Dishonor From Nightmares

Chapter 7

After a victorious bout against Conrad, Josh was led back to his cabin, the duffel bag awaiting him now a welcome sight. Yawning and stretching, he shed his jeans and t-shirt, opting for a more practical attire – a white tank top, camo pants, and a sleek black leather jacket. With purpose in his movements, Josh rummaged through the duffel bag, and a triumphant grin appeared. He found the old locket he had smuggled in among the contents. After securing it around his neck, he set off for the dining hall to sate his appetite.

Tray in hand, he surveyed the room for Conrad and located his companion. Sitting beside him, Josh couldn't help but question their situation. "So, Conrad, care to explain why our cozy little camp is nestled amidst these towering trees? Seems a bit counterintuitive, doesn't it? Having recruits stationed right by the source of the threats we aim to take down?"

As Conrad began to respond with laughter and his own food tray, Josh's curiosity remained unquenched. "Well, brace yourself for what's coming. Your first mission kicks off tonight. We've got an old circus that needs a thorough cleaning. Or at least an attempt at it. One of our clown friends uses it as a killing ground for kids." The seriousness in Conrad's words prompted Josh's raised eyebrow, his interest piqued.

"One of them, huh? Which one? The alien sibling, the living jack-in-the-box, or the dude in the psycho clown getup?" Josh muttered, a tinge of annoyance in his voice. "If it ain't the nutty clown, this plan sounds pretty damn stupid, doesn't it?"

It was his statement that caused Conrad to chuckle again. "You're saying that you don't take the clown seriously? Even though, in comparison to the other two, he is nothing more than a typical human being, I wouldn't cast him aside. That is to say; those proxies still have the potential to cause significant damage. He also possesses his separate things." Conrad continued talking, and Josh rolled his eyes while eating. "Besides. There are other things besides those three. None of them is the item we are working so hard to eliminate. It is, in fact, a separate entity. A man gave a clown mask to his nephew as a gift. The guy said that he was told it was part of a game called Crown the Clown, and he said that it completely covered the kid's head. The child receives the crown, and the clown mask immediately begins to constrict around him to fracture his skull. They tried breaking the mask open and cutting it, but it wouldn't come off until they pried it off. When we questioned the individual, he claimed he had purchased it from a street vendor. We located the vendor, and after some investigation, we followed them to a nearby abandoned circus. The same conclusion can be drawn from several other reports. Consequently, we will have to investigate the situation and retrieve any additional masks they may have. Remove the seller from the equation as well." Conrad calmly informed him, causing Josh to raise an eyebrow as he finished his meal.

"Simple enough, I suppose," Josh shrugged nonchalantly. "Just don't try on the mask. Problem solved." With a scoff, he stood up, leaving Conrad to roll his eyes with a hint of irritation. Josh's departure led him to the training ring, where he honed his skills, awaiting the cloak of night to descend and signal the beginning of his first mission.

As night's shroud descended upon the camp, Josh reconvened with the assembled group in the mess hall, each individual a silent embodiment of purpose. His eyes tracked the solemn procession as equipment was collected, anticipation palpable. Stepping up to Conrad, Josh met his gaze, a silent exchange of readiness passing between them. The equipment container was pushed over, an unspoken affirmation of their shared objective. A grin tugged at Josh's lips as he began gearing up for the impending mission.

With swift efficiency, he adorned himself with the accouterments of the task ahead – a jacket as a foundation overlaid with a bulletproof vest that bore a weighty reminder of the risks involved. A helmet secured upon his head, kneepads prepared for action. The items before he beckoned, each one a tool that could potentially tip the balance in their favor. But Josh's inquisitive nature made him question the extent of his armament, an eyebrow arched in doubt. "Doesn't this seem a bit excessive?" he quipped, the question poised as much to challenge as to understand. Conrad's scoffing response resonated, a succinct declaration that Josh's understanding fell short of the reality that loomed before them.