Mr.clown

Chapter 7

Evan woke  up screaming, cold sweat rolling down her face. She was breathing heavily. Her heart pounding against her ribcage. Her watery eyes looked around only to find out herself in her usual work spot. She gulped hard and wiped the sweat with her shirt's sleeve before grabbing water bottle. She gulped down all water left in bottle and let out a deep sigh, running her fingers through her hair. She raised her gaze to look at the photo frame at the side of the table.

Evan : I promise Jin I will find you no matter what happened..my friend...

Her voice determined ,  staring at the smiley boy's face and before the weight of blame could be  heavier and break her down once again she got up on her feet. She picked up her phone , car keys and pepper spray Jhope had given her before starting to make her way out of the office. The only source of light were cars headlight. The only sound was her car moving forward. A dead silent road on the middle of nowhere and it's never ending darkness

Evan stopped her car outside a gate glancing at her phone.  she doubled checked the location before finally stepping out. A cold breeze touched her skin forcing her to shiver a little. She put on her jacket , warmth hugged her body. She then stepped closer to  the rusty gate. Her finger tip traced its design , a light electric sensation travelled her entire body. She pulled away, surprised. A thunder roared as if the sky screamed trying to warn her. But her guilt and willpower was stronger than anything. She looked at the gate again after taking a quick glance at the dark sky. Her hand rose to push the gate open. But before her hand could make contact , a creaking sound filled the quiet place when the gate opened on it's own with a gust of wind as if the place welcomed her. She slowly pulled her hand back and finally stepped in. The dirt crunched under her sole with each step she took. With her phone's flashlight on....

She was making her way towards the abandoned circus. She felt nostalgic looking around. She remembered the time when Jin and her was little. Their parents would take them on similar amusement park. Little Jin's small fragile figure laughing and running around while holding a red balloon in his hands flashed in her mind...who could have though...? A place which stole their sadness , would one day stole her best friend away from her. She finally reached the entrance...her chest tightened. Her jaw clenched..
Last conversation with Jin started to play in her head. How helpless she had felt. How terrified Jin looked before her phone started acting up and blacked out on it's own. And how the next morning Jin's parents came to her house asking if they had seen him anywhere. Her trembling hands closed into a fist. The pain grew its roots deeper...guilt stabbing her heart again and again..After a deep breath when she was about to enter she noticed a wooden board set just near the entrance. One end of the stick attached to the board to  stand tall. When she looked closely she saw letters scrapped on it . But they weren't written with paint. It seemed more like the words are scraped the board with something extremely sharp...

Evan : There are no...

She ready the visible words out loud. Others were hidden behind the dirt and dried mud. Pushing away the urge to wipe the mud and read more..she took her first step inside the white and red striped tent. As soon as she stepped in she felt chills in her bones. Seeing the place from a video call versus being it for real felt completely different. She had already turned off her phone's flashlight as she didnt want to attract any unwanted attention if another person was present. Lucky for her the moonlight peeking through the torn piece of roof illuminated the place enough for her to see...her steps were slow and light. She was even breathing slowly to be more quiet. Her hand slid in her pocket and after she felt the cylinder shaped container  which is the pepper spray..her grip tightened around it..She was on complete alert waiting  for some noise or anything that could help her get closer  to her goal. Her head whipped upon hearing a sound..her heart started to race but she didnt let it break her courage. She crouched down behind a stack of broken chairs..From there , she started to keep an eye at every direction. She waited and waited but no one came in sight. After one final look she decided to come out from her hiding spot

"PRETTY GIRL"

Her eyes widened..She subconsciously held her breath

"ARE YOU LOST...?"

She heard it again...the same voice she had heard on the call that night..oh how much it haunted her...it appeared in her nightmares every single time..she cant be wrong in recognizing it....The creepy place felt quiet again...the long held breath slowly released. She remained behind the stack of broken chairs. A frown appeared on her forehead. She could swear that voice sounded close but she didn't hear any footsteps nor noticed anyone

"YOU LIKE HIDE AND SEEK..PRETTY...?"

Her eyes perked up..her breathing hitched...
HIS VOICE..

no matter how many times she heard it..it sents chills down her spine every time..like a sweet spell trying to captivate her, but her guilt telling her to run away

I WOULD LIKE TO PLAY BUT ITS NO FUN...SINCE I CAN HEAR YOUR QUICK BREATHING...

She immediately covered her mouth including her nose with both of her hands. Her eyes looking everywhere they could reach. But still no one in sight

LETS MAKE A DEAL PRETTY...YOU STOP HIDING BEHIND THOSE BROKEN CHAIRS AND I WILL SHOW MYSELF..THEN WE WILL PLAY A DIFFERENT GAME..

Her heart dropped. She was sure no one was around when she came in. She was sure she didn't make any noise..then how he know that she is hiding there...?

Camera...? But this place has no electricity running...hell, there wasn't even any lamp or post behind the road. Or maybe she underestimate whoever is behind making people disappear here....

.....