"Rise and shine beasts! The big event is tonight!" Sergei's Russian accented voice boomed throughout the big top. All of the animals woke up from their slumber, drowsy and confused. When they saw the evil man in black walking over to the cage though, they scrambled away.

Cowering beside Rooster, Norman stared at Sergei with fear. Friday had finally arrived. He was gonna have to jump through the infamous Ring of Fire tonight. But he didn't want to. Sergei didn't care though, that was for sure. The evil man never cared about anything, except money and maybe Little Sergei, who was riding on the man's shoulders.

Crouching down outside the cage bars, Sergei met Norman's gaze. The young griffin cub trembled. It was like looking into cold dead ice. There was no emotion in the man's eyes but coldness. "Tonight is big event time my little friend," Sergei remarked, "I hope you won't disappoint. People like good show." Standing up, he pointed at Norman as he concluded his lecture, "If you don't do trick, you will become rug." With the threat out of the way, he went to make sure everything was being prepared properly.

"I don't want to become a rug, I want to go home," Norman whimpered quietly. Looking over at Rooster, the young griffin cub chirped softly, "You do have another escape plan, right Rooster? We're still going to get out of here?" The shadow dog didn't respond. Worried, Norman asked again, "Rooster, what's the plan?"

"The plan? I'm sorry little guy but I have been up all night trying to formulate a new escape plan," Rooster reported, looking Norman in the eye. Lowering his head in shame, he mumbled, "And I haven't come up with anything. I have no plans. I'm sorry Norman." The shadow dog's voice cracked with sadness. His ears drooping, Norman sadly watched the men pull out the Ring of Fire from storage. He prayed his dad would come soon.