The Sadian Chronicles: Book One: Broken Candle

Step Right Up: Part 3

"Step right up." I heard those annoying words again. The man continued in an excited voice of some fake plastic excitement. "Step right up, folks. See the one, the only, the eighth wonder of the world, the genuine article, the 'Tiger Man.'"

Bloodthirsty cheers reciprocated the air. During the silly man's speech I had developed an obsessive fascination for this Tiger Man, although for different reasons. Admission was two dollars. It was all the money I had left. Entering the tent, I felt like I was entering a prison.

I saw a man with a whip screaming and slashing at a creature cowering in the shadows of his cage.

"Wake up, freak," he shouted with an angry look in his eye. "Your adoring public is here."

The creature growled, which seemed more to me like a cry for help. He slammed himself into the bars spotlighting himself for the audience of spectators. Some gasped in horror at seeing this deformed creator, while some merely screamed and hollered out hate names.

I walked slowly towards the cage and over the protective ropes that regular spectators were not supposed to cross. I put my hands on the cage not realizing that the creature's jailer had shouted for me to get back, either I ignored him or made myself impervious to his pleas.

I looked into the Tiger Man's eyes, and suddenly his growls stopped. He looked into my eyes as well. We were the same- one of the Others, Sadians. We were the ones the world denied. My eyes reflected into his, glowing the color of red. He too understood the kinship between us. We were two faint stars shining a little brighter than all the others.

"Hey, are you deaf, girl," the man said and grabbed me by the arm. "This thing's dangerous. Do you know he could eat you alive?"

"I doubt that," I said, shoving his hand off my arm. "Someone should lock you up."

I looked straight into the man's eyes. He saw something in them. I could tell for his expression changed to fright.

"Get out of here, Missy," he demanded. I looked over at the Tiger Man. There was still fright in his eyes, but also a glimmer of hope. As I turned and walked towards the entrance, I heard the angry voice of the Tiger Man's jailer once again. "Don't come back."

I hated to leave him the custody of those who would hurt him, but I didn't want to worry Carla. After all the things she had done for me this past year, I owed her some sanity in our less than normal lives.

I caught up with her at the food court where she had a fruit salad waiting for me. I could see that her hair was now combed, and her make-up was a lot fresher than it had been before. I never understood why she wore it, because it seemed so unnecessary to me.

"Did you have fun?" Carla asked, dipping into her dessert.

"Sure," I said. I still didn't look her in the eye. I couldn't believe these insane questions she was asking.

"Marianna, did something happen?" she asked, but I knew the question was coming. She was so predictable in that way.

"No, Carla," I said, busying myself by looking into my bag for nothing in particular. "You worry too much." I still didn't look at her, knowing she didn't believe me, and one look into my eyes ad she would see it.

"Marianna," she said, in a louder voice, while I still refused to look her in the eye, instead I just finger-nibbled my fruit salad. "Marianna, look at me. Tell me what's troubling you."

I looked at her for the first time. "Nothing is wrong," I said.

"Nothing unusual happened?"

"No," I said, looking towards the yellow tent. I kept thinking of the Tiger Man and the sorrow we both shared.

Carla said nothing more, and I was glad. I didn't feel like an interrogation today. She suggested that we head for the cabin, but my heart wanted to set this place on fire. I had the need to hear the screams of all those hateful souls and taste the sweet blood of those who would torment my kind. The enemies were the ones who would imprison a man for the crime of being different.

On the drive back up to our mountain cabin, I thought of the Tiger Man with his pearl white fangs, like those of a vampire, with razor sharp claws to match. I wasn't for sure how large he was, for my eyes remained fixed on his. Lies must have been told to him, for what other way could a mere normal capture such a creature. His imprisonment would end. It was a silent promise I had made to a kindred soul.

Entering the cabin I immediately took to my solitude. I could hear faint whispers of Carla's television that she kept in her bedroom.

I lay on my bed thinking how lucky she was, having that distraction, and once forgotten memories came to me as I lay in my sleepless state. I had thought of the time before I was orphaned. A time when my life was so predictable- a time before the pain, before knowledge that only life experience brings, a time when I was still Marianna. 

To Be Continued...

That's the end of the prologue. I hope you enjoyed it. Be here next time for chapter one. Marianna digresses to the past and tries to figure out how she got to this point in her life. Remember to vote and comment. You're input is always welcome.