Hello, hello?

                           “I-I don’t…I don’t know. Yet ! I don’t know yet ! B-But I’ll figure it out, I…I have to ! ”

“I-I-I...”

Vincent opened an eye upon hearing the questioning voice. He was sitting in the far corner, trying to avoid prying eyes, though clearly that failed. At least he had his amulet… He’d have to deal with more stares otherwise. Silver eyes glowing faintly in the shadows, he stared back at the one who had spoken, ‘Just another human,’ he thought, then snorted, growling, “Why would you care? Your fellow humans only want to poke, prod and ridicule…”

                           “P-Please don’t joke like that.” He looked like he was on the verge of tears.

A familiar, dreadful tune starts to play…..

Their eyes met.

“You haven’t slept for days, have you?” “Are you eating properly? You don’t look it.” “Why do you keep stumbling over your words? Just how tired are you?” “You need to think about yourself every once in a while.” “I know your work is important, but you’re going to end up in hospital if you go on like this!” “You haven’t even touched your food. What’s going on?” “You look so… empty. I’m worried for you, please talk to me.” “Are you alright in there? You’re so quiet.” “How did you get these bruises? Please don’t lie to me.” “There’s something bothering you that you’re not telling me and I can see it slowly destroying you. What happened?” “You’re sleep deprived and you haven’t been eating. Why do you think you’re feeling dizzy?” “I can give you some pills to help you sleep. They aren’t healthy, but this is even less healthy.” “If you didn’t just blink I would’ve sworn you were dead, that’s how sickly you’re looking. Go to bed, please!” “Have you drank all of these bottles in one weekend?!” “I know you don’t want this, but it’s for your own good. Sign the papers so they can pick you up tomorrow and you can get clean.” “What the hell are you doing?! Did you do that to yourself?!” “When was the last time you left the house? Or opened the curtains for that matter.” “Here, just keep breathing. It’ll be okay. Better out than in…” “This can’t go on like this! You’re not eating, you’re not sleeping, you barely talk!” “I’m sorry. I went through your room and found this. Explain what the hell this is doing in your room!” “I thought you’d quit! How long have you been lying to me?” “I’m only trying to help and right now I think I have a much better idea of what you need than you do.” “Did you take anything? Why are you passing out? Hey! Stay with me!”

                           “O-Oh, I…Kayla, you didn’t have to ! Th-Thank you so much ! ”

                           “B-But we’re at work ! ”

                           “I-I don’t…I don’t know. Yet ! I don’t know yet ! B-But I’ll figure it out, I…I have to ! ”

Vincent opened an eye upon hearing the questioning voice. He was sitting in the far corner, trying to avoid prying eyes, though clearly that failed. At least he had his amulet… He’d have to deal with more stares otherwise. Silver eyes glowing faintly in the shadows, he stared back at the one who had spoken, ‘Just another human,’ he thought, then snorted, growling, “Why would you care? Your fellow humans only want to poke, prod and ridicule…”

                           “P-Please don’t joke like that.” He looked like he was on the verge of tears.

“Why’d I let you free? You’re my favourite act.” “You okay in there? That collar looks awfully tight.” “Hold on, I will come back for you tonight. I won’t let them use you like this.” “Don’t worry, you’ll get used to the cage soon.” “You have nothing to worry about, my dear, everyone will love you tonight.” “First performances are very exciting, I know, but that doesn’t give you the right to misbehave like this.” “You’re just nervous because you’re new, they all are in the first few weeks.” “What are you doing in a cage… this is inhumane.” “Haha! Look at that one. What’s wrong with you, then? Can you talk?” “If you keep talking back at me like that, I’m going to give you a muzzle.” “Stop complaining, kid, I picked you off the streets because you look funny. You could’ve gotten killed out there for it. You should be grateful.” “You need to stay here. Outside this circus, you’re just a freak.” “I’m giving you a dry place to sleep. That’s better than what you had before. I’d be grateful if I were you.” “Put on a bit of a happy face. If you look like that, people aren’t going to like you, are they?” “I love your act… I come here all the time to see you and I was wondering if you were ever free outside of this circus… Maybe you’d like to meet up with me sometimes?” “In here you can be proud of what you are.” “So, what trick shall I teach you today?”

                           “B-But we’re at work ! ”

“I d-don’t, so help me search. I n-need two small, stick-like objects. Similar to needles. One w-with a slight hook if possible.”

                           “Oh, I found a paperclip ! ”