Circus Save Me Read online

  “Leave him alone. We all know that water will kill him, why don't you just let him get what he needs and leave each other to it!” I fume, crossing my arms.

  “Listen up slave, don't start with me. Walk away before you get hurt, boy,” the big man I hit with a rock warns. I swallow quickly, but part my legs in a steadier stance.

  “No. I won't stand by and watch as you hurt an innocent man.”

  “Innocent?!” The man screams, his face turning red with anger as his eyes almost pop out of his head. “He's a fucking freak, he's one of those weirdos.”

  I freeze as his words finally sink in, that means this man is like me? A soft hand touches my back making me jump before my head swings to the man behind me. He steps up next to me, easing the strain on my neck. My breathing stops as I meet his baby blues, my heart racing as he offers me a soft smile. He’s younger than I would have thought, probably close to my age, his face is softer, too. His features almost feminine, pink plump lips, long black eyelashes framing his beautiful eyes. If it wasn't for his body and the cheekbones, he might be womanly. As it is, he's beautiful, like one of the men in the magazines Frederick owns. Models, I think they were called? He doesn’t give me a second look, obviously not seeing through the darkness in the hood to the fact I am a woman.

  “It’s okay. Go on, don't let them hurt you.” His voice is smooth and softer than the rough baritones I'm used to. This pushes the leader over the edge as he roars and grabs at me. I squeak as he yanks me, throwing me to the floor. I quickly cover my head as booted feet land on me, the kicks sending pain through my body. A surge of my power rises before I can help it, hardening my skin. The next kick that lands deflects off me, the man screaming as his foot meets my toughened skin.

  “Stop it!” The man they were attacking shouts.

  The screams finally reach my panicked ears as I lift my head slowly. The hood, forgotten, has fallen to reveal me. The men instantly stop, watching me in horror as they realise that not only am I someone's property - but a woman. My eyes quickly flick over the scene to see the man they branded a freak, fighting the hold of two men, who have one arm each. A man screams close to me, making me scramble to my feet as he hops around holding his obviously injured foot. Pushing my powers back quickly, I let my skin return to normal before they notice. There are people out there that hunt people like me, dangerous people. I learnt at an early age to keep my ‘peculiarities’ hidden, but as I get older, it only gets harder. The power pushing through me, trying to protect me from punishments and life in general. The beautiful man elbows the man to his left and then spins and punches the man to his right, his movement’s fluid, like a dancer I once saw or an animal like the one advertised for the circus passing through. Once free, he rushes to my side, his large hands spanning my waist as he frantically examines me. The heat washing through me causes me to bite my lip. He freezes as his eyes lift to mine in surprise, obviously just now realising I'm not a man. It's like an electric shock when he stares at me, his hands still on me. The world leaves us in this moment as he drinks in my face.

  “Well, hello there.” His smile is brilliant as he blinds me with its perfection.

  Those three words send heat straight to my cheeks and have my head ducking. He grins as the locals start pushing and shouting at each other behind him. His eyes crinkle as he glances back, before looking at me with a sigh.

  “Stay right there a minute.” The stranger winks at me before turning and jogging over to the others. In the chaos of the fighting between the locals and the new man, I manage to slip away, pulling up my hood quickly. I hurry through the market to the stall and ask for Frederick’s parcel. The brown box is neatly wrapped, and the old pudgy man warns me to be careful with it. My curiosity nearly gets the better of me, but with one look back at where the man I helped is still arguing with locals, I pull my hood tighter and slip out of the market.

  Only when I’m on the dirt road again do I breathe deeply and slow my pace, the parcel getting heavier with each step. By the time I get back to Frederick’s, my already sore arms are going to be like lead. My stomach chooses that moment to throb from the kick that connected there earlier.

  “Stupid, Rhea, really stupid,” I grunt at myself as I remember the power rushing through me and hardening my skin.

  “Anyone could have been watching!” I kick the dirt as I walk, still muttering to myself. I cross the dirt intersection again and keep my head down as the man’s face pops into my head, making me smile. He really was beautiful, my shoulders slump when I realize I probably won't see him again. He must have been a traveler or just passing through.

  A noise has me spinning towards the bush next to the road, squinting, as I try to see through the leaves. It comes again, making me frown. What was that? Looking around, I speed up again, unwilling to be caught alone. Turning onto the edge of the dirt road that leads to Frederick’s, I frown as a pained roar shakes the ground I'm walking on. Spinning wildly, I spot a man’s back retreating behind the tree nearest to me.

  Don’t do it, Rhea. I frown as I look back at the road before groaning and slipping around the tree to follow him. I freeze in shock as I watch the scene before me. Two men, who I recognize as Frederick’s lower lackeys, are pointing guns at an animal that I can only catch glimpses of behind them. Its roar comes again, filled with pain and fear. My heart clenches as I drop Frederick’s parcel to the ground, unconcerned about the contents.

  Picking my way around the men, I stand to the side and almost cry when I see the poor thing. It’s beautiful. Crouching, its long black tail swings behind him, the fur thickening and becoming bushier at the end with the tips varying from orange to red. Strong lean legs move as it crouches lower to the floor, flashing large, sharp fangs at the men. Its bulky, muscular body is the same black with red and orange here and there until a large mane covers its shoulders and head in the same mix of colours. Looking at it, I'm reminded of the predator people used to call a Lion.

  It’s obviously a mutated animal, but the intelligence shining in its tawny eyes is unlike anything I’ve ever seen. For a moment, our eyes lock, its tail stops swishing and he stops growling. My eyes fill with tears when I spot the bright red blood seeping from its injured shoulder, bright against his dark fur.

  The moment is broken when one of the men shout at it again, making it roar. The lackey raises his gun, aiming at the poor animal. Instinct guides me as I leap in front of it, putting my defenseless back to the predator. I spread my arms wide, the hood falling.

  “It’s Frederick’s little whore. Move, bitch!” The blonde slimy-looking one on the left shouts, waving his gun around threateningly.

  The animal stops growling, but I keep my eyes locked on the men in front of me, not letting my fear show. It's the easiest way to become prey.

  “Leave it alone!” I yell. The other man with dark brown hair, body all muscle, moves forward pointing the gun right at me. The slimy one looks at him before smacking his shoulder.

  “We can’t hurt her, idiot, Frederick will kill us.”

  The bigger guy frowns before lowering the gun. I keep my position and manage to hold in my flinch as warm breath hits my back. It’s a good sign it hasn't attacked me yet, but you can never be too careful. I don't have time to soothe it as I wait for the attack I know is coming from the men in front of me.

  “Hey, assholes!” Comes a deep shout as loud, booming steps sound to the right of us, further into the barren dead land. Risking it, I glance over as a big man stops just a few feet from us, closer to the men than me. He looks over at me and sees the animal behind me, before anger graces his face as he turns to the men. I only planned a quick look but my eyes stick to him, he’s even bigger than the men who work the fields. His trousers mould to thick thighs and his shirt is almost see-through allowing me a glimpse of his wide barrel chest. Blonde, short styled hair, catches the light, as do his emerald eyes as they flash with fury.

  His fists clench next to his legs as he faces the men down. He’s tall, almost double the height of the slimy one, and over a head bigger than the other lackey.

  “Back off, that animal is mine!” His voice echoes between us all, deep and gravelly like the growl of the animal that has started making noises again behind me. Before I know it, the large creature has slipped around me and stands with its paws planted apart, obviously trying to protect me. The slimy man laughs even as the big man steps closer. My eyes swing between them, watching it all unfold.

  “Come on Ted, it's not worth it,” he mutters to the bigger guy as he watches the newcomer warily.

  They both slip their guns away and then turn to me.

  “You'll pay for this, cunt,” the bigger of the two, Ted, says as he stomps away. The slimy man smiles at me like a snake.

  “I can't wait to see what he does to you.” He blows me a kiss and scurries after his friend. My shoulders drop as the adrenaline leaves me. The animal whines and I drop to my knees automatically, my hands fluttering over its wound.

  “Oh, you poor baby!” I cry as it whines again, plopping itself down at my feet. Its tongue lolls out. I forget about the big man, which is a feat in itself, until he drops to his knees on the other side of the animal. He cups its big head, petting it gently.

  “Fluffy, what did they do to you?” He softens his voice, but it's still gravelly and deep. I stare from him to the animal as it head butts him for attention. The thing looks like it eats humans for breakfast and he names it Fluffy? Before I can ask, he rips his shirt off and presses it to the wound, wincing when Fluffy growls.

  “Sorry, big guy,” he mutters, but my eyes are stuck to his chest. Muscle after muscle makes my mouth water as his tanned chest gleams with sweat. Big broad shoulders tense as he presses harder. I drag my eyes up and watch as he frowns, tryi
ng to stop the bleeding. His eyes are filled with sorrow, and I almost smile at the gentle way this huge man is tenderly looking after this deadly creature.

  “I think the bullet just grazed him,” I offer. His head snaps up as he stares at me, obviously just realising that I'm still here. He turns bright red, the colour adorable on his handsome face.

  “So-Sorry, I, erm, forgot you were..., it's just Fluffy and me, erm, I am, shit. Hi, I’m Rex.” He bumbles through cringing lips, at the end of the sentence. I smile at him.

  “Hi, I’m Rhea.”

  He goes to stretch his hand out, but frowns down at the blood on his palm and glances at me awkwardly.

  “Is he yours?” I ask gently, tenderly reaching out and stroking the creature’s head. He purrs deep, shaking Rex’s hand as he rubs his head against me. Rex watches in shock, making me drop my hand and blush, my eyes dropping to the creature between us. Fluffy head-butts me, knocking me on my butt as he tries to get me to pet him again.

  “No, I mean yes, sorry, I’ve just never seen him trust anyone apart from me. He snarls at everyone and takes particular pleasure in annoying Blain, he even once-” he snaps his mouth shut and his blush returns. “Sorry, I'm babbling.” He rubs his head, messing up his hair. I wonder if it's as soft as it looks. “I'm better with animals, I don't really deal with people,” his face is as red as the sun when it first rises and filled with embarrassment.

  “I'm that way too. I love animals.” I laugh as the big softie nudges me again, making Rex smile. It transforms his face from handsome to downright perfect.

  Rex drops his eyes, losing his smile when he sees the blood still flowing.

  “Sorry, I need to get him back to tend to his wound before it gets infected.”

  “Of course, sorry!” I gush, mad at myself for forgetting the poor, hurt cat.

  He smiles softly at me before hefting the animal up in his arms. I gape at him as he carries it like a baby. I scramble to my feet.

  “Will he be okay?” I ask softly, worrying my bottom lip. His smile is strained.

  “I think so, sorry, I really had better go!” Nodding, I step back and watch as he strides away, the giant cat alternating between growling and purring in his arms.

  “I know, big guy, it will be okay.” The giant coos at him as he walks away. Shaking my head, I trudge to the road and pick up the half smashed parcel. Groaning, I grab it and set off back home. Frederick is going to kill me, but it was worth it to help Fluffy. Giggling at the name, I walk down the road until the townhouse comes into view.

  I stare up at the doors of the tavern which I call home. Fear, anger, and emotions that I can’t put a name to run through my body. It’s quiet out here. Even the crows are silent, like an eerie omen. I have an odd feeling, like this is the last time I will set foot in this house. It may not be much, but it has been a roof over my head and the closest thing to safety and belonging that I have ever known. I swallow back my fear and take a step towards the front door.

  If this is to be my last day on this Earth, at least I know I have done something to be proud of. If saving that beautiful animal from further pain and torment means I have to sacrifice my life, then so be it. At least I have made a difference in this pointless world. How else would I spend the rest of my days? Cowering from my ‘master’ and serving the whim of every man around?

  With this decision, I feel a sense of calm and determination run through me. Head held high and back straight for the first time I can remember, I walk into Frederick’s tavern to face the consequences of my actions.

  The house is just as quiet inside as it was out, and as I enter the main room of the house, I see several of Frederick’s lackeys lining the room. They all have a sick, excited gleam in their eyes, their anticipation of what is going to happen clear in their expressions.

  “Time to get what you deserve, slut.” A weasley excuse of a man spits at me.

  I turn to him, steel in my eyes as I slap him as hard as I can. Now that I have accepted my fate, I can’t seem to stop myself. A burst of pride hits me. The man I hit tries to grab at me but is held back by one of the other goons in the room. He leans towards the other man and whispers to him in a voice loud enough for me to hear.

  “Let Frederick deal with her. Then she is ours,” he licks his lips, his eyes not leaving mine for a second as he speaks.

  I grimace in disgust, especially as I see him grab at his crotch, adjusting his arousal at whatever sick thoughts are running through his twisted head. I feel sick to my stomach as I wonder if I made the right decision. Closing my eyes briefly, I can still hear the roar of the wounded animal. It fortifies me, allowing my eyes to open as I glare at the creeps.

  “I would rather die,” I bite out, spitting on them in the process.

  The man just grins, not making a move to wipe my spit from his face.

  “That can be arranged,” he says in a voice that makes my blood run cold.

  I stride away, not willing to waste any more of my time on these disgusting men. There is no point delaying any further. Walking up to Frederick’s office, I don’t hesitate at the doorway; instead, I waltz straight in, not bothering to knock. Frederick is standing behind his desk, staring out the window at the parched, dying land. He turns, raising his eyebrow at what he sees. He nods at someone behind me.

  “Take her,” he says before turning away to look out the window again.

  I startle, but before I can think to do anything to protect myself, a blinding light fills my vision as something connects with my head. I drop to the ground, only able to focus on the pain as darkness fills my vision. I hear shuffling feet around me, and I think I am raised from the ground, but I am helpless to do anything about it as I am pulled into unconsciousness.

  My head is pounding and my skin is tight and hot like I have been in the sun for too long. My muscles are screaming at me but it’s not until I try to relieve the pain that I realise I can’t move. I open my eyes suddenly and quickly close them again against the harsh light, the back of my head throbbing to the frantic beat of my heart. I try to slow my breathing as I search my memory for what is happening.

  I hear a distant animalistic roar, and everything comes back to me in a rush. I open my eyes again and try to work out how much shit I am in.

  I am in the marketplace, my knees in the dirt with my arms tied to a post in front of me. Biting my lip to stop from crying out, I rest my forehead against the post. This is not good. Turning my head, I can see that a crowd has gathered. I see a couple of faces that I recognise, but mostly just the eager faces of strangers gathered to see some bloodshed.

  A hush falls on the gathered group as footsteps sound, the person walking closer towards me. My heart rate speeds in anticipation of pain. There is only one reason I am here. Public humiliation. The only question is, how far will they go? Death? In some respects, death would be the kindest option.

  The sound of a throat clearing fills the now quiet marketplace. This place is usually a hive of activity, but right now it is silent as the grave.

  “We are here today because I have been wronged,” Frederick’s voice fills the area, making people shift and murmur amongst themselves.

  “This girl; my property, thought that she knew better than us. Than me! We need to show her her place. I have been lenient, kind even. Turns out that I have been too lenient. I guess it is my own fault. Women need a strong hand to remind them of their place in this world, and I failed to do that. She needs to be reminded that women only exist to serve us. It is because of that failing that I will spare her life. But mark my words, things will change from today and she will learn her proper value as a woman in a man's world,” he finishes, everyone hanging on to every last rasping word.

  Dread fills me, and I know that by the end of this, death would have been kinder but still, I do not regret my actions. What makes the rules different for me, a woman, then a man? Why, when we bring new life into this dead world, are we seen as nothing? Just stock, to barter and sell, while they carry on destroying what is left in the ruins of this world.

  I gasp as someone roughly rips open the back of my shapeless smock, exposing my bare skin to the watching crowd. Murmurs fill the air, and I notice with dismay that the sounds are of excitement. There would be no help for me here. The sound of a belt being undone has fear filling me once more, pushing back my useless thoughts. I break out in a cold sweat despite the pounding heat of the sun on my skin. Leaning my head against the post in front of me, I grip my hands tightly together. I may be terrified, but I will not give them the satisfaction of seeing me beg.