A/N: Hello to those who are reading this, I know I have no excuses as to why I never updated this story but since school started five months ago, I have stopped brainstorming them and life just became extremely busy. However, now that summer is here, I can continue working on this and I will try to stay committed to this. I am currently re-reading Water for Elephants to familiarize myself once more with some of the plot and characters.

Disclaimer: I do not own Sara Gruen's Water for Elephants but I do own Jacqueline. I can proudly say that she is my own creation. My sincere apologies to Gruen for butchering her novel. It's not that I didn't like her book, I love and respect it …so you can say this was sort of life like a tribute to it?

Chapter 3

Jacqueline "Jack" POV

Why now? For the past few years, I have never allowed anyone to drive me down and degrade me this much. I made sure of it but for the very first time, he had sent me down here and quite effortlessly too, making it a double blow.

"This is fucking ridiculous…" I muttered out of frustration before slamming my door to warn others to think twice before bothering me. I leaned on the dilapidating wooden door, contemplating about this horrible embarrassment.

"I was merely trying to see Camel's point, that's it." I attempted to convince myself in a rather unconvincing and hesitant manner.

Within seconds, I burst out of agitation and my fuse was out. I felt the pain aching on my head as I continuously slammed my head on the hollow wall. Nostalgia sets in as this pain bought that familiar feeling of when I was a child. It had become a habit of mine to injure myself in any way I can to rid of that uncomfortable feeling I had. According to one of the sisters at the orphanage had told me that it was an 'abnormality' occurring in my brain. I was set to be sent to an asylum for further evaluation, but as you can see that did not end well. The last vision I saw after the last bang was the faces of the other children as they took me away, before the sight of my rusting mirror caught my attention. A gravitational pull lured me towards the mirror. I looked at myself in disgust. My hand seems to function independently from my consciousness. I watched as my fingers caressed my face tainted with dust from this afternoon's work. Now I feel dirty—I am dirt.

The soft moan from the train became audible as it slowly came to a stop once more. I dig into my pillow case and retrieved a rusted pocket watch that I have pickpocketed from some man years ago. It was half an hour past seven, "we're too early.." I mumbled lazily as I placed the watch back securely into my pillow. "We're making a quick unplanned tour; the Mayor demanded we do a three day show. Big cash." Anthony spoke throw the hollow door with high optimism. Poor kid. I don't think he knows too much of August's little scam. I sat there sympathizing Anthony silently. He's a good boy, hardworking but easily fooled. On my first visit to the leader of the circus, I could smell fraud oozing all over August. I assume Marlena, his wife, knew as well but decided to play dumb about it and for that I applaud her. I knew from my first day on the job, none of was going to get paid despite August's promises of big lumps of cash if we waited a little more patiently. PATIENT MY ASS! Why I've decided to stay in this hell hole if I'm not getting paid? It's the only place I could actually feel as if I belong. These men took me in, took care of me, fed me, and treated as if I'm their own. To be honest, I felt as if these men treated me better than my parents could ever treat me.

"Jackie…" The sudden slur accompanied by a knock on my door snapped me back into reality. From the vague calling of my name and familiar knock, I knew it was Camel, the one responsible for taking me in. I knew I was indebted to him more than anyone. The second knock came louder. "Rise and shine, sweetheart." His voice, now clearer, seemed to have a soothing effect on me. I quickly covered the wife beater that one of the men had given to me for my 16th birthday with a flannel and opened the door for him. "I've been up." I greeted my father-like figure with the brightest and most mischievous smile which in turn resulted in a baffled expression molding on his face.

"Wipe that smile off, Miss…you don't want to stir trouble now." He warned me jokingly as his comeback. "Tony told you right or else I'll have to have some good talk with him."

"Yes, he did, sir." I nodded firmly. "And I'll be on my way out." I spoke obediently before closing my door in front of him and prepared myself with another hard day of labor. Once I was out, I watched as the sun rose up slowly; Men were already hammering logs and setting foundation of our tent before I quickly sense a hand rested on my shoulder. Instinctually, my hand reached over this stranger's, twisting it quickly before they could respond. Within seconds, Jacob was on the ground grunting in pain. In a way, I found no remorse in this man as I watched him cringe in pain. Involuntarily, I stuck my hand out to help him up, my face indifferent. "Good Morning to you too…" He stretched his shoulder once and without a moment to lose, he was back up on his feet. "Lesson learned, you can't sneak up on people like that." I spoke sternly avoiding complete eye contact by pretending to scan the whole dry land in front of us.

Before the conversation could progress any further, I could hear those dreaded footsteps from Bowers approaching us. My lungs ceased to let anymore more oxygen in, which in turn resulted into my throat feeling dry to the point where I felt dropping dead would have been a more favorable option. "Caraway!" Bowers, August's secretary\slave, piercing shout prevented me from disregarding his presence. I quietly shifted my attention to him and gave him a nod signaling the fact he has my attention. "August wants you. His car. Immediately." My lips pursed and I cringe in response, which faded quickly enough before Jacob could mention it. "Gotcha." I spoke hoarsely. Right on time, I see Marlena exit her car in her fitted white dress that emphasized the soft curves of her body. All work ceased for a moment, eyes of every men were all on her as if she was an angel who has just fallen out of the sky—including Jacob. Finding this as a good opportunity, I slipped away from the hypnotized and made my to August's car as slowly as possible. The invisible lump in my throat stifled my ability to talk and every step I took to approach his door made it even worse. Get it over with, I scolded myself and pushed the door wide enough to let the familiar fragrance that August usually smothers himself with, only to find him nowhere to be found in the room.

"Jacqueline…you're finally here." His voice, caught off guard behind me. I snatched my head quickly to see him with his lousy but coy smirk.

[A/N]: Comments, feedback, predictions, suggestions and constructive criticisms are welcomed!

I'd like to thank my sudden burst of inspiration to write and Spotify for letting me listen to Water for Elephants score.

-Lady Betsy

(Former pen name: IDidNotResurface)