The Big Top

2

Later that evening Lisa was working on her homework her parents came down the stairs. “Come on Margaret we’re going to be late for these reservations”. “Where are you guys going”? Steve looked at his daughter and said, “Your mother and I are going on a date so we’ll be back very late. Your brothers are sleeping over at the Thompson’s house so it’s up to you to take care of the house while we’re out. Steve kissed his daughter on her forehead and told her to finish her homework. “Honey have you seen my pearl necklace”? “Last time I saw it was in the jewelry jar with your other necklaces”. Margaret came into the kitchen, “Honey I left you money for emergencies only, and I already ordered your dinner so it should be here soon”. “Let’s go, or we’ll be late”. “Oh, Lisa, call us if there is an emergency and also don’t forget to lock up if you’re going out”. The delivery guy brought Lisa her food and she took it in and put it in the fridge. She grabbed her coat and her keys and locked the doors as she left the house. Erica pulled up with Monica in the car and they headed towards the carnival grounds. As they pulled up they saw a sign that said:”WELCOME TO THE BIG TOP WHERE ALL YOUR NIGHTMARES COME ALIVE”. The three girls entered the tent and made it to their seats. A a man in a leather trench coat came into the center of the ring. The man wore a big top hat and had rings on his hands. His fingernails were long and dirty except one finger hand a sharp silver ring on it. He carried a staff in his left hand and then he stared at the audience for a little bit and grinned. “Hello ladies and gentlemen I am Freak Show the Master of Ceremonies and ringleader of this show where all your fears and nightmares come to life”. Suddenly performers started coming out of nowhere. There was a guy coming down from the tent on stilts and a set of twins on a tightrope with a rope around their necks as if they were committing suicide right in front of the audience. There were spiders crawling on the sides of the tent. The ring leader then slammed his staff on the ground and spoke again, “My friends and I welcome you to our horror show, because everything you are about to see will freak you out”. The twins that were on the tight rope fell and made it look like they were hanging themselves. “Oh my god, someone call 911“, screamed a customer. “Fear not ladies and gentlemen it’s all part of the show they do this all the time see they are perfectly all right”. The twins then crawled back on the tight rope where they kept their balance. At the end of show the girls were talking and then suddenly Erica noticed her purse was missing. “I got to go back and get it my phone is in it”. “Do you want us to go with you”, Lisa asked as they were walking towards the car. “No it’s okay, I’ll be right back”.

Erica went back into the tent and saw her purse where she was sitting, but she didn’t notice Freak Show behind her. “What are you doing in here”? Erica was startled then she turned around to face him. “Oh sorry sir, you startled me. I just came back for my purse and then I’m leaving”. “You are trespassing on my property, you shouldn’t be here”. “I’m leaving right now so I won’t bother you anymore”. Freak Show stared at Erica with his red eyes and then she started to walk towards the door. Out of nowhere there stood Freak Show right in front of her. “Oh Erica, you’ve been a very naughty girl and now you shall be punished”. Erica slowly backed up and almost started to scream. “What do you want from me”, she asked nervously. Freak Show had an evil grin on his face and said; “your blood”. A silhouette of a spider came down on poor Erica. “What is taking her so long, I have to be back before my parents get home”. “Lisa will you calm down, look let’s just get back to the car”. The girls made it to where they parked the car but it was nowhere to be seen. “This is where she parked the car, so where is it”? Freak Show came up to the girls and smiled at them. “Excuse me ladies I could’t help notice but you seem to be the last ones to leave and the show is over. Now what seems to be the problem here”? Monica stepped up; “Excuse me Freak we need to leave and our friend’s car is missing now I’m starting to think you’re little crew stole it”. Freak Show rolled his eyes and turned to Monica; “My name first of all is Freak Show, and second of all we are just common actors that’s all not thieves. Perhaps you’re friend left you I mean has she done this before”? “Well remember that party when she went off with that guy”, said Lisa. “Oh yeah and then we had to take the bus home. Come on lets go to the bus station it’s just down the road. Freak Show looked at them both and smiled. “Splendid, well best be getting a move don’t want to keep your parents waiting”. “ The girls started walking down the road with Freak Show staring back at them as they walked. “Master, what do you want me to do with the girl”? “We’ll discuss that later, Maxwell did you put the car with the others that we’ve taken off the road”? Maxwell shook his head with an evil grin. “Excellent it’s time to hide the carnival we don’t want the police snooping around here when reports of a missing girl shows up, especially the grounds keeper over there”, Freak Show as he stared coldly at the house across from the street. “Master what would happen if the police does come up here”? “Then my friend you leave the talking to me. I’ll make the cops believe anything. Trust me”, Freak Show as he grinned so evilly his razor sharp teeth showed.