It was dark. Always so dark. She couldn't remember the last time she had seen the sun, felt the warmth of it on her back as she layed stretched out upon a rock. Her hair, once a luscious green color, was now dull and yellowing.
She scratched at her arms and legs, her scales irritated and burning from an incomplete shedding. Flakes stuck to her and she wanted to scream in frustration, but did not want go anger him. If he heard so much as a sigh from her, pain would surely follow.
At least she wouldn't have to worry about an audience. They always left her alone during this time.
Or at least that had been this case up until this point.
The vehicle stopped, and she heard footsteps outside, followed by the door being opened up. Was it time for food already? No, this wasn't the man with the food- this was the man with the awful stick. The one that attached to her collar. But that meant- an audience? Why now-?
As the man unlocked her cage, she found herself backing away. Something wasn't right, and more than usual she did not want to go out there. She heard the crowd outside, whispering in anticipation.
Wanting to see the monster a man in a ringmasters costume was telling them about.
The man with the stick held up a small device threateningly, holding his thumb over the button. She shivered and reluctantly stood up, walking towards the man and allowing the stick to hook onto her collar.
The man forcefully pulled her towards the trucks exit, causing her to cough violently as the collar roughly pulled against her neck.
"Here it is, ladies and gentleman," announced the ringleader as she was brought to the stage. They were in a grassy area, with buildings that could be seen towering beyond the trees. "The dreaded swamp creature!" The ringleader put a hand in his pocket and suddenly a violent shock brought her to her knees, screaming in pain.
The audience gasped, looking at her in terror. "Don't worry, I have it under control. It can roar all it likes, but as you can see with my friend here- this thing is very much prevented from escaping." There was a violent tug of the collar, and she let out a choking noise.
"See? You're all very much safe. In fact, you can even touch it!"
She looked up in confusion- what had he just said? Before she could react he pulled at her arm, causing her to nearly fall forward. The ringleader glared at her, and the man with the stick dragged her closer to the edge of the stage. "Look at this! Shedding it's own skin like some kind if snake! Disgusting, I know. Who here is brave enough to feel the slimy scales of this beast?"
She didn't like this, not at all. As an audience member reached for her, she tried to pull back only to receive an especially powerful electric shock that caused her to scream- she could practically smell the burnt flesh around her neck. Shaking in pain, she was helpless to stop the crowd from grabbing at her, making disgusted noises as they felt her shedding scales.
Out of the corner of her eye she saw the ringleader whisper something into the other man's ear. He raised an eyebrow, but shrugged before approaching her and releasing the stick from her collar.
Then he used his foot to shove her off the stage and into the ravenous crowd. She screamed, which was followed by another electric shock and she watched in terror as members of the crowd began grabbing at her, violently pulling at her and even tearing at her scales. She writhed but knew if she fought back it would only end with another violent shock.
