The misadventures of Clover the clown!

*This story is underneath my folder titled “Circe the ringmaster!”. The characters originally appeared in my stories “31 Hellish Halloween Tales” (parts one, two, and three) and “31 horrendous Halloween Tales”. Those stories are underneath my folder titled “31 Halloween Tales”. There are a few characters from my folder titled “Ferrin’s circus”. Gacha Club character designs are under my forum titled “My character designs <33”. Enjoy!*

Introduction

Clover held tightly to the hand of Angelese as they ran through the carnival, Angelese excitedly pointing to each attraction, Clover nodding her head in agreement.

“Someday, we’re going to have our own circus, Clover! With animals and ballerinas and clowns and all sorts of things! It’s going to be beautiful, and nobody is going to stop us!” Angelese said with a smile.

“You really think we can have our own circus? Isn’t that, like, only for rich people?” Clover asked. She wished that they were rich like most people, but it was likely to never happen.

Angelese took both of her hands and asked with a soft smile:

“Who says we won’t be rich in the future?”

Chapter One

1943-NINETEEN YEARS OLD

Clover stepped out the front door and out into the world, briefcase in hand. Within the briefcase was not money, but a clown costume. Angelese had promised that they would be rich when they were both children, and half of that was true.

Clover didn’t mind living in an apartment, so long as she got to be in the circus with Angelese Circe, her closet friend.

The crowds of people squirmed past her, voices rising high in excitement at the prospect of visiting “Circe’s Cherry Circus” in their veins.

Clover smiled. No one but Angelese knew that she and the clown were one and the same, but that was part of the magic, wasn’t it? Putting on a costume and becoming something greater, right?

Speaking of which, Clover often wondered how Angelese got the money. It seemed that she had simply become the richest woman in Cherry Brook overnight.

It was the question in the back of her mind, but Angelese promised that she would answer it one day.

One day…

Chapter Two

Clover rushed into her circus tent, prepared to become Lillie the clown, but in the center of the tent, there formed an odd, bruise-colored smoke cloud.

Clover rubbed her eyes. She never was one to sleep well, so perhaps it was catching up to her.

No, nothing was there. Just the comforting, quiet darkness of the circus tent.

Clover sighed in relief. All she ever needed was to get some better sleep. That was all…

Chapter Three

The show had begun after a while. Clover had become Lillie the clown, and eager, wide-eyed children crowded around to watch her, some biting at the sleeves of their clothes, others chewing at a piece of their own hair.

Clover laughed as she rode on her unicycle, handing out balloon animals happily. Oh, how young they were, free from the troubles of the world, thinking of nothing but what wonderful things life had to offer!

“Thank you, Lillie!” They said in unison.

Clover squeezed her red nose, which made a humorous squeaking noise that got all of the children to giggle.

She’d be damned if the kids lived like she did at their age.

Chapter Four

FLASHBACK

Clover held tight to Angelese as they lay next to a barren brick wall, shivering in their rags. She watched mournfully as kids walked past them in the alley with their parents, in warm, nice clothes, laughing and skipping without a care in the world. They were coming from the circus, the place she and Angelese had to sneak in.

Clover looked up at Angelese, to see if she was asleep. She wanted to surprise Angelese with lollipops from the circus, but could only do it when she was asleep.

Clover frowned. What on Earth was Angelese doing, moving her mouth and saying nothing? How could she even do that? Why did her eyes look so wide, like that of a doll’s?

Clover nudged Angelese, who flinched as though she had woken up from a dream. But that wasn’t possible, her eyes were open the whole time.

“What happened? What were you saying?” Clover asked nervously. She wasn’t sure if she even wanted the answer.

“Nothing! Don’t ask me silly questions, I’m fine!” Angelese giggled.

Clover smiled, but still wondered…

What was she doing?

Chapter Five

Clover stepped out of the circus tent, admiring how the people seemed to leave much more satisfied than when they had arrived. The circus had, for a brief moment, eased the pain of life.

“Lillie!” A small voice cried out happily, arms hugging her skirt.

Clover looked down. Right below her was a little girl with a painted white face, thin black strands of hair peeking out from her crimson wig, in a plaid blue dress.

The only other clown at Angelese’s circus other than Clover was Maxine, who performed as “Gumdrop”. Clover had found her behind the circus tent, when everyone was leaving and she had not yet joined her family.

Unfortunately, Maxine had no family, so with the permission of Angelese, Clover had taken her in.

“You know, I made a new friend today! He’s a ringmaster, just like Miss Circe, except, he can disappear! Can you disappear? Can you? Can you?” Maxine asked, jumping up and down giddily.

Clover brushed Maxine’s wig gently. If it weren’t for the sake of performing, the fact that they had to keep their costumes on and call each other by their clown names, then Clover would have stroked Maxine’s head.

But alas, such was not to be at the moment.

“No, but I bet Sawyer can. Come now, let’s watch his show.” Clover said, leading Maxine away.

Again, Clover thought that she saw a horrifically purple smoke cloud, but it faded just as quickly as it came.

What was going on with her?

Chapter Six

Maxine and Clover stood at the back of the crowd, watching Sawyer do his disappearing act. His eyes seemed to twinkle more noticeably when he glanced at the two clowns, which brought a smile to Clover’s face.

He stepped into the black box that was as big as him, almost a coffin, really.

For a few minutes, there was nothing.

Then, the black box walls fell apart, and Sawyer was gone.

Maxine turned to Clover, eyes wide in shock.

“How does he do that? Disappear? Can he teach me?” Maxine asked.

Clover shook her head gently.

“He’s a magician, Maxine. He can’t reveal his secrets. Then it wouldn’t be magic, would it?” Clover said.

The audience gasped in awe as they backed into each other, for standing in the middle of the crowd was Sawyer himself, a rose in mouth, wand in hand.

Maxine clapped excitedly, Sawyer bowed, tipping his hat off to the audience.

Clover could have sworn that Sawyer turned his blue eyes to face her, that he even winked at her, but she couldn’t be sure.

Nevertheless, she waved back at him, cherishing the sweetness of his gaze.

Chapter Seven

FLASHBACK

Angelese held onto Clover’s hand as they walked to the circus, to which monsters came together as a family.

Only, they didn’t seem like monsters to her. They all smiled at everyone, even as they all cowered in fear.

There were two people who seemed to be entirely made of lava standing next to her. A man and a woman. Both managed to give soft grins at Clover despite their flames, the woman even reached into her chest and pulled out a burning rose.

She extended the rose to Clover. Angelese tried tugging her away, but Clover reached out. Perhaps it wouldn’t hurt?

It didn’t. The fire didn’t touch her skin at all.

The rose glowed, a beacon of light.

“Keep it safe.” The fire woman said in a hushed, yet slightly sorrowful, voice.

Chapter Eight

A long day at the circus had passed. The last few guests were leaving, and the sky was a deep, velvet orange, settling into plum.

Addison and Madison, the acrobat twins, cartwheeled their way out. Sawyer tipped his hat off to Clover, and Maxine stayed in her trailer, where she and Angelese lived.

Clover herself was about to leave, but Angelese grabbed her hand, stopping her.

“You know, I thought that I saw your parents today. As ghosts, watching you in the audience.” Angelese mused.

A chill crawled up Clover’s neck. If her parents really were there, then why could Angelese see them and not her?

“Maybe I have been dreaming too much, but I’d thought I’d oughta tell you, since they’re your parents, ya know?” Angelese asked with a shrug.

“It’s okay. We should just leave the past behind.” Clover said, wringing away from Angelese.

She walked away before Angelese could say another word about her parents, heart hurting with sorrow.

Chapter Nine

After much walking, Clover made it to her apartment. She stepped up the stairs to her room, humming a lullaby to herself, one her mother had sang to her long ago.

“Ah, the tender taste of life.” A man’s low voice growled.

Clover stopped and turned around. Usually, the dismal atmosphere of the apartment was made peaceful with her humming, but in that moment, it felt like she was the only person left alive in the world.

Her eyes scanned the void of the floor below her, and the dirt-stained walls that surrounded her. The lights cast a dim, slightly nostalgic glow on the chipping wood and peeling paint, but no, no one else was with her.

Clover sped-walked the stairs, so she wouldn’t wake the other occupants.

She wasn’t alone, there were others with her. They were just sleeping. Nobody was following her, she was safe and sound.

She wasn’t a little kid anymore. Things were better.

Chapter Ten

“Hurry up now, Clover! We don’t want to be late!” Mommy called out.

Clover sighed, rolling her eyes. She was just adjusting the sash of her dress, it’d take a few minutes!

“I’m going, just give me some time!” Clover shot back.

“We’re five minutes late, I don’t want us to be late for any longer!” Mommy called out.

She and her parents were only going to the local garden, but it was a tradition that they did every year. The garden was the only natural, real thing in their neighborhood. Everything else was houses upon houses, and one circus they hardly ever went to.

At last, Clover had finished tying her sash. She ran down the stairs to join her parents and-

Clover woke up, moonlight streaming from her yellow-stained cotton curtains. She trained herself to wake up before that moment happened, as though waking up would stop that from happening.

Oh, if only her parents were around to see her perform. They’d be so proud of her!

Chapter Eleven

Clover covered her eyes with arm, shielding them from the burning sunlight. She slept for a few minutes, only for the dream to wake her up again. After that, she got no sleep at all.

It wasn’t like she slept in dirt anymore. She had a home, a proper bed. Shouldn’t Clover at least have gotten some rest?

A persistent tapping noise pressed on her window. Oh goodness, what was it? A crow, pecking away? Wouldn’t it just fly off? Why did it have to keep tapping? She had to sleep. It had to fly away at some point, didn’t it? Wouldn’t it just tire itself out? Wouldn’t it-

Clover pushed the sheets off her bed, fuming within, only to soften when she saw Sawyer’s grinning face at her window.

She eagerly jumped out of bed and opened the window, pulling him in.

Thank goodness it wasn’t a bird, for she wasn’t in a very agreeable mood to deal with such!

Chapter Twelve

“How’d you sleep? All good dreams? “ Sawyer asked. From the pocket of his suit, he brandished a fresh, rain-drop tinted rouge rose.

Clover smiled, relishing in the freshness of the flower’s scent. He always knew how to ease her anxieties, make her feel free.

“I didn’t have any dreams. What brings you here?” Clover asked.

Seldom did Sawyer visit her in her apartment. Most of their time was spent at the circus, on sunlit days and starry nights.

But there he was, standing in her room, a glint of glee in his green eyes.

“I’d thought we’d take the day off together. Only one day, I promise.” Sawyer said.

A day off? But wouldn’t Angelese notice? All their lives, she talked about starting a circus. If Clover were absent even for one day, would she be disappointed? Would Angelese lose faith in her?

“We have to perform, Sawyer. This is our life, we can’t betray the circus.” Clover said.

Sawyer grinned and giggled, as though she had performed a particularly humorous act for him.

“Betray? Clover, it’s only one day! Angelese won’t care.” Sawyer said.

“She will. You don’t know her like I do.” Clover said.

The last time she didn’t come, Angelese had broken down into furious tears, just as she did when she was a child.

“Clover, it’s only one day. It will be fine.” Sawyer said.

He had such softness in his eye, such genuine love in his gaze, that Clover felt like sweeping him into a kiss, but she had to stand by her duty.

“Come to the circus with me, please? I’d feel better if we did.“

Questions circled in Sawyer’s eyes, but he simply beamed and said:

“If that is what you wish. I’m going to catch you alone, though. One of these days…”

With that, Sawyer crawled back out the window, Clover holding the rose close to her heart.

She wasn’t sure if they would ever be alone, but at least he cared enough to visit her.

Chapter Thirteen

FLASHBACK

Another day of performing had passed, a day of entertaining the children and the children at heart.

Clover watched as they headed home, cotton candy and lollipops in their hands, laughing and sharing stories of the circus.

One little girl, the same one she had seen every day, hid behind the tent, curling herself up into a ball.

Clover frowned. No child should have to shiver in the night, without loved ones to hold them tight.

She walked out of her circus tent and approached the child, crouching down to her level.

“Whatcha doing out here, kiddo? Shouldn’t you be getting home now?” Clover asked gently.

The little girl shook her head.

“Do you have a home? It’s okay, I won’t judge.” Clover said.

The child thought for a moment, twirling a strand of her hair nervously, and finally, shook her head side to side.

“I used to be like you when I was your age, but now I’m here, at the circus. The circus can be your home. When I perform, I’m Lillie. But my real name is Clover. What’s yours?” Clover asked.

If she decided to run, Clover wouldn’t blame her. In a world where children like the girl were being left to rot, why would she trust anyone?

But the little girl smiled, her dirtied face lighting up with joy, and said:

“My name is Maxine. It’s nice to meet you, Clover!”

And with that, Clover helped Maxine up, ready to introduce her to the other members of the circus.

Chapter Fourteen

Clover emerged from her circus tent, gleefully waving to the visitors of the circus. She had arrived a few minutes ago and took some time to get ready in her tent. She was all open, excited to meet the hopeful visitors.

Except…Addison was incredibly pale, eyes bugged out, like he had just seen an eldritch monster. He was talking animatedly to Madison, far away from the audience.

Perhaps she should have left them alone, but still, seeing her fellow performers in such distress caused a great, scorching pain in her heart. If they didn’t want her around, she’d leave.

But it wouldn’t hurt to check.

Chapter Fifteen

“Are you okay? You look a little spooked.” Clover said, joining the twins.

Addison flinched in shock of another presence, but Madison put a reassuring hand on his wrist and looked at him in a way only he could understand.

“Yeah, I’m fine. I just thought that I saw something in my tent. A shadow monster, can you believe that? My imagination has certainly been going wild!” Addison chuckled.

“I don’t mean to scare you, but I saw something too. I saw a purple, bruise-colored cloud yesterday at the circus.” Clover said.

She left out the part where she heard the man’s voice at her apartment, for she feared that it would be too much to tell.

“Really? I’m not the only one?” Addison asked, disbelief in hearing her words.

“If anything gets out of hand, we’re telling Angelese. But for now, I think that we’re okay. Is that alright with you?” Clover asked.

Addison and Madison looked to each other, then nodded.

“Alrighty then. Let’s get performing, they’re waiting.” Clover said with a smile, attempting to direct their attention elsewhere.

They had a plan. They were going to do something.

Things would calm down soon enough. They had to. How much worse could anything get?

Chapter Sixteen

Clover crammed the balloon into her mouth, a trick that wowed all of the audience. She wasn’t actually eating a balloon, of course. It was an illusion.

But what was that behind the audience? The hulking shadow, the skittering creature? Another illusion? One created by Sawyer?

No, Sawyer wouldn’t try to frighten people.

What about Addison and what he saw? Could that have been the shadow? Maxine’s friend, even?

Will Angelese even listen to me? Clover thought mournfully to herself. 

But on the outside, she pulled out a balloon in the shape of a puppy straight from her mouth, something that made them all cheer.

If only she could pull her sorrows straight from her mouth. Then maybe smiling wouldn’t be so straining.

Chapter Seventeen

FLASHBACK

Clover and Angelese watched as Aarush and Adan, the fire twins who seemed to be completely made out of lava, spun flames from their body, contorting and twisting them as they wished.

“I wish that I could do that. Do you think that I could do that?” A boy asked.

Clover jumped and turned around, shocked to hear what seemed to be someone speaking to her.

“Are you talking to me?” Clover asked, just to be sure.

“Of course I am! Who else would I be talking to? Now, answer my question! Do you think that I could do that?” The boy asked, pointing to the fire twins.

She looked at them, then at him.

He was just another child, with sandy blond hair and spotted freckles, green eyes sparkling with hope.

But anybody could do anything, if they tried hard enough. That was what her parents always said.

“Sure you can! You just need to practice.” Clover said.

The boy smiled, his toothy grin lighting up his face.

“Thanks a lot! My parents said that I can’t, but I knew that they were wrong! You’re going to get the first ticket to my magic show, um…?”

“Clover. My name is Clover.“ Clover said.

“And I’m Sawyer.” The boy beamed, sticking his hand out for her to shake.

Clover accepted it, only to recoil away, for a shock had traveled from him to her.

“Sorry, that’s my trick hand. Take this.” Sawyer said, a hint of a smile on his face as he extended his other hand towards her.

Clover giggled as she expected his other hand.

A new friend, and a funny one at that, too!

She had no doubt in her mind that Angelese would like him too, and together, they’d have the closest bond ever!

Chapter Eighteen

“Angelese? Can we talk?” Clover asked.

The circus day had ended, and Clover was searching for Angelese, until she found her, and stopped her in her tracks.

Angelese turned around and smiled. Clover had seen her smile for years, but that particular grin made Angelese’s eyes shine far too brightly, almost sinister.

But they were just eyes, nothing to fret over.

“Yes. What is it?” Angelese asked calmly.

Clover took a deep breath. She had to speak, or else she’d never be at peace.

“I saw a shadow yesterday, you know that. When I was at my apartment, I heard a man’s voice talk about the “sweet taste of life” but there was no man. Addison said that he’s seeing things too. Maxine says she’s got a new friend, a shadow friend. Angelese, something is wrong. We’ve got to close down the circus, we’ve-“

“Clover, do you hear yourself? Shadows, monsters. I think that tomorrow, everyone will have a day off. Performing all the time must have certainly taken a toll on you all! Relaxing will benefit us.” Angelese said.

Clover shoved down her frustration and said:

“We’re not imagining things! This is real, and we want your help.”

“Hush now! Everything is going to be fine and dandy, trust me!” Angelese said, waving her off.

“Angelese! Angelese! Please, just hear me out!” Clover cried, running after her.

There was only so much clown shoes could do before she fell flat on her face, dirt in her eyes, watching helplessly as Angelese walked out of the open circus gates.

Chapter Nineteen

“Hurry up now, Clover! We don’t want to be late!” Mommy called out.

Just a few more minutes, and Clover would be done.

“I’m going, just give me some time!” Clover shot back.

“We’re five minutes late, I don’t want us to be late for any longer!” Mommy called out.

It was just the local garden, it wouldn’t be a big deal if they were five minutes late.

But that didn’t matter, because Clover was already done tying the sash on her dress. She ran downstairs, to join her parents…

What happened? Why were they lying on the ground, facedown, blood pooling around their bodies? Wasn’t Mommy talking to her only seconds ago? Wasn’t Daddy fixing her hair hours ago?

Black smoke sifted over their bodies and crawled into the cracks of the hardwood floor, deep into the Earth.

Clover shot up from bed, tears in her eyes.

She forced the memory out of her, why did it come back? Why did the vision of her parents appear again?

Angelese said that the next day would be a day off. Hours ago, she said that the next day would be wonderful.

Clover lay back down in her bed with a heavy heart, burying herself in her blanket.

The tears of her child self came pouring out, but at least no one was around to see her.

Chapter Twenty

“Can you believe that we’re finally alone together?” Sawyer asked.

It was their day off, so as a date, they were at the local park, sitting on a bench together.

“No, I can’t. We’re lucky to be alone together.” Clover said.

Sawyer was happy, so why couldn’t she be?

“And now, for my question.” Sawyer said.

He got down on one knee on the ground, and from his pocket, produced a single black box.

“Clover May Allen, will you marry me?” Sawyer asked.

What waited within the box was a simple diamond ring. Working in the circus was fun, but it paid so less.

Still, Clover beamed, making note to keep the moment close to her heart, and said:

“Yes! Yes, Sawyer, yes!”

She extended her hand, and Sawyer slipped the ring on her finger.

It was just them and the circus. Nothing could be better.

Chapter Twenty-One

“You said that you’d go away!” Angelese cried out.

Clover and Sawyer turned their heads towards her voice. She was around somewhere, but just who was she talking to?

Both got up from their spot, following the sound of her voice.

“That was what you thought. I didn’t say I’d go away.” A man’s voice replied. It was grating, with the quality of an inhuman creature to it.

Clover and Sawyer pressed their ears to a bush, to where the conversation was coming from.

“I already told you, I’m not doing it. I like the performers. They’re family to me. Nothing you say can change my mind.” Angelese said.

Clover felt her heart clench in sorrow. Whoever was bothering Angelese needed to be dealt with, no one hurt her friend.

She crossed over to the other side of the bush, brushing off Sawyer’s grasp. No one was going to stop her, not even him.

Purple smoke crawled into Angelese’s body, overtaking every part of her.

Clover couldn’t possibly be too late, she came just in time!

Right?

Chapter Twenty-Two

“Clover…I had to do it. I had to make the deal…but I never realized that…this would happen.” Angelese said.

Her voice had the hissing, screeching hint of an otherworldly demon, but still, it sounded somewhat like her.

“What do you mean?” Clover asked. Sawyer joined her and tried to tug her away, but she stayed where she was. She had to hear Angelese’s side of the story, she had to know that all hope was not lost.

“Mr. Ferrin. I made a deal with Mr. Ferrin.” Angelese said, eyes speckled with fright.

The name, so ordinary sounding, and yet…it brought misery to Clover’s heart.

Chapter Twenty-Three

FLASHBACK

Angelese wiped the sweat from her brow as she pulled the tent up to its full glory. The circus itself would be grandiose, but not without hard work.

“You work hard, just as I did.” A man’s voice growled.

Angelese flinched, checking her surroundings. No, no one was there.

“On your right.” The voice said.

Angelese turned to her right and held back a scream.

Standing next to her was a faint glimmer of a man, with ginger hair and bright blue eyes. He was dressed as a ringmaster, and…oddly familiar.

“Mr. Ferrin! Your circus used to be here! Me and my friend, Clover, would come all the time!” Angelese exclaimed.

Mr. Ferrin smiled in understanding. It had been so long since she had seen him, but at least he remembered her.

“You may call me Devereux Ferrin if you like, no need for the formalities, Angelese.” Mr. Ferrin said.

Angelese laughed nervously. Though he said that she could say his full name, she didn’t feel like uttering it, not after how she looked up to him.

“What happened to you? Are you dead?” Angelese asked.

Mr. Ferrin sighed, looking off furtively.

“Yes, unfortunately. My performers didn’t like my nature, and had ended my life.” Mr. Ferrin said.

Angelese felt her heart sink into the pit of her stomach. Why would his own performers, the people he gave time to shine, turn on him? Weren’t they supposed to stick together, through thick and thin?

“But you have a bright future. You have a chance. I’m not human, you see. I was created from the world’s deepest nightmares, and I needed life essence to survive. I can give you my powers, and you’ll be stronger than ever. All you’ll need to do is take a bit of life essence from your performers. It won’t hurt them. Besides, it’s what you deserve. After all, as the ringmaster, you are to be respected.” Mr. Ferrin said.

She looked down at his hands. They weren’t quite hands, not really. More like yearning, hungry claws. She looked up at his eyes and saw a glimmer that wasn’t the sweet one she remembered as a child.

“I’ll be good on my own.” Angelese said.

“Very well then. If you ever change your mind, then you know who to call.” Mr. Ferrin said.

With that, he disappeared into purple smoke, and Angelese wondered if she had a mistake on not taking up on his offer.

But only for a mere, fleeting moment.

Chapter Twenty-Four

“So you refused his deal, but then he gave you his powers anyway because “ringmasters deserve power”. Is that right?” Clover asked.

Angelese nodded, her eyes swimming with thoughts.

“He believes that all ringmasters deserve more authority over their performers. It won’t be long before I become just like him, so it’s best that you and Sawyer run.” Angelese said.

“But it all comes down to you and if you want to accept his powers. Do you think that deep down, you deserve more than us?” Clover asked.

Angelese only looked at her, tears in her eyes, as though she couldn’t believe the words from Clover’s mouth.

But Angelese was her friend, and Clover was certain that she would make the right choice.

“You’ve got this, Angelese.” Clover said.

With that, Sawyer and Clover left, Angelese feeling her heart break within.

Chapter Twenty-Five

All around the circus, there was darkness flowing. Thick, dark clouds, like the smoke from a factory, traveling to the performers and the audience, burning them away.

Clover could sense the same loss, the same choking sadness, that came when she lost her parents.

“I assure you, there is no mind control done to Angelese. I only awakened the misery within her. My performers were ignorant. They left my body to die, but my energy still lingers. It still kills.” Mr. Ferrin’s voice said.

Clover thought back to her parents, who were killed so suddenly. The clouds, the negative energy, she felt it the day her parents died.

Mr. Ferrin’s negative energy traveled anywhere, and could kill anyone.

Her parents had fallen victim.

“You-“

Clover woke up before she could finish the sentence.

She looked down at Sawyer, who lay sleeping peacefully next to her. How could he sleep so soundly, after what happened with Angelese? Clover was so sure of her decision then, sure that Angelese would overcome bitterness with positivity, but…what if she made a mistake? What if Angelese couldn’t save herself?

Sawyer believed in Clover, but wasn’t he wrong to?

What had she done?

Chapter Twenty-Six

Sawyer held Clover’s hand as they walked into the circus. He told her earlier in the morning that there was a surprise, that the circus was closed for them and a few others.

She already figured what the “surprise” was, when Sawyer told her to put on her “fluffy white dress” and he himself donned a suit that was sharper than usual.

She just hoped to the universe that Angelese would overpower Mr. Ferrin’s negativity, and that they would celebrate together.

It was destined to be, right?

Chapter Twenty-Seven

“Surprise!” Addison, Madison, and Maxine said in unison when Clover and Sawyer had arrived in the Big Top.

Pink streamers and pink balloons, a simple chocolate cake on a table, but they were all dressed in their best. Clover imagined that Madison helped Maxine get ready, and that much, she appreciated.

“It’s beautiful.” Clover gushed.

Her friends were with her, in the majesty of the circus. Their warmth could be felt all around, and her heart lifted within.

A new chapter was beginning in her life.

Chapter Twenty-Eight

FLASHBACK

“Lillie! Lillie! Look at them, they’re amazing!” Maxine cried out, tugging on Clover’s dress.

“Who is amazing, Gumdrop? Who?” Clover asked.

Whatever had gotten Maxine so excited at the circus? Whatever had motivated her so?

“Them!” Maxine exclaimed.

She dragged Clover along by the wrist, till they were in front of two adolescents, one boy and one girl, summersaulting in the air as though it were nothing.

“Do you have a home?” Clover asked them.

They stopped, looked to each other as if deciding whether it was appropriate to talk, then the girl of the two said:

“No, we don’t. Why?”

“You could live here if Mrs. Circe is okay with it.” Clover said.

“Us, doing our simple skills? We could earn a place here?” Asked the boy.

“Yes, you can! I just have to see-“

“They are welcome to stay.”

Clover and Maxine turned around. There was Angelese, as though she had been there the whole time.

“I am Angelese Circe. Lillie is Clover and Gumdrop is Maxine. And you?” Angelese asked.

“I’m Addison, and this is my sister, Madison. We’re grateful for our new home, after years of being alone.” Addison said.

The boy bowed and the girl curtseyed. Clover held back a laugh.

There was truly no need for the formalities, they were a family!

Chapter Twenty-Nine

“You really want to have a wedding party…without me?” A voice asked.

Clover turned around, heart racing with horror.

There she was. Angelese Circe. Except, she had the look of a scorned friend, a friend left behind.

“That’s quite alright. I built this circus with my own two hands, and I can take it down, too.” Angelese said.

With a flick of her fingers, Sawyer and the others began to scream, bodies twitching as blood spilled from their skin. Clover watched helplessly as they withered to the ground, Maxine’s fearful eyes forever ingrained in her mind.

“Ah, and I can’t forget you, Clover! You talked far too much. It’s time for a change of pace.” Angelese said.

Clover clutched at her itching, red-hot, bloody throat. She tried to scream, but only her blood came out.

Why did she believe that Angelese could defeat him? Why didn’t she try to help? Why…why…

It was all her fault.

Chapter Thirty

FLASHBACK

“Angelese, get down here!” Mom called out.

Angelese smoothed down the wrinkles of her dress. She and her parents were getting ready to get ice cream. Mom had a habit of rushing, Dad had a more relaxed attitude. But that was alright, she wasn’t upset that time. Angelese was ready to go anyway.

Angelese ran down the stairs, excitement in her veins, ready to taste infinite sweetness…

Her parents were gone. In their place was growing black smoke, and what seemed to be white eyes glowing within.

“Your parents…they’re dead. But I’m not.” A man’s (or was it really a man?) voice growled.

Gone…gone…gone…just like that?

Epilogue

And just like that, Angelese had ended them all with a flick of her new dark power, just as the dark power had taken all of their parents away.

Though Angelese lived on, creating another circus of torture, Clover did too. Clover, completely silenced from Angelese’s attack, became an angel of the circus, one who watched over the performers.

One who swore to protect the performers from the same