The Devil's Carnival

Enter the Ring Master

“You would help me?” Mrs. Gimble looked up with a twinkle in her eyes, a twinkle of hope. “Of course we’ll help you find your brats.” Danielle surrendered her grip on Mina and walked to the frantic woman’s side. She knelt down and put a hand on the woman’s shoulder. The act of kindness meant the world to Mrs, Gimble but to Tessa Parker it was an insult. Now the spotlight was no longer cantered on her and, to her at least, it was unacceptable. “We’ll all help.” Amanda smiled and stepped closer. Brian had not followed her and instead stood back with a confused look on his face. He pondered the subject for a while and considered if he really wanted to help the old bag. She had been, after all, one of the fanatics who had tried to crucify them. At long last, unable to make up his mind, Brian stepped closer to Amanda and whispered in her ear. “We’ll help?” He softly asked and it was not something Amanda wanted to hear. Her smile faded and she gave him a scolding look. It was a look that made him take a step back but Amanda got a hold on his caller and pulled him close enough for her to properly chew him out. “Of course we will!” She kept her voice low. “How would you feel if those were your missing sons and no one was willing to help?” Brian shrugged his shoulders and regretted it immediately. Amanda yanked him even closer. “Ok. Ok, we’ll help.” His surrender was exactly what Amanda was after and she relinquished her hold on him before she smiled. “That’s better.” Something in the distance just beyond the gate caught her attention and Amanda found herself string out into the dark. What it was she had no idea but it made her just a little uncomfortable. “Don’t worry, we’ll find them.” Bob, still just a little out of breath, did his best to reassure Mrs. Gimble but before any of them could set off on their search there was what sounded like a generator starting up. The lights grew brighter and simultaneously the carousels and Ferris wheel started turning. In and around all the stalls small multicoloured lights flared to life and showed just how decapitated everything was. Massive lights illuminated the banner lines and now they could see that not only were they faded but also had several holes in them. As they stood staring the massive metal gates slowly opened with a hellish creek. The sudden change from decollation to life startled everyone and reinstated a long forgotten primal fear in the hearts of all those present. There wasn’t any curiosity anymore and just about everyone was ready to turn and run, except Mrs. Gimble of course. She wasn’t going anywhere without her children. “Visitors? Already?” Amanda screamed and everyone was quick to look where the voice emanated from. The man standing under the metal arch wore a gray waistcoat with a blue tie and a black shirt. All of which was adorned by a knee length black coat with a high collar, gray top hat which slanted slightly to the right and hid his one eye, black gloves and a silver cane. His heavy makeup confirmed that he was in one way or another part of the carnival. With powder white skin, dark crimson lips and two large irregular circles around his eyes which were a striking yellow. Initially he didn’t seem too conspicuous, in fact he was as surprised as they were. Bob, feeling it was up to him to shield his passengers even if whatever mess they are in was their own doing, stepped forward and cleared his throat. He was winded all over again but now for a very different reason. “I’m sorry we just barged in. Our bus broke down not far from here and now we have to wait for help.” Bob pointed over his shoulder at the direction on the road. The mysterious man tilted this head to the side as he looked from Bob, to where he pointed and back to him. Bob did his best to sound both in command and apologetic. It may have only been the looks of him but for some reason Bob had a feeling this was not a man to be made an enemy of. Tessa Parker stared at the stranger and after Bob spoke elbowed him in the back. “Don’t go telling him things like that. We don’t know him. How do we know he won’t pick us off one by one?” The man smiled, surprisingly not offended in the slightest. “Tessa, that’s enough.” Harold scolded his wife and she was shocked. She stared at him with a look that could freeze hell over but he stood his ground. Eventually Tessa Parker went back to tugging at the pearls around her neck and shoved her nose back into the air. “I’m very sorry.” Harold apologised to the dramatically clad man who simply smiled and held up his hand. “Please, there is no need for apologies. I can see you’ve had a very difficult night.” After speaking the man looked over the crowd before he tapped one of his fingers on his cane. “Well, seeing as how you have to wait for you rescue, I would be honoured if you could join me for the opening show tonight.” No one really wanted to spend another second near the palace but the man insisted. “At no cost, of course.” Desperate to reignite his manhood Michael walked right up to the strange man, shaking just a tiny bit. “And what kind of show would that be?” The man smiled as he leaned closer still, something which forced Michael to retreat. “The greatest show on earth.” The man quickly straightened up and twirled the came in his hand. “It’s settled the.” He removed his hat with great exaggeration and rested it on his chest as he bowed.