SMILE: A Terrible Night.

Bleeding Circus.

Chapter 20: (Scarlet's pov)

I took one last glance down the hallway, my pulse quickening as I confirmed that Taehyung was nowhere in sight. The silence of the house felt oppressive, I couldn't stay here any longer, my only chance was to get to the old circus in the basement. The thought of its potential hiding spots offered a sliver of hope in the middle of the fear that gripped me.

I made my way to the staircase, my each step was echoing in the stillness of the house. The descent to the basement was daunting, four floors of creaky steps and shadowed corners. I had to be cautious; any sound or misstep could betray my presence. The dim light from the hallway barely illuminated the stairs, and I had to rely on touch and instinct to guide me downward.

My hands gripped the railing tightly as I moved cautiously, trying to keep my breathing steady. I could hear the distant creaks of the house settling and the muffled sounds of my footsteps, each step was feeling heavier than the last.

As I reached the first floor, I froze. Through an open door, I caught sight of Taehyung standing near a window, holding a cat by its tail. My heart sank as I saw the small, terrified creature dangling from his hand. The cat's fur bristled with fear, and its wide eyes reflected its distress.

His voice was eerily calm, which was a contrast to the cruelty of his actions. He was speaking to the cat as if it were a mere object in a game. His words were chilling, filled with a cruel detachment.

Taehyung: What do you think, little one? Should I throw you out harshly or let you go normally? Either way, you have to promise not to return.

The cat's desperate cries pierced the silence, and my stomach churned with horror. His cold demeanor as he toyed with the frightened animal was a clear indication of his ruthlessness. I could feel the terror rising within me, knowing that if he noticed me now, I would be in grave danger.

I took a deep breath and forced myself to move quietly past the door. The sight of the cat's distress was a grim reminder of the stakes. My goal was the basement and the safety of the old circus-it was the only place where I might find safety and a chance to regroup. The old circus, is my great grandfather's circus, he used to hold shows to entertain people, and right above there, it's his great estate.

I continued down the stairs, my every step feeling like an eternity. My mind raced with thoughts of his cruel games and the danger that was still around every corner. The basement was still a long way down, and every creak of the steps seemed louder than the last.

As I descended further into the darkness, I could hear the muffled sounds of the house above me, his voice was faint but persistent, it was a haunting reminder of the peril that awaited me. I had to keep moving, pushing past my exhaustion and fear.

Finally, I reached the basement level. The stairs ended in a dimly lit corridor, the light coming from a single flickering bulb. The air was damp and musty, it was directly opposite to the sterile environment of the upper floors. I could see the old circus entrance at the end of the corridor, its faded sign barely visible in the gloom.

With a final surge of energy, I made my way toward the entrance, my footsteps echoing softly in the narrow space. The door to the circus creaked open, revealing a vast, shadowy space filled with old circus equipment and forgotten relics. The smell of dust and decay hung heavily in the air, but it was a welcome change from the oppressive silence of the house.

The interior of the circus was a maze of old tents, broken-down carnival rides, and tattered banners. The dim light from the single bulb barely illuminated the area, the potential hiding spots were numerous-behind old stage props, within the collapsed tents, and among the scattered debris.

I chose a large, old tent as my first hiding spot. The fabric was worn and frayed, but it offered some cover. I crouched inside, trying to calm my racing heart and control my ragged breathing. The sound of Taehyung's voice from the floor above was distant but still audible, a constant reminder of the danger that lingered.

The circus was a sprawling, disorienting space, and I had to stay alert. Every creak of the floorboards and rustle of the fabric seemed amplified in the silence. I searched for any signs of movement, any indication that Taehyung might be following me. The echoes of my footsteps on the dusty floor and the occasional drip of water from the ceiling were my only companions.

I moved cautiously through the circus, my eyes scanning for any sign of a potential exit or a safer hiding spot. The once vibrant and lively space now felt eerie and abandoned, its former grandeur reduced to a shadowy reminder of a bygone era.

As I hid among the remnants of the circus, my mind raced with thoughts of how to escape this nightmare. The basement was a temporary refuge, but I knew that I couldn't stay here forever. Taehyung would eventually find me if I didn't come up with a plan. My gaze fell upon a crumpled piece of newspaper lying on the ground. I reached out, trembling, and unfolded it with a shaky hand.

The headline was faded but still legible, sending a chill down my spine: "Circus Shut Down After Reports of Haunting and Paranormal Activity." The article described eerie occurrences and sightings of ghostly figures that had plagued the circus, leading to its eventual closure.

The words seemed to mock my situation, reinforcing the feeling that I was trapped in a place where the line between reality and nightmare was blurred. The implication that the circus was haunted by restless spirits added a new layer of dread to my already precarious predicament.

Suddenly I remember, once my father told me, the shadowy confines of the old circus, a chill ran down my spine, not solely due to the cold, musty air that clung to my skin. This place, which was once a haven for joy, entertainment and laughter, was now a relic of bygone days, shrouded in an eerie silence that seemed almost palpable.

The theories I'd heard about this place haunted my mind as I huddled in the darkness. Whispers of its haunted past circulated among locals and thrill-seekers alike-tales of strange apparitions flickering in the dim light, of spectral performers trapped in a never-ending loop of their final acts, and of unsettling noises that defied logical explanation.

The stories had always seemed like mere superstition, but now, alone in this forsaken place, they took on a new, terrifying significance. The thought of ghosts or restless spirits lurking among the remnants of the circus only added to my growing fear.

The faded, torn banners and broken-down carnival rides seemed to loom larger in the gloom. Each creak of the old wooden boards and rustle of tattered fabric seemed to carry a life of its own, amplifying my anxiety. The vibrant colors of the circus tents were now muted and faded, their patterns blending into the darkness in a way that made me question what might be lurking just out of sight.

Entering this circus alone was a terrifying experience, combined with the legends that painted it as a site of paranormal activity, made every shadow and sound seem like an omen. I could almost feel the weight of the circus's history pressing down on me, its dark tales of sorrow and tragedy seeming to intertwine with my own desperate plight.

The stories of ghostly figures and haunted performances were no longer just tales to me; they were part of the oppressive reality that surrounded me. Every creak of the floor, every distant, inexplicable sound heightened my sense of vulnerability, making it clear that in this place, I was not just fighting for survival against Taehyung but also confronting the ghosts of the past.

I crouched silently, my senses alert to any sound that might indicate Taehyung's presence. Each minute felt like an eternity as I waited, hoping for a chance to slip away unnoticed. The sound of his footsteps on the stairs above me was faint but unmistakable.

I held my breath, my heart pounding in my chest as I listened for any indication of his approach. The circus offered many hiding spots, but I had to stay vigilant. The old circus was a trap, itself. It provided cover, but it also had its own dangers-unstable structures, hidden hazards, and the constant risk of being discovered.

I had to be careful, strategic, and ready to move at a moment's notice. As I waited in the shadows, I knew that my struggle for survival was far from over. The basement might offer temporary refuge, but the danger was ever-present. I had to stay focused, keep my wits about me, and find a way to escape this nightmare once and for all.