"ᴍʏ ʟᴀᴅʏ" ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ 12- ᴛʜᴇ ꜰʀᴇᴀᴋ ᴄɪʀᴄᴜꜱ ꜰᴀɴꜰᴄᴛɪᴏɴ
https://archiveofourown.org/works/85885076/chapters/227028796
He sticks out his clean gloved hand to the young woman, and she places her hand in his. He guides her off the metal exam table as the heels of her boots hit the floor. He keeps a grip on her hand as he guides her out of the tent. The tormented souls gracefully hanging above them continue to stare intensely at the pair. She grimaces as she can feel the many eyes on her. As if they were wishing to crawl into her skin for a way out of this eternal hell.
Longing to return to a life that no longer existed.
Her shoulders relax as she can see light flooding into the tent from the outside. She eagerly breaks free from the Doctors grasp and scurries to the outside. The crisp Autumn air hitting her skin, she shivers. She turns at the sound of fingers snapping and turns back to find a fool walking out from inside the tent standing next to the Doctor. His towering height is more apparent with the petite fool next to him.
“Please see to it that our special guest makes it safely to her next location. We would not want her to be late”
The fools says nothing and walks up to Scarlett bowing to her.
“Shall we leave now m’ lady?” She furrows her brows at the sudden formality.
The fool begins walking away as the young woman looks back up at the Doctor confusingly. She says nothing and willingly follows the fool away from the Doctor’s tent. He continues to stare at the young woman as she walks off into the distance. He chuckles under his breath as he watches the cloud of darkness practically glued to her. Never leaving her side.
What a fascinating specimen.
She continues to scan her surroundings as she follows the fool. She lets out a sigh of relief as she does not encounter the familiar pair of green venomous eyes. However, her eyes fall onto a black circus tent. She furrows her brows as she notices a crowd of individuals lining up outside of the tent. They did not appear to be like the many patrons that frequented the circus. All of them appeared to be concealed by various layers of clothing, masks, or even head coverings. As if they were all trying to hide from the outside world, to go unnoticed.
She does not notice she has stopped walking until she feels a tug on her arm. She looks to her side to see the same fool.
“M’lady that is a restricted area. It would be best if we continued on our way”
“Why is it restricted if there are so many people?”
“Why so many questions dear visitor?”
A gasp escapes her lips as she turns around to be met with the Ticket Taker.
“You remember what happened to the cat don’t you?” She gives him a cold stare and says nothing.
“That’s what I thought. Now why don’t you do as you’re told and follow that fool. Or would you rather I escort you, dear visitor?” She scoffs and turns back to face the fool until her arm is roughly grabbed and she is pulled backward. Her face is only inches from the Ticket Taker’s.
“Very brave of you to act a smug as you do in a place like this. Is it the one that follows you that makes you feel so safe?
I will remind you that he is not the only one with eyes on you”
He tosses her back towards the fool as her eyes widen.
“I would appreciate it if you could get her out of my sight” She can feel the fool wrap a gentle hand around her forearm as she gets practically dragged away from the Ticket Taker. She turns back around and allows the fool to continue guiding her past the tents.
The one that follows you.
She feels a shiver run up her spine once again followed by an intense warmth surrounding her body. She lets out a deep breath as she looks up and can see the purple tent they are walking towards.
As they get closer she can see Eli in the distance as he waves her over. She scurries over to the man leaving the fool behind.
“Hey, I thought you were just heading to the bathroom?” he chuckles.
“I-I uh just got lost…one of the performers helped me find my way back” The fool walks up behind Scarlett and silently stands next to her. Eli smiles and waves at the fool as it stands there motionless.
“Uh…ok then, did you want to head inside?”
“Yeah, that would be great” She smiles softly.
“M’lady, I must escort you to your seat before I take my leave” Scarlett looks at the fool and nods.
“O-Of course. I am going to be bringing my friend inside with me if that is alright?” The fool quietly nods and walks inside the tent guiding the pair.
As she walks inside she notices a large stage in the tent. She presumes this performance would be more theatrical than the previous ones she had experienced. She sees the audience is nearly full with the exception of a couple of seats in the front, centered to the stage. The fool motions to the front row seats as Scarlett and Eli reluctantly make their way forward. They both sit down as the fool bows towards them disappearing into the darkness.
Eli leans in to speak to Scarlett and she brings her ear up to him.
“U-Uh yeah it was with the ticket I got…has perks I guess”
“It gets you special attention I take it?” She scoffs.
“Yeah, I guess you could say that”
She freezes as she could feel Eli lean in closer.
“I hope this isn’t weird but…you look really nice tonight” She feels an intense chill all over her body. She takes a deep breath.
“T-Thank you” she gives him a faint smile.
Suddenly, their conversation is quickly ended by a spotlight being lit on stage. They both turn and Scarlett is met with the glowing violet eyes of the Jester. He smirks her way before addressing the rest of the audience with a graceful bow.
“Welcome my precious little monsters! Did you all come thirsty for blood? Hungry for terror?
Well my dearest monsters you should know this circus of ours, is like a window to the kind of fear you have been craving.
The kind of fear you have been chasing”
His violet eyes lock onto dark pools of mystery from the young woman sitting in front of him. She stares back at him with the same intensity, and his smile widens in response.
He goes back to addressing the crowd as he stomps his foot onto the wooden stage causing the bell on his shoe to jingle.
“As your noble Jester, I could not deny my starving little monsters of the terror they crave. That would be too cruel of me, wouldn’t it?”
He begins to walk behind the stage as he continues to speak to the audience.
“Tonight my monsters, I will tell you a story…it is quite frightening, however it is nothing but a harmless tale”
Suddenly, Jester appears peaking above the backdrop of the stage as he gracefully rests his head against his hand.
“This story my dear monsters…is about Forbidden love”
A group of five fools walk onto the stage and all the masks they wore seem so familiar. She furrows her brows as she inspects the details of each mask, the most obvious one being a plague doctor mask that adorned one of the fools.
“In a forgotten valley, where the moonlight seemed to hesitate before touching the ground, the nameless ones lived.
These poor creatures stayed hidden in the shadows in fear of judgement.
All they knew was hunger.
Hunger in their eyes, and hearts.
Their hearts became unfamiliar with any other feeling.
However, among them was their innocent flower, surrounded in their valley of thorns”
A sixth fool gracefully walks onto the stage and stands in the center of the group.
“A creature in the shape of an Angel.
Her eyes avert back to Jester as he is now laying on the top of the backdrop, he bends his knee to keep himself stable. His violet locks dangling down as he lays a dramatic hand against his forehead.
“Her innocence knew no bounds, she was void of claws, with almost no fangs.
She was a peaceful light among the shadows, and she always smiled warmly at her monsters.
A smile that could light up the darkest of days”
One of male fools had walked to the front of the Columbine. Kneeling as he presents her with a flower. Scarlett tilts her head noticing the lone tear drop that painted his mask.
As if to paint him as the sad one of the group.
“Her warmth, kind words, and gentle touch is how He, the silent monster, the sad monster.
It is how He lost himself in the innocent flower.
His gaze was always on her as observed her every movement, down to each kind word that escaped her innocent lips.
However, the kinder she was to the silent monster the closer he became to her.
Always wanting to be by her side, to keep her safe, untouched, pure.
The silent monster would even hide his own claws so she would not wound her delicate skin by his hand.
And yet there was another monster that always watched the pair from the shadows”
The spotlight shines down on a lone fool in the corner who is staring at the couple on the stage.
“The monster who was filled with venom and envy as he watched the loving exchange between the two.
‘Why can’t your eyes ever be on me?”
It appears the rendezvous between the Columbine and her silent monster had concluded. As she is now being embraced from behind by the envious monster. This monster gave Scarlett a feeling of dread as she stared intently at the green markings on his mask. She could see his claws digging into the Columbines body as she tries to pull away.
He just wanted her eyes on him, no matter how much she pulled away.
“This venomous monster was not afraid to wound this innocent flower, if she ever denied his attempts of seduction.
The more she continued to pull away from his poisonous touch the tighter his grip became.
Every refusal was like a crack splitting his very being.
Revealing the depravity of the poison.
‘My heart also beats for you’
And yet she still showed him the same kindness”
But she was scared, wasn’t she? Just like you.
“The Columbine did not lie, her heart did beat for the poison, but her heart beat in a different way.
However, he grew exhausted and enraged by this endless game.
He was tired of the longing stares that were never meant for him.
Tired of the silent, lovesick monster constantly stalking around her.
Suddenly, the sharp claws of the venomous monster penetrated the Columbines chest. The sound of flesh tearing rang through her ears as blood began to soak through her costume.
“You know my innocent little flower? Perhaps my heart does not beat this way for you.
Maybe it beats for another reason.
Or…I just want what I can’t have and if I do this…I can finally be the monster you think I am.
And love you exactly the way I want to…love you my way”
The poison sinks his claws deeper as he tears open her chest. Blood continues to saturate her costume as it runs down onto the stage, the blood pools into the floorboards of the stage.
She feels consumed by an intense pit in her stomach, a breath hitches in her throat as she digs her claws into the pleather of her purse. The Jester looks at the young woman seated in the audience. His violet eyes glimmer at the sight of the darkness lurking over her.
“On a starless night, the silent monster had returned to find his innocent flower.
However, all he found was a venomous thorn.
Her warm nectar stained his hands, and his mischievous smile”
She watches in shock, as the silent monster collapses to his knees. Eyes locked onto the lifeless body, blood pooling underneath her. The venomous one stands there, bringing his bloody hand up to his mouth, as if he were chuckling in amusement.
“The silent one watched as his delicate beauty was lying on the ground, surrounded by her own blood.
Once an innocent flower, now viciously crushed and painted in the sins of another.
Her warmth now replaced with a cold emptiness.
‘Are your eyes on me now?”
The stage became dark and the rest of the audience is consumed in darkness.
“The silence of the valley had been replaced by the cries of a once silent monster.
However, his cries, the feeling in his heart was not of hunger…but of pain”
The spotlight returns and she sees Jester has returned to the stage. He intensely watches the lifeless body of the Columbine.
“This heart wrenching cry of pain would echo on for centuries, consuming the shadows in his heartache.
Because in this valley of monsters, love is just another way…for us to devour each other”
Jester turns his head to the side as his eyes lock onto Scarlett. His eyes glow brightly as he senses the fear in her return.
The inside of the tent goes dark once more, until the spotlight returns to reveal the Jester alone on the stage. A bloody pool left behind as a reminder of the lifeless girl, as a trail of her blood can be seen leading into the darkness past the stage.
“That frightful day the nameless shadows became stronger.
And our envious little monster? He realized hatred tasted far sweeter than love”
He gracefully bowed towards the audience as they erupted in cheers. The young woman just sat frozen as her nails dug deeper into her bag.
“Oh my God that was so creepy!”
“I know! I will say though the blood looked way too fake”
How can they be so foolish?
She lets out a shaky breath and stands up, turning to face Eli.
“Can we get out of here?” She practically begs but then she notices a change in Eli. He appears paler, and lethargic. Almost slumping in his seat.
“Shit” She leans down and places a gentle hand on his shoulder, shaking him.
“I think it’s time to go” He chuckles.
She scoffs and helps him out of the chair as he leans against her.
“Leaving so soon?” She feels a pit form in her stomach as she turns to face the Jester.
“I wanted to have a few words with you, my special guest…I insist you stay behind for a quick chat”
He is not fond of disobedience.
“Fine” She scans the room trying to think how to get Eli out of sight of the Jester. She can see a fool standing by the exit ensuring the remaining guests left. She stumbles over to the fool as she painfully carries the weight of Eli.
“Excuse me?” The fool turns to the young woman.
“Can you…could you please get my friend out of here? At least outside the circus grounds? I need to speak with Jester…privately” The fool tilts his head to the side as she awaits a response.
She notices a glimmer in his eyes before he willingly peels a nearly unconscious Eli off Scarlett.
“Of course, Lady Scarlett” She furrows her brows.
She slowly turns and walks back towards Jester as he smiles brightly at her.
“I am glad we could have this time alone to chat”
“You look so pale dear visitor. Was my show a little too real for you?”
“N-No…I just haven’t had much to eat…honestly I should probably leave”
“Perhaps…or maybe it was the darkness that has been consuming you”
“I’m sorry?” He chuckles at the girl.
“The huge shadow looming over you… the one with golden eyes”
“It is like I said during our last encounter. The eyes reveal so much, and your eyes are even clearer since the last time we spoke”
“The last time we spoke?” He grabs her by the arm and pulls her closer forcefully.
She stares into his violet eyes, and her body begins to recall the fear, the dread that accompanied him.
“I will ask you once more Scarlett…why are you here? Did you come on your own, or did someone ask you here?”
Her breathing is unsteady and she bites her lower lip. Until she feels the dread being drowned out by an intense warmth. She takes a deep breath and looks deeply into Jesters eyes.
“Someone asked me here” He smiles widely and his eyes glow brighter.
“Obedient and honest…how adorable”
I may enjoy having you around.
“Fear is such a fascinating thing, isn’t it? Some choose to run from it…and yet you chose to run towards it.
It is like I said that evening sweet visitor…there is a darkness inside you, and I would like to meet her”
She pulls her arm away from the Jester and he allows it. She takes a couple steps backwards but maintains her gaze on him.
“It was lovely speaking with you again…but don’t go too far Scarlett. I will know how to find you if you try”
He chuckles at the trembling angel in front of him. Her defenses down, the innocence in her eyes returns. All she can do is quickly turn away from the Jester and runs as fast as she can to be back in the Autumn night’s crisp embrace.
The moonlight illuminates the figure of this trembling raven beauty, her breathing is rapid and uncontrolled and she in unable to catch her breath. She runs her hands through her hair and clenches tightly onto the locks on her scalp. As she fights tirelessly to slow down her mind.
Suddenly, she feels an arm wrapping around her waist pulling her backwards, and before she can call for help her scream is muffled by a gloved hand.
“My apologies Darling, I did not mean to make you scream”
He blushes as he feels her body immediately melt into his arms. Her breathing is still unsteady, but he can see the rise and fall of her chest begins to become more controlled the longer she is in his embrace. He slowly brings his hand down from her mouth and wraps his remaining arm around her chest.
“Angel, please forgive me for…for all of this. I did not mean to drag you into this mess…all I ever wanted was to keep you safe”
She can feel his grip on her tighten.
“I promise if you stay with me, say you are mine, I can protect you from all of this…I would protect you from anything my Lady”
“Pierrot…I-” She can feel the warmth from his face as he nuzzles his closer to her neck.
“You don’t need to answer me now, my beautiful Angel. You are still so frightened, and I can wait”
He blushes brightly and his smile widens as he feels her soft hair against his face. Her scent is exhilarating and he can’t help but pull her even closer.
“You are so stunning my beloved. Painted in the moon’s bright light a real angel…my Angel”
“Pierrot, it’s been a few days since we’ve met. Are you sure you aren’t mistaking me for someone else? This all just feels so…sudden” She trembles as she feels Pierrot nuzzling his face into her neck, giggling like a fool.
“My Lady, you are a such a beautiful, and new experience in my life. My heart beats differently with you…it is unlike anything I have ever felt.
And I know who you are, who you truly are, and you are divine. I want to know more, and to see more…of you.
I don’t care if we come from different worlds my darling.
I know that you were made for me, and I you.
Scarlett, you are my destiny”
She continues to stay silent, but he feels the weight of her head against his chest as she lays herself against him. He smiles wider.
“I will let you return home for tonight, but I must stay back to ensure everything here is under control. Please get home safely darling”
“Goodness…you are so intense” He nuzzles his face into her neck once more before releasing her from his loving grasp. She turns to face him, and he is a flustered mess, his eyes glowing desperately and his face painted in rouge.
The bells on his costume jingle as he tilts his head to the side.
“Until tomorrow, my Angel”
She steps forward and places her hand on the side of his face. A gasp escapes his lips from her touch.
“Goodnight Pierrot” He smiles wider to reveal his monstrous smile.
He is not afraid to show her more of this side.
The streets are barren of human life as a beautiful woman tirelessly stumbles through the streets. The only light source to this girl is the moon as it places a spotlight on her.
Unbeknownst to this angel she is mindlessly walking into a garden of dark thorns…and it is too late.
The eeriness of the night consumes her, and the moons light is not enough to save her from the shadows. She can feel the heaviness of multiple eyes on her as she tries to find her way to safety.
However, she is unable to control her curiosity and before her mind can react her body has already turned her around to face the dark thorns that surround her from the outside world.
Their eyes glowed so brightly.
But none glowed as brightly as his.
Hello my Darlings,
I hope you enjoyed this chapter! As a reminder, plenty of my story, especially this chapter is heavily influenced by Neko's beautiful game "The Freak Circus". So, please check out the game if you have not yet. The game is ONLY available on itch.io and nowhere else. You all can also find updates on Tumblr @nekoboydreams and @Freakcircusofhorrors (both are linked on the itch.io game page).
Thank you all again for reading! If you enjoyed this chapter, I'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments or leave a like. Every bit of feedback means a lot.
Sincerely,
𝕽𝖔𝖚𝖌𝖊 🥀
