Short Horror Stories

The circus

[Art made by: Shyrrn - YT: https://www.youtube.com/@Shyrrn - I know you said you didn't like how it came out, but I certainly do:) Thank you for letting me use it!]

Once every year there is a circus in the town I live in, for the rest of the year nothing special really happens. But that is not the only reason why so many are anxious about its arrival.

I don't know everything about it, but even so it is a bit of a strange circus. It is a mandatory one and there is another strange rule: Those that have not seen it are not allowed to watch.

So basically a lot of people sit together with their eyes closed, listing to sounds that will make you want to open your eyes. This makes it very challenging for most, especially when you are not allowed to cover your eyes in any way either.

Luckily, I am one of those that have not found it difficult, in all the years I have lived here I have not once broken any of its strange rules.

"Lynn, I am so terribly worried about him." Says Jenny as she tries to hide her trembling hands.

"Jenny, really, don't worry. His dad will be with him, right? And Sammy is a pretty smart kid."

She shakes her head: "Even so, he is still just four years old and not all kids are like you when you were younger... and how you still are." Was it just me or did I sense a small hint of disappointment in me? Maybe annoyance?

For most people it is difficult to go without looking and Jenny was rather young when she saw it for the first time.

It happened during the last year of middle school. Jenny and a group of her friends had freely decided to keep their eyes open during the show. She used to be quite the daredevil, throughout the village she was also known as 'Jenny the brave'. Now it is just a silly nickname, since she lost all that bravery that day.

Before that day, we weren't friends yet, we were just classmates.

On that day she went with five others, the bravest of middle school, but eventually also the most stupid. For as far as I know has no one ever tried that before.

I still remember the day after, like it was yesterday, all of them were absent. The teacher told us what happened and that they had gotten sick with nightmares, that's how bad it was.

"You probably have to be the oldest one here that still hasn't seen it!" Jenny says taking me back to the here and now.

I laugh: "Nah, no way. I bet there are still some of the elderly that haven't seen it."

"27, you're getting pretty close."

"Jen, we are the same age!" I laugh loudly.

Then Jenny lets out a shaking sigh.

"Jenny, really it will all be alright. Let's go do something fun together soon, oh maybe we could go apple picking again. It is almost time for those, Right?

"Okay, okay, you're right, but apple picking season will start next month. But I would love to have a game night again at your place. You have collected a lot and John has been wanting to play those again for a while."

"Alright, game night it is!"

Proud of myself for being able to help my friend. I say my goodbyes and leave her café.

In the distance I can already hear the circus music, as I squint my eyes, I can see the people that have worked there the previous years.

They are all very old and very thin, I wonder if they ever get something to eat.