Reminiscence of the Freak

[Chapter One: The Ringmaster]

Sleep is the only comfort I have, as I have dreams of Caroline smiling upon me. Her laughs and her warm, caring touch is enough to keep me going. This fills me reverently with joy,  even if it all is a faint dream. The reality upon myself is a burden without measure. The public display of depriving someone of their dignity is an ongoing struggle in my life. They say that this is an act for others amusements. The sacrifice of my dignity is all for what, to entertain the masses? Ridiculous. They wish to do this only for their own profit.
But the the weight of that thought is very light in my dreams, as I am being again visited by my dearest Caroline. Oh how sweet she is, with her kindest words enlightening my shadowed thoughts of the human race. With her gentle smile she kindles the embers of my passion for her. Time has defied my wishes... she has long since passed away. The only physical reminiscence of her is the beautiful aquamarine gem she gave to me on a silver necklace. It is my most prized possession. I don't dare let the ringmaster see it, he would confiscate it. Knowing the greedy bastard he is he would sell it to make more profit. She was so brave and compassionate about me, willing to sneak by the ringmaster's watchful eye just to see me and comfort me. Empathy is something I hardly recieve, however Caroline has shown me plenty that even the most cruelest man can change his ways.
Her death was something nearly unbearable for me. A tragic loss for this world to lose such a amazing and beautiful woman, ignored by the masses. The ringmaster didn't add any grace to her death either, saying terrible things about her. Oh Caroline... if you were to be with me now I would feel a never ending bliss.
Yet this rusted steel cage keeps me penned in like an animal. Maybe perhaps that what I am; an animal. With green dragon like scales running up my arms and legs, blue feathered wings that compares to that of a blue jay mounted on my back, fox like ears twitching with the slightest of sound, and my fanged smile white as fresh snow. But even so if I am an animal, I am an animal with emotion and thought. This should warrant me to be equal to my peers, yet I am treated as less.
These thoughts interrupt my dream of being with Caroline. She must've seen the expression on my face. "Is there something wrong Hugh?" She asks with a tone as sweet as honey. I feel her grasp on my scaley hand, holding it tight as we sit down on the large hill overlooking the sunset.
"No, nothing is wrong Caroline." I reply with my fanged smile.
Nothing will ever be wrong in my dreams, with just Caroline and I.
It's a shame that I have to wake up. I hear the large clanking of metal on metal. I slowly open my eyes, and the first sight that greets me in this gloomy morning is the ringmaster dragging his short black scepter across the rusting metal bars that the cage is comprised of. He stands roughly four feet tall, shorter than I when I stand up straight. He has long curly brown hair that he hides with a top hat, making his head appear to be smaller than it actually is. He wears a custom tailored tailcoat suit made from black dyed silk. Looking at me with his green eyes, teeth bared and frowning.
"Get up you unfortunately ugly rear end!" He yells as he smacks the cage harder with his scepter, causing me to flinch. I slowly push myself off of the ground, glaring at him with my half open eyes.
"Faster!" He demands as he quickly jabs the scepter between the bars at my side. Clenching my green hands into fists. I push myself off the ground and try to reach through the bars to grab him. He quickly steps backwards away from the cage.
    "Now now, violence is not the answer!" The ringmaster says as he smacks my hand with the scepter. I pull away and grasp my hands.
I look at him, remembering not to oppose him if I want a dinner or freedom. I groan and fold my wings inwards. I sit down on the floor, crossing my arms.
"Now you're going to stay in here and think about what you just did, you understand me you animal?" The ringmaster says with anger in his voice. I remain silent.
"Are you brain dead? Wouldn't surprise me since you didn't answer my simple question." He says to me, twirling the scepter in his hand.
"Yes sir, I understand." I manage to say. He gives a grin, then turns around and leaves the room. I sit down in the corner of the cage, and I pick up the necklace behind the stack of hay that I sleep on. The silver chain that holds the gem has tarnished, rust growing on some of the ends. However the sky blue gem still remains untainted by anything. It shimmers in the morning light that seeps through the torn cloth acting as the ceiling. I wear the rusted chain on my bare chest, I keep my hands close to the chain, remembering the nights that Caroline came to comfort me in my time of need.