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“Hey Chris have you heard about the new circus in town?”
The said Chris lifted his head from the book he was reading thus revealing his caramel brown eyes. “Will you shut it. I'm trying to study here.” Chris huffed.
“We both know that's fake bro. You're here only to look smart in front of A-”
“I said shut it!” Chris exclaimed putting his hand into his friend's mouth. “Have you lost your mind?!” He whispered while frantically watching around him to see if anybody heard that.
Since nobody seemed to pay attention to them, Chris let his hand fall down and picked up his previously forgotten book.
His friend rolled his eyes before taking a red and gold paper out of his jacket. “Yeah, yeah, whatever. Anyway look that's their prospectus. It looks cool right? You might want to see one of their shows, it's like… mind blowing really. Anyway I gotta go, see ya.”
Chris was finally left alone and in peace. He continued to read his book but the temptation was too big.
He gave in and looked at the bright red prospectus. His eyes were immediately captivated by the complex drawing of an hourglass. He couldn't tear away his eyes from this intriguing symbol and… wait was it him or was the sand actually moving upwards?
Before he could dwell too much on this, he heard some sudden noises outside; multiple klaxons as well as a voice yelling “The one and only circus where all your dreams come true! Tonight is the last representation! Come and bring you friends! You definitely won't regret coming!”
A place where all your dreams come true…
Obviously Chris didn't believe that some random “magicians” could accomplish someone's dream. But. Oh well. He wouldn't lose anything by checking it out right?
He glanced one more time at the flyer, smirking slightly to himself.
¤¤¤
That's how he found himself out in the freezing cold, waiting with a mass of other bodies for the circus to open its gates.
Damn, he really should have taken some gloves with him.
Luckily for Chris (and his hands), the gates were soon enough opened.
The crowd began pushing, rather violently, their way inside. Chris was showed side to side without any mercy. A s a matter of fact, at some point he believed that he will land face first into the concrete.
Finally, after some struggles, he managed to find an empty seat. As he relaxed in his chair, he took note for the first time of his surroundings. But that was quite a fail because the only sources of light were some scarce candles around the tribunes which made it impossible to see the center of the circus which was additionally covered by pitch black curtains.
The full length of the circus was impossible to determine. But Chris easily believed that it was a huge place by judging with the numerous voices he could hear from the awaiting public.
That's how Chris find himself watching the people around him. And that's how he saw his crush sitting 3 row beneath him, just a little bit on the right.
If Chris slightly changed his position to be facing a bit more the right side than it was only to himself to know.
But before he could manage to stare at the poor girl like the stalker he was, all the lights went out. Some people even shouted a bit at the unexpected darkness. The sound of falling curtains was heard.
Suddenly, powerful spotlights lighted up the stage. A lone figure was standing there.
They were wearing a dark blue suit as well as a ridiculously huge magician hat. The silhouette tilted his hat, allowing his sliced back blond hair to be seen, and made an over-exaggerated reverence.
“Welcome! Welcome! I'm glad to see so many of you!” his voice resonated loudly in the eerily silence of the circus, only broken by some quiet whispers. “My name's Hongjoong. I'm the Captain of the Ateez Circus. You are my guests now and thus deserve a special treatment. Let yourself be taken away to the fabulous world of fantasizes and possibilities. But don't forget.” As Hongjoong whispered his last sentence, a smile took place in his face. “Everything may be just a dream.”
Upon seeing this smile Chris felt uneasiness. The bright white teeth full at display of this “captain” reminded Chris of a predator before its food. He may have not been the only one who felt that way as he felt his neighbor wriggle in her seat.
“Let the show begin!” Hongjoong announced before being swallowed by a cloud of black smoke.
The spotlights changed their tone for a more red tainted one while slowly making their way upwards.
There. Sitting comfortably, almost nonchalantly, a man could be seen.
Chris squinted his eyes to try to perceive some details. However he couldn't make out any facial detail, he was too far away. The only things he managed to see were the sparkling red hair of the man and his all white outfit which did nothing at covering his torso.
The man excitedly waved his arms at the public. But as he was getting up he tripped and lost balance and oh my lord did Chris just witness a death? The public gasped and some even shouted.
However the red haired angel all of a sudden appeared flying in the air.
As a whole, the public exhaled and applauded with fever.
It really looked like he was flying without anything to support him. Chris studied more carefully the surroundings of the man and soon enough was that this “angel” was flying around with a trapeze.
Of course it's fake. Chris thought to himself.
The man was doing more complicated and dangerous actions all the while keeping a carefree expression. It looked as if he was really enjoying himself.
His show finished with a perfect landing on the center of the stage after releasing his trapeze and doing a sort of really impressive twirling mid-air.
The performances went on and on without any break. If you asked Chris how long was he there, he couldn't have been able to answer. Maybe it's been a few minutes, or maybe a few hours. He didn't know. Time seemed to stop existing within this place.
Some of Chris's favorite shows involved a guy with black hair and some blond strokes, playing with with fire.
Or the couple who did some awesome acrobatics with the blond young man with a handsome face whirling and spinning around in the air, and his partner with brown hair and huge muscles (that made Chris jealous) tossing and throwing him as if he weighted nothing. The killer point of this performance was at the end when the huge muscle guy broke into a gummy smile and kissed the cheek of his partner while getting out of stage.
Or maybe his favorite show was with the gorgeous man with pink hair who threw knives with a frightening precision… Or maybe not. Forget about this one. It was kind of scary how he threw knives, at the same man who played with fire of before, while never getting ride off of his angelic dimple smile.
An addicting accordion music flooded once again in the circus. They always used it at the end of one show to prepare the stage for the next one.
This time it was after the performance of a tall juggler. The young man had an endearing smile on his face while he was waving at the applauding public.
How can anyone be still alive after juggling with so many swords and torches? Chris wondered quietly, not being able to repress his own smile after seeing this puppy like guy's manners.
“Your ticket please.”
Chris yelped in his seat, not expecting the whisper in his ear. “Uh of- of course just uhh-” he fumbled with his jacket, trying to find his ticket. “H-here” he lost his voice upon seeing the splendid man behind him.
This man had his beautiful gray hair slicked back with some strays falling on his face. As all the other artists he wore a suit, but his was a deep purple velvet one. He slightly smirked at the awed face of Chris.
“Thank you. Everything seems in order. Please do enjoy the rest of the show.” The man tilted his head and disappeared as quietly as he had appeared.
All the lights went out again. This time the music kept on playing the bewitching melody. Once again the center of the circus was illuminated by powerful spotlights. There was standing the man of the beginning. Hongjoong, recalled Chris.
“How are yall doing? Sadly now's gonna be today's final performance! Aw don't be too sad, everything comes to an ending.” Hongjoong replied at the public's booing. “We prepared only the best for this final! Please welcome our mascot! Come, come! Don't be shy!”
With a little explosion of confetti appeared a clown. He was everything you could expect from one: ridiculous big bright clothes, big pointy shoes, red nose, multicolor curly hair and a face wholly make-uped with white.
“He is cute right? Well not for long!” The public laughed at the joke.
The magician led the clown to an opaque box that he tightly closed after making him enter it. “Don't you think a brochette of clown will be tasty?” Hongjoong eagerly asked.
Chris heard the public shouting back a yes.
The magician then took off his hat, put his hand into it and, after putting it out retrieved out of there a sword way too long to possibly fit into that hat. He proudly exhibited it to th e applauding public.
“Are you ready to be skewered darling?” The clown vehemently shook his head. “I'm sorry he's still new. He doesn't know that he doesn't have a choice!” The public once again laughed as the magician shoved the sword “into” the clown.
Chris knew that in reality the sword never comes in contact with the person inside the box. It rather just stays in the box. That's why he didn't feel guilty when he laughed at the exaggerated look of pain of the clown.
The show continued on with various variations of sufferings for the clown who looked more and more accepting of his fate as time passed. He also looked more and more worn out but Chris guessed that it was a part of the performance.
“Thank you for tonight! I hope the show was enjoyable enough and brought you some wonders and laughter! Don't hesitate to come by once in a while! I wish you pleasant nights full of dreams!”
A big explosion of glitters happened with which Hongjoong as well as the whole stage disappeared.
Chris waited for the majority of people to get out before he himself got up (it absolutely wasn't because he was waiting for his crush to get up. Pfff absolutely not).
When he saw her getting up and then out, Chris also got up and followed her outside.
“Hey Alice!” She turned around and saw him. “Oh Chris! I didn't know you liked circuses.” she said without stopping to take looks around her.
“I wanted to check it out, especially since tonight was the last show. But… what are you doing,” Chris asked a little puzzled as she was going here and there. “My friend said that we can see the backstage and talk with the artists somewhere! I'm searching for it.”
At the moment she finished her sentence, as if by magic, a door opened right by their sides.
“You're the knife thrower!” Alice happily exclaimed.
The pink haired man was still wearing his tight black performance clothes. “Yes that's me. Nice to meet you I'm San” he chuckled “I'm Alice and this is Chris”
“Can I ask you what you are doing wandering out there?” San sported a little smile on his face. “A friend of mine said that we can talk to you after the show if we're able to find the door to the backstage.” “So it means that you want to talk to us right?” San asked seductively which didn't please Chris.
“We can go if we're disturbing.” Chris answered before his crush could.
The pink haired turned his face and studied the face of Chris. “No, of course not. We like visitors. Come, follow me.” San easily replied with a bigger smile.
He turned around and went back inside without even checking if they were following him or not. Alice immediately ran after him. Resulting to Chris following them both.
They entered a bright enormous room which borders were impossible to see. Countless boxes were laying on the ground, some open, some closed. Different stage decorations or backgrounds could be seen like swords, wheels, some clothes and just a big general mess. Artists were walking, talking (more shouting) to each other, some were changing into regular clothes and some were even laying down and doing nothing.
“Sani!” the fire player launched himself at the pink haired who proceeded to lift him and kiss him quickly on the lips. “We've got 2 visitors.” San said to the man who didn't seem anywhere close to let go of him.“Hi my name's Wooyoung!” he half shouted.
“I'm Chris. And this is Alice.” Chris added after seeing the displeased expression of Alice who understood that San was already taken.
“We need to introduce you to the others! Come!” Wooyoung excitedly led them through the backstage.
“This is Siyeon and Sua!” 2 girls who made magic tricks during their show waved at the passing group.
“Woo I'm still waiting for my fan!” a guy with weird yellow hair yelled at Wooyoung. “You can still wait for a long time, I gave it to Huening!” Woo shouted back.
“So this was Yeonjun.” San told them.
“Anyhow, what was your favorite perfo-” “Yeosangie!” Wooyoung bolted off to the so called “Yeosangie” who was peacefully stretching with the red haired angel who opened the show.
“Ow so I don't deserve any appreciation in this household?” the angelic man dramatically asked. “No you don't Song Mingi. Not after eating all the cookies Felix baked.” Wooyoung glared at him while cradling Yeosang even closer to his chest.
“And who are they?”
Chris was startled by the new voice coming from behind them.
“Hey Jongho. It's Alice and Chris. They wanted a visit.”Chris gulped upon seeing the muscles of the one who previously carried his partner during acrobatics up close. “N-nice to meet you.” Jongho tilted his head as to acknowledge them but didn't involve himself in any discussions. He passed them and went straight to sit next to Yeosang who still didn't manage to escape Wooyoung and his hugs.
“Hello I'm Yunho! How did you find my joggling?” the man who came with Jongho asked. “Really impressive! I got really scared for you though when you began throwing blades.” Alice answered enamored with his smile. “Haha thanks it was the effect I wanted.” Yunho replied as if it was daily occurrence for him to be almost stabbed by knives.
“Yun, you know where's captain? I want to introduce them to him.” They both shared a smile as if there was some kind of inside joke. “Yes he's by the Wheels of Death.”
“Thanks! Let's go!” San beckoned our 2 lost visitors to follow him. They left the group behind them and walked to, what Chris deducted, the “Wheels of Death”.
“Seonghwa's probably there too. You're lucky it's the last day today. They're gonna be friendlier since they know they'll have time to fuck later.”
San continued making small talks even though Chris didn't fully understand everything. Who was Gummy Bear Singer? And why did San keep calling himself a wommy? Chris looked over at Alice but she drank all of his words as it was the best thing happening in her life.
Soon enough they were in the middle of big wheels. There were some more little wheels laying around too.
San stopped and announced that they must be somewhere there. Chris was looking around when he heard some noises at his left. He turned his head and surely saw Hongjoong without his hat, sitting on a laying wheel with in between his legs a man who was rather passionately kissing him.
“Ew, ew. Stop this exhibitionism please. My virgin eyes don't want to see this.” San loudly proclaimed while covering his eyes.
“Don't act as if you see anything new San-ah.” Hongjoong replied with an annoyed tone. His head picked a bit from the broad shoulders of his partner. “Look Seonghwa some visitors.” The second man turned around without separating from his companion and-
“Oh! You're the one who asked for my ticket!” Chris said before he could stop himself.
“Nice to see you again.” the glowing man replied with his signature smirk. “I didn't quite catch your names.”
“I'm Chris.” “And I'm Alice.”
“Interesting names you have here.” Seonghwa sported a slight mysterious smile. His back was leaning against Hongjoong's torso, who was fondly stroking his chest which was exposed thanks to the opened buttons of his suit.
“How did you like the performances?” Hongjoong's voice brought Chris back to reality.
“I absolutely loved them! They were all better than the previous ones and your performance was really funny and perfect for the ending!” Alice ecstatically answered. “By the way, where is the clown? I'd like to congratulate him on his playing.”
“He's taking some rest. He doesn't like being interrupted but I will pass the message.” Seonghwa declared without removing his smile.
“It's getting late, we get going now.” Hongjoong said while hopping off of the wheel.
“What a pretty hourglass!” Alice reached out her arm towards the object before Hongjoong aggressively grabbed her hand.
“There is one rule in circuses. You can watch all you want but no touching.” Hongjoong locked his eyes with her before reporting his gaze to Chris. “On this note shall I wish you goodbye. When you're finished with their tour, lead them back outside San.” “Yes cap.”
With that both Hongjoong and Seonghwa went away, leaving them with San.
“So! Do you wanna see our biggest wheel?” San clapped in his hands and smiled excitedly at them. “It's this way, follow me.” Alice like a puppy directly followed him while Chris stayed a little longer behind.
So no touching huh… What if I take it and gift it to Alice? She will then accept to date me… With those thoughts in head Chris found himself going closer and closer to the hourglass that was left behind as if especially just for him. He didn't even notice when he grabbed it.
“Hey! You comin'?” Chris quickly shoved the object inside his jacket. Thank God it was small enough to be easily hidden. “I'm coming!” And with the new acquired object Chris went to where San and his crush were.
After visiting 2-3 other accessories, San escorted the 2 visitors back and bided them goodbyes.
“It was so nice of them to show us around And San was so cute! I'm sure I still have my chances if I die my hair and...” Chris tuned out her comments as he tried to find the courage to give her the hourglass.
Suddenly she looked at her phone and said that she was late for her bus. Chris opened his mouth ready to give her his gift but she already took off.
That's how Chris was left alone to walk home in the dark streets. He was mumbling to himself about how this was unfair when he felt the sensation of being watched.
He held his breath and turned around. But he saw no-one and loudly exhaled. He turned back, relieved, when suddenly a bat made its appearance before his eyes and smashed in his head. Effectively making him pass away right on the spot.
¤¤¤
When Chris regained consciousness he found himself unable to move. Chris felt strings around his hands and foots preventing him from moving and making him stay in a cross position.
His head and whole body ached as if someone had beaten him. But why would anyone do that?
Chris slowly opened his eyes and was met with bright light that hurt them.
“Damn about time. He finally awoke.”
Some rustling.
“Thanks Mingi.” At that statement cold fingers roughly grabbed his chine and tilted his head upwards.
Chris opened one more time his eyes. He saw wheels around him and understood that he was himself tied to one of those wheel of death. And r ight across him was the expressionless face of Ateez's captain.
“Little prey got tired of sleeping hu? Don't worry you won't have this problem anymore.” Hongjoong stated with faked sympathy. He smiled down at Chris, the same smile at the overture of the circus. The one who gave chills to Chris. But now the fear was worse as Hongjoong had blood was spread over his face.
Cold fingers now brushed against his cheeks. Repulsed by this contact Chris tried to scream but found out that he had a gag in his mouth.
“You did a bad thing darling, you know that right?” At this moment Chris felt a new pain at his ribs.
The blond haired captain stepped back and went to a table where the hourglass was proudly standing.
Chris looked down and saw a knife peeking out of his stomach.
He must have looked scandalized, or ready to pass out. Or maybe both because he heard Wooyoung's loud laugh. “It would kill ya. Sani never kills the new preys.”
Chris tried saying something but all that came out was some sort of low mumbling.
Taking pity of him Mingi took off the gag in his mouth.
“You- you aren't artists. I- I- will call th- the pol- poli- lice.” his voice came out almost as a whisper.
“Actually we are true artists or else we wouldn't be able to perform. But don't worry your pretty head about the police. They can't do anything against us.” Hongjoong shrugged as he picked up the hourglass. “You see, we aren't humans. To tell you the truth we're demons. And you see, this object right here is a portal for our home. You understand why we can't have you stealing it.”
“Wh- why a ci- cir- circus- s- s-”
“You really didn't connect the dots?” Hongjoong asked with disappointment. “Demons feel off of emotions. And what do we find plenty of in circuses? Right! Fear, happiness, excitement… To make it short, emotions!”
The puppy like guy (Yunho? Chris wasn't sure, everything felt so distant…) magically materialized in front of him and put back the gag into his mouth. “Every action demands consequences. But today's your lucky day! We're short of one crew member. What do you think about being our mascot?”
A devilish smile full of blood was the last thing Chris saw before passing out one more time.
¤¤¤
Researches to find a missing man named Chris, last seen alive at a circus, were lead by the police. But with no result, the case was rapidly forgotten and everyone slowly forgot that this man even existed in the first place.
Far away, in another city, a circus just opened.
“Welcome! Welcome! I'm glad to see so many of you! My name's Hongjoong. I'm the Captain of the Ateez Circus. We usually keep this performance for the end but we decided to spice things up and change our schedule just for you! I have the extreme pleasure to introduce you our new mascot Chris! Please welcome him warmly as he's still new and kinda shy!”