She had approached a Tattoo Expo about performing her act. Tonight she would add a suicide suspension which was always a crowd pleaser. She wore a fairy type costume she had picked up years ago for her performance. It allowed her the freedom of movement she desired for her tricks, and attracted the attention of the crowd. The wings sat low on her back, to allow for the placement of the hardware required.

Little did those around her know she had done a tarot card reading earlier that day, asking Time and Fate if this would be the day of her success. The signs had all been there, and she proceeded with her show.

On one side of the stage was a table like the ones at a doctor’s office. The assistant was carefully laying out all the hooks on a small sterile tray. Sterilization was of the up-most importance and she had full trust in him.

She laid on the table with her eyes closed, focusing on her breathing. She said a little prayer to Fate, calling upon it to give her the strength and ability to do this performance today. The crowd grew silent. She felt her body tense as cold liquid was applied to her back, she knew the pain was about to follow. Her body was used to the pain, but she hadn’t done a suspension performance in a few months so she knew the pain would be like a jolt of lightning.

She felt the pinch of the skin over her shoulder, the rolling of the skin to separate the fat and allow for more support. “Ready?” the guy asked, pausing in his movements. Drawing a breath, “Yes.” And she again focused her thoughts on her breathing and not on what was about to happen. She feels the 6 gauge hook pierce her skin, the burning sensation could be felt all though her body, and her breath became shaky. She found herself gritting her teeth, refusing to cry out as the second hook went in. This continued until there were four hooks placed in her back, across the shoulder blade area.

“They’re in, we are attaching the cables now, you’re doing great.” She heard him say. She could faintly make out the sound of the screws being placed, felt the ache in her skin as the hooks were moved into position. “Ok, I need you to slowly sit up,” he said, placing a hand on her forearm, gently guiding her into a seated position. She felt a little light headed, her ears slightly ringing as the blood returned to the rest of her body.

She nods her head, and prepares her mind for the experience. He stayed in front of her, both there for support and to make sure everything remained as safe as possible. Then she feels it, an intense, burning sensation in her back as the skin is lifted and tugged away from her body. Her breath catches in her throat, and her mind seems to enter into a mixture of shock and disorientation as she feels her feet leave the floor. She needed to relax and calm her mind. Closing her eyes, she listens to her heart rate and breathing, counting them, reminding herself to breath slowly. As she feels her heart rate slow, she then focuses her mind on the sound of a ticking clock, counting the sounds and trying to match her heart beats with it. She gives her mind over to the sound, a steady tick…tick…tick, and allows Fate to strengthen not only her skin, but her will as well.

And up she goes; it was a slow process, as her assistant was the one pulling the rope, lifting her higher and higher off the ground. Pretty soon she was at least thirty feet in the air, her arms out and lifted at her sides. She had placed her full trust in Fate at this point, for it was up to Fate if she would succeed or fail today. She briefly closes her eyes, calling upon Fate to shine upon her for this moment. And for a brief moment she could swear she felt the warm embrace of Fate encircle her. Once the lifting stopped, the performance would begin. She felt the rope being to sway as he pulled it back and forth, and begun to swing left and right. Her body swinging over the audience. She does a split in the air, and reaches carefully behind her back as her leg moved towards her head. Once close enough she grabbed it, pretty much doing a sideways split in the air as she swung through the air. It was a little more difficult with the hooks in place, and it wasn’t as full of a split as it would be on the ground, but the effect was still there. She could hear the crowd cheer her on as she did stunt after stunt.

After about twenty minutes, it was time to descend, and it was just as slow as being lifted. Carefully she placed her feet on the floor, feeling a little light headed and the rush of adrenaline from her performance. She then bows to the crowd, a huge smile on her face, who at this point were cheering madly, and she silently thanks Fate for allowing this day to happen.