Chapter Text
The sound of laughter emits from the small group ahead of you. They cling together, clunking their shoes into the dampened ground as you thoughtfully trail behind them.
You had never been much part of their group, more of like an outsider, really. Sure, you hung around them many times more than one, but you never felt like they were really your friends. Often times they'd dump you somewhere without telling where they'd be going, or exclude you from parties or get togethers when they'd have some. But sometimes, they're not all bad. There were times you'd get along with them, and others, when you didn't.
Although one of the girls in your group was closer to you than the others were. Nicole: a dark haired who's height was slightly differed from yours merely by an increased inch. She caught sight of you trailing behind, and paused in her muddy tracks for you to catch up.
She gave a little wave of the hand, smiling softly as you finally met her side. "Come on." Her smile invited you over.
The carnival grounds were just beginning to come into view, though a locked up gate was keeping you from sneaking any further.
The boys in the group, older than you by two years, start crackling up soft laughter with each other as you all reached the entrance. "Hope everybody wore their boots." Jack smirks.
You look down to your white sneakers with guilt. Jack snorts at you. You sneer back.
"We need to jump the fence. Come on." Alex, the eldest of the group, nudged his head in the direction of the metal fencing. Inhaling short, your eyes gaze up at the height difference between you, and the gate.
As you grab any part your hands could fit on, you forcefully pull yourself up and over, landing on your two feet with a slushy sound of mud from underneath. Damn. You really should have worn your boots.
Any time you've found yourself hanging around Nicole's friends, you always keep the thought in the back of your head as a reminder to never wear nice clothes— or shoes. Always wear dark, shaded clothing, and tall boots. This group never did normal things.
What was so wrong with sitting at a diner and just chilling until close?
It was something else you had much preferred, though after your time spent with these guys throughout your high school years, you've eventually grown accustomed to this lifestyle.
Sneaking out of the house, staying away from the street lights, and hiding in the shadows was now apart of your weekly routine.
Occasionally, maybe, get the cops called on you. Sometimes the thrill scared you, but it was still heaps of fun with the right people. You just despised this group, aside from Nicole. They were more her friends, really.
Turning your attention back to your surroundings, you had noticed lights hanging around on posts were dim, and something about the atmosphere that gave you the creeps. This circus had been around in town for
years— since you were a child. Though there was something they had brought into the picture recently. Animatronics.
Real, live seeming robots that could talk, and walk, or fulfill your every need.
Ever since some mall burned to the ground, one of the animatronics was rescued from it. The owner stuck them in the freak show exhibit, not allowed for the public to touch, but able to be enjoyed for entertainment on stage.
There were old rumors going around in the 90's about some children going missing— and apparently there was new leads this past year about some children who were injured and also kidnapped by supposedly another animatronic that was to blame. You thought that idea was ridiculous, but your friends had given it a greater interest.
And of course, the circus tent was where you guys were headed.
All of you had been quiet, listening for any other workers who might still have been inside the camping grounds. By the looks of it though, this place was a ghost town.
It would open on the weekends, and only lasted for about two months in the ends of summer.
Tonight was a week night. Tuesday, as a matter of fact. You were sneaking into a circus tent at ten o'clock on a Tuesday night. Your parents must have been so proud.
Passing by the merry-go-round, attractions and rides, a few old games caught Alexs' eye. He picked up a rock, and swung it right at the target on the board. It let out a metallic 'ding' and he laughed. The boys, and one other female, Emily, who had been glued to your friend's side, crack up with laughter as well. Nicole smirks at you, and you try to muster up a smile back.
"Nice." Jack nudged him. The other boy in your group, Nick, went off with the other girl to behind a game counter.
As you all scampered off, you took the time to admire this place. The ground had been worn out into pathways, and each game station was lined up on both sides of one. Popcorn stands that were covered with tarps to keep the rain out, and cotton candy machines that were left behind a counter, sat comfortably in their stiff places. Though this place was far from abandoned on weekends, the emptiness of tonight sat with you, and still gave you the creeps.
Your eyes catch notice of the bright string lights that hung over the entrance of a circus tent. The tent was huge, probably filling the inside with at least four hundred people on open days. That one was more than likely the place they kept their freak show attractions.
Your eyes flicker over to the dark sign nearing the entrance. It read, 'live animatronics'.
"Hey, guys." You call out quietly, earning the attention of your crew. "Check it out."
They stop what they had been doing and turn to face you, using your voice as a guide to find your position. You stood at the darkened entrance of the tent, leaning slightly to get a view of the inside. On the other side of the tent, a soft glow of golden light had been peeking through the stripes. Someone must have left the lights on for a reason? You weren't exactly sure the reasoning they chose to do so, other than the possibility that you and your group may not be the only people here.
Your friends took notice of that, and of course, got an idea.
"This is the place where that freaky jester is." Alex scoffs, putting a hand to his hip. You all look to him curiously. Nick throws an arm around Emily's waist, and pulls her close.
"All of those weird ass animatronics are there. I bet you they didn't lock them up." Alex's frown pulls to a smirk. His eyes then land on you.
Your brows furrow slightly, and you try to understand the look he's giving you.
"They're probably out walking around the tent. Free roam."
Suddenly a chill sends up your spine at the thought. You didn't care much for the original animatronics, but you had heard of their newest capture, the Sun jester. The freak shows biggest amusement.
Poor thing.
You had seen pictures and videos of him. He really wasn't all that bad. But, his counterpart was a little freakier than what's considered normal.
"Shut up." Emily rolls her eyes. "They're probably put in some sort of night mode or whatever."
You look to the blonde and her eyes rolling at Alex. Nick raises his brows. "Doubt it." Jack pipes up, looking into the tent. "Listen."
You step forward, as does the rest of the group, and listen for any type of movement. The soft sounds of clicks, and clatter are present, though it's further away in a different spot of the tent. You wonder if they really were out and roaming around.
"We should go in and check that freak out." Alex glances around to the five of you.
"No way," Nicole frowns at him. "You couldn't pay me to go in there."
"Yeah man, fuck that shit." Jack waves a hand off at him. Emily frowns, and Nick shakes his head no.
That leaves you.
They all look to you and smile.
You notice Alex creeping closer to you once you start to sink back a few steps.
"Do it." Alex leans forward.
You frown. "No way, fuck that. I'm not trying to get murdered."
He sighs. It's a heavy sigh, dragged on with disappointment. Even though it was a display to make you guilty, something pinged in your chest at his displeasure.
He frowns at you, brows lowered. Getting closer to your stature, he creeps into your personal space, and gets about an inch away.
"Pussy."
That word rings out as he enunciates it with a hard pop in his lip. You scrunch your face up, glaring back at him.
"Why don't you do it then, asshole." You snap back.
Alex didn't like that. He crosses his arms, and narrows his eyes onto you. His tall body towers over you, and a red in his face starts to deepen. "Because I run this fucking group. I do everything, for everyone. I'm always the one getting into things, and helping everybody out of shit."
Your shoulders seem to shrug at his amusement. "Nobody asks you to. Why's that my problem?"
"And what the hell do you do to contribute?" His finger pushes its way to the bone of your chest. You forcefully step backwards, closing to the entrance of the tent. "Huh?"
Everyone stares at you. As much as you hated to admit it, Alex was right. He did do everything in the group, and you were merely a bypasser. You stood in the back, and didn't do anything to help anyone.
Not that it mattered. In the end, it was every one for their own. But, his words still got to you. And everybody was now looking at you with an accusing gleam in their eyes. Nicole however, looked away with hesitance.
"Do it!" Alex smudges up a smirk. It's twisted, like he wants to see you crawl in there and not come back out. You figured that's what this was really about. How you couldn't hold your own weight, always had to have the group pull it for you.
You'd just have to prove him wrong then, won't you?
With some force, you shove him back, and he stumbles. Nick and Jack make an 'ooh' sound before narrowing their vision onto you. Alex quickly regains himself and shakes his head.
"Go on."
"Yeah, come on!" Emily sneers at you. "Don't be a pussy!" Nick now adds into the fun.
With the heaviness on your shoulders, you unfog your vision and take in a deep breath. Nicole stands by, and she gives you a soft look of frustration. "Y/N, wait. you don't have to do this."
You shrug her words off as you listen to the others complaining over you. The shit talking would finally end if they could see you walk in and walk out of there without any help.
Carefully leaning your head towards the entrance, you listen for any sounds that may have been something you should avoid.
"I knew she'd back out." Nick whispers to Emily. She starts giggling and you mentally send her a curse.
"See? She isn't going to do it." Alex scoffs.
Upon not hearing anything moving inside, you walk in. Everybody outside was now silent.
Your eyes try adjusting to the darkness, squinting and blinking past it all. Flickering your vision to the ceiling, your eyes glaze around it. Stars that glow in the dark were plastered all over the tent. The color emits to the walls, causing all sorts of disoriented colors and shapes to form. It was too hard to really make out what the shadows and things were around you, but managing not to trip over something was the main key right now.
Your hands traveled along the edge of some sort of short wall, and you use it as a guide around the circular seating area. The glowing of a room finally caught your eyes, and you begin to near it. Sounds of movement finally broke into your ears, as the silence was beginning to become unbearable. Clanking and things being moved was heard off in the distance. A muffled noise of a grunt, and you became twice as curious now.
Sticking to the wall, you crouch down as you enter the light of the back room. Red striped tent sheets now envelope you, as you leave the main circus ground. A little sign from above read 'FREAK SHOW'. It was definitely that.
Heads and rusting parts of old animatronics were sitting on tables and shelves. A scent of old copper filled your senses, and you couldn't help but place a baggy sleeve over your nose and mouth to escape the wafting draft.
There was an old Freddy head, it's mouth dropped open. Large fangs and razor sharp teeth strut out. Your eyes graze it briefly before turning to look at the next thing set up. A foxy the pirate hand and hook, with a tint of red covering the old metal hook. Your heart rate picks up, and something in you starts to feel . . odd. This was just weird. Why would people want to see this stuff? Those things had literally killed children by their insane springlock actions.
Whoever the creator was, he seemed like a sick man.
Softly, a sound of some sort of tapping caused you to turn around. Your brows had lowered and you instantly felt the need to stay out of sight. It was habit forming, really. You and your friends were constantly doing things that would get you into trouble, so your first instinct was to hide when you were caught doing something you weren't supposed to be.
Another tap, tap, tap. This time, a little harder.
Rounding the small corner, you follow the sound slowly, and cautiously. It tapped again, and you keep moving forward until you see it.
A tall, glass box with a handle and lock on it, stood before you. And inside, the freak show's greatest attraction; the Sun.
Your sleeve slowly drops once you come to contact with it. The scent of the old room had now fluctuated, barely a problem for you anymore, as you turn your attention to the jester staring down at you.
"Woah . ." You mumble in a whisper. He towered a good couple feet over you, his body long and skinny. Puffed pants, colored in stripes to match the rest of the theme here amused you widely.
Your head tilts as the thing stares down at you. Was he active?
It's head tilts slightly, though any further movement would have caused it's rays to crash into the corners of the box. The display case didn't give him much room to move around. That must be uncomfortable and stiffening for his joints and such.
"Hi . ." You mumble in awe up at him. His hand raises, and does a little wave back at you.
It's white eyed stare dulls into your face. You curiously begin to walk around the box, giving the rest of him a look over. His head swiveled and followed you closely as you did so. He was amazing! Now you knew why this place was so popular. He was the star of their show!
But, where was that Moon one?
As you come to face him once again, your smile lifts a little. "Can you talk?" You ask it.
The celestial AI unit nods, but as he goes to speak, you don't hear much. The glass must have been sound proof. You frown at that, and let your gaze flick over him.
Movement and sounds are muffled from the next room over, and you keep that thought in your head as a precaution.
The sun looks in the direction of the noise, and twitches his hands anxiously. The stature of this animatronic alone was enough to know without a voice that something was wrong.
You frown, shifting your gaze back to the direction to where you heard the faint noise.
He taps on the glass, lightly, and you turn to look at him. His finger points to the little keyhole under the handle of his captive case. You frown at what he was trying to communicate with you, as it was harder to understand his gesture at first. Then, you realized.
"It's locked." You mention in a sorry attempt to ease his senses. "I can't open it. Sorry."
He nods, as if telling you he was fully aware of that. His fingers and hands make key turning motions, and you catch on to what he was attempting to tell you.
"Oh," you raise your brows, "I-I don't know where it is." Your expression turns to sympathy up at the animatronic. His head hangs in a soft disappointment, though it looked like he was trying to prepare for that answer already.
That's three people you've disappointed tonight. Who knew they were programmed with feelings?
The sun raises his hand to the glass, pressing his metallic fingers to it in a slow motion. You eye his gesture for a moment, before lifting your own hand to mimic the same action.
Slowly, as your fingertips gingerly begin to frame the surface of where his own hand was placed, something stopped you.
A loud cough, and foot steps that ended right where you stood. "What are you doing in here?" A male's voice rings out into your ear.
Sun draws his hand back, jumping in surprise, and you trip over your own feet while trying to back away.
"Get out of here, now! You're trespassing!" The man glares daggers at you. He held a half smoked cigar in his hand, the smell of it causing you to gag. "These things are dangerous!"
You desperately try to muster up any type of word you could manage to get out. With shock now embittered into you, you can't help but try to confrontate back. "I-I'm sorry, I didn't mean t—," your voice was cut short by the man who stomped over to you.
"Have you stolen anything?" His voice raises, and you were almost positive that your group could hear him from where they stood. Your back hits the wall as he now pushes his way toward you. "Touched anything?"
"No!" You hiss out, brows furrowed. "I was just," you couldn't think of any good answer to give him. You hadn't really known what you were 'just' doing. And you certainly weren't going to rat out your group, even if they were a bunch of shits.
"I'm calling the police." He huffs.
Nope.
The Sun stares with wide eyes at the scene before him, practically urging you to leave.
You make a run for it, pulling up the striped side, and ducking underneath the circus tent. This catches the man off guard, spitting out curses at you, and dropping his lit cigar in the process. You race to your group, who had already started running. Those assholes, you glare at their backs as they run a good hundred feet ahead of you. Nicole turns over her shoulder to make sure you'd caught up to them yet.
Your feet sink into the mud after each step you take. You run and run until you catch up to the group, and even manage to pass them. "What the fuck, man!" You glare at Alex as he looks like he was about to start wheezing.
"You guys left me!"
His panting continues as he catches to your side. You glare at him.
His lips curl upward into a smirk, and you catch note of that. "Sorry, but you know the rules— every man for himself."