Circus Escape Read Online Free PDF Page B

the makeshift tunnel that would come out into the arena.
    "Two minutes," warned Jim.
    "Perfect." Joy slowed Sally's movements a little so that she could use the momentum to walk through the door rather than having to stop and then start again. It was going to be a long night, and she wanted to keep the energy stored in Sally for the fight with Cate. "Come on, baby. Let's give them a show to remember."
    *~*~*
                                                           
    Nessie couldn't wait to see how Sally Spider performed in the arena tonight. She felt a connection to the mecha because she'd been lucky enough to sit inside it. She'd missed the first few fights after placing her bet and getting a ticket, and then finding the correct numbered gate for her seating area. At least the first few fights were with the older mechas; she only wanted to see the new models fighting.
    Nessie went up the stairs into the arena and spied a single seat near the front of the railing. Lucky . She caught a few stares she walked down to the front—her ocean blue dress wasn't appropriate for a night out in the arena, but she hadn't had time to change. She'd rung her mother and left a message with the maid that she was coming home soon and not to worry. It was fortunate her mother was still laid up with a migraine and her father was busy with the re-election campaigns.
    "Excuse me? Is that seat taken?" she asked at the end of the row.
    "You want it love, you take it," answered a man.
    "I will. Excuse me." She pushed past the man and then a couple, missing their toes, before coming to the free seat. She sat down on the hard plastic surface and looked out. She had a clear view of the arena, both entry points and the over-sized screen. Perfect .
    "They can't have made the spider's legs so thin. They can't have. It's not technically possible." She heard a man nearby say. She clamped her jaw together to stop herself from interjecting. It was better not to correct people. Besides, it wasn't that long ago she had been in awe of those legs. She still was. It was those beautiful legs with two rotating joints that she hoped would give Sally an advantage. She had put money on it.
    The puppy and emu were entertaining the crowd by chasing each other in the arena. From what Nessie could tell, the emu was winning because it kept pinching the puppy's tail. She laughed at their clowning behaviour and kept squirming in her seat, wanting the real fighting to begin. She was so close to the action, she reckoned that she would be able to see the sparks coming off the metal as they fought. Nessie pressed her lips together to stop herself from squealing and pinched her arm to make sure this wasn't a dream. Her eyes glued to the large doors, she waited impatiently for them to be opened.
    "Welcome ladies and gentleman." Nessie sat up straight in her seat.
    "For the first time tonight, welcome Sally Spider." The crowd roared, the people around her jumping up, yelling and screaming, and she did too, forgetting to behave like a lady. A few boos and hissing sounds mingled with the cheers. "Welcome the spider from her web. Her first time in the arena. Will she have enough venom to win?"
    Sally crawled out into the dusty arena. Nessie couldn't see Joy inside. The front leg raised as if waving and the crowd's volume increased. Those legs are amazing . Then Sally reared back and moved her front legs, ready to strike. A wave of gasps rolled around the spectators. She looks beautiful .
    Nessie's hands hurt from clapping so much.
    "Aaaand Cate Crab for her second fight this year." Cate crab-walked out from the opposite door. Nessie's hands stilled. She didn't want to cheer for the Crab, even if it was only in good sportsmanship. Instead, caught in the moment, she hissed, even though people around her cheered. Cate's front claws clipped together fast and hard, razor insides capable of cutting and crushing other mechas.
    "Watch out for