Escaping the Circus

    She show had just started when I decided to run away.
    ”Welcome to Circus Aries grand performance!” the Headmaster was announcing inside the tent. And though I was supposed to be watching the animals while the show was going on, no one was watching me.
    ”Take care of the bloody animals, and make sure they don't run away. No one must spoil our performance, understood boy?” The Headmaster had warned as he cracked his whip, making me flinch.
    No more. The horses whickered as I walked past them, all but one. Lola had always been my favorite, the only horse that didn't despise my guts. I fed her a carrot before letting her out, shush'ing her as we walked out the stable. No one will notice we're gone until the show is over, and by then I'll be miles away.
    ”What do you think you're doing, boy?” The master of elephants was standing before me in his black tophat and oiled mustache, ready for the show. I leaped on Lola and kicked her hard in the side. No turning back now.
    ”Get off that horse, boy. Hear me? Get off th-”
    I ran him over. He tried to leap to the side, but Lola ran into his legs and he released a scream of pain loud enough to alarm the entire tent. I rode faster then than I'd ever done. Somewhere behind me, the master of elephants was still screaming in pain.

    Suddenly, the horse tripped and fell, throwing me off its back. It whimpered and screamed as it lay on the ground, kicking wildly to try and get up on all feet.
    ”Ssh, girl. Be quiet, be...” They'd be out looking for me, and surely they could hear her scream. They'd find me and – oh God. I don't want the whip again.
    I had to get going again. There was no turning back now. Even if I did come crawling back to them, they'd most likely just kill me right there to avoid me running off again. I know enough to put the entire circus out of business.
    I could hear them coming. Perhaps two or three of them, all on horses, and I knew I had to get away. I tried to get up again, and though it hurt to move I don't think any of my limbs are broken. Lola's hindlegs, on the other hand, were bent the completely wrong direction. She was screaming in anguish and I could plainly see that there was nothing I could do to get her back on her feet. The best thing was to give her the gift of mercy and stop her yelling. Tears began dripping down my cheeks as I raised the knife and delved it into Lola's flesh. I put all my weight in it to break through her tough skin. She released a final scream before lying still.
    Limping, I tried to put some distance between me and the bloody horse. The forest got thicker as I cut away from the path, but that was not bad. They wouldn't be able to ride in here, and maybe they wouldn't be able to catch me.
    Maybe.