I had dug frantically, trying to get myself out of the hole the Ringmaster had drilled into my mind with his words and cane. When I finally broke free, I lay on the cold steel bottom of the cage, absorbing the other's conversation. They were discussing escape. It was a common topic, but we had never come up with a plan worth acting on.  Somehow, though, it seemed different this time, like we might actually<span style="font-style: italic">do</span>something.  I pulled myself up, unable to hold back a whimper.  I pushed the metal bar in one of my arms from where it was sticking out  near wrist, stretching my skin grotesquely, back past my elbow to its place between my upper arm and forearm. "I want to help too," I say quietly.  "I'm with Sheanne.  What more can he do to me? Just tell me what to do."  I knew I had to help.  I knew I couldn't stay here.<br/><br/>The Ringmaster's last words hung in my ears, his voice thick with mockery as he used my full name and cruel words. "How could you do that Jessamine?  How could you hurt that boy,<span style="font-style: italic">another human being</span>, like that?  Ahh, but I know.  Because you are not a human yourself."  The Ringmaster, the surgeon.  The air reeked with their evil. We needed to leave this place.