Circus Of Mystery

Chapter 4: Ghost

*Ashley’s p.o.v*

I had arrived in the parking lot where officers and paramedics alike rushed about the area questioning Samuel, Victor, and Alex. Samuel answered all the questions he was asked while Alex stood and rolled his eyes. I couldn’t help but smirk at this since I knew Alex didn’t like talking to cops; this was  due to his belief that cops were corrupt. That and he didn’t believe in the law system would truly deliver justice to those who deserved it. 

I jogged over to Alex who looked relieved to see her. “You're alive!” I declared in a sarcastic but caring way. Alex gave me a lopsided smile as I stopped at his side; once I was next to him I noticed his bandaged right arm. “Getting slow?’ I asked; yet again teasing him. 

“No, this one was fast.” Alex replied. The cop that had been questioning Alex went silent as we had this little exchange. However it took him a moment to remember his job and what it was that he was supposed to be doing. Ashley looked at him and found a young officer in his late twenties, his hair was short but brown. His eyes were hazel, his body had a toned yet somewhat muscular look,  he was dressed in his uniform but his face had an annoyed expression. 

“Sir,” The officer called out causing me and Alex to glance at him. “What did the attacker look like? You still haven’t given a description yet.” The cop reminded him. 

“Technically I don’t have to give a description or answer your questions, officer. Now if you may please leave me be.” With that Alex looked signaled with me to follow him. I did as he asked and followed him to our car. 

“So, what did he look like?” I was both excited to hear what Alex knew and I could tell he knew. 

“He was very slender and fast,” Alex began. “I wasn’t sure how he was able to see with his face covered like it was but…” Alex faltered as he looked over my shoulder. “To keep things brief, he seemed comfortable with knives and being fast. I don’t know what he’s capable of doing but for now I want to call it a day.”

“Yeah, that way we can catch up at home and finally solve this thing once and for all.” I said getting a nod from Alex. We told Samuel that we would be back tomorrow with an idea about who the killer could be. Samuel nodded then said that by tomorrow Victor would be out of the hospital and curious about who the killer was to. We all shook hands and went our separate ways; Alex and I arrived back home and immediately went to our work room. I told Alex everything I had read and found out, and Alex told me about the attack. 

“Whoever this killer is he has a connection with  Victor as well as the other victims.” Alex said, stating the obvious.

“Yes, but the question is who?” I reminded him. “Something isn’t right about all of this. I mean when you sum it up we have a lawyer, an accountant, and a snitch all dead. Yet this killer wants to kill a circus owner too.” I began to think but got frustrated and began to scratch my head frustrated. 

“Wait a second you said that there was a court case about Nicholas's death right?” I nodded a bit confused. “What if the killer knows something that no one else does?” Alex asked, causing me to stare confused.

That's when it hit me. “What if it’s someone that knew something about Nicholas and Vincent, someone that knew the family personally, someone that…” We both froze and immediately made eye contact. It was as if the answer had slapped us in the face. It was the most obvious thing that we could have ever thought of. 

“Tomorrow,” Alex spoke, breaking the silence between us. “We’ll question Samuel about this and hopefully he can give us the answers we're looking for.” After a brief agreement, we left the room and went our separate ways. Alex went to shower while I went to the kitchen for food. I opened the refrigerator and grabbed a pizza box that was about a day or two old. I pulled out two slices of pepperoni and green pepper pizza. Afterwards I put the food in the microwave and set the time for thirty seconds. As the machine warmed the food for me I walked to the living room and clicked on the tv.

I clicked on the news and found that the killer who attacked Victor was the top story of the night. I stood for a moment as the news anchor reported the small facts that Samuel and Victor had given. I probably would have stood longer if the microwave hadn’t reminded me that I had food waiting for me. I walked to the kitchen, opened the microwave then grabbed my plate. I walked over to the living room, sat down on the couch and began to surf the different channels. After a few minutes Alex came out of the bathroom and sat down next to me. He smelled like peppermint and was dressed in black jeans and a matching tank top.

“Anything good on tonight?” He asked as he grabbed my plate and took it to the kitchen. He began to wash it then sat it on the drying rack. 

“Meh, they’re having a horror movie marathon on syfy.” I replied as I stretched out on the couch. Alex walked over and handed me a can of Sprite. “I figured we could relax before tomorrow.” Alex nodded and sat down on the love seat. “So, you think the killer is gonna try and kill Victor again?”  

“Most likely.”

“Do you think we’ll be able to stop him?” I asked as I rolled over slightly to look at him.

Alex nodded. “He caught me by surprise, but with your help we can stop him.” The word stop meant two things with Alex. Arrest and have them put on trial or play the executioner, either way I’ve seen Alex do both. I don’t remember how long we were awake for but believe me when I say I hate waking up early with a passion. “Ashley,”Alex nudged me. “Wake up or I’m getting water again.” 

Upon hearing this threat I opened my eyes and promptly flipped my brother off. “You were stabbed yesterday, do you really want to get stabbed today?” I asked, giving my “wonderful” brother a death glare. 

“Good morning to you too.” Alex replied, clearly ignoring my threat. I rolled my eyes, and went to my room to get dressed once again. Since I guessed we’d be seeing our lovely psycho killer again today I made sure to wear my kevlar clothing. Long story short, Alex and I found a girl who could get us anything we wanted for the right price. One of many things was kevlar clothing, some that were knife proof, and some that were bullet proof. Now don’t get me wrong the stuff worked but it doesn’t stop us from getting hurt. 

It’s not like in the movies and tv shows where you just keep walking or shrug it off. Bullets still hurt, they leave bruises, and break bones depending on what's shot at us. Anyway I obviously chose the kevlar that was knife proof, and before you asked it’s like a regular kevlar but thicker. They were all black and were a pain in the ass to put on. After it was on I had Alex zip up the back, then put a pair of jeans, t-shirt, and jacket over it. It may have been knife proof but it wasn’t cold air/weather proof.

Once I was done I went to our workroom where Alex was already waiting, loading a beretta(handgun) and preparing three clips. I walked over to my side of the wall and grabbed a Five-Seven(handgun) and followed suit. Once that was done I grabbed a few more things like a fold baton, a flashlight, handcuffs, and tactical knife. Alex on the other hand grabbed two tactical knives, an OTS pocket knife, his baton, and a flashlight. “Ready?” I asked as I put the safety on my weapon.

“Yep,” Alex replied then led the way out of the room. After stopping to lock it we made our way outside, into our car, then on the road that led to the circus. As we drove I reached into the door of the car and pulled out a CD of classic songs I burned. Once I put it in and pressed play I leaned back and listened as Sympathy For The Devil by Rolling Stones played.

As we drove the songs changed and I began to tease Alex when I caught him singing along to a few of the songs. He’d give a smirk and say I was just imagining things but I knew it was his way of messing around. But the fun ended when we finally arrived in the empty parking lot of the circus. Samuel was sitting at the entrance next to Victor who looked more pissed off than usual. “Any sign of psycho that gave you a makeover?” I asked causing Samuel to smirk and Victor to growl.

“No but I asked the Lucet police department to patrol here during and after the show.” Victor replied smugly. 

I looked around in a dumbfounded manor then asked, “And how's that working out for you?” This time both Samuel and Alex bursted into a fit of laughter while Victor cut his eyes at me. “Don’t worry we’re better than cops.” Victor didn’ t seem to believe me nor trust me but every time he looked at Samuel he just glared at him. I looked to Alex for an answer but he shrugged with no answer or reason for this. I’m going to let my brother take it from here.

*Alex’s p.o.v*

The show ran smoothly, no sign of the killer was spotted by me, Ashely , or the cops patrolling. Because of this the cops didn’t stick around like Victor wanted. Instead they left after saying that the killer probably moved on and likely wouldn’t be coming back. Afterwards Victor began to pace around the ring muttering to himself. 

“So, glad we came after all?” I asked Getting a nasty glare. Ashley was lounging on the bleachers eating the remainder of her popcorn. Samuel had reentered the ring still dressed in his show clothes/knife thrower suit. 

“I’ll be glad when you have the damned killer  arrested or dead! Preferably dead if that's not too much to ask of you?” Victor demanded as he quit pacing for a moment.

“Maybe he should kill you,” Samuel growled, catching me and Ashely off guard. “I can’t believe you were trying to sell the circus out from under my nose!” Samuel yelled, as he glared daggers at Victor.

Victor scoffed and rolled his eyes. “I was making an investment. I was going to sell the damned business and move or to a regular life. You could have stayed on, but you wouldn’t be one of the owners anymore.”

“This circus is all I have,” Samuel argued. “It was my father’s and I’d be damned before I let you sell it.” The two continued to argue back and forth for a full hour before we heard an eerie toon echoing all around us. It sounded like the song the  pop goes the weasel, that would play after you wound up a jack in the box. 

Immediately both Ashley and I had our firearms and flashlights drawn, ready to stop this killer once and for all. I signaled for Ashley to move towards the ring so we were altogether, and so we couldn’t get picked off. Just as we grouped up with Samuel and Victor we heard the noise getting louder. I looked from one tunnel to the next seeing if I could pinpoint the origin of the sound. I could tell the others were doing the same but none of us could figure it out.

I was about to ask if any of them could see something, but didn’t once I heard the voice. “Half a pound of tuppenny rice, half a pound of treacle, that's the way the money goes, pop goes the weasel; ha ha yeah.” The voice sounded low, almost like it hadden been used in a while. I looked about as my heart pounded frantically. Then That’s when I saw him, the same killer from before exited the tunnel facing me. His black clothing made it seema s if the shadows were creating him, his pale skin and yellow eye made him look lifeless. Clipped on his scarf was a microphone that was connected to the speakers and in his hands was a black and white jack in the box which seemed to be slowing down. As the hand began to slow so did the singing until the tiny black and white court jester popped out of the box.

I aimed my weapon at the man ready to fire, I may have been caught off guard but I could never let him see any kind of fear. “Come any closer and I’ll shoot!” I announced. The killer tilted his head from one side to the other. Within a split second he rushed forward and just as I pulled the trigger he threw the box at me causing me to dodge. Samuel threw two knives which the killer caught and threw back grazing his shoulder. Ashley shot her gun but the psycho threw a knife that embedded itself in her left shoulder. 

The moment Ashley’s was stabbed I flew to my feet, I drew my baton, and rushed the killer. This time I caught him by surprise when I slammed my weapon into his right wrist. He didn’t drop the knife but his arm went slack. Just as he spun around I quickly dodged backward as he lashed out with his left. We were now face to face and he wasn’t going to wait for anything. He lunged at me again but this time I locked his right with my baton and was about to grab his left. However, he began to  struggle and I grabbed the scarf that covered his face. The moment his scarf came off he kicked me in the gut and pulled free. 

“That’s definitely something.” Ashley said as she was now by my side aiming her weapon at the killer. We all looked at the now unmasked killer to find his face horrible sliced up and scared, judging from the cuts I could tell they were self inflicted. On the right side of his face, next to his lip was an upward line; a smile. Next to his left side was a downward line, this made a frown. Below both eyes was a line however his right eye had a small diamond shape, while his left had a teardrop. It seemed like he had gotten the idea for his design from an old theater mask that jesters or actors would wear. 

“You're insane, aren’t you?” I asked but meant it more as a statement. I’ve seen a lot of people disfigure themselves, each one more mentally broken than the least. This guy must’ve hated his appearance. That or he thought if he looked like an actor then he could “act” like life wasn’t what it was for him. Either reason I wasn’t going to let him off because he was suffering from whatever delusion.

“William?” Samuel called out in surprise. Ashley looked from Samuel to the killer in confusion then gasped. Victor on the other hand no longer had color in his face and was staring wide eyed at the killer. The killer himself blinked confused, then closed his eyes tightly like he was struggling to remember something. 

He then began to mutter to himself starting at a low whisper than gradually getting louder this time his voice sounded more normal. “William was weak...William is dead...William was weak...William is dead…” Samuel looked to me for an answer but all I could do was give a confused look back. Before anyone could react William raced to Victor and before Ashley could shoot or Samuel could say no...killed Victor where he stood. I knew it was his instinct to finish his work. The moment he ripped his knife free to mark up Victor's face I slammed my baton into the back of his head knocking him unconscious. 

William fell to the ground, Ashley ran over and quickly handcuffed him, while Samuel stood frozen in place. I could tell he was in shock, his missing brother was alive and...not well, and his oldest friend was dead. I knew that we all had questions but since we didn’t have longer than twelve or maybe ten minutes. I figured I’d make the most of my time and forced WIlliam to wake up.