The clowns rolled and tumbled across the arena, the crowd roared with laughter as one clown used a fire extinguisher to douse the flames on another clowns burning wig, leaving the clown covered from head to toe in fluffy white foam. High above the crowd a beautiful woman and her handsome partner flew from swing to swing in their parilous death defying act. The crowd screamed as the canon blast shot a man clear across the massive tent, landing in a massive net which he rolled out of with ease, giving a flourishing bow to the screaming crowd. It was time for the final act. The ring masters favorite, His secret act was not advertised, and was always the crowd favorite. He knew it was no secret, word of mouth had spread it far and wide making his circus the most popluar in the country, there were online videos of people trying to figure out whether or not it was real, and how they managed to fake it. What they didnt know, and what he would never tell, is just how real it was. "Ladies and Gentleman! Mesdames et Messieurs!" he roared to the crowd, "Now is the moment you've all been waiting for. Might I remind you, all cell phones and recording devices are not allowed at this point of the show. If you are caught filming, you will be removed from this arena, and no refunds will be given." At that point large men emerged from each entrance of the tent, reinforcing the threat of expulsion. "And now." he continued, " I must caution you. This act is not for the weak. this is a very dangerous part of the show. I must ask that EVERYONE remain in their seats at all times."
He turned in a circle as he scanned the entire audience. They were ready. "And now, ladies and gentlemen. I give you, the She-Beast."
The lights went out and fog started filling the arena floor. From one of the entrances a large cage pulled by 4 massive black horses was brought to the Center platform. 4 Large men unloaded the cage and the horses exited the arena. A fifth man climbed on top of the cage and connected a hook while the other 4 undid the hinges, the top was then lifted off the cage with the man standing on it holding the line. the 4 men each took a side and lowered it to the ground. a single spot light clicked on, illuminating a pile of dirty rags in the center of the cage floor. With a crack of a whip the rags moved, slowly. Two more large men appeared each holding a cattle prod. "Rise beast! Mustn't keep these good people waiting!" The ring master yelled. He cracked his whip again, causing the pile to jerk in reaction. "Ladies and Gentlemen," the ringmaster said addressing the crowd, " some of you may feel that excessive force will be used during this act, but I assure you, it is required. Please remember this is a wild, DANGEROUS beast. She would not hesistate to rip your beating hearts out. We do this for your protection."
With that one of the men holding a cattle prod stepped forward and jabbed the rag pile. A scream from within the pile cause the crowd to jump and shout in surprise.
"I command you to rise BEAST!" the ring master yelled again, cracking his whip. From within the pile of rags a small figure stood shakily. The girl could not be older than 16 or 17. Her hair hung in clumps around her face, dirty and disheveled. She wore nothing more than rags, torn and stained from years of sweat and filth. From each wrist a chain dangled, secured to the cage floor.
"Ladies and gentlemen. Do not be deceived by what stands before you." The ring master shouted. "Though she may look young and innocent, a monster lies within."
He cracked his whip in the air and the two men lunged forward, jabbing the girl with their prods, the girl screamed and fell to her knees. "SHOW THESE PEOPLE WHAT A MONSTER YOU ARE!" The ring master screamed, "I COMMAND YOU TO SHOW YOUR TRUE SELF!" He cracked his whip again and the two men jabbed her once again. The girl screamed as she rythed on the floor, the electricity coursing through her body causing involuntary convulsions.
"I COMMAND YOU!" The ring master screamed again. Suddenly the girl let out a cry, it sent chills down the ringmasters spine. he'd heard that unearthly cry a thousand times, and each time scared the hell out of him.
The girl knelt with her face to the floor, breathing hard.
she stretched her arms in front of her as her fingers began to change. Claws emerged as her elongated fingers gripped the wooden slats of her cage floor. fur began to cover her body, her body changed as bone and muscle rippled and tore. She opened her jaws and screamed at the pain of the forced change, ending the scream in a eary howl. The crowd screamed at the beast before them. Where once there stood a dirty, disheveled young girl, now there stood a large filthy beast. It whimpered as the last of the change finished.
The ring master held up his hands for silence, and the crowd calmed a little. "now stand." the ring master commanded. The beast panted into the floor. "I SAID STAND!" He screamed!