Loving a Monster

Loren loved Cuddles with all her heart.

She had found the creature when it was very small. Her mother had said she must get rid it, but Loren just couldn’t bring herself to do it. She knew that the Cuddles would not last long in the wild; they were endangered animals. Their hides were prized in many circles, and very few of them were ever seen outside of zoos.

Instead, Loren had run away.

She and Cuddles had joined a circus; folks paid well to see and touch her pet, and the two got to travel all over the country. Loren had grown in many ways since leaving home, not the least of which was how well she had become acquainted with the wonder and awe that greeted the circus everywhere they went.

The lines were long outside the tent, and Cuddles’ long red hair and soft pink skin were always a huge hit, especially with the younger members of the audience. Loren loved the little creature more every day, even if she was a bit scary looking with her flattened face and rounded eyes.