Mad Jester

Third.. The Beginning

I remember that day started out like any other. I got out of bed with my orange-ish brown hair messy and curled from sleeping, got ready for the day, and then was neglected by my parents who never once batted an eye. So after leaving without a goodbye, since they wouldn't care. I skipped off to the forest path beside the park. On the way, a small group of kids caught sight of me and got excited.

"Hey guys look it's Aiden!" A boy's voice called out. That's right, I was popular, and the village hero. I helped around the village while making a name for myself. Sadly, it was just a lie so I didn't have to be afraid of everything. Like an ugly mask to wear as a stupid joke, and it had fooled them all. At the time it was worth it because I felt wanted, needed.

"Can we hangout with you today Aiden? We've got nothing better to do" A girl of the group whined. I remember feeling anxious and scared like I wanted to run away, hide and disappear, but once again I shamefully wore that ugly joke of a mask.

"Sure. I was just gonna go down to the creek anyway." I told them. They just giggled and followed behind me as I led them towards the creek.

I don't remember the walk there or if we talked or messed around along the way, but I remember meeting him. How could I forget?  At the end of the forest path, where the creek swiftly ran. The group and myself sat by its edge talking nonsense when we heard a twig snap behind us.

"What was that?!" Another girl of the group cried. We all turned our heads in the direction of the sound.

"Come on now, it must've been a rabbit or raccoon. If not. I'll protect you!" I cheered.

"Wow! So brave Aiden."

"He's so cool!"

"I wish I was brave like him"

"Go hero!" They all chanted joyously. If they only knew how afraid I actually was. Forcing myself from trembling violently. The funny thing about this is that I don't even remember their names, nor their faces. Just blurred memories. At least I won their attention.. That's when he stepped out of the trees. At first, no one moved until the second boy of the group started laughing and pointing at him.

"Look guys it's a jester! He's wearing that dumb bell hat!" He bellowed with laughter. The others did too. Laughing, pointing, and insulting him. He looked like a tall teen with dark brown, almost black hair that fell about a little over halfway down his neck if not more, looked a bit messy. Acquainted with a dark blue and black jester hat with silver bells at its three black tips that jingled when he tilted his head as if curious. Around his neck a black and blue jester collar and from underneath it I thought I saw a faint scar, I can't remember for sure. Since, with time, no one can truly trust their memories.

I couldn't see his face, but his mask is what really grasped my attention. A black mask with white facial features while blue tear lines came down from the eyes to the chin. Its white blank smile stretched wide folly. His lifeless lime green eyes gazed at us individually through the white upside down crescent eye holes.

I felt sick with fear, trembling. But I didn't know that until it was too late.

"Hey look guys, Aiden's shaking." Someone noticed. The next thing I knew, my world went dark.

When I woke up I was in a hospital bed under its soft white covers. The television was blaring the current news. Which normally would be about simple updates about the village.

"Today a group of children were found in the forest by the creek. Two found dead, two found unconscious with one of them being young Aiden Roulx Cottontail-" It was actually Cotental. " -and lastly one reported missing. They say that Cottontail will be put into questioning about the incident." The news man stated broadly.

As afraid as I was, everyone tends to turn to "the hero" when in dire need. I really hated that mask. But at that time it was worth it.

...