Short stories

The clown made me do it

Today is my little brother Toby's birthday. Since he loves circuses that's where we went. Since no adults were allowed surprisingly I stayed with him.

Not gonna lie seeing his face bright up warmed my heart a bit. After a few acts the circus ring master  then asked for a volunteer.

Toby instantly shot up and started jumping up and down while yelling "Ooh pick me pick me."

"T-toby calm down."I scolded him in a whisper.

As the ringmaster spun around in a circle while saying "I..... choose...... you!"He points to Toby and I.
But oh boy let me tell you. Toby was so happy.

We walk past the crowed of kids and enter the center of the circus where the ringmaster is. As we made our way towards the center of the circus.

"Greetings young one! May I ask your names?" He crouched down laying his right arm on Toby's shoulder.

"I'm Toby and this is my bwother Tristen."He excitedly answered.

"That is nice is today your birthday?" He smiles maniacally looking towards me. That made me question this whole circus. Something is off about it but I can't put my finger on it.

"Yes how'd you know! Im 6 now! Tristen is 12."He said giddily.

"Alright calm down Toby."I aggravatingly turn to him. "So what do we do now Mr.Ringmaster?"

"You two are gonna help me with the flying monkeys." He answers. "Now for the audience I need your help as well. You all are gonna say Fly monkeys fly when Toby our volunteer pulls the lever.

"Whenever you're ready Toby." The ringmaster grinned.

Toby used all his might to pull down the lever and as he did so iron walls blocks all entrances of the circus tent and monkeys hanging from the ceiling were released. There was some form of an elliptical spinning them around the tent.

All the children in the circus tent began chanting "Fly monkeys fly" repeatedly.

"Now as Toby and I go to the back for the next act you guys just watch the monkeys fly." The ringmaster led Toby into the back of the circus. I followed behind them but then he stopped. "Sorry Tristen you're staying for the show Toby and I are gonna work on something."He closed the doors and I just walked up the stairs and went on my phone.

Something was super off about the place the paint the wiring the monkeys. Just doesn't seem like a normal circus. I tend to have extreme paranoia so I decide to ignore my thoughts.

I had 10 missed calls from my mother and father also 4 voicemails. I began to feel weary as I started to listen to the voicemails.

"T-tristen get you and Toby out of there."She whispered. Shivers ran down my spine and not in a good way.

END OF VOICEMAIL ONE
PRESS 1 TO LISTEN TO VOICEMAIL 2

I pressed one and a beep came out before the audio came in. "Tristen... Your father and I need you guys out as soon as possible before something-" as the audio cut out with my mother gasping.
I began to feel lightheaded all this fear and anxiety consuming me was unbearable. I played voicemail three.

"Get out of that fucked circus Tristen! Hurry before it's too late." This voicemail was from my father he sounded petrified.

My fingers are shaking as I press my last voicemail.
"Tristen.."My mother whispered sniffling. "It's too late... That circus leader guy has us."
END OF VOICEMAILS TO REPLA-

I instantly shut off my phone and run down to where the ringmaster and  Toby were. As I entered this side of the tent my parents are on the ground stabbed by Toby... This felt so surreal I had to keep telling myself this isn't real. Even though I knew it was.

"Toby."My voice went high pitched due to me holding back my tears. "You killed mommy and daddy." I began sobbing.

"The clowns made me do it.."He said not making eye contact with me.

"Toby what clowns there are no clowns!"I shouted my voice cracked.

"Them.."He looked behind me before I was able too as well they grab me gag me and drag me away.

"The clowns made me do it."Toby screamed. He sounded possessed. My adrenaline was pumping off the charts fear completely consumed me.

I have no hope left within me.. As the clowns continue to drag me away I finally learn to accept dead. The clowns made me do it said my brother. But why... Why would they make him do it?