Chapter Text
The lights are too bright she thought to herself, the apartment was dark almost all the curtains closed the floor messy with clothes, hairties and other things, it's been like that for a while now. Except for one string of light coming from the balcony window, the partially covered glass had let in a small beam on light, shining on the bed where she lay. I should've closed them better, now I have to get up and deal with it, well its not much of a problem. Considering I have to get up and go to work today. Reluctantly she got herself up from bed looked at the time 8:00 work starts at 9:00, better hurry and get ready, god I'm so tired.
It was quite cold today with a slight breeze. Another chilly day to head to work, the weather's been all over the place lately... There's a new circus in town, not like I'm interested either way, I don't have the time and energy for that.
"They've been around for three days, spamming the town with flyers and random stunts" she quietly mutters to herself. Their style is pretty eccentric, but honestly way better than those typical clowns with colorful outfits. Those ones give me the creeps with their red noses and tacky tacky rainbow wigs, can't believe the clown fear i used to have as a kid is still here.
"The freak circus of horrors, might as well try it out." "HEY!! GET OUT OF HERE WEIRDO!!" She flinches at the sound of someone being hit.
"Ever since YOU GUYS SHOWED UP, people have been disappearing! Go back to whatever hellhole you crawled out of!"
Damn...Why do people treat them like that? Just because someone ran off with a lover doesn't mean it's the circus's fault right? Thats kinda mean and rude in my opinion. Its not like I've been paying attention to the local news to get the full story anyway. But on their first day here, someone went missing, although there are rumors they ran off with a lover. Couldn't be me am I right? (This is a joke please laugh)
"I'm talking to you FREAK! GET OUT OF OUR TOWN!" Why is he so loud? She looks at his face, he looks drunk. He looks almost drunk, annoying. Just another inconvenience for me, why do people just like to start drama for no reason? The man continues yelling like some entitled Karen, he's annoying and she couldn't take it anymore. She yells at the man trying to keep calm and not let annoyance get to the best of her
"What do you think you are doing? You can't just attack someone like that! I'm calling the police!" Some other person (bandwagon effect in real time) steps in too "Yes, that's right, you're going way too far."
"Wake up, you idiots!! They're the ones kidnapping people!"
"Stop with the paranoid nonsense. People go missing all the time."
"To hell with all of you!!"
But I'm atheist she jokingly thinks to herself The man walks away And she glares at him in disgust for ruining her day. She knows how it feels to get treated like a freak, it disgusts her to see that happening to someone else "Are you ok? I'll help you get up." Damn, he's really tall She tries to comfort him.
"Yeahh.. sorry about that. Some people are kind of hot-headed... better not get too close, you know?" He nods
"Oh! I remembered I packed some bandages with me today, here take it!" She tries to sound as friendly as possible.
"But if it still feels bad, you should see a doctor," she adds. He walks up and takes the bandage while slowly tilts his head watching you. He seems excited about it, kinda cute honestly He's so silent too
"Well I gotta go or I'll be late. Take care, ok?" Im just saying random stuff at this point. She steps back and gives a small wave before heading on her way. "You got here just in time," Her boss greets her. "It's busier than usual with the cold. Start as soon as you can, Carol's been running late and I've been covering for her. The orders are already on the counter, please take them to the tables."
"You covered her whole shift? Is she okay?" Dammit, my only friend at work is gone, its gonna be so awkward without her. "I couldn't reach her. Maybe she's not feeling well."
"Got it, I'll get started"
"Sure, thanks."
(Im skipping this entire scene of serving tables bc im lazy)
On her way to her last table she saw something in the window. What the hell was that? I could've sworn I saw something, maybe its just my hallucinations again, im seeing things that are not there. After her last table she saw it again. What the fuck? Whatever, time to clean up tables now. The customers just keep leaving these on the tables...
"Welcome!" She greets the customer with the blue suit that just came on throught the door.
"Thanks! I'd like a strong, hot coffee."
"I'll bring it right away."
.
.
"Here's your coffee."
She serves it to the man in the blue suit. She then takes a closer look at his face. he looks weird, his face looks a bit off and uncanny, his teeth are too white, if those "no im not a human games" helped me, it would be right now... what am i thinking? Of course he's human, I'm just being paranoid. I shouldn't be judging people like this. "Thanks. It's really cold outside. Whats with those flyers?"
"Oh, someone was handing them out. I had to pick them all up."
"Kinda rude to leave that in a place of business huh?"
"Yeah, it just creates more work for everyone else."
"If you want, I can take them for you. I'll toss them out when I leave no big deal." The man in blue offers.
"I was gathering some paper for recycling anyway"
"Really? In that case, that's better than just throwing them away, thanks." I was planning on using some of them for arts and crafts, but whatever. "No problems dear."
She askes "Do you need anything el-"
"Do you like the circus?" He interferes. Are you fucking with me right now?
"Huh? Uh yeah kinda, I've been thinking about going there, I really like horror."
"Oh, really? The circus is horror themed, maybe you should give it a try."
"So you've been to the circus?"
Ihatethisihatethisihatethis
why do I have to talk to him I hate conversation and small talk just stop talking to me already, please.
"Are you even listening?"
"Sorry?"
"Haha, thought so. Anyway, here take this. Go on, check it out then try telling me it didn't give you the chills."
"N-no! I can't accept something like that." I don't like receiving things from others, it makes me feel guilty.
"Don't worry, I ready went. I was thinking of going again, but I'll be leaving town soon. Keep it or sell it if you want."
"Well..." She thinks
"That's really kind, but honestly im not interested in the circus." Or in accepting gifts from strangers... and talking to other people...
"That's a shame. I'll try giving it to someone else then. Thanks for your time. I'll let you get back to work."
"Let me know if you need anything else!"
The man in the blue suit leaves without another word, just a small wave and a polite smile.
.
.
.
.
"As soon as the last customers leave, close everything up and clean the place. We're closing early today." Her boss says to her.
"Did something happen?" She doesn't ask because she's concerned, she asks because its what others would've done.
Her boss replys,"I have an unexpected appointment. And since you're working alone today, I'd rather you didn't leave too late." He adds on "I've gotta go now, can you take care of everything?"
"Yes sirsski! No problem, leave it to me!" She says. Damn, I miss Carol. (I added some brainrot into ts😭✌️ did you do your chores yessirski)
"Call me if anything comes up."
"Will do. See you!" This is actually not bad, shorter work hours. But I hope Carol's ok. A voice snaps her out of her head.
"Hey there, here's the payment, I'm heading out. Have a good night!"
Huh? Oh! Right.
"Goodnight sir!" Perfect, now I just need to clean the tables and I'm out of here. She hears a bell. And who might that be? She quickly turns around.
"Sorry, we're... closed."
"Huh? But I heard the bell..." She quietly talks to herself.
"Hello?" She says out loud. Am I imagining things? Or is this real?... Someone could be in here... and they turned off the lights?
But I can see the switches from here... OH HELLL NAHH I've watched enough horror movies to know what will happen if I don’t do anything. Whatthefuckwhatthefuckwhatthefuck.
"Boss? Hellooo?? Is that you?" ... Right... calm down, its just a hallucination, I'm over thinking this. I'll just go around the counter and turn them back on. But I just can't shake this feeling that I'm feeling watched. Maybe I'm just crazy and paranoid.
Ok! Okokokokok... She sprints over to where the knifes are stored and grabs a small kitchen knife. "Ok, now I have some form of defense" She mutters to herself as a way to calm herself down.
I'm not dumb enough to check for an intruder, people in horror movies die from that. That would be such a dumb way to die, no way im going out like that. She runs to the counter and tries to turn the lights back on.
"Damn, it's the breaker. Okay, stay calm... this is normal. It's happend before." She opens the panel and resets the breaker. I knew it, it was all in my head. She hears the bell ring. Dammit I should've locked the door. Still on high alert she quickly turns around as she speaks again.
"Sorry, we're closed! Ah!! Right. You're the guy from earlier..."
"HOLY SHIT, you're fucking bleeding dude. Bro are you ok?" He stares, curious, at the small knife in her hands. She smiles to ease the situation and puts the knife away.
"Oh this? Hahaha... Just cleaning up the place" She lies. Can't show weakness and let him know that I'm scared. She changes the subject. "Here sit at the counter, I help you with that" She gestures at the blood. Cool mask, I can't tell if its makeup or not. She grabs a paper napkin from the counter and wipes the blood off his face.
"You don't talk... or is that part of your role? Or what was it called? Act?" He seems to glance around before stepping a little closer.
"I can't be seen taking" He says, his voice surprisingly deep.
"Ah! I see, so it is part of the act." She realizes
"Yes my lady. I sincerely appreciate all of your help." What the fuck did he just call me?
"I'm the Pierrot nice to meet you!" He says a little too cheerfully for her opinion. "Nice to meet you too! I'm (insert name)" She offers her hand to shake, a habit she developed when meeting new people. (I do that for some reason irl idk why, I'm just kinda weird)
He takes her hand and shakes it firmly. I know He says so quietly she doesn't even hear it. "A pierrot huh? You don't look like one"
"Indeed, you are right my lady!" There goes that name again
"We were required to... modernize my attire. But my role remains unchanged."
"People have been rough with you guys." She points out.
"I suppose we do appear a bit... uncanny. That tends to unsettle people."
"Do the Pierrots out on the street with the flyers and stuff perform too?"
"Indeed. The circus has but a small cast, we perform and hand out flyers." He adds on "Though I must say, I am the only Pierrot, my lady. The others are Jesters and... Harlequins..." He rolls his eyes slightly in annoyance, like the name itself tastes bitter on his tongue. Looks like he doesn't get along with everyone.
"That's actually pretty cool! So, are the others quiet like you?" She tries to not be rude and keep the conversation going.
"I am the only one who remains silent. Though I do make an exception when it's just the two of us."
"No worries, you're secrets safe with me~" She says. "Oh, hey look, you're bandage is coming off, lemme take it off for you."
"There we go!"
"Thank you my lady." Holy shitttt what's with that name.
"And I've brought you another small token of appreciation."
A ticket? another one? She stares "Are you sure? Won't this get you in trouble?" She asks, not wanting to get him on trouble. "Not at all. We have a few special ones to hand out." He says reassuringly. "I'd me most delighted if you came to watch me, my lady."
"Hmm... alrighty, I guess I'll take it. Sounds fun, after all." If it makes him happy, I guess I'll do it. She takes the ticket from him.
"I assure you, I'll make you smile during my performance." He says in a excited tone. "Can't wait to see it! And sorry to say this, but... my boss told me to close up, we can't stay too long here."
"I completely understand. I hoped to arrive earlier but, I did not wish to cause you any distress, my lady." Honestly, I can see why some people would feel uneasy. "Its alright. This way we got to talk a bit. Now I know you wouldn't have been able to answer me in public."
"That's true~"
"Have a goodnight my lady!"
"Good night!"
As he was about to leave, she called out to him. "Oh! And uhm also, Pierrot..." She says awkwardly. He turns to look at her he looks happy that I called him. "Could you not me 'my lady'? It's kinda, not to be rude but I think its kinda weird. Please just call me by real name." He looks at her. "If that's what you wish, then I do as you say, (insert name)." She looks at him relieved. "Thank you, Pierrot!" She gives a small polite bow. He leaves with a smile.
Welp, time to go home