headache. dars

i'll use you as a warning sign
that if you talk enough sense
then you'll lose your mind
i'll use you as a focal point

He was once a boy who felt lost in the noise. White static screams told him he was no good, and maybe he was. Maybe he would grow up gray, like his parents had, like his sister would: bland, boring. Cogs in a machine designed to clip the wings of extraordinary people, make them think living in a cage was the best life they could hope for.

And then he was saved by tightropes and rings of fire, and after the crowds began to know him by name, he knew he would never go back.

Fingers traced the outline of the buttons on his shirt as he got dressed. Performance day. He'd brushed his teeth twice that morning, checked his hair every time he passed a mirror. Clock struck noon and he decided to go and do a run through with Sully before the audience started taking their seats.

He unzipped his tent, closed it back behind him, arms folded over his chest as he smirked at Diego. The two had been recruited around the same time, and Diego had taught him that all magicians were good with disappearing acts. Always on the run, always looking for something that Jack seemed blind to, he had noticed. He couldn't help wondering if, maybe, it was to make up for something missing within themselves.

"Wanna see his newest trick?" Jack asked, leaning against the railing.

"Sully, dinner." His lion's back arched, top lip pulled back to show off razor sharp teeth. He began crawling up the platforms, prowling toward Diego, who stood at the top. A low growl accompanied the snap of his jaw, just six inches away from the boy's feet.

"Don't worry," Jack called, "He won't actually eat you unless he thinks you're hurting me." He licked his lips and formed a thin smile.

"Wanna come over here and punch me to test him?"