Circus Creatures Ch1

He laid basking in the sun, taking pleasure in the warmth before it became too great for him to handle. It wasn’t something he could do for long. His delicate pale skin didn’t allow it. He would never become tan, he would never change. His skin will forever be the color of pale milky white, and his hair white as freshly fallen snow. Forever, timeless, he would remain the same. Never knowing why he existed this way or what he was and why he is different.

He only knew that he has been a teenager much longer than he should have been. That he stayed the same while others changed. People treated him different. Freak; that’s the word they used. The name that he was called along with others, but that wasn’t his specific name. He was known by all who knew of him as Jack Frost. The freak child, the beautiful demon, innocent fairy, spirit of cold, demonic angel, monster.

Jack moved away from the window of his box cart to lay on the straw mat that made his bed. This little cart has been his home since he was about six years old. It really was a regular circus cage for an animal, but the bars had walls on the outside of it. The walls could roll up and down, and he had a window that he could open and close at will when he behaved.

Jack looked up to his ceiling putting his hands behind his head. A night sky of stars and planets decorated the ceiling. Jack longed for the night so he could see the real stars. He loved to believe that he was from another world. That he needed to wait for his family to take him away from this place. There was just no way he was meant to be here. He had to be lost. He had to be meant for a different life.

The truth was Jack didn’t know where he was from. He couldn’t remember. When he was found by the circus workers he was unconscious. The workers went to the pond to gather water for the animals, and saw him laid across a scrap of floating wood with his clothes tattered and bloody. No one knew how he got there or what happened to him, but it didn’t take long for everyone to realize he wasn’t “normal”.

As if the pale skin, inability to stay in prolonged sunlight, low tolerance of heat, snow white hair, and remaining youth wasn’t enough there were other giveaways. He had enhanced vision, sense of smell and hearing. His eyes looked like polished lapis lazuli of the purest deep blue with a snowflake pattern around his pupils. Specks of silver glinted in the snowflake pattern. He had prominently sharp canines to go with his pearly white smile, and his body held an unnatural cold body temperature.

When a full moon occurred Jack’s body would change. Frost like wings similar to a fairy’s would sprout from his back. His ears gained a more prominent point to them, and his snow white hair would get a brilliant bright blue streak in it. Those changes would be fine if that’s the only things that would change. But no, there was more, and that’s what made him change into more of a freak appeal. Jack’s nails grew longer and pointed, as did his canines. A long thin tail would sprout from his tail bone, and short hair would appear all over his body, except his face, chest, stomach, and ears. The hair being now white matching the hair of his head with brilliant blue frost patterns all over it. The tip of his tail looked like a lion’s with the patch of snow white hair that grew at the end.

Of course he could also manipulate the cold, but he wasn’t really aware of his capabilities. Jack wasn’t allowed to know the extent of his powers. The Ringmaster wouldn’t allow it making the forever teen wear his collar at all times. The collar that he loathed and held most of his magic bound away from his reach. All of the teen’s actions outside of his cage was constantly kept on the end of a short leash. That short leash wasn’t just for fear of Jack’s magic, though. There were other reasons. One big reason to be more precise.

Jack held a different diet than others. His stomach couldn’t handle heavy foods, so his diet usually consisted of light things. That’s why some referred to him as a demon. Jack ate candy, loved honey suckle, enjoyed creamy foods like yogurt or pudding, and loved basically any cold or frozen dessert. His occasional strong craving is what people feared most. Blood. That is what he craved and he craved it strongest during the full moon. That is when the Ringmaster exploited him the most and Jack hated it. He hated that he wanted blood. He hated that the Ringmaster would purposely provoke his hunger for it in front of crowds of people, and he hated himself for not being able to resist the hunger.

Jack had thought that the Ringmaster, Grodo, was a nice man at first when they had met. That Gordo was someone who was only trying to help him. The Ringmaster gave him a place to stay, treated his wounds, gave him new clothes to replace his dirty tattered ones, and food in his empty belly. Grodo told him that he could stay as long as he wanted, and gave him little jobs to do. Then all of Jack’s abilities and differences became clearer over the course of the week. All happy pleasant thoughts Jack held toward the Ringmaster changed the first night he was locked into the cage. Jack was frightened, but he had no idea how cruel and evil the Ringmaster truly would prove to be.

“What a pretty creature you’ll be for my collection of freaks. I should get good money for people to get a good look at you.” Grodo’s greedy eyes examined Jack’s body. That is what Jack remembered most of that night. The first night being held as an animal instead of a person.

Every night since he lived in this forsaken cage. Only coming out for show, and even then it was with a leash and collar. Jack reached down and touched his silver metal collar. He hated it. It reminded him further of his captivity successfully making him feel even more so a slave to the wretched circus. A slave, creature, an animal for Gordo’s collection.

Reaching under his mat he pulled out a small hand held mirror, and gazed into his reflection. The youthful face of no older than eighteen gazed back. It was a lie. Jack was much older than a teenager. Really, if Jack had aged properly he would be well into his late thirties, but no trace of that could be found in his youthful appearance. Though he did keep the youthfulness in his character.

By nature Jack was very curious, mischievous, gentle and playful. He stayed childlike and innocent in a lot of ways, though he did have pubescent curiosities and urges. It didn’t help that he didn’t have proper socialization, either. Teenage hormones and urges can be confusing and conflicting when you don’t really understand them. The fact that he was being caged like an animal did help either. There weren’t many things he could do for an outlet for his stress and such. Unless restlessly pacing his cage counted. There were times the teen would even inflict self-damage to release the pent up emotions he held.  

It wouldn’t be true if Jack claimed that Gordo’s cruelty didn’t influence or impacted him in some way. Yes, he remained kind, but he also held a huge lack of distrust in people. It was very difficult for him to face people sometimes, and he often looked down or away to avoid eye contact. When they asked him too many questions he would panic. The usual attention he received was negative, so fear or anxiety was the first thing he felt when it was received. Building an emotional cage around himself was something done out of necessity. If he kept it on nothing could get through and he could keep calm and collected; seemingly brave and unfaltering.

The forever teen laughed bitterly at himself. If they only knew how truly broken he felt inside. How he felt lost and alone. Was it crazy that he held onto his hope of escape? If he didn’t have that then what would he have? No, it wasn’t crazy. Without his will to push on and hope to drive him he would be letting his captor’s win. Allowing Gordo to win. That won’t happen. The teen won’t allow it to. He’ll stay strong and won’t let the Ringmaster break him.

Jack sighed and put the mirror back under the mat when the cage’s wheels came to a stop. They have reached the outskirts of another town. A new group of people to entertain and amaze with the spectacles of the circus, and the creatures within it. Loud banging sounded on one of the walls of his enclosure, and Jack sighed irritated.

‘Why do people always knock so loud? It’s not like I wouldn’t be able to hear it. Everyone knows how well my hearing is.’ The forever teen thought.

“Get ready for your doors to open Frosty Boy!” A gruff sounding voice sounded, and Jack rolled his eyes.

In one sudden swift motion all the wooden wall lifted to his cage. Jack’s eyes took in the area his cage was placed. Trees encircled him in a crescent moon shape to one side giving him ample shade. Taking a breath in Jack could smell that fresh water flowed somewhere close by. Cages trailed behind him from the journey. To the other side was an open field full of plush green looking grass and bright wild flowers. The other side faced to area the circus tent would be placed, and Jack sighed upon noticing.

‘I should have known I would be right in front of that monstrosity.’ Jack thought to himself as he glared openly in the direction.

“Aw, little Jack Frost doesn’t like his spot.” That gruff voice was back and the teen knew that the short little man known as Morris was looking for a banter of wits.

Morris had what most people would refer to as a Napoleon complex with a short fuse. He didn’t participate in any shows put on by the circus. Morris worked as a laborer doing grunt work varying from helping put together stages, tents and props to cleaning and caring for the animals. Short and snarky standing only five foot even. Don’t let his shortness fool you, though. Morris had lots of muscle due to working with a circus requires a lot of work, especially when it includes manual labor. 

Jack chose to not humor him by saying anything. The teen crossed his arms across his chest and continued staring ahead. Not sparing the short man a glance he sat down with his legs crossed on the straw filled mat.

“I was talking to you, you little freak!” Morris shouted angry at being shrugged off.

Temper already warring thin Morris picked up a rock and threw at Jack. The rock hit the cold teen’s head with a loud smacking sound. Refusing to give the little man any response Jack held his place, not moving a muscle to even flinch. Feeling cold running down his cheek the teen registered that there would be a wound on his heat to check later. The cold blood dripped down from his cheek to his shoulder causing a crimson red stain on his shoulder.

Morris picked up bigger rock ready to chuck it at the teen when a thick Russian accented voice boomed through the air.

“Morris! Tis no way to treat circus people.” A taller man built like a bear clapped a big hand on Morris’s shoulder. “What will I tell the Ringmaster if one of his favorites looks like bloody mess? You make job harder for me. He will think I’m slacking off.” The bigger man raised an eyebrow at the smaller man. “I will not be happy..” He took his hand off Morris’s shoulder and cracked his knuckles hinting to the consequences that would be waiting for the short man.

Morris may be a hot head, but knew better than to take on the bear like man. No one in the circus dare to take an opposing side to the bear like Russian man. Well, other than the Ringmaster himself that is.

Morris gulped. “Yea, I guess I should get going anyhows. I’m needed for setting up some tents.” The short man’s voice still trying to keep some boastfulness while retreating.

Jack took that moment to lock eyes with Morris and smile cheekily. Jack waved a hand wishing farewell and Morris basically shot poisoned daggers with his eyes at the teen before walking away.

“Jack, you should not goat him on by smiling at him that way. It only adds for punishment later when I’m not ‘round.” The burly man chastised.

Jack looked down knowing the man was right. North, the big Russian man was the caretaker of the circus creatures. North was always kind to him and the others, referring to them as the ‘circus people’ instead of creatures. The man really was built like a bear standing at almost seven foot tall, wide muscular body build and deep sounding voice. He had a thick dark black beard, and a jolly laugh. Jack was convinced if North’s beard were white and he dressed in red clothes he’d look like Santa Claus. Regardless of his thick black hair he kept short. Except the one spot in the back; where a small patch of hair was longer and held in a short tight braid.

To anyone North looked like a fierce intimidating man. Everyone knew that he knew how to fight well, because for a short time he served as a warrior in the Russian Army. That may have been when he was younger, but he remained just as capable as a man in his late forties. He held himself sturdy as a man. Always ready to bring happiness and loved children. At first kids would be intimidated by him, but his kind blue eyes would shine with kindness making him less intimidating.

“How about I look at head, hm?” North asked Jack opening the cage door stepping inside the enclosure.

Jack gazed out the door soaking in the small moment he didn’t have cage bars obstructing the view. He wanted to run out of that opening. Out into to woods and claim his freedom. If North wasn’t blocking the way he would have. North closed the door behind him breaking Jack from his trance. The sound of metal clanging echoed briefly in the teen’s ear drums. To the teen it was the echo of lost freedom.

Jack looked down at the cage floor. It made him feel guilty knowing North would be punished if he got out like that. Was it wrong to have moments when he just didn’t care? That escaping this miserable life was the only thing that was important? He wanted to be free, but not at the price of someone else’s pain or life.