-> 𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐧𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐜𝐢𝐫𝐜𝐮𝐬 [PROLOGUE] .ೃ࿐
➳ published: 09.11.24 ➳ banner & divider credit: @wongyuseokie || beta: @pars-ley ➳ circus!au || supernatural!au || genre: horror || dark || smut (future) || angst || rated: m ➳ pairing: various idols x reader (none in this chapter) ➳ summary: during the month of october, a mysterious narrator appears in the bar of a quiet town to tell its patrons about the story of the bang bros travelling circus. who is this person and how do they seem to know so much about a legend that has been around for decades? ➳ word count: 2.5k ➳ warnings: mentions of character death, mentions of mass murder, graphic descriptions of fire and destruction, making a deal with a demon ➳ author's note: all female characters with flower names are actually y/n characters. since the prologue mentions them all at different times, it is easier to distinguish them like this. the individual stories are reader insert. ➳ taglist: @sanjoongie @byunparklimchoi @djeniryuu [if you want to be +/- please let me know]
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“Come one, come all, and see the Bang Bros Travelling Circus! In town for one night only, see all the magic and wonders, the freaks and the frights! Don’t miss out on a spectacular evening that’ll leave you on the edge of your seats!”
“Gather around now and let me tell you about The Bang Bros Travelling Circus, established circa 1920, an upcoming circus that many would travel to see. Started by the Bang Brothers, Chan and Chris, they recruited the best of the best to join their growing family and travel around the country – with dreams of the world.”
“This story, the one I’m about to tell you, is not one of joyous dreams come true but about one man’s need to keep his family together – and how he’ll do absolutely anything to achieve it.”
1924 – The Fateful Day
The sounds of children laughing rings through the air as Chan wanders through, checking on the progress. It’s their favourite time of year; with leaves shifting into deep reds and burnt orange, the world around them embraces the warm tones and it becomes a picturesque beauty unlike the cold that follows soon after. While winter is never a friendly season – autumn is what suits them the best.
It’s also spooky season, the time of year where they can unleash their inner freaks and give visitors a fun little fright and delight
While the circus has only been on the road for the past few years, the attention they have garnered has allowed their reputation and family to grow. Chan is proud of it, the little family of misfits, all working together and uniting against all odds. While his twin brother, Chris, is part of the Bang Bro name, it’s known to anyone who sees the dynamic of the family that Chan is the one who runs the show. The older twin, the one who shoulders all the responsibility and takes care of those around him like a parent would their child.
Chan and Chris, while sharing the same face, have always been the opposites to each other. Chan, a blonde, was knowledgeable and could have found a respectable job but felt he was always destined for more. Chris, the darker haired brother, enjoyed getting into trouble a little too much and lived more carefree than Chan did. Standing side by side, Chan was a little shorter and Chris was more muscular but it is always clear who was in charge.
Especially those who knew that the circus began to keep Chris out of trouble, while allowing Chan to chase the dream he’d always had.
Putting on his top hat, Chan twirls his cane with one hand as he makes his way over to see Rose stretching, one leg held up in the air in a way that some would consider unnatural. He takes a moment to look over her outfit; the red and black corset she wears fits her body snugly, the skirt short and showing off her legs, and her hair is plaited down her back, tied with a red ribbon. Wow, Rose is beautiful. A woman who comes by once in a blue moon with the purest personality anyone could have. He’s always struck by her beauty, his heart racing as she turns to face him with a bright smile, “Chan!” She waves before running towards him. Dropping his cane to wrap both arms around her waist, he lifts her, twirling her around. “Jongin said that we have sold out the midnight show!”
The Ringmaster; so in love with the contortionist. The diamond ring he carries with him is a constant reminder of the love that he holds for his pretty Rose. A weight close to his chest, in his left breast pocket, waiting for the right moment to propose. Rose and her best friend, Jongin, had joined the Bang Bros Travelling Circus once the twins had gotten established. They became fast favourites due to their friendly nature and magic tricks. Children love them, always surrounding the duo whenever they are wandering the grounds. It helps push their popularity with the public, a family friendly circus with something for everyone.
If he’s honest, Chan had fallen in love with Rose the first time he laid eyes on her, her smile caused the blonde to fumble over his words. Even after all the time they’ve spent together, he’s still at a loss whenever he sees her.
“It was love at first sight, a romance that should have lasted the ages.”
“Apparently the mayor will attend.” The woman’s feet gracefully land on the ground as the couple part.
“The crowd will be the biggest we’ve ever had.” Chan beams, pride filling his chest as he thinks about how all their hard work is about to pay off. A turnout like this will set their name in stone and allow them to travel further than they have before.
As the couple wander and discuss the upcoming show, arms linked, they come across Jongin arguing with Luna; the circus fortune teller. People scurry past and duck out of Jongin’s way as he waves one of his throwing knives in the air. Luna chews her bottom lip, visibly upset at the words he’s hurling her way.
“Hey!” Rose detaches from Chan’s side and rushes over to her best friend, easily dodging out of the way of the sharp object in his hand before separating the two. “No fighting amongst family, remember.” She smiles, an attempt to ease the tension, and the taller man runs his fingers through his hair with a frustrated sigh.
“She said I shouldn’t do my fire breathing act tonight.” Jongin’s eyes narrow at Luna, who looks away remorseful. “I’ve been practising for weeks, perfecting it. Tonight is the best night for it.”
“Did she have a premonition?” Rose looks over, watching while Chan settles the other woman down. Luna looks in their direction, nodding her head in acknowledgement which causes a slight shiver to run down Rose’s spine as she looks back at her best friend. “Maybe you coul-”
“I’m doing the act, Rose.” His assertive tone makes it clear there’s no arguing with him. She nods, taking a small step back giving Jongin room to calm down. He’s not always like this, she knows that better than anyone. He is a fair and kind man, warm and welcoming… but everyone gets nervous before a big night. It’s understandable, right? “This could make the rest of our lives, I’m not going to do anything to ruin this.”
“I know,” she smiles at Jongin and pats him lightly on the shoulder. He wanders over and apologises to Luna. The fortune teller was simply doing her job and while not every premonition happens the way she sees it, she tries her best to aid them all.
That’s what family is for.
“Everyone!” Chan announces to the large crowd, arms spread wide as he welcomes them to tonight’s final show. “Thank you all for coming. Shall we introduce tonight’s acts?”
There’s a roar of cheers as the performers walk into the ring. Acrobats, magicians, a beast tamer and more, the circus has gained a wonderful collection of talent that Chan is proud of. There’ll be more to come; more who want to be a part of their family but right now, this is perfect. Of course, there are some who don’t usually perform for the masses like Chris and Luna but that doesn’t stop them from being involved in a night like tonight.
They all know how important tonight’s show is, the publicity that they’ll achieve, especially as the mayor and his entourage are in attendance.
As Chan introduces everyone, nobody notices one lone man, a hood keeping his face hidden from sight, sneaking out of the tent, the entertainment causing enough of a cover for him to disappear and create chaos as he intended. Christian Yu, a killer currently wanted for the murder’s of several upperclassmen, had heard about the mayor’s plans for tonight that presented him with a rare opportunity. An opportunity that doesn’t come around very often since the mayor typically refuses to go anywhere like this. His usual place being in his office, surrounded by men sworn to protect him but who could deny a special invitation to a show that’s making headlines?
It seems fortune favours everyone tonight.
While the masses are distracted, captured by the pretty contortionist slotting herself into a small box, and on the edge of their seats when the magician pushes sword after sword into her, Christian makes his way over to one of his hiding spots. An amused smile spreads across his lips when he finds his toys are all there, ready for him to place and set alight. Loud cheers erupt from the big top, the main tent, and he figures he better hurry, not wanting to allow the mayor to leave the tent before the fires have spread.
One. Two. Four. Seven. Twelve… “A couple more for good measure,” Christian says to himself as he places a few of his incendiary devices around the tent itself. “That should be good enough.”
He lights the final one, the designs meant to allow him time to escape but not every plan prepares for every possible outcome – especially when in a populated place.
While Christian is trying to sneak away before the fires start, a low growl sounds behind him. He stills, feet frozen in place as he tries to figure out the best course of action. He’s not afraid, not entirely, but he’s also not trying to be a tiger’s dinner in the middle of his escape. Christian finds the beast tamer with one of the big cats coming out from the tent, heading towards the cages.
“What are you doing?” Soyeon exclaims, barely able to keep the tiger from lunging at the intruder. “Wha- Oh my!” She notices the device and Christian’s perfect plan goes up in smoke. As well as the circus.
It happens so fast, the tiger manages to break free, pouncing at the fleeing man and knocking loose one of the ropes securing the tent, as Jongin is midway through his fire-breathing act.
The crowd’s cheers turn to gasps of shock and cries of surprise, as part of the tent sags and catches fire. People start to panic, keen to get out. The roar of a tiger nearby feeds into the hysteria and the crowd begins to push and shove towards the main exit… only to find that it’s been blocked from the outside. Part of the tent begins to collapse and the fire traps the crowd and several of the performers inside, the commotion causes people to fall over, to be trampled on but nobody stops to help. Every single one of them is trying to escape. Trying desperately to survive.
Nobody wants to die but there’s no way out.
“Rose?” Chan calls out, hearing the screams echoing around him as his lungs fill with smoke, “Rose?!” He coughs, pushing towards the back of the tent where the performers would usually rest and wait their turn.
“Lily?” Hyunjin, one of the acrobats, is in there already, searching for his counterpart. “Chan, have you seen Lily? She was going to grab some water from the carriage before our-” Hyunjin starts coughing, his eyes burning from the smoke and Chan pats him on the back, covering his own mouth.
He can’t find anyone. He doesn’t know if Rose escaped. He should have rushed to Jongin’s side to make sure he was okay. He should have done more than what he did but the crowd’s piercing screams and the sudden chaos overwhelmed his senses and all sound logic vanished like smoke. He can hear the screaming from outside as well as inside, as the tent fills with smoke… something must be happening out there too…The heat, the smoke, the noise, it’s all muddling his mind.
He needs to get out.
He needs to save his family.
Hyunjin collapses next to him, coughing so hard that he’s turning red in the face, or is it the fire? Are the flames playing a trick on him?
“We need to get out,” Chan looks around as the tent collapses and falls in on itself. There must be something, anything, that he can use to help them escape. They can’t stay here, they can’t. There must be some way out. He’s turning every way to look for something but it’s hard to concentrate when he notices that those trapped inside screaming, their sounds slowly start to fade. Their cries are dying down… or is it because they are? “Hyunjin, we need to go.” Chan tries to lift up his friend, trying to get him to move but he’s met with dead weight. “Hyunjin,” He urges, finding it hard to drag the other man whose body is limp, unmoving.
No, no, no! It can’t be. He can’t be…
“I’ll be back…” Chan lays the man down, brow furrowed as bile burns his insides before swallowing it back down. He knows there’s no use dragging his body through the flames, that on the other side of this burning tent, Hyunjin will still be dead but he can bring him back. There must be a way. His Ringmaster coat is pulled over his head as he rushes for the burning walls muttering a incantation under his breath, not stopping even as the heat sears his skin, the sting becoming unbearable that he grits his teeth in pain but manages to break through the flames.
Don’t look back. As Chan stands up and discards his burning coat, he can feel the heat against his exposed skin, a new cacophony of sounds surrounds him. The circus ablaze and the relentless flames are destroying everything around him. Don’t look back and dwell on the destruction – look forward and find a way to save them all.
The horror around him is terrifying. Chan’s seen a darker side of life, he’s dabbled in it out of curiosity but he’s never fully experienced anything like this. The smell of burning flesh makes its way into the cabin as the Ringmaster’s shaky hands drop the ingredients into the bowl of bubbling liquid. All he can think about is how he should have done more to save them.
“I’ll do anything,” Chan promises to the ominous voice summoned from a spell. One which he has been avoiding ever since he got the book. He knows what it’s capable of, the power it can provide and the cost it’ll take on his soul. But what is there of him, if everything Chan has loved goes up in flames tonight?
“Save my family, save the circus and I will do anything you want.”
The sharp blade of his knife slices over his palm, the cabin grows hotter as the flames surround him.
His world is on fire and now, he has nothing left to lose.
Ding Dong
“Ah, time already? I guess our story will have to continue next time. No, no, don’t fret my little birds. There’s much more than you could possibly know but I can’t tell you everything at once, can I? Otherwise, you’ll never come back~.”
