***
The final bell rang, signaling the end of the school day. Students streamed out of the building, chatter and laughter filling the air as they headed to their after-school activities or home. The group of friends—Onyx, Riggs, Wei, Xul, Ambrose, and Tixo—walked together, their conversation focused on their plans for the evening.
As they stepped outside, their attention was immediately drawn to a figure standing by the entrance. It was the same impish figure from the posters, but this time, it was not a drawing. The figure stood in front of the school with a wide grin, dressed in a garish, striped suit with a top hat, and holding a brightly colored megaphone. The crowd of students seemed to part around him, some stopping to glance curiously.
“Step right up, ladies and gentlemen!” the impish figure called out, his voice amplified through the megaphone. “Come and witness the marvels of Circus Inferno! A spectacle unlike anything you’ve ever seen!”
The group's curiosity quickly shifted to concern. The imp’s grin was unsettling, and his eyes seemed to glimmer with a knowing, almost sinister light. Onyx felt a shiver run down his spine as the figure’s gaze locked onto them.
“Of course, we know that all of you fine folks are just itching to see what’s in store,” the imp continued, his voice dripping with false cheerfulness. “But remember, not everything is as it seems. Come and uncover the secrets of Circus Inferno!”
The group exchanged uneasy glances, their earlier apprehensions solidifying into a palpable tension. Tixo stepped forward, his gaze fixed on the figure. “We need to get closer,” he said quietly. “There’s something about this that doesn’t sit right.”
As they approached, the imp’s grin widened, and he gave a theatrical bow. “Ah, I see our special guests have arrived!” he said, his voice carrying a hint of satisfaction. “Welcome, welcome! I’m sure you’ll find the circus... most intriguing.”
Riggs rolled his eyes, trying to mask his discomfort with sarcasm. “Great. Just what we needed—an imp in a top hat trying to sell us a ticket to who knows what.”
Wei glanced around, his expression troubled. The other students were now beginning to gather around, drawn by the imp’s charisma. It was clear that the figure was deliberately targeting their group, and the sinister undertone of his invitation was not lost on anyone.
Ambrose frowned, stepping closer to the impish figure. “What exactly is it that you want?” he demanded, trying to sound authoritative.
The imp’s eyes sparkled with amusement. “Oh, I’m merely here to extend an invitation. The circus opens its doors tomorrow evening. I do hope you all attend. After all, the best shows are those that keep you on the edge of your seat.”
Before anyone could respond, the imp turned and began walking away, his steps light and carefree. The group stood in stunned silence as he disappeared into the crowd, leaving behind an air of foreboding.
“Well, that was creepy,” Riggs said, breaking the silence. “And I’m pretty sure that wasn’t a normal circus pitch.”
Onyx nodded, his anxiety palpable. “We need to be careful. There’s something seriously off about this whole thing.”
As the group began to disperse, making their way to their respective homes, the unease remained. The imp’s words echoed in their minds, and the promise of the circus loomed like a dark cloud on the horizon.
The sense of impending danger was inescapable, and the group knew that whatever awaited them at Circus Inferno would be anything but ordinary.
The sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows across the abandoned lot where Circus Inferno had set up its grand, crimson-striped tent. The air was thick with anticipation, a mixture of excitement and menace, as the circus performers prepared for the night’s show.
Inside the tent, the atmosphere was anything but ordinary. The ringmaster, with his impish demeanor and sinister grin, paced back and forth, his top hat perched jauntily on his head. The flickering light of lanterns cast eerie shadows on the walls, creating an almost otherworldly ambiance.
The performers were busy with last-minute preparations, each adding their own touch to the evening's spectacle. The acrobats practiced their routines high above the ground, their graceful movements a stark contrast to the dark undertones of the circus. The clowns, with their garish makeup and exaggerated smiles, huddled together, whispering in hushed tones.
In a corner of the tent, a large cage stood ominously, its bars adorned with chains and locks. Inside, a creature with eyes glowing eerily in the dim light paced restlessly. This was no ordinary beast; its presence was a reminder of the circus's dark nature.
Behind the scenes, the ringmaster and his inner circle were deep in conversation. The ringmaster's eyes gleamed with a mix of anticipation and something far darker.
“Everything is in place,” he said, his voice carrying a low, malevolent tone. “Our guests will arrive soon, and when they do, we’ll be ready.”
One of the performers, a tall woman with a face painted in delicate, yet haunting patterns, nodded in agreement. “The preparations are complete. The traps are set, and the audience is eager for the show.”
Another figure, cloaked in shadows, spoke up, their voice barely more than a whisper. “The special guests are key. Their arrival will bring about the climax we’ve been waiting for. The chaos they bring will only enhance the spectacle.”
The ringmaster’s grin widened. “Excellent. We’ve waited long for this moment. The chaos, the fear, the thrills—it will all come together perfectly. Our guests will be right in the middle of it.”
Nearby, a masked figure—one of the circus’s more elusive performers—watched silently, their eyes glinting with a hidden agenda. They were tasked with a specific role: to ensure that the group was drawn into the heart of the circus’s more sinister plans.
As the performers continued their preparations, the ringmaster made his way to the center of the tent, where a large, ornate chest lay hidden beneath a draped cloth. With a flourish, he revealed its contents—a set of peculiar, enchanted objects meant to enhance the circus’s dark allure and ensnare those who wandered too close.
“We’ll make sure tonight’s performance is unforgettable,” the ringmaster declared, his voice echoing through the tent. “Let them come. Let them witness the chaos and delight in the inferno we’ve prepared.”
The performers cheered, their excitement mingling with an underlying sense of dread. The circus was more than just a show—it was a trap, a carefully orchestrated dance of danger and deception. And as the night drew nearer, the anticipation grew, the performers and their sinister plans ready to unfold.
Outside, the last rays of sunlight faded, giving way to the darkness of night. The circus tent glowed ominously under the moonlight, a beacon of the unknown. As the first guests began to arrive, the ringmaster and his cast waited, eager for the night’s events to begin.
YOU ARE READING
Darkwood: Circus Inferno
ParanormalA young teen who helps his family run a mortuary in the small town of Darkwood finds out that every town has secrets. A year after Gerald's death, Onyx and the group all adjust to the new atmosphere and the newly rebuilt town. As a new circus attrac...
