Time to focus on the performance again.

Act lll, fear and love.

The woman moved away slightly, so that the audience could view the freak.

Then she reached her hand, this time for a scarred, bruised cheek.

His eyes were averted from hers, staring at the floor once again.

Her hands finally touched his cheek ever so delicately.

But suddenly he shot back from her outstretched fingers as if she had punched him.

She quickly tried to calm him, but he pulled back again, the sound of chains and snipping filling the air.

Sage fell back onto the ground as the man in front of her struggled in pain of memory, pushing her with his body, supposedly not seeing her there.

They had the audience reeled in.

What could have happened to him to make him like this, they must be asking themselves as they shrink away ever so slightly?

This could have been a reality, thought the woman looking at them then to her love.

Thank who ever lived above for the courage within her and him.

Edward was looking at her now, struggling towards her, anger in his eyes; yet a deer in the stage lights, in a nightmare.

Was this truly an act?

Suddenly

Boom!

The sound of wheels turning and chain moving against them as the man dropped onto his knees weakly.

He struggled still, his arms now suspended slightly behind him, still showcasing his peculiar hands.

His character would hurt hers.

He played the mad beats within him, the pitiful freak thrown into the depths of his mind, unable to escape.

Only his and Sage's panting could be heard throughout the darkened tent.

The monster seemed ashamed now, of his action-ashamed of his fear that controlled him so well.

This was a bit more of reality then the woman wanted to see now.

He stared at the compassionate stranger now.

His ebony eyes pleaded with hers; not to be afraid-not to try to leave.

To forgive him for all he did to her.

For everything was his fault.

Tears trickled over his lifeless face constantly now.

Tears of reckoning.

If he hadn't been so goddamn weak Sage wouldn't be in so much pain.

She wouldn't be here in this "performance" playing the queen of heartbreaks.

She would be free and he would be alone.

That could have happened.

There story could have started like this.

If she had never met him, been some other child.

He must be a monster in the minds of the young who saw him today.

No, he must rid himself of these thoughts and dwell on them later.

The compassionate stranger looked guilty, moving towards him, Sage sensing his thoughts and chastising him gently for them.

As she knelt down next to him she continued the act.

"What's your name?" the stranger asked kindly, a slight lovers tone implanted.

"Edward," spoke the man softly, bringing such humanity to his character.

The woman touched his cheek again, smiling, drawing the audience closer, love truly revealed in her expression.

He twitched involuntarily again, but moved into her touch.

Jim had whipped him the day before to make his "performance" that much more realistic; to make contact hurt.

Soon the woman cupped both sides of his face lifting his head upwards.

She moved even closer, staring into his obsidian eyes.

Their lips never touched.

So close.

The stranger soon moved her arms around his neck instead and asked,

"How can I love you?"

The crowd heard everything, as they were supposed to.

The climax was reaching its peak only to come crashing down, all because of a voice from outside.

"Darling, where are you?"

Sage was crying now as well, caught up in the act.

"I'm sorry," she spoke before slowly letting go, her lips brushing his briefly before rapidly walking away, finding the door to freedom open, finding the exit at the back of the tent.

Just like how Kim left.

Before the stranger leaves she takes one last look at the monster- the man she loves and fears.

At last she is gone.

The crowd raves and cheers deafen anyone close to the tent, some crying, and some reflecting, some curious.

As the crowd starts to evaporate, Sage finds herself being hugged fiercely by Don behind the tent.

Edward is being helped from his temporary imprisonment by Conner.

Jim had originally asked he be kept there between performances to "stay in character."

Bull.

Everyone had already realized the madness of that man and would not heed him.

Here Jim had little to no power with people, only Sage and Edward and what he could do himself.

Not yet powerless, but no longer a king.

The couple embraced as if they were very old, and remained comforting each other.

Almost all the other performers came by, congratulating them on such a powerful, realistic performance.

If only they could see how deep it actually led into the couples hearts.

How could they see how much it hurt?

The scars visible and unseen, shown to the world for mere dollars.

Back in their living quarters, they lay next to each other, Sage playing with Edward's hair, which had been growing back rapidly.

It barely passed his ears now, curled yet still uncontrollable.

The man smiled contently as his love spoke sweet nothings to cheer him, and let him live happily , if only for the moment.

"Will my heart break every time?" he asked simply.

"It's only ac act- a convincing one, but not one that will bring us to tears every time."

"It will never stop hurting though."

"I know Edward. We are only human."

"I am not so sure I can say that."

His love kissed him, not letting him continue.

"Don't you dare think yourself without worth like that; you are no monster- no beast, freak, robot- you are simply what you are and even that isn't important. Your soul is beautiful and I can only love you for it."