A/N: This is set in the current day, but Freak Shows are still acceptable.
Castiel was never happy, at least not where he was currently. When he was not a day over the age of ten, a man came from out of the woods, gun in hand. He remembered his mother screaming, Gabriel trying to attack the man, and gunshots, a lot of them. They had grabbed him by his wings and dragged him to the waiting van, Castiel crying the entire time.
What happened after that was a blur of cold metal cages, blood, people trying to grab at him, and people shouting numbers. The earliest memory he could fully recall was when he woke up in the cage on a train, his wings clipped and pinned behind him and a different man watching over him.
Because of that man, Castiel learned about where he was and what was going to happen to him. The man watching over him was named Micha and was the show's strong man, lifting tons of items above his head. Micha was from Russia and spoke broken English, but soon became Castiel's only friend. They spent nights talking and sharing stories, finding comfort in each others company.
For years they stayed together, talking and becoming closer than ever. Micha was only a few years older than Castiel at fourteen but looked to be in his twenties. As Castiel grew older and became more aware of what the ring leader would do to him at night. He thought is was normal for people to do that, it was how they showed love to each other. When he got older, Castiel learned what love was and what the ringleader was doing was not love, it was just for his pleasure.
When Castiel reached eighteen, he was moved from behind the scenes and for paying customers only, he was placed front and center with the other freaks. He had never spoken to them in fear, only staying in his cage and with Micha. Now that they were separated, Castiel didn't feel the need to speak in front of them. Remaining silent, he would sit in his cage day after day, watching the people watch him.
One day after a good show that almost sold out, Castiel was sitting with Micha, talking about the show.
"I think ringleader no like me anymore." Micha said in that thick Russian accent of his that no one but Cas could seem to understand. He looked almost hurt at the statement but still smiled warmly at Castiel. "I might not be here in morning. Be strong like mother Russia for me, da?" The angel just nodded slowly, unsure of what Micha was getting at.
True to his statement, Micha was not there to say good morning or sit with him at lunch or say goodnight. Castiel tried to get out of his cage to find Micha but only ended up getting yelled at by the ringleader. Overhearing a conversation between him and the bearded lady, Castiel found himself in tears.
"Hey Crowley?" She asked in a thick southern accent. "What did you do to that big Russian boy? haven't seen him around the angel all day."
"He fell in love." Crowley said and Castiel could feel the smirk in his tone. "I had to send him out. He wanted to stay and I couldn't bring the gal with us so I kicked him out. Maybe that little angel boy will talk now. I would love to use him in one of the acts."
Cas let out a small whimper at hearing Crowley, the ringmaster. He tried to hold back the tears as he laid down on the metal floor of the cage. The second that Crowley yelled lights out and he was plunged into darkness, Castiel cried. He cried as hard as he did the day they took him from his family, as hard as the day he realized what Crowley did to him, and as hard as the day he realized that there was no going back.
That moment was the final turning point in his decision to be mute. At every show, Castiel sat in silence as people stared. During the times that they traveled, Castiel would ignore all the attempts at conversation by other freaks. No matter what Crowley did to Castiel, he never made another sound, not even a whimper late at night.
Now, at twenty three, Castiel shivered as the first sounds of people poured into the tent. The group was in a small town in Kansas during the last few weeks of winter, still cold nonetheless. Crowley was dead set on selling the ' holy angel from heaven' gig and dressed him up in thin robes, only showing off his bones even more. The day dragged on and he grew numb to the cold, only shivering once in awhile. -
"Come on Dean! I hear they have an angel!" Sam said as he ran out of the car, a huge grin on his face. Dean just laughed and shook his head, following after his little brother. He payed for the tickets and grabbed Sammy's hand, making sure he didn't get into trouble. They walked through the crowds, riding a few rides and then finally, Sam dragged him into the freak show. Bearded women and contortionists stood behind ropes, showing off their skills or looks. He hated that people showed themselves off like that but if it was the only way you could make money then it worked.
"Holy shit." Sam muttered which got a smack to the back of his head by Dean as they walked closer to the cage where everyone was crowded around. His eyes widened at his jaw went slack at the sight.
"Holy shit is right Sammy." Dean whispered, looking over the heads of men and women at the angel in the cage. "He is beautiful."
A/N: Soo do you like it? It was beta'd by 221TARDISSTREET. Please let us know what you think! 3
