Free Freakshow by Jaden Wilkes Page A

thought of this sooner?
    I found Carl in the midst of chaos where he reigned supreme. I almost didn’t recognize him out of costume, instead of looking like a half crazed clown he looked like a half crazed businessman.
    “Oh this?” he said when he caught my look of surprise, “they don’t take kindly to full face make up at the border. Rather than get stopped and held for hours while they go through every nook and cranny of every truck and trailer, we all dress respectably and make sure we appear as normal as possible.”
    “I’m impressed though,” I said, “you clean up really nice.”
    “Thanks, new girl,” Carl gushed and preened. “You don’t look half bad yourself.”
    He told me to go help Alexi with the big cats and other animals, given my ease with them the other day. As I left, he appeared to almost float above the ground as he buzzed with nervous energy and shouted directions at anyone who crossed his path.
    I found Alexi in cool control, the opposite of Carl’s organized chaos. “I was sent to help you,” I told him when I approached. He was grooming one of the tigers and singing softly to the great beast.
    “I don’t usually need any help,” he replied and stopped brushing the animal. “Most people are frightened of these lovely kitty cats.”
    “I’m just following orders,” I said, “Carl told me to come here. I think they’re just trying to keep me out of the way because I have no idea what I’m doing.”
    “Carl is just following Orion’s instructions,” Alexi said, “which means Orion wants you here. It’s no problem though. I’ll gladly take the help. Just be careful around them.”
    “How many are there?”
    “Just two this time, the rest of the animals are staying behind. It’s difficult to cross the border with too many creatures.”
    “I can imagine,” I replied, “so what can I help you with?”
    “Hang tight here with Lucille, and I’ll be right back. I have to get Desi into his cage.”
    “Lucille and Desi?” I asked, “I like it.”
    “After the greats,” he replied, smiled, and left me alone with Lucille. The tiger was collared and tied to a crossbar, obviously something she was used to. I was nervous however, having never been in charge of something so fierce and wild before. On the farm, I’d been kept away from most animals with the concern that they could hurt me and I’d never know.
    I’d defied my mother once, when I was ten. I’d taken the old mare out for a quick ride and gotten stepped on. It wasn’t until my foot was swollen three times its normal size, blackened and unmoving that I had to admit my mistake to my mother.
    I’d been walking on a shattered foot for over a week by then.
    The doctor had had to re-break the bones in order for them to set properly. My lack of pain had definitely been more of a blessing than a curse that time.
    “Hey Lucy, can I call you Lucy?” I asked quietly and reached out to touch the cat’s fur. I was fascinated; it looked like velvet this close up. I touched the soft coat and stroked the fur, amazed that it was happening. I was touching a motherfucking tiger, and nobody was here to see me. I decided I needed photographic evidence of my badassery.
    I looked around, pulled my phone out of my pocket and decided on just one selfie for prosperity’s sake. What harm could there be?
    I held my phone up, checked Lucille for any signs of stress. The tiger was calm and almost purring, like any housecat. And cats usually loved me, I couldn’t forget about that.
    I got as close as possible and moved my thumb to the circle at the bottom of the phone to take the shot. Seconds too late, I wondered if I’d turned the flash off.
    The light flared and Lucille jumped, she jerked away from me, and whipped her head around in a lightning quick motion. I felt pressure on my arm and the phone dropped from my hand. I couldn’t control my fingers; they wouldn’t follow my intent. It was then that I noticed that my arm was