Looper Circus

Chapter 2

It was pouring down rain-supposed to be the biggest storm of the century, so we had to cancel my eighth birthday party. My mom was standing in the living room, trying to keep an eye on the crazy storm was soon supposed to end, so that we could maybe salvage it and go pick up all the kids for ice-cream. I was playing with my dolls in the kitchen when there was a slow knock on the door. Mom checked through the peep hole and gasped, "Honey, go hide."

She reached for the landline that was in the front room, "Go hide and don't come out no matter what."

Suddenly, the front door exploded open. My dad came out of his office, a look of confusion on his face. Whatever he saw made all the blood drain from his face. He shoved me towards the laundry room. I was hesitant to go, but I heard laughter, it sounded like a circus clown. We went last weekend, but I didn't really like the clowns, so we didn't stick around for them.

I heard low talking, then the voices got louder, everyone was screaming, my mom's screams were blood curling.

I was hiding in between the dryer and the wall that lead out to the garage. I was shaking, covering my ears and trying to drown out the screams and laughter.

Then I heard it.

My father yelled "Hailey, run! Run Hailey, go! Ru-" It was cut off a gurgling sound.

I sprung from my hiding spot and ran out the garage door, away from the street. I could hear manic laughter behind me.

I jolted awake, tears pooling in my eyes.

I don't know why I keep having those terrible dreams.

It was still pretty early out, maybe 6:30 in the morning. Most of the carnies were still asleep or just about to pass out in a drunken stupor. I decided to get up and have a look around the town.

I put on my clothes and grabbed my iPod and some money out of my pillow case.

I started walking towards the direction of town, I stuck in my head phones and zoned out.

Before I knew it, I was walking along Main Street, I saw a small donut place, "Holy Donuts," the sign read. My stomach growled loudly, I decided to go in and grab something to eat.

I walked in the old, run down shop, the door dinged.

"Good morning! What can I get for ya?" A tall boy, about my age greeted from behind the counter. He was muscular with blond hair. He looked like your typical football player.

"Uh," I scanned the donuts in the glass counter, "Can I get some donut holes please? Oh, and some chocolate milk."

"Sure," He stopped suddenly, studying me. "Are you new in town?"

"Kinda, yeah." I was drooling, watching him place my donut holes in a bag.

He handed me the bag and chocolate milk, "How are you kind of new to a town? Also, that'll be $6.50."

I handed him the money, "Well, I'm with that circus, so I'm not here permanently."

I sat at one of the tables, opening the donuts. He came around the counter and sat across from me.

I gave him a pointed look, "Uh, shouldn't you be working?"
He looked around the shop, there was no one else here, "I think it's okay for now."

"My names Weston." He smiled, he had dimples.

"Hailey." I shoved another donut hole in my mouth.

"So why are you with a traveling circus? Are you a part of the freak show?" He grinned.