Ch. 1
300 years. 300 long years I've been caged up like an animal. I snort softly to myself. I was an animal. Or at least that was all people saw. I couldn't remember the last time someone saw me for me. Kadam knew who I was, but everyone else... I breathe another heavy sigh as I flip my body to the side. My tail flicks back and forth and I let my eyes close. Oh, how I wish I could be a man again. Heck, I would take 2 minutes of being a man right now and give up ever-changing again if only someone could see me for me. I breathed another sigh. Of course, that wouldn't happen. I hadn't been able to change in 300 years. I heard someone enter and smelled the distinct scent of Andrew. Another sigh. It was showtime.
...
I went through our routine quickly. I knew what to do and the faster we got it over with the faster I could go back to lying down in my cage. It was bad enough that everyone saw me as a beast. I didn't need them ogling me and cheering. Oh look, the stupid tiger can learn to jump through a hoop I snorted to myself. I was a prince of India. I needed to remember that. I was worried about what would happen if I forgot. Would I lose my humanity? Really become just a beast who could do tricks? No, I thought vehemently I was a prince of India and I would remember it.
...
The routine came to a close. I fought a sneeze off like I always had to after I had Andrews's head in my mouth. Disgusting. I was suddenly aware of eyes on me. Not the fear-filled awestruck gaze of the applauding crowd. No this felt different. A gaze of... concern? I searched the crowded room wondering if maybe Kadam had come for an overdue visit. It had been ages since my old friend had visited. But I saw him nowhere. I soon became aware that it was time to exit the stage and headed up the ramp. I had just gotten back into the wagon when a scent hit me. I inhaled sharply peaches and cream. There was something comforting about this scent. Something that told me I wasn't alone. That I could find peace and solace in whoever it belonged to. I whipped around trying to go back through the tunnel, desperate to find the owner of the scent. Desperate to not be alone, to be seen. But the entrance was closed off before I could go through and I was left in the dark. The scent faded and I softly bellowed in sadness as I was once again left alone.