All of my courage evaporated as soon as I saw the Ringmaster's scarlet top hat duck into our tent.  He stood in front of us, rage barely concealed. "Gabriel," he said, voice quivering slightly. "How lovely to see you. Clowns, take our guest to my tent." Two hulking clown slouched in and grabbed Gabriel roughly.  The Ringmaster turned to watch the clowns hauled him away, then he looked back at us.  "You have been very wicked today children," he said, now composed, with a mocking mixture of concern, disappointment, and sadness.  "And what must we do to naughty children Jinx?" he said to me with a horrible, toothy grin.  "Punish them." I replied stiffly; I just<span style="font-style: italic">couldn't</span>handle another beating today.  He continued "That's right dear.  No dinner tonight or tomorrow for bad kiddies." Another set of clowns walked in, carrying large steaming pots, which smelled heavenly. It was incomparable to our usual meagre, stale rations. My stomach grumbled.  They paused for a moment to let the smell reach us, then unlocked the cages and proceeded to dump all of the food into our chamber pots. "Goodbye children." The Ringmaster sang. I had to restrain tears as they all exited, leaving us in miserable silence.<br/><br/>I am not sure if any of us slept that night, but I know that we all heard Gabriel's blood-curtailing screams as we sat in the dark. As I huddled on the cold floor I knew several things. First, the Ringmaster knew that Gabriel was coming; there was no other way to explain the prepared food.  Second, Gabriel had not known the Ringmaster knew of his presence; his look of sheer terror as the old man entered our tent and his wretched screeches confirmed that. Third, Gabriel knew about a safe place, and we needed to get there.