The Freakshow [A Short Story]

I Started A Joke

The day was becoming darker with every second as the setting sun cast silhouettes across the road to the abandoned theme park. Rumourmongers had warned me of what lay beyond the theme park, which had now become derelict and haven to unknown creatures. Being the hard headed girl I was, I had to prove them wrong. It would not be trespassing, since there were 'no signs' and the theme park was open publicly. Scientists were tempted to reveal what lay beyond this building, but as each of them entered, none were seen walking out alive. I stood apprehensively at the entrance, contemplating whether this was a wise act, hoping I could somehow pull out, but my legs seemed to have a mind of their own. I breathed out a sigh as I took a hesitant step onto the vacant property. I was now in an enemy's or should I say enemies' territory.

Night had already engulfed me by the time I reached the heart of the theme park. It was where freak shows were once held. Now, it stood abandoned and unwanted in a heap of trash. Looking to my far left and right, there were no signs of any living soul. I had strolled around the theme park twice, only to find out everything was eerily quiet and calm. Upon thinking this, I heaved a sigh of relief. My bold act had proven the rumours as a faux! Finally done with my rumination, I took another quick glance around the theme park, just to have a double take and to assure myself that I was not making this up in my mind. Once everything was clear, I took a step backwards and prepared to leave.

Just as I was about to walk away, a distinct cacophony triggered my halt. The source came from a forsaken edifice, which was standing exactly in my path. Black had already consumed the theme park, but that was not the issue. My jaws fell agape as I saw the conspicuous blinking LEDs which read "Welcome". Instantaneously, the hairs at the back of my head and neck stood erect. This was impossible. A few minutes ago, it had been pitch black. Now, the lights were blinking at me like malicious eaters. I stood paralyzed with fear. The amount of adrenaline pumping in my system could not be defined. It was then, that I heard a blood curdling scream echoed by the walls of the building. And there was another one just right behind me. The wails of a girl. Blanched with horror, I turned myself around, coming face to face with a terrifying sight. The man's face was bloodied all over and his head was matted with blood. The victim lay sprawled on the ground. Her prone body and lifeless eyes stared at me, as if pleading for help. I gasped in shock and immediately regretted what I had just done. The man snapped his face up, from a crouching position; he now stood 1 foot taller than me. His stature thin and covered in mud, his mouth smudged with liquid blood. He was chewing something tender in his mouth; his jagged teeth which were stained with blood that made them glimmered under the moonlight. Ever do slowly, my gaze drifted to the body, only to find myself staring at the hole behind the girl's neck. The uneven orifice of the wound spilled blood. At a much closer look, the bones could be seen clearly. Involuntarily, I retched to the ground. The man sent me a sadistic grin. I had nowhere to run, but the building itself. It was my only hope for survival.

To my dismay, the inside was a total blackout. I had to stumble my way around until I found a source of light, causing me to graze against the walls in the most uncomfortable way possible. In return, I had a few cuts and abrasions on my knees and palm. The pain was fogged up by the wild palpitation of my heart. It felt as if it was about to pop out of my chest. Suddenly, my peripheral vision spotted a coruscating flash. Presuming it was a way of escape, I sprinted for it, only to have myself collide into a pile of mushy substance which reeked of dead meat. The stench was acrid, my eyes started becoming rheumy. Momentarily, the thought dawned upon me. I was in fact lying upon a hill of dead corpses. It was foul and their cold lips placed lingering kisses on my body. I yelped and scrambled out. I was becoming delusional. The corpses seemed to be pulling me back, making me drown even quicker, the more I struggled to break free. Alas, with much persistency of staying alive, I broke free from their 'grasp'. But then again, my nightmares were not over. It was only the beginning.

A soft whimper ricocheted in the hall way. I was not fond of that noise, especially of what it led to next. The agonizing howl of a man rebounded in my mind. His strangled cry for help was unheard before. I had not realized I was the audience of a revolting scene. A woman in her mid twenties was looming over a man, who was strapped from head to toe onto a steel table. He was wrangling but his endeavours went to no avail. The woman had dishelved hair and yet, she made no attempt to tidy it up. She was too engrossed in what she was doing; she had not taken notice of my presence. In her hand was a scalpel. The man's eyes widened in anguish, "Please, no," He begged. The woman took no heed of what he had said and began inspecting his mouth, studying it with much delicacy. She took hold of his mouth and pressed the scalpel into his tender lips. The man howled in agony once more before ceasing abruptly. In one swift motion, the woman had slit his throat. The metallic stench of blood filled to musky air. She resumed her meticulous carving. Now, his lips were formed into a Glascow smile. The corners of his mouth were dripping with crimson red blood. The woman stabbed at his dead body, causing the muscles to contract, thus, causing the cuts to extend even further. Still not satisfied by her art, she slipped the scalpel into his lips, carving his cheeks and mouth from various angles. The man's head dipped to the right, facing straight towards me. Unable to comprehend what she had just did to the man's mouth; I took a long time stare at it, only to realize he depicts "The Scream". The orifice was sickening to look at.

Unable to stand the pungent smell of Death and horrendous act of mutilation, I gagged spasmodically. The woman, upon hearing my discordant chokes, held her face up to investigate her surrounding. As her gaze landed on me, I seized the opportunity to get a good look at her, only to let out a strangled cry of bafflement. It was outrageous! My mind pondered wildly. As we stared at each other for what seemed an eternity, I could not bring myself to look at her soulless eyes, filled with insanity and misery. Has madness finally taken its toll? Her eyes spark with loathsomeness and deceit. The image of a once broken girl stood in front of me. That woman was in fact, me.

©LethalPhoenix 2015

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This story is dedicated to SongEn9 for, well, not being an arsehole which I had presumed him to be. Even though it bothers me to say it but you have succeeded at proving me wrong. Furthermore, I am unperturbed by your confession and all I can to you is, "Thanks for not being an arse," and "Welcome to the Wattpad clan."

Minttyy, this story is partly dedicated to you as well for being a good long-distance friend. Hurrah for cliched stories! Not.

And as for bearfriendstella, as per your persuasion( at asking me to publish this), here's your story. Are ye' happy now? Well, you better be.