The Backroom and Other Short Horror Stories

Are You Having Fun, Yet?

The paper plates and cups were neatly aligned on the table, seven on each side. A bowling pin sat on one end, and a couple paper cups sat in the middle in case they were needed. Kids, no older than 10 but no younger than 7, eagerly entered the room, fighting over who gets to sit next to who. 13 of the 14 seats were filled. One empty plate and cup sat at one end of the table, all by itself. The last kid was nowhere to be found. Perhaps they were late, or decided not to come after all.

One kid sat in the middle of them, a kid of the age of 10. He wore a blue party hat, and had a giant blue ribbon pin on his shirt that said, "It's my birthday!" He laughed among his friends, and licked his lips as he anticipated the upcoming cake and fruit punch. But something about this room made him feel concerned. Behind him was a painted circus tent, the colors red and white. The wall on his left had the words "CARNIVAL BIRTHDAY" painted in multiple colors on it. Above the lettering was a thick purple line. Across from him was a painted elephant on the wall, balancing itself on a blue ball with a yellow star on it. A red and white circus tent was behind it, as were balloons to the far right. Above the tent and elephant was a thick turquoise line. A blue sky and green grass were painted on every wall. Something about the way the elephant was staring at the boy made him feel unsafe. The missing kid only made him worry even more.

But the boy could not remember who was missing.

"Alright, kids," said a woman, who had short, red hair. She entered the room with a large chocolate cake with white frosting. "Line up in a straight line, and I'll cut you a piece. Birthday boy, first." She settled the cake on a table with a blue covering nearby. The boy stood up and patiently waited for the woman to cut him a slice. The other kids ran up behind him immediately after, pushing and arguing who was in what spot first. 

Once the slice was cut, the boy offered his plate and the cake slice slid onto it. He sat down and started to eat before the troublesome kids could push him down and ruin his slice. As he ate, he stared at the lonely plate and cup. He really couldn't help but wonder who was missing, and why.

"Hello, kids," said a different woman, who had short ,blue hair. She entered with a giant orange container, a liquid swishing inside as she walked. Kids backed out of her way as she settled the container next to the cake. A white nozzle was revealed after she adjusted it. "Fruit punch is here; be sure to put your cake slice down before getting a drink." And with that, the boy got up to get a cup of fruit punch. The new woman smiled harmlessly at him as she filled his cup to the brim, but he still felt uncomfortable.

Where are his parents? Why were these two strange women here instead?

Not long after, everyone was sitting down and enjoying their meal, not having a care in the world. Meanwhile the two women were standing near the refreshments, smiling and staring as if they were robots. The boy slowly ate with growing concern, glancing at the empty space before talking to one of his friends.

The boy was the first to finish eating his slice and drinking his punch. The woman with blue hair appeared behind him and asked if he wanted some more cake. The other woman stood next to her and asked if he wanted some more punch.

"Me, me," exclaimed some of the other kids, holding out their plates full of crumbs and small pieces. "More cake, more cake!" But the women paid them no mind.

The women looked odd, thought the boy. Their skins were paler than snow, and they were the exact same height. They also wore the exact same clothing: a green dress with a red ribbon around the neck. Shiny black shoes covered their feet, and both of their eyes were a dark shade of brown. What was even creepier, the boy couldn't tell their voices apart. The similar appearances sent shivers down his spine.

"Where are my parents," he asked them, his voice shaking. The women only blinked at him, so he repeated the question louder, for kids were still impatiently shouting for more cake. Eventually, the women turned away and walked back to the refreshments.