Crack!

The sound of a whip pierced the night air, followed by screams of agony. The dark of night shrouding this act of cruelty like a curtain. Huddled in the corner of a steel cage, trembling with fear, and covered with lashes, lay a small figure. Her dark hair shielding her face from the terror she was facing. Her arms and legs painted with streaks of red as the whip cracked once more, stinging pain shot through her body as the braided leather slashed at her legs. She made no effort to scream, as that only encouraged him to continue. Instead, a small whimper escaped her lips. Finally, after what felt like eternity, no more lashes came. Afraid to move, she looked up at her assailant through her hair. Her body trembling like a leaf from the horror she had just faced. "And don't you dare try to leave again. Or what you faced now, will be much, much, worse." She saw him run a plump hand through his greasy hair, letting out a tired breath from the strenuous physical activity he had just faced. "I will not hesitate to aim for that pretty little face of yours next time." He spat as he turned and left. Leaving the frightened girl, alone, cold, and helpless.

Afraid to move, she lay there with her arms, legs and torso stinging. Breathing was too difficult, her chest felt tight as she tried to recover from the traumatizing experience. This is worse than being back on the streets, She thought to herself as she let out a shaky breath. She groaned, and winced as she slowly moved herself into a sitting position. Her back now against the steel bars of the cage she was imprisoned in. She welcomed the cold seeping in through her thin shirt.It kept her distracted from her current situation. She did her best to fight back tears, however a stray tear fell down her cheek. No longer hiding her frustrations and sadness, she let the tears flow down her face. She let out a silent scream as she banged her fists against the cold floor of the cage. I should have never accepted his help! She scolded herself silently. She brushed her hair out of her eyes with a shaky hand as she leaned her head back, looking up at the full moon. Her only friend in this cold prison. As she sat there, cold and alone, she began to think back to the events that transpired to have caused her to end up in this prison.

~~~

It had been a beautiful morning. she was in her caravan; preparing for the morning show, gathering the courage to confront Theo, the ringmaster. She planned on leaving after the last show of the night. She had spent the past 14 years in his traveling circus, and after saving the measly income she received from him, and from the guests; she finally had enough saved up to leave and start a new life. As she brushed her brown locks with the comb one of the carnies gifted her for her 19th birthday, memories of the day she was found by Theo in the streets, came rushing back. She had been no older than 5 when he rescued her. Sadly, she has no recollection of her life before then, It's all a complete blank. He picked her up and introduced her to the dazzling world of the circus, at least, that's what 5 year old her thought. As she grew up, she began to see the circus for what it really was: A prison. She began to notice how poorly the carnies were treated by Theo. How easily he angered and how he punished them, throwing them into cages; much like the one she was currently held in.

She had saved and saved, to finally escape from him and his mistreatment. As she finished getting ready, she headed towards his trailer, getting the courage to knock on his door as she stood on the front steps. She took in a deep breath and lifted up her hand to knock. Before she could touch the door; the sound of conversation halted her hand. She stepped back and focused on the sound coming from behind the trailer. She slowly inched her way towards the sound of voices, till she could finally make out what the two were speaking about. "-I know how much she means to you, so I just thought you should know..She really is serious about leaving." An unknown voice said, feeling of uneasiness beginning to build inside of her. They're talking about me! She thought. Another voice spoke, this one she recognized it as Theo's, "Damn her! All I did for her, and this is how she repays me!" The sound of glass shattering made her jump. Her heart was beating so loud in her ears; she was sure they could hear it thump against her chest. "Don't you worry," Theo continued, "Roxanne is our money maker, I will not let her leave so easily. She is the one who brings in the big crowds. How can we let our main attraction leave just like that?" He sighed and banged his fist against the side of the trailer. "Find her, tell her to meet with me after our last show of the night. I'll make sure she learns her lesson: she cannot leave me so easily." He spat out each word as if they left a bad taste in his mouth. "Will do sir." replied the unknown voice. They said their goodbyes and she heard their footsteps retreat.

As the sound of their footsteps faded, she quickly turned on her heal and ran back to her caravan. Shutting the door behind her, she quickly scanned the room; her bags were packed and ready to go. The jar of money she kept was right next to the dark grey bags. Roxanne quickly reached for it and stuffed it inside her bag. Observing how easily the jar fit inside. She looked at few contents that were held inside, noting the couple of dresses she owned and the only other pair of shoes she had. The few belongings she possessed were precious to her, each piece of clothing she had because of the generosity of the carnies. She was eternally grateful to them. Roxanne felt a pang of guilt in her chest for leaving them, but she knew she could not live in these conditions for any longer, she needed to make a new life. Possibly find someone who will love her, she sighed at the thought. Who would ever want an orphaned girl who grew up in the circus? As she sat on her creaky bed, she began to devise a plan to escape. Before Theo could even notice that she was gone.

That night, as she finished her act, she broke away from the rest of the carnies.She didn't care that she was still in her costume, she needed to leave as quickly as she could. Turning back to look behind her as she headed towards the rear opening of the tent, making sure theo was not around to catch her leaving. He was always adamant that everyone stayed inside when a show was going on. She paused as the cold night air kissed her face. She let out a breath as she looked around and made haste heading towards her caravan. She quickly opened and shut the flimsy door. Roxanne's heart beat against her chest, threatening to burst out at any moment, as she gathered her bags and slipped on her shoes. Slowly opening the door, she peaked out and made sure no one was around. She quickly descended the stairs and softly shut the door. Before she could take another step, a voice spoke from behind her. "Well, Roxanne, out of all the people who have betrayed me, I never would have thought you would be one of them." Her blood went cold.She did not dare turn around.She already knew who would be behind her, "Theo." the name came out in a whisper, as if speaking it any louder would cause the gates of hell to open and pull her in. Her body began to tremble, afraid of what he might do to her.

Theo placed a large hand on her shoulder, and squeezed. If he used any more force he could of easily injured her. "My dear, where do you think you're going? After everything I gave you; a home, a job. This is how you decide to repay me?" He began, as he leaned down so his mouth was near her ear "I Will not lose my main attraction." He hissed as he grabbed her arm, digging his fingers into her flesh. She cried out in pain, but no one heard. The sound of the crowd inside muffled her screams for help. She struggled against him, flailing around, trying to get away. Roxanne desperately hit him with her bag, but to no avail. He was much bigger and stronger than her. It was no use.

He took her out back, into the fields of unused cages, and threw her inside. He quickly followed after and chained her ankles with the shackles previously used for monkeys. He locked her in, throwing her bag out into the bushes, and reached for his whipped, The very same whip he used on the animals, and began his attack on her skin; leaving her scarred and bloodied.

~~~

Tears streamed down her face, she couldn't handle remembering the neglect she faced against his hands. This man who had saved her from the streets was now her captor. How long shall she stay in this cage? Will she ever get to leave? Can she ever get away from Theo? As she sobbed, she glanced up at the moon, letting her face be blanketed by the moon's glow. Please, someone, anyone, save me from this hell. A twig snapped behind her, getting her attention, making her turn around and face the stranger who had found her. A man, cast in the heavenly glow of the moon, stood there. A few feet from the cage, holding his hat in his hands. His expression hard to read, but she did know this: He was the most handsome man she has ever laid eyes on. However, despite his appearance, she was still wary of this stranger. How could she be sure this man would not harm her as well? She began to get nervous. Would this be her savior?