
Gilbert wanted that gold coin. He wanted those loaves of bread. He wanted milk. But could he offer himself to this policemen? Someone who beat him just for the sheer enjoyment of it? This man and his partner purposefully harass him. Why should he lower himself to this man in particular? His pride was more important than bread or milk. So looking up at the man, Gilbert slowly shook his head 'no', stood up, and held his chin high.
The officer was in shock at the refusal of a gold coin. But shock quickly turned into anger. "Hey, slut, lower your head! You are in the presence of an officer of the king!" Gilbert refused. "After what you just let yourself do, street rat, you've got a lot of balls to hold your head high! I said lower it!"
"I did what you asked of me and nothing more. Keep your gold."
The officer growl low, took out his nightstick, and bashed Gilbert's cheek with it. Gilbert fell to the street, stunned, as his mouth filled with blood and his face aching with pain.
"Stupid slut!" The man spat on him as he left.
Gilbert tried to catch his breath while the pain in his cheek escaladed to his eye and ear. He could already feel his face swelling and taste the metallic liquid in his mouth. "V-Vanya!" He called weakly. "Vanya…" he held his chest and started to cough violently.
"Gilbert!" Ivan ran to him with the bread still in his arms. He couldn't help Gilbert with the coughing, so instead he sat back against the building wall and cradled the smaller man in his lap. Ivan placed the bread on Gilbert's lap to better support him. He could see the large bruise forming on Gilbert's pale cheek, going so far as to making the bottom of his eye swell up as well. To make Gilbert more comfortable during his coughing fit, Ivan removed the flat hat and unbuttoned the coat for him to get more air. When the coughing finally stopped, pink bloodshot eyes gazed tiredly up at him.
"Do you…have the bread?" Gilbert asked in a harsh whisper.
"I do. Just rest a moment." Ivan held him in an embrace, like a mother would her child. The other accepted his embrace by burrowing into his neck, hiding the tears that began to fall. Ivan let him cry and simply held him, rocking them both. "It's alright. We still have our bread and our silver coins. Not all is lost."
"I'm hungry." Gilbert whispered against his neck.
"Would you like your bread?" The other nodded against him. Ivan handed him the piece, watching as trembling hands took the half of loaf. He never took the time to study Gilbert's hands; they were thin and small, lined with light blue veins beneath paper skin. Gilbert would need a hospital soon…something they couldn't afford. The churches were always full as well. There was no cure for the sickness Gilbert had, but with the proper care he could extend his life.
"Does it look bad?"
"Hm?"
"My face…from where he hit me."
"Oh, it's swollen, but it will heal. We should be getting back to the church so you can rest."
Gilbert chewed on more of the bread, tears slipping down his cheeks. "I can't prostitute myself tonight. My face will scare the men away. That's what the officer wanted. He offered me a gold coin to let him fuck me. I wouldn't do it. I couldn't do it, not with him. Not with any policemen." He looked up at Ivan. "I'm sorry…I didn't consider you when the coin was offered."
"Don't worry about me. I think that…well…I think that I may try to be helpful for us as well."
"You aren't going to join the circus, are you? Please say you're not?"
Ivan shook his head. "No. I'm going to try a bit of…gambling. I was really good at it a long time ago. As long as I go to the right places, I may be able to squeeze some money out of poker players."
"I might want to try that too. Could I come with you when you go? I want to learn how to play poker and gamble."
Ivan smiled. "It's tricky, and not everyone is made for it. But you are more than welcome to come along when I decide to go. Right now I am content with our little song and dance." He saw the small smile on Gilbert's face.
"Yeah. Me too."
"So let's finish our bread and then head back."
Gilbert nodded and ate the rest of his bread, ignoring the pain in his jaw and cheek. His partner was still on his half, and Gilbert couldn't help but bite off some of Vanya's. The other didn't protest and they ate the piece together. "Sorry." Gilbert said with his mouth full. "I'm just so hungry."
"You need it more than I do. We'll buy some more bread for you on the way."
The albino smiled up at him. "Vanya? I just want to say thank you for helping and trying to take care of me. No one other than Fredrick has ever done that for me."
"We're friends now, so of course I will take care of you. I'll even carry you home on my back if I need too."
"Normally I would say no, but for now, the answer is 'yes'. Please do."
So Ivan carried his friend home piggy-back style. Ivan choked half of the way because Gilbert insisted on eating the bread as he held on. By the time they had reached the church it was sunset, and for the first time in a long while they had their bellies full. Ivan finally put Gilbert down and made the man walk the rest of the way. As they ascended the stairs to their spot, they searched around for signs of any more rats. The coast was clear; for now.
Gilbert sat on the bed of blankets and motioned for Ivan to join him. When the larger man sat down, Gilbert decided to move across his lap instead. Ivan just stared at him, wondering what the other was up to. Gilbert's face was still swollen, but he was smiling as if it didn't bother him.
"I wonder what you look like under all those bandages?"
"I look hideous." Ivan answered.
"I bet you don't. So you have a few marks on your face. Who cares?"
"I do."
"You're crazy." He chuckled. "But I like you. I think I'll keep you."
"Keep me?" To Ivan's utter amazement, Gilbert suddenly pressed their lips together. It was a soft, chaste kiss; like one a lover would give. "What was that for? I'm sick, remember?"
Gilbert gave him another quick kiss. "I'm sick too. Maybe we'll balance each other out."
Ivan blocked another kiss from Gilbert with his palm. "You've thanked me enough today, Gilbert. We don't need to kiss."
"But I want to." He straddled his legs on either side of the other. "I don't care if you're sick. I'm going to die anyway."
Ivan placed his hands on Gilbert's chest, gently pushing him away. "You don't have to suffer with me. You are suffering enough. Just because I am here with you does not mean we have to be together like this."
Gilbert pouted his swollen bottom lip. "You don't like me, Vanya?"
"I do like you, Gilbert. I just-" he lifted Gilbert easily off of him, placing the man beside him. "I just don't want to have sex."
"Who says I'm asking for sex?"
"I felt you growing hard against my belly." Ivan said with amusement. "I have a disease, Gilbert. I refuse to spread it."
The albino pouted in annoyance at his comrade. "Vanya, you're just too good to be true."
Ivan gave him a smile before standing. "I'm going to go search the streets and trashcans for anything we might need, or anything I find of interest. This is going to be our home for a while, so I think we should make it look more…homely." He smiled happily. "Don't you agree?"
Gilbert rolled his eyes. "Sure, why not? Just be careful out there, and please, come back to me?"
"I will. Just rest for now and feel better. I'll wake you when I'm back. IF any rats come, just run outside until I get back. I'll try to be back before it grows too late."
/
The streets were growing dark as the lamp lighter began to make his rounds. Ivan passed him without a second glance, hands in his pockets, eyes staring at the sidewalk. Gilbert's action of kissing earlier had caught him by surprise. He understood why Gilbert was feeling this way towards him. He was the albino's only source of company after being alone for so long. Gilbert was desperate for attention, for any kind of attention. Ivan wouldn't have said no to Gilbert's advances if the timing were different. He had to keep Gilbert believing he was sick. He could not reveal himself to anyone, not even his comrade. He did want to comfort Gilbert in any way that he could so the man can experience some joy in his last months on this earth. It saddened him to know that Gilbert would die, and that they were helpless to do anything. Ivan wasn't a fool. He knew they needed to make a lot of money at a quicker race if Gilbert were to survive. If they saved up enough, then Gilbert's disease could be combated for a time and Ivan could find a way to leave the city. Maybe even leave the country. Of course he would ask Gilbert to come with him. But for all this to take place, they needed money. Fast money. Gilbert needed to survive and Ivan needed to stay hidden from the world.
An eerie musical sound traveled on the dead of the night, reaching his ears to attract his attention. Ivan recognized it as the circus music from the night before. He followed the tune to the park until he came upon the same set up of tents as before. Only this time, the sign did not advertise creatures of the night, but rather 'Ladies of the Dark'. Ivan noticed all the men going in and out of the tents. Gilbert's words about this place echoed in his ears, but Ivan couldn't resist heading over to the tents. He had always been a little on the curious side. As he approached the ticket booth, a thin man with a long cane stopped him.
"Hey there now, big fella! You can't come in here until you've paid!"
"Oh, I have no money. I was just curious."
"Curious about our Ladies of the Dark?" The man flashed him a very large smile. "Why are you all covered up, son? Got a disease?"
"I do."
"Then you'd best be on your way! None of these ladies would let you near them if you look like that and carry the plague!"
"Billy! Hold on a minute now!" Came another voice. Ivan looked over to see that Clifford, the ringmaster, had joined them. "Well, well, well! Welcome back, my good lad! Come alone, did you?"
Ivan nodded. "I was just out for a walk."
"Where is our favorite albino?"
"Resting."
Clifford twirled his mustache. "Hm. How is our little white rabbit doing? Have you come here to tell me that he has accepted my gracious offer?"
"He hasn't. Gilbert does not want to be shown off as a freak."
The man named Billy spoke then. "Ah, but it would be in his best interest! I know the albino you speak of! WE can get him to a hospital if he makes us enough money!"
Ivan brows rose. "Really?"
"Sure!" They both smiled widely at him.
Clifford wrapped his arm around Ivan's shoulders. "Just think, my good man! Picture it. Our lovely little albino as the White Devil. The White Demon. The White Siren!"
"Something with 'white' in it!" Laughed Billy.
Ivan scratched at his cheek. "But that wouldn't work. If Gilbert makes enough money to go to a hospital, then who will take his place here? You men wouldn't let him go."
"Nonsense!" Gasped Clifford. "He can heal himself at the hospital and then come back here! Why, if he helps me to bring in a hefty profit then I will even offer to help pay for the hospital. I am a business man, my dear…what is your name again?"
"Vanya."
"I am a business man, Vanya. I was born a poor soul, just like you and Gilbert, with nothing but the dark and dirty streets to look forward to every day. All I knew was darkness and despair. So one day, I thought, 'How can I use this to my advantage'? Then, it came to me! I gathered up as many performers, prostitutes, and oddities I could find!" He pointed to the tents with his cane. "I have given a home and an income to those who suffer just like you and Gilbert. These lonely, lost souls will never have anyone to care for them; to love and cherish them until the end of their days. If not for me, they would die alone, sad and depressed, without ever knowing one very powerful word: HOPE."
Ivan was pondering on the man's words. It was true he was giving these people a home and money, but is this right? "Mr. Clifford? Gilbert thinks it's wrong to have people pay money to look at…well…to look at people who aren't normal. It's mean."
Billy twirled his cane. "It's only mean if you're doing it for fun!"
"Billy is right, Vanya. You see, these oddities, these…'creatures of the night' cannot live in normal human society. People are naturally mean and cruel, especially to those who are different. Think about it. Every single person in this world is unhappy with their lives one way or another. They LOVE to see others who have it off worse than them. They will pay money to see other people suffering just to feel good about themselves."
Ivan moved away from him. "How does that help the people like Gilbert?"
"They get MONEY!" Clifford pinched Ivan's cheeks. "MONEY, my good fellow, makes the world go round! No normal man would hire these oddities! Look at our fair Gilbert! HE is a hard worker, but people FEAR him. So if he uses that fear to his advantage, he'll end up making money. Use your strengths even if they are what others fear. Fear is power."
Ivan looked at both Clifford and Billy's smiling facing. They did need to make fast money. Maybe they could even put on their musical performance here at the circus as well to gain MORE money. Gilbert said not to trust them, but sometimes you had to take a chance if you want to get ahead. "I will talk to Gilbert about what you said. If he chooses to do this, can I do it too?"
"Of course you can!" Clifford answered. "I will find a position for you, so don't you worry none!"
Ivan smiled. This was worth a shot. They didn't have any other options. "I'll be back soon then with my answer." Feeling content with the progress he had made tonight, Ivan strolled out of the park.
Billy tapped his fingers on the ticket booth top and Clifford chuckled, his big belly jiggling as he did.
"There's a sucker born every minute."
End Chapter 5 TBC
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Goodnight Noises Everywhere