Chapter Text
You look up to the cloudy sky, seeing the rays of sun pass through the gaps between. You savor the heat tingling your skin but eventually the cold winds blow and you're left with a chilly day.
Unfortunately, despite your best efforts, you didn't have any work today but as always the thought of staying home in your little apartment felt...
...less exciting.
suffocating
Instead you prefer to standby in a nearby cafe, it was small and wasn't too busy. So much so despite your... difficulties, you managed yourself to not be disliked by the staff for long.
For now, you just have to...
A loud thwack in the distance reaches your ears.
'Ignore it.'
What happened?
You couldn't take another step before a loud abrasive yell was heard, "Get out of here, weirdo!"
How nauseating, this early and people found it within themselves to fight.
You take one more step and it crunches the flyer under you, you roll your eyes. 'The Freak Circus of Horrors' was printed with a simple picture of a circus tent, you've done your best picking them all at work and using them for waste. They never seem to run out though.
"He's right, that guy's was too tall, its weird"
What
You hear presumably the hooligan stomping and screeching. "Maybe he deserves the beating, probably asked for it" A stranger said without a thought.
fucking
"Why isn't he fighting back? Obviously he's guilty of something."
bullshit
"..."
What can I do?
Why bother
Nothing, you can- won't do anything. What do these people have to do with you in the first place? You barely could stand interacting with anyone and that wasn't going to change. You'll just grab your drink and sit in the cafe, unbothered and untethered by unnecessary trouble you may come across.
It takes one look at you, your eyes especially, for people to understand wordlessly that you don't want anything to do with them. Then you'll leave, sometimes politely, and go back to whatever you were doing. Even if it was something as simple as reading your book or doing paperwork.
You still went to the cafe, ignoring all the chattering voices and ordered your drink. It was a slight surprise to see the big man himself in front since this was usually Carol’s shift but he explains Carol got sick… he thinks anyway. You didn’t question it any further and sat at the furthest table from the door. You looked down on your leftover paperwork you like to busy yourself with since you could never work on these in the office. As you worked, the light from the window seemed to flicker; your eyes never caught anything, not even a stranger passing by but it did sometimes.
Whatever.
The other employee, whom you never seem to remember their name, looks at you nervously as the shop empties. You didn't say a word back but seeing them pick up all the flyers people so generously left made you sighed to yourself. You stood up from your chair and helped them pick up the remaining flyers.
“Thanks for that…”
[ Respond ]
[ You didn't mind them that much ]
"No problem, it doesn't take much to pick these up." You knew they weren't bad person. They did their work honestly and smiled despite not wanting to, that was more than you could do.
They laugh, "I don't blame them, they're everywhere. I saw a few stuck on people's shoes as they walked in."
"Please, even a dog would be annoyed enough to get it off. The least they can do is not bother other people." You huffed, but the worker seemed to be amused. An idea crossed your mind, "Hey can I have those?"
"Oh! Is it because..." They looked anxious. You understood why, there were a few times other customers even the staff tried to strike up a conversation with you, anything related to your life was shut down the same second.
"Yeah, I use it in my job... I'm guessing Carol told you?" Other times, you didn't mind as much.
"Oh I was there..."
"..."
"To be honest, I was just clocking in, so I don't blame you."
Thank goodness...
It's still odd they remembered, but then you were a regular customer by now. Hearing about what you do and knowing your personality feels disjointed. But they hand you the papers with a smile. You catch a glimpse of the worker's nametag, "YIN". 'Right, their name was Yin.'
The door chime rings, and you follow their eyes to a man you haven't seen before but then look back at the worker just as quick. "Welcome!" Yin cheerfully said.
"Thanks! l'd like a strong, hot coffee." He replies and sits down at the table closest to yours.
"I'll bring it right away." Yin goes behind the counter to brew the coffee and you are left sitting across the stranger. You didn't mind he was close, if only he wasn't staring right at you, and you glare back.
"What's with those flyers?" He asks. You hold one up so he can see it.
[ Say something sarcastic ]
[ And so you did ]
"I'm handing them out." You roll your eyes. What kind of question was that? It was no secret that these flyers were everywhere in all sizes.
There was a slight shift in his eye, "Hmm..."
If he didn't get the joke, that was not your problem.
"If you want, I can take them for you. I'll toss them out when I leave no big deal. I was gathering some paper for recycling anyway." He offers you, kindly. He was polite the whole time but the eye contact set you off.
"No thanks, I was doing the same myself." You don't know why, but normally you'd look away at this point. Instead his stare was too intense for you, it almost felt dangerous.
"Is that so?" He replied.
You had a feeling this conversation will go on...
You didn't respond, just gave a cold shoulder. Maybe it's time for you to go home. You just nod slightly then turn to leave, giving a slight wave to the worker. You had nothing else to do and it was getting late.
, lonely
You reach your apartment. Your small and quaint apartment. To be honest, you don't turn on the lights once your opened the door. You've gotten used to moving through the place, be it lit by the outside lights or in pitch black darkness.
not anymore
Nothing moved in here.
You lay down on your bed, staring into the void as you take a short rest from walking back.
those wretches
Earlier, that crowd
Why didn't you help him?
You're a horrible person
They can kill each other for all I care.
Before you let any more thoughts ruminate in your mind, you turned on your lamp. You knew better than to hover or press on these blurry thoughts in your mind. You groan as you proceed with the rest of your night and wake up the next day, watching the news about Carol's disappearance.
You... you feel like you're missing something again.
Ending: Passerby.
You look up to the cloudy sky, seeing the rays of sun pass through the gaps between. You savor the heat tingling your skin but eventually the cold winds blow and you're left with a chilly day.
Unfortunately, despite your best efforts, you didn't have any work today but as always the thought of staying home in your little apartment felt...
...less exciting.
suffocating
Instead you prefer to standby in a nearby cafe, it was small and wasn't too busy. So much so despite your... difficulties, you managed yourself to not be disliked by the staff for long.
For now, you just have to...
A loud thwack in the distance reaches your ears.
'Ignore it.'
What happened?
You couldn't take another step before a loud abrasive yell was heard, "Get out of here, weirdo!"
How nauseating, this early and people found it within themselves to fight.
You take one more step and it crunches the flyer under you, you roll your eyes. 'The Freak Circus of Horrors' was printed with a simple picture of a circus tent, you've done your best picking them all at work and using them for waste. They never seem to run out though.
"He's right, that guy's was too tall, its weird"
What
You hear presumably the hooligan stomping and screeching. "Maybe he deserves the beating, probably asked for it" A stranger said without a thought.
fucking
"Why isn't he fighting back? Obviously he's guilty of something."
bullshit
"..."
What can I do?
Why bother
He looks like...
don't say it
A clown was being ruthlessly kicked on the ground. He doesn't do anything, he just sits there defenseless and takes it, as if he was used to it. You watch as the crowd spectating as if it's some show- even the more empathetic looks sickened you.
How useless they are
It made your blood boil.
I hate you all
They're disgusting
"Ever since you guys showed up, people have been disappearing! Go back to whatever hellhole you crawled out of!" The man kept yelling at him. But the clown, doesn't reply. Just staring on the pavement in a pile of scattered flyers. Angered by this, the man stomps on him again. "I'm talking to you, you freak! Get out of our town!!"
Without another thought, you stepped in between them, pushing the man hard enough that he almost fell to the ground. You had a furious scowl on your face and he did flinch slightly. You didn't say another word to him and just wait what he would do next, making sure he wouldn't come close.
"What are you doing? You know I'm right!" He managed to gather enough spit in his mouth to spray it towards you. "They came in here and all of the sudden people are disappearing!" He accuses him.
You look back in utter disgust. He tried to step forward, you'd move in closer.
You punch him right in the face that finally sends him to the ground. Pushing wasn't working, clearly, he needed a better message. "Get out of here." Your voice was colder than usual, but the vitriol and disgust drips off your tongue. You then stepped on his stomach, pushing down your foot the moment he looks like he'll try to stand or talk back.
"Ever since you showed up, you've just been ruining everyone's day here." Your day especially, you despised the fact they can be so blatant about this. Not a single person, not these "good and normal" people even said a word. You heard them supporting you for a brief moment but that just sets you off. You snarled at the crowd and they grew fearful instead. You didn't care since they didn't either. To the man however, you grind your shoe even further to leave your shoe mark on his shirt.
"Go back to whatever hellhole you crawled out." The man gasps and gags as you push on his lungs, and his response meant little to you.
Just like that, you step off him.
Then you ignore them all, turning back to the clown who's still on the cement. Your face softened as you watched him on the floor.
He...
looks like a...
kicked...
You lent him a hand for him to get up. It was then you realized how tall he really was- actually his figure alone could easily tower over and intimidate the man, his silent nature and bizarre attire adding to the atmosphere. Nonetheless, no matter how off-put he was about him, that was no excuse. Right now, you had a different impression of the clown. He just stares at you wide eyed with innocent curiosity. You normally kept eye contact with others, but there was something about his eyes that felt... peculiar but maybe it's because they were just orange slits in the dark.
Your eyes caught onto the bruise mark on his cheek. "You should get a cold compress for that."
He walks up, slowly tilting his head, watching you- bells jingling off his costume as he did so.
p-
You push down your noisy thoughts.
He then nods.
Silence. It was hard to know what he was thinking, and he felt the same way about you.
You spoke up again, "Just leave people like those, they get angry whatever you do... don't just take it..." You groan thinking about it.
He nods again.
You were never the most talkative person, much less comforting. You rummage through your bag and give him a pack of sour candy you kept for yourself.
"Here, if you're into that."
He takes it and smiles excitedly, a blush across his face. That was your cue.
"Alright..." You didn't smile but something in your face made him blush further, but you didn't notice as you turned your head away. "Get that treated."
With that, you start walking off to the cafe.
Unaware of the eyes burning behind your back.
"You killed my sister!" You yell back pointing a finger, convincingly sounding distraught mixed with your very real rage.
"What?"
"I saw him pass by my house! He must be the culprit." The sarcasm was a lot more apparent now.
"Are you crazy?" He was back to anger, ready to argue back.
"Look how angry he is! It's clear how he did it!" You loudly huff exasperated by all this. "Yeah... obviously. It's clear how stupid you sound right now."
A stranger yells, "Yes, that's right. You're going way too far."
"Stop with the paranoid nonsense. People go missing all the time." Another adds.
Oh, so they do have tongues.
Just heard them blather so much earlier, that you were contemplating on leaving this area with how brainless the locals are. Ah- but this isn't a new thing for people to do, you hate it nonetheless.
"Wake up, you idiots!! They're the ones kidnapping people!"
[ Argue further ]
[ You grumble ]
"So let me get this straight. The circus comes to town, announces to everyone that they're in the town and to just kidnap people as they're setting up business. What's your argument here? Bad press is good press?"
"Look at them! They're freaks!"
"Oh so people dressing up for Halloween are all criminals now." You rub your head as he continues to hurl insults and accusations at you and the circus.
There's no point arguing with an idiot.
You then ignore them all, turning back to the clown who's still on the cement. Your face softened as you watched him on the floor.
He...
looks like a...
kicked...
You lent him a hand for him to get up. It was then you realized how tall he really was- actually his figure alone could easily tower over and intimidate the man, his silent nature and bizarre attire adding to the atmosphere. Nonetheless, no matter how off-put he was about him, that was no excuse. Right now, you had a different impression of the clown. He just stares at you wide eyed like innocent curiousity. You normally kept eye contact with others, but there was something about his eyes that felt... peculiar but maybe it's because they were just orange slits in the dark.
Your eyes caught onto the bruise mark on his cheek. "You should get a cold compress for that."
He walks up, slowly tilting his head, watching you- bells jingling off his costume as he did so.
p-
You push down your noisy thoughts.
He then nods.
Silence. It was hard to know what he was thinking, and he felt the same way about you.
You spoke up again, "Just leave people like those, they get angry whatever you do... don't just take it..." You groan thinking about it.
He nods again.
You were never the most talkative person, much less comforting. You rummage through your bag and give him a pack of sour candy you kept for yourself.
"Here, if you're into that."
He takes it and smiles excitedly, a blush across his face. That was your cue.
"Alright..." You didn't smile but something in your face made him blush further, but you didn't notice as you turned your head away. "Get that treated."
With that, you start walking off to the cafe.
Unaware of the eyes burning behind your back.
You ignore them all, turning back to the clown who's still on the cement. Your face softened as you watched him on the floor.
He...
looks like a...
kicked...
You lent him a hand for him to get up. It was then you realized how tall he really was- actually his figure alone could easily tower over and intimidate the man, his silent nature and bizarre attire adding to the atmosphere. Nonetheless, no matter how off-put he was about him, that was no excuse. Right now, you had a different impression of the clown. He just stares at you wide eyed like innocent curiousity. You normally kept eye contact with others, but there was something about his eyes that felt... peculiar but maybe it's because they were just orange slits in the dark.
Your eyes caught onto the bruise mark on his cheek. "You should get a cold compress for that."
He walks up, slowly tilting his head, watching you- bells jingling off his costume as he did so.
p-
You push down your noisy thoughts.
He then nods.
Silence. It was hard to know what he was thinking, and he felt the same way about you.
You spoke up again, "Just leave people like those, they get angry whatever you do... don't just take it..." You groan thinking about it.
He nods again.
You were never the most talkative person, much less comforting. You rummage through your bag and give him a pack of sour candy you kept for yourself.
"Here, if you're into that."
He takes it and smiles excitedly, a blush across his face. That was your cue.
"Alright..." You didn't smile but something in your face made him blush further, but you didn't notice as you turned your head away. "Get that treated."
With that, you start walking off to the cafe.
Unaware of the eyes burning behind your back.