See, this is why I told you that you''re a better writer -- but you don't believe me --love this story. Sad, but like you said -- the characters don't get together in the end. It's what really happens in real life.

Huaa... T.T

That's so sad...

But realistic =>

Of course I was half hoping that her family somehow got killed in an accident and she'd run away with him XD but the ending is realistic.

Good story =)

That was SAD!! In a very melancholic kind of way and not in the "i murder you" kind of sense. Well done!

It's great.

I'm sincerely hoping you turn this into a novel. In its present state it leaves us asking many questions, and there is enough material here for you to work with.

How can I describe this... beautiful? No. Riveting? Maybe. Wonderful? Hell no. Haunting? Maybe that's it.

I have to say that the attention to detail here is amazing. The atmosphere at the circus was built up splendidly; I could feel the discomfort Clarice was feeling in the crowd. And the way the beast was portrayed as wild and dangerous, yet frail at the same time was just skillful. Kudos to your growing expertise at this.

The intimacy shared between Sam (the ex-beast) and Clarice was hinted at, but never really shown. (No flashbacks! WHE!) In spite of this, I still could feel the relationship between them, and the pain a seventeen-year rift caused. (Although, perhaps some of this comes from my own experiences.)

A great short story, superbly written. Keep it up!