𝐀𝐒𝐇 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐃𝐔𝐒𝐓 ━━
✧˖*. | ❝Hey there, sweet-pea.❞ | ✧˖*.
"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome our main attraction, The Phoenix!" the ringmaster announced.
The curtains drew back to reveal a naked woman trying to cover up. Her usual sunrise ombré...
No matter how much Cora cried out for him to stop, he wouldn't stop. His hands roamed her body. He was revolted with her kind - with what she was. He thought she was one of the beasts God planted on earth as punishment. She was an abomination to humankind and he made sure she knew it. However, he would admit to anyone that her body was the opposite.
He loved touching her silky skin, watching her eyes widened in fear, her hands batting him away, her wings fluttering underneath the weight of him over her body, and the sobs that left her mouth.
"You know I like it when you cry," he rasped, using one hand to grab her chin and squeeze.
She whimpered, screwing her eyes shut to avoid looking at his face. He chuckled, lifting up the rag that was her dress.
She never wanted that life, but no matter how many times she killed herself, she kept coming back. For once in her life, she didn't ever want to be reborn. He had her shackled like a slave - an animal, and that was what she was. He reminded her each day and night and each show that she was animal - that no one should feel sympathy for the human-looking animal with wings just because she looked human.
She hated looking out at the crowd, full of humans with bright smiles on their faces as they ate snacks in front of her. They paid for a show, so the ringmaster would make sure they got what they came for - and they came to be entertained like a family of rats sniffing out cheese. To Cora, the ringmaster was the animal.
· · . * * ✧ ✵ ✹ · . ☆ ☽
Within nine months, she gave birth to his child.
"My sweet baby, my sweet-pea. I'll name you Credence," Cora weakly whispered.
The ringmaster walked in the tent and excused the nurse.
"That baby of yours better be a beast like you or I'm getting rid of it," he threatened.
"It's your baby, too! It has human genes!"
"You better hope it doesn't," the ringmaster sneered as he walked out of the tent. "I need a new show to bring in more money."
She had never hated him more in her entire life. The shackles on her ankles rattled as she shifted her body position to be more comfortable. Credence shifted around in her arms as well, wrapped in rags that would serve as his blanket.
She looked down at him before leaning down to kiss his forehead. "I don't want this life for you. I'm so sorry, Credence. You don't deserve this life, but I'll do my best to give you the world."
· · . * * ✧ ✵ ✹ · . ☆ ☽
In 1910, her son was taken away from her.
"No! Credence! Please, don't! That's my baby!" Cora cried out.
"He's shown no signs of being a beast, so he goes!" the ringmaster exclaimed.
"No!" Cora reached out for the 4-year-old, who was crying.
"You're just a beast! You have no right!" The ringmaster struck her.
Credence cried out even louder.
"Mommy will always find you, Credence!" she called out before they took him away.
The ringmaster left the tent, leaving the grieving mother alone. She may have not loved the ringmaster, but Credence was a life form she created. She loved him dearly, and they took him away.
· · . * * ✧ ✵ ✹ · . ☆ ☽
In 1918, Cora the phoenix was rescued.
"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome our main attraction! The Phoenix!" the ringmaster announced.
The curtains drew back to reveal a naked Cora trying to cover up. Her usual sunrise ombré wings were darkening to an ashy grey.
The ringmaster whisked out a gun and shot her in the chest. The crowd gasped and in that crowd was Newt. The crowd began to clap, excluding Newt. He waited for the perfect moment to strike.
Cora rose back with new wings to show. Her sunrise ombré wings were back. Tears streamed down her face and she shivered from the cold.
Newt jumped into action, pushing through the crowd before standing in front of the woman.
"Hey, kid, what are you - "
Newt glanced at the woman and gave her a smile. He whisked out his wand and pointed to the chains.
