By the time I was about fourteen, I had learned a few tricks. I could make the blue parts of my skin change colors. Red, green, orange, purple, any color. When I concentrated hard enough, I could make simple patterns like polka dots or stripes. I could make my skin shiny or matte.

Tim, or the "bad man", as I remember him, caught me while I was practicing. Said it'd make even more money. I didn't believe him.

To prove me wrong, and to further humiliate me I'm sure, he put a sign next to my cell-sized cage. 'Change 4 A Dollar'.

The deal was that I would change colors or patterns or whatever four times for every dollar the audience put in this big jar.

By the end of the day, the jar was full, but what did I care? It's not like they gave me any of the money I had earned or bought me anything with it. They never let me out of that cell.

I hadn't seen the sun or moon since the day Tim threw me into the wire dog cage, a long time ago.

I was allowed some magazines and a new newspaper every week, with these precious items, I could figure that I had been trapped there for about six years.

I forgot my birthday along with my real name though, I had forgotten many things.

My old life was slipping away, fading into the shadowy part of my mind.

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"Come See The Amazing Rainbow Girl!!!"

The message was painted on a board, and laced with yellow neon lights. I could turn neon yellow, but only where my skin had changed. I still hadn't been engulfed by it yet.

If I had known that I was a shape shifter, I would have spent all my time practicing; trying to either become small or strong enough to get out.

At the time, I only knew a few things: I hated Tim beyond measure, I had to escape at the first opportunity and that I had scaly dark blue skin covering half of my body that could change color and texture.

For the first time since I had known him, Tim offered me something nice. I had made so much money for the carnival in the past few months with the 'Change 4 A Dollar' part of the show, I could have one day off.

This is what happened at the very beginning of that day:

I woke up, on the floor as usual. I had muscle aches from sleeping there, mostly in my neck and back, very painful.

Breakfast was waiting for me already. Funnel cake and a Sprite. It's astonishing to me that I wasn't a huge heifer after eating that junk all the time.

I brushed my teeth and took a quick shower; I always had to be quick, there was no telling when Tim would barge in, and it's not like he would dream of giving me two minutes of privacy!

I put on a shirt and a pair of shorts. I reread that week's newspaper, and reread two of my magazines. After maybe three hours, I was bored out of my mind.

As much as I hated having to show skin to those inbred morons, it did fill the hours. Now, with nothing to do, I felt kind of useless.

I tossed my magazines aside and looked towards the flap of the tent. It was half-way open, I could see people moving back and forth out there. No customers yet, it was still too early. Everyone was hurrying to put their acts together.

I hated them, each and every one. Even the ones I hadn't met, I know they're out there, just like they know I'm caged up in here. They know what Tim did, every one does, but no one will raise a finger to help me, because I'm such a valuable attraction. I bring in a lot of money, more than this place could even dream of before I got here.

I was about to turn back to the magazines when I heard it.

Turning to the tent flap, I saw Tim talking to some guy.

Fear gripped me, closed around my heart like an icy hand until my chest actually hurt.

'Please, no, don't let another man into my cage, not again!'

They both came into the tent, and I backed up to the wall, the farthest I could get from them.

"There she is, ain't she freaky? I'll tell ya though, I ain't had but one complaint 'bout her. Guy said she cried too much." Tim told him.

No. No. No.

Not now, not ever again!

I only looked at the floor, hugging my legs to my chest protectively. It's not fair, it's not right, go away, go away!

I risked a glance up to them. Tim, my tormentor and the cause of all things painful in my life.

And behind him, his face partially hidden in the dim lighting of the tent, a new client.

He hadn't said anything at all, while Tim was waving at me. "Hey, you still alive in there? Wake up, you got work to do."

I huddled in the corner and didn't say anything.

Quickly, Tim let the man into my cage and left us alone.

I stayed where I was, crying now. Tears slipped down my face, silent sobs made my chest ache.

The man stood tall, looking down on me. He didn't move, he didn't come any closer.

"What they have done to you is wrong, you know that."

I wasn't sure if I heard him right; I just backed up a little bit farther away from him.

"And you know it's not your fault. You don't want this life, you want freedom, and I can give you that."

I looked up at him, wanting to see if he was just mocking me. He looked so sad.

"How-"

Before I could finish my question, the man held his hand out to the cage wall, ripping it right off!

I stood there, completely dazed. It had to be a dream.

"Come, child! Surely you don't want to stay."

He snapped me out of my shock and I ran for it. The man followed me.

I ran toward the tent flap at full speed, and ran right into Tim.

"What the Hell?"

He grabbed my arm and twisted, while heading back to the cage. He saw that the front wall of it had been destroyed.

"How did you-"

He couldn't finish. He released the grip on my arm, and I was able to see the man that had freed me was somehow controlling him.

He stood there by the tent flap, holding his hand out at Tim. Tim slumped onto the floor and looked like he was sleeping. I stood there, completely unbelieving. How could I understand it? How could anyone? It was so amazing and frightening and wonderfully bizarre!

"Child, this way." The man's voice was deep and a little intimidating, I followed him without question. If he could hurt Tim, he could hurt me even worse.

He held back the tent flap for me, and let me walk outside in front of him.

The sun was up in the sky, blinding.

Despite the horrible pain in my eyes, I stared straight at it. "Beautiful."

The man guided me to his car, but I stopped.

The last time I had gone with someone I didn't know had led me here, to the side show attractions.

The powerful man looked down at me from under his black hat.

"I know you're afraid, but you can either come with me, where it's safe, or you can return to the cages."

He looked at the car again, and the door on my side opened itself. He walked around and got into the driver's side. He looked at me from the interior of the car.

"Well?"