The Circus of Tricks

Jess pulled Quentin along. "Come on, Q! The show's about to start." Quentin let himself be dragged despite his reluctance to visit the new circus that popped out last week.

Behind the young couple followed three of their friends. Sebastian, whose nickname was Bass, and his brother Nick were laughing and punching each other. Janet, whose braid resembled a hornet and so was dubbed 'Hornet', smiled slightly as the two brothers told each other jokes. The five friends were only a small part of the crowd that were on the way to the Big Top. Quentin, Jess and the others queued up to give their tickets to the clown who was at the entrance collecting tickets and doing small acts to liven up the already excited atmosphere. The line moved rapidly, a sign of just how much anticipation the town had for the upcoming show.

As the friends finally moved up to the clown, Quentin blanched at the clown's too-wide grin and its closeness to Jess. He held out his hand for their tickets. The monkey on his shoulder bared its teeth. Quentin edged away. The monkey's appearance seemed unnatural. Its fur stood on end, its teeth more resembled fangs, the whites of its eyes were too prominent. In other words, the monkey did not look like a monkey. The clown barked a comical laugh which made Quentin jump as he took their tickets. He bawled, "Enjoy the show folks!" He pinched his bright red nose which of course let out a trumpet's sound. Jess laughed and this time Quentin pulled her inside the Big Top.

They settled down on the bleachers. All around there were excited murmurs and whispers from the audience. Quentin only had eyes for the Ring. Yellow floodlights were trained on the sandy Ring. They made a circle for a single person to stand in so everyone could see him. The rest of the Ring was shrouded in darkness. Quentin could only make out the red and white fence that separated the Ring from the audience if he squinted.

Why was he such on edge tonight? This was not his first circus visit, he enjoyed the last one too. But there was this nagging feeling of trouble in his head that told him "Get out of here!" Quentin could barely hear Jess at his side chattering with Bass and Nick behind them. He looked to his other side where Hornet was. She looked tense, staring at the Ring with wide eyes. She was muttering something which Quentin could not make out. Hornet abruptly relaxed and turned to him, smiling. She said to him, "Aren't you excited, Q?" Quentin merely nodded, surprised at the sudden change in his friend. He thought nothing of it, maybe it was just the light playing tricks on him. He felt Jess' warm hands stroke his arm and he turned to her, forcing a brave smile. She beamed at him and asked, "Want some snacks? Bass is going to get some." Quentin shook his head politely. Hornet leaned forward and asked for popcorn. Jess giggled and told Bass what they needed.

Quentin went back to staring at the circle of light on the Ring. That bad feeling was growing stronger, but he had to stay on for Jess' sake.

A drum-roll. The audience quieted down. It continued until it reached a fever pitch, then ended in a clash of cymbals as a tall figure strode into the Ring into the circle of light. Quentin could tell that this was the Ringmaster. He wore knee-high boots, had on a turquoise suit with its coattails flapping behind him. He held a whip with gloved hands. His black top hat shone. He stroked his medium-length beard and laughed a merry laugh. He announced

"Ladieeesss and gentlemen, boys and girls. Welcome one and all to the Circus Extraordinaire of Tricks and Gimmicks! Welcome to the Circus of Circuses, on this Night of Nights. Tonight, I and my friends bring to you  the most famous, the most jaw-dropping, the most amazing circus of them all! We are the most astounding, the most impressive, THE MOST AMAZING CIRCUS ON EARTH!" He continued in his rich and cultured voice. He told them the acts tonight. Did amazing maneuvers with his whip as he talked and stroked his beard and smiled graciously. He finished with lassoing his own top hat and bringing it to his hand.

With that, the Ringmaster spread out his hand and took a bow, and behind him out tumbled out various men, women and children clad in blue-and-silver jumpsuits. The acrobats. They tumbled, spun and leaped. Some even did their tricks among the audience, much to their shrieking pleasure. They pulled out hoops of different sizes, and took turns in leaping through them. There were Oooohs and Ahhhs as the acrobats finished their act and as one, bowed and jumped backstage out of sight.

Next came a troupe of dancing horses. Two men dressed, ridiculously enough, as ballerinas led them in twirls and splits. How a horse can do splits, Quentin did not know, but these horses could and make it look graceful. The band played relentlessly, shifting their tempo as and when. The horses and two men always managed to keep the rhythm. The cheers and applause were raucous. The two men led the horses away and the Ringmaster strode in again. He announced the next act, and steam started to seep into the Ring.

Quentin could barely follow the acts' progress with all the cheering and music and chaotic noise. His eyes started to feel heavy. He fell asleep.

Quentin felt a hand shake him awake. It was Jess, and she had a frown on her face. She chided, "Really, Quentin? You're ever the energetic one, why did you sleep through the first half? Its already the intermission." Quentin could not stifle his groan in time. Jess crossed her arms and glared at him. Quentin said apologetically  "Sorry babe, don't know why I'm just so-o-o tired tonight." He raise his hand to cover his mouth as he yawned. Jess said, "Well, Mr. I'm-so-tired. I'm going out with Nick and Bass to get more snacks. Do you wanna come? You too Hornet." Hornet, who was still reeling from the amazement of the show, shook her head. Quentin said to Jess, "Well if Janet ain't going, I'll keep her company then." Jess let out an irritated huff and went outside.

Janet looked guilty. She muttered, "Sorry." Quentin shrugged and told her, "No man should leave a girl alone here. There's hardly anyone around now." Even as he said it, Quentin spied four other people scattered around the bleachers meant to hold hundreds of people. Some were reading, others looked to be sleeping. Quentin laid back and relaxed. He was really tired. Janet seemed similarly fatigued. He meant to ask about her when smoke started to roll in.

Quentin sat up. That's weird. Was the show about to start again? Everyone just left. He noticed the smoke was tinged green. Maybe the show was starting again. He sat up to get Jess and the others. A great force pushed him down, slamming him so hard on his seat that Janet turned to stare. No, you will not leave. Quentin looked around wildly. He said, "What is go-" A roar shook the Big Top. The six audience members who stayed behind were startled to full attention.

A dark figure strode out of the smoke and into the spotlight. At first Quentin thought it was the Ringmaster since the figure was also clad in a turquoise suit, but there the similarity ended.

The stranger's attire, which may have once been beautiful and eye-catching, were torn and mud-stained. A little crooked top hat rested on his head. His whip was barbed. His hands that wielded the whip was burned so badly that Quentin could see charred bone and muscle under the ruined skin. The stranger's face was hidden by a broken mask smudged with sot. The mask was that of a smiling visage. It was creepy. Parts of the mask had been chipped off, so Quentin could see part of a burnt scalp with several sad strands of hair sticking out. A chin, also badly burnt. The stranger spread his hands and bowed, mimicking the Ringmaster. Quentin saw that tendrils of white mist seemed to curl from the stranger's back. He looked more closely and shrank back in terror. The tendrils of mist had faces. Faces that were horribly scarred with burns, screaming in pain and terror.

The stranger straightened and turned his mask towards each of the six audience members, giving each a gaze strong enough to make them budge in discomfort. He spread out his arms and announced, "Welcome to the Circus of Smiles."