I felt a wave of excitement pass through me as the audience in front of me stood up, clapping ever louder with each second. I bowed, my heart racing behind my chest. No, I shouldn't be so happy.. master will get mad at me.. I thought, my bottom lip quivering at the thought of my ringleader. I lifted my head again and slowly backed away from the sand of the ring, catching a brief glimpse of my made up face in a member's camera.

I swallowed thickly, my breaths coming in ragged as I made my way through the darkness of the big tent behind stage, trembling. My body was on edge, and without warning, I felt a sudden kick to my hip. I fell to the floor with a whimper, covering my head with my arms and curling up. "Master I'm sorry.. I'm sorry... forgive me... I'm sorry..." I mewled through a quivering voice, I was so used to being beaten.

I paused after a moment, my body still trembling as I slowly got up, sitting on my knees and looking around the dim space of behind set. I heard the muffled sounds of the circus music and the audience cheering outside. It was only a memory.. oh.. thank God.. I thought, giggling weakly as I got up to my feet again, still feeling the impossible sting of the ringleader's heel against my hip. "Bad bad boy, Calix.. you're such a bad boy.." I scolded myself in the mirror as I approached it, seeing the way some stray tears ruined my stage makeup. "Who will like you now..? You're so ugly now..mmm.. and you worked so hard to be pretty.." I mumbled, slowly pulling on my cheeks.

With a sigh of defeat i backed away with a stumble, treading over the dirt and hay with light steps just in case the ringleader came in to hit me. no, he won't do that.. he already hit me today.. I thought, remembering the sharp way his knuckles had cracked over my cheek earlier today because I fell. I tenderly touched the area, which had been painted white with makeup. I padded my way outside for air, clutching my shirt in one hand as I gasped, fearing another anxiety attack.

Then I heard a footstep...