Chapter 7: Extravaganza
Ethan Warren
Estimated, April 2024
About 23 months after outbreak
California, The Circus
Season 3
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"Good evening ladies and gentlemen! As you heard before my name is Thomas King, and yes that is my true name, I am known as the Ringmaster. For safety precautions I'm going to have to kindly ask you to turn over your weapons. You will be able to check them out from our gunsmith whenever you deem necessary." He stood tall, his dark skin and his long black hair complimented his deep red suit. He had a scar across his left eye and wore a black modern top hat. I didn't know how to react, my first impression of him was that I found him to be ridiculous. We handed our guns to a very tall man with a lengthy beard. He smiled as he set our weapons into a shopping cart. "That is Emilio, my most trusted friend. He was once our ventriloquist!" Emilio waved to us all but none of us bothered to wave back. I think we were all just confused, this was a lot to process. We've only been in the company of each other for so long, meeting new people was not simple.
"I do wish to get to know you all as well. If you plan on staying, there's definitely room for all of you. Heck, there's room for about four times the amount of you. Meet me in the Big Top either alone, with a friend, or as a group. I'd be thrilled to answer any questions you may have. Emilio, Pamela, can you show them where they can stay for the night?" he asked and the two nodded in response.
We followed them to a few regular small houses near The Big Top. I felt a bit out of place as we walked down the streets, everyone wore fancy costumes and appeared to not have even a scratch on them. It made me irritated because I had a feeling most of them were just like the others in Loveland, they've been here since the start and hadn't left.
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Rudolph Alinsky
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"Lovely, isn't it?" Thomas asked. I was the first to join him in The Big Top. None of the other's had any interest in doing so until tomorrow, I only did because I didn't want to go to sleep.
Inside of the tent was a massive room filled with wooden rows of seats. In the center was a desk and the Ringmaster sat behind it. The room smelled of artificial fragrances and was lit only by candle. They had proven that they possessed electricity but they were smart enough not to over use it.
"How many people are here?" I asked, I was genuinely curious because it seemed that most people in the city were nothing but old corpses, and Ethan had asked me to get as much information about this place as possible.
"We have about 34 though we did have more, a sickness went around about a month ago, we got the medication and are no longer infected but not everyone was so fortunate to survive. It was tragic."
"Is that why there are dead people wearing outfits like yours outside of the walls?"
"Yes, when they died there were too many, we would have been unable to bury them all and burning is against my morals. We tried to get them to spread out further into the big cities but they're stubborn and they were good friends."
"Why are you so close to the cities? Isn't that dangerous?" I asked. He stood from his seat, adjusted his tie and walked towards me.
"On the contrary, it keeps bad people from getting too close but leaves the strong ones rewarded, like yourself. Consider it good karma. You had to fight your way here, you deserve this. I invite you to sleep in a more private room here rather than in one of the houses if you wish. Good night, Rudolph," he left without another word. I don't know how to describe it but I was enchanted. I didn't stay there though, I needed to be with the people who needed me the most. The people I loved the most.
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Ethan Warren
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It was unfortunately a restless night for me, my head was filled with all the "what if's" and "how's". We all slept in the same house that night, just as we had in Loveland. I was still unsure of this place and I was not about to make any mistakes.
As soon as the sun rose I made my way to The Big Top. I waited inside for over three hours to speak with this man and when he finally arrived he hadn't bothered to wear more than a robe.
"What's your background?" I asked, trying not to look him in the eyes.
"What's yours? I understand you have questions Ethan but I have people here that I must protect. I can't simply give out personal information when this is but the only time we've spoken. But what I can tell you is that I've been here since the start, even before that. I was the Ringmaster after my older brother passed. Quite pacing, Warren, it's unhealthy." I hadn't even realized what I was doing. I stopped abruptly and stared him in the eyes. He stared back but with a softer expression than he was receiving, I kinda envied him for that.
Rudi had told me everything he told him about this place so I didn't bother to ask it myself. He probably knew that Rudi had told me, that's why he didn't bring it up.
"Breakfast is at seven, lunch at noon and dinner when the sun fully sets. I do hope you and your people choose to stay, it's been so long since we've had anyone new," he said as he rested a hand on my shoulder, "I feel you have potential to do good things here. You don't seem as intimidating as you originally present, I see a softer side to you, Ethan. I hope in time I will earn your trust, but until then you are welcome to observe my every move. You can watch every citizen I execute," he said. I could tell he was joking by the way he smiled and laughed awkwardly when I didn't show a reaction other than annoyance. I left the tent because I didn't want to do something I might regret. In truth, he didn't seem all that bad but I learned from Lucas that people can be deceiving.
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After Death (Season 3)
HorrorSeason 3 of the After Death novel After the fall of Loveland and the death of their friends, the group is unsure where to go from here. Previously, after the attack, they were all separated but after a few months they managed to make their way back...
