the ( M E N A G E R I E )

[Tenderfoot]

shells the Keepers. shells them straight to by the first egg. Because that's exactly where they've sent us.

We were special. We were special, damnit, and we hid it pretty well. Those that were the reason you heard a bump in the night. You know, those who had an animosity to them. The shifters. But apparently, we did not hide it well enough. Because they found us. And they'll find you, too, don't you ever doubt that fact.

No, no. Don't even try to deny it. Because you don't know what they're like. You don't know the merciless ways they experiment on the many subjects that they have inside the giant glass dome they keep us all in. Like a cage. For animals. And if you're treated like a dumb animal for long enough, that's exactly what you become.

We try, though. We try to remain as human as we can be. But most of our sanity is lost in the attempt, for it is difficult to keep your head in this place. We've organized ourselves into Rings, 'cause you know, there's strength in numbers. There's more eyes to see things, more ears to hear things. And if someone attacks, there's a slightly bigger chance that it isn't you.

Hush up now. If you make a scene they'll find you sooner. You can run from them but you can't avoid them forever. Who knows? They might be listening in on you as we speak. Life is hard here in this cage, this menagerie. But that's an understatement. You'd have to experience it for yourself. And one day, you will. You might even be one of the "lucky" few that are the Keepers' favored lab rats.

So go ahead and pray to whatever god you wish. Deny that it will ever happen, or that it ever has to the victims whose lives have already been taken. But once you're inside the confines of this prison, no god will help you. I'm sorry to say that you're off the grid. But don't worry, it will all be okay.

No, I lied. Nothing will be okay. Not anymore. Because if it weren't for bad luck, you'd have no luck at all, right?

Go ahead and visit this zoo.
This Menagerie.