Teresa Lisbon was running.

After what her father had done to her that morning, she couldn't take it anymore and had left her family and his beatings behind. Her mother and little brothers didn't help matters any. They acted like they didn't know what was going on, but Teresa knew they did.

"Teresa, I told you to be up by 8!" Ray Lisbon yelled.

"I'm sorry dad, but it's only five after." Teresa said in her defense.

"What did I say about back talk?" Her father countered as he unbuckled his belt.

Teresa wasn't given the chance to answer as he hit her. Again and again. Five minutes later, Ray left the room and his only daughter on the bed. Blood coated her upper arms and legs and her stomach. She shivered on the bed; downstairs she could hear her little brothers laughing and her mom in the kitchen preparing breakfast.

Teresa Lisbon got up off her bed and inspected her wounds. This beating was worse than the others. The fresh cuts were still bleeding and were likely become scars. Quickly, she dressed the wounds and changed her clothes. Taking a quick scan around her room, she realized that the only thing she needed from this hell-hole was the golden cross necklace she always wore.

Four hours later, Teresa crossed the West Virginia state line and entered Kentucky. A couple more hours later, she stopped in the town of Leesburg, Kentucky. All over the place there were signs promoting the circus that was in town.

She easily snuck into the fairgrounds and realized that this is were she needed to be. These people were all outcasts, who had no real home to stay and just traveled around the country. What was she but one of these "carnies"? She had no home and must be an outcast if her own family didn't want her.

Teresa walked up to the bearded woman and asked, "Where do I go to try to become part of the circus?"

"Just go ask the Ringmaster. He's over in his trailer right now. It's on the far edge of these grounds."

"Thanks."

Teresa headed in the direction pointed out to her. As she walked, all the different sights, noises, and smells appealed to her. The whole energy of this festival appealed to her. There was the Incredibly Strong Man, the Acrobat Family, Plate Spinners, Clowns, people on stilts, and all the animals.

As all the people and acts around her started to thin out, she saw what must have been the Ringmaster's trailer. It isn't a regular trailer by any means. The closest thing to describe it would have to be a jet unable to take off. There are posters all over it promoting the circus, T.V., radio, and telephone antennas sprouting all over the top of it. The most notable distinction is that it's two stories tall.

Teresa walked up to the door and knocked twice. She could hear rustling from inside and a second later the door was pulled open. A man stood there. He was about 6 feet two inches and around 30 years old.

"What do you need?" The Ringmaster asked, breaking Teresa from her thoughts.

"I want to join your circus." The man looked unimpressed, but she was invited in anyway.

"Virgil Minelli." The Ringmaster introduced himself.

"Teresa Lisbon."

"Alright Teresa, what can you do?"

"Do?"

"Can you walk upside down, do flips in midair, or some other crazy talent?"

"None of that, but I'm willing to do anything asked of me."

"There is one spot open: the Psychic's Assistant."