Senoj Chronicles: Three

The Ring of Fire taunts me, its flames crackling in a spiral of laughter. I gulp, wishing I would piss myself because at least that would get me out of doing this. Tim Buck sits in the pop-up bleachers yawning as he waits for my death. I wonder if I’ll go by fire or by Claudius?

I glance at Candy, and she smiles at me, trying to reassure me that everything will be okay. My eyes inadvertently cut toward Claudius. The massive beast lays on the ground purring as Candy pets him. She feeds him some snacks, and he nudges her with his blockhead. I’m going to die today, that much is certain. Why did I think joining a circus was a good idea? I watch as Claudius yawns, flexing his jagged teeth that could tear any man to shreds in seconds. He could bite off my head with ease. Candy comes over, resting her hand on my shoulder, her eyes comets falling through the sky. I imagine she sees my death.

I shake my head at her. “I can’t do this.”

“Stop being a baby. You can. Claudius actually likes you.”

I back up, her hand drops to her side. “How do you know who he likes. He can’t speak!”

Candy makes a sound with her mouth, and I swear the ground beneath my feet shifts as the beast stands and slinks over to her side. I don’t move.

Through strained teeth, I say, “What the hell are you doing?”

“Pet him, Senoj.”

“Fuck that. Get him away.”

“He senses your fear. You’re getting him all riled up,” Candy laughs and Claudius sits, eyeing me, those glowing yellow eyes curiously taking me in. Candy makes another sound, and Claudius’s black pupils dilate. He roars, and I melt. My skin tries to crawl away from my skeleton.

This is it.

I’m dead.

I slam my eyes shut. Everything is telling me to run. I would run toward bullets in the Army all day before I face a lion. Something rubs against me.

“Candy, I swear on everything. If that thing is touching me I’m going to die.”

“Then die,” her voice floats into my ears sardonically.

I open my eyes and to my dismay, he’s there pushing against my legs with his head. Claudius puts his paw on my foot and stares up at me. My heart warms despite my fear. I glower at Candy who giggles. I slowly place my hand upon Claudius’s head, and he knocks me over, his looming prescence breaking me.

“Candy!” She is bent over in laughter, ignoring me. “Candy! He’s going to eat me! For fucksakes!”

Claudius puts his nose to mine, then sniffs me. I try to scoot out from under him, but his ten-ton paw anchors me to the ground. He dips his head and licks me. I smile. And he licks me again. He takes his paw off me. When I stare into his face again, I swear he’s laughing at me just as his master is.

“Alright, you worthless clowns. Enough play. Tomorrow we have some special guests who want a good show,” Tim Buck screams from the bleachers.

“Who are they?” Candy yells back.

“The Falthes.” Even from here I can see the hairs on Candy’s arms rise. I watch the color drain from her skin. She moves away from me, Claudius following.

“Candy?” I question.

She doesn’t turn to me. She stops, rigid as stone. “Don’t ask questions. Just get ready for whatever’s about to come.”