Page 88 of Circus From Hell

Good riddance to my past.

I’m ready to start a new life. One where I’m not beaten and bloodied by the people who are supposed to care for me. One where I’m not in everlasting, overwhelming, internal pain. One where I’m on top.

We walk through the town together, and I notice how easily he avoids the curious stares of others. He looks out of place, but nothing in his expression reflects that he feels that way. He walks with squared shoulders, hands behind his back, and a straight spine. I’m slouched, hood up to cover my black fringe and dark eyes. Could I have his confidence one day? His sense of purpose?

I spot posters for a travelling circus advertised on the brick walls as we pass. They’re wet and torn from the heavy rain earlier, but I can make out the prominent thick fonts and red and green stripes.

When we reach the edge of a damp field, I spot it—the tent. Large, pointed, and daunting. Kreo examines it like it’s his baby, his pride and joy, but there’s anguish behind his eyes. I don’t question why he feels so much for a tent. To feel something for anything at all would be nice.

“We haven’t got many performers left,” he explains as we walk over the field. My focus is on the word ‘left’. What happened to the others? “I think you would make a very fitting clown. Don’t you, my boy?”

I scoff and ask, “Are you mocking me?”

He looks at me with a deadpan expression, like he can’t fathom why being called a clown isn’t a good thing. “Absolutely not. My clowns are some of the best. And you could be one too.”

Kreo pulls back the curtain, and my eyes widen as I follow through.

There are clowns and acrobats and firebreathers. They all practice their actions in the middle of the show ring, entranced in what they’re doing. We watch them from the edge of the ring, beside the stands of chairs that await visitors.

“They will be your family. You will have your own tent, your own belongings. You will be a human, an adult, a responsible part of this circus. Do you think you can handle this?”

I shrug. “I’ve never been responsible for anything.”

“Then you will learn.” He turns to face me. “I want to take a step back from my circus. My heart lies with experimenting.” He pulls the rat—Project One—out of his pocket, the small, black creature trembling in his hand. “I have some very exciting projects to be focusing on. We will find you your style, your voice, your speciality. I will cure your pain and give you additions you never knew you wanted.”

He lets the rat jump out of his hand before reaching out to drag my hood away from my head. The tips of my fringe poke my eyes, and he stares into them curiously.

“Yes. I see it in your eyes. I see the need for control and power. I can give you that. How about hypnotism, hmm? Have you ever wanted to hook someone without doing anything but stare into their soul? To have their every will and movement in your hands?” An edge of excitement has creeped into his voice, and it reflects in the way my heart pounds.

That’s exactly what I want.

Control.

“I can see it now. Black and white. Hypnotic eyes. Stick out your tongue?” I do so, and he nods. “How about a split tongue? And something to entertain your clowns? A second cock, perhaps.” I blink, and he laughs. “You will be powerful, my boy.”

We turn back to face the rest of the circus as they move about.

“I will recruit more. We will bring this place back to what it once was, with freaks and depraved minds filling it to the brim.” He talks of it as though it’s a new circus. What happened to the old one? “And you? You will control it at my side. So, tell me. Are you in?”

I swallow and clench my fists.

“Yes.”

With a fresh start, I need a fresh name. To go with my black and white hypnotic swirls.

“Call me Spiral.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

SPIRAL

If I could burn down this entire damn circus right now, I would, but I’m stuck inside this cage.

I’ve never felt so rageful. Not even when Karma took over and Kreo pushed me aside.

Never have I been so humiliated like that. No one disrespects me. Especially not some test subject.

And why did I enjoy it? Why did I come?