Chapter Text
Reader POV
It’s a typical Monday for you, same old grind of work/school. You sigh, the day is nearly over but you’re already dreading the rest of the week. At least you’re home now and you can get into some comfy clothes and wind down for the evening.
You grab something to eat and turn on your laptop, waiting for the game The Freak Circus to load up. You had played through winning Pierrot’s affections several times already, but you could never bring yourself to be the bystander when the choice to interfere or not came up. This time would be different though, you just had to know what happens if you choose to do nothing.
It’s silly to feel bad about it, they are just characters on a screen, but even the thought of ignoring Pierrot’s plight makes your heart sink. The desire to know what happens, however, wins out today. Does ignoring Pierrot open up a route for Harlequin? The possibilities are so exciting to think about.
Monarca POV
They pull the hood of their coat tight as a cold gust of wind seems to blow through their jacket. It’s another chilly day on the way to work, the weather has been so unpredictable lately.
While waiting for an opening to cross the street, they pull a flyer off a lightpost and take a closer look. So this is the circus everyone’s been talking about lately? Monarca hasn’t been paying much attention to the going-ons in town but from what they heard while chatting with the customers at work, the circus has been around for three days already, doing promotional stunts and sticking flyers to just about everything in sight.
The customers say it’s mostly horror attractions, so not the silly fun-loving colourful clowns most are familiar with. Maybe I should check it out sometime Monarca thinks these guys won’t have the colourful creepy big wigs and red noses… those creep me out so much.
They’re still musing over the flyer when they hear a heavy thud and look up just in time to see a stranger taking a swing, making contact with the face of a tall clown dressed in red, knocking the poor clown to the ground.
“Hey!! Get out of here weirdo!!” the guy shouts “Ever since you guys showed up, people have been disappearing! Go back to whatever hellhole you crawled out of!” the stranger’s face is red from shouting. The guy is obviously really angry.
Monarca slows their walking pace, hoping the confrontation is resolved before they have to walk past. What that guy’s saying isn’t fair they think, it’s not the circus’s fault someone’s missing. There’s even rumours the missing person ran off with a lover.
“I’m talking to you, you freak! Get out of our town!!” the angry man towers over the poor clown in red, spit flying from his mouth as he yells. The clown tries to shrink away from the man, but that only seems to make him more angry.
Monarca stops. They’re too close now, and walking around would mean walking into oncoming traffic.
The yelling is already attracting some curious bystanders. Monarca worriedly looks around. I hope someone steps in, this guy is way too angry, and that clown didn’t do anything wrong. Another thud, the man seems enraged by the clown’s silence and has begun kicking him, yelling expletives.
The crowd is growing, some loudly cheering at the scene. That seems to shake the angry man out of his frenzy, and he finally notices the crowd, some with their phones out taking videos. Monarca feels sick, how can some people cheer for this? At least he’s stopped kicking and yelling. The man swears once more, spits at the clown and hurriedly walks away, covering his face and avoiding the people who recorded his violent display on their phones.
The crowd starts to disperse, and Monarca takes the opportunity to cut through the crowd and continue on their way to work, sorrowfully glancing at the poor clown as they pass by.
Monarca manages to get to the cafe a few minutes early, and gets right to work.
“Perfect timing” their Boss says with relief when he sees Monarca already tying on their apron.
“It’s busier than usual with the cold and Carol’s running late, so I’ve had to cover for her. The orders for the first three tables are ready on the counter, please bring them to the customers.”
“Of course.” Monarca replies “Is Carol ok?”
The Boss shrugs “I couldn’t get a hold of her, it just went to voicemail. Maybe she’s not feeling well”
Monarca grabs the first order and makes their way to the first table. Two college aged girls with their laptops and textbooks.
“Good afternoon! Here’s your espresso and macchiato. Can I get you anything else?”
“Thanks, I was dying for some coffee” the one girl says, smiling. The other girl looks up from her notes, takes a sip of her drink and asks her friend, “Did you see those flyers for the circus?”
The first girl sweeps her hair behind her ear “yeah, weird, right? It’s been ages since a travelling circus came to town”
“And the clowns are so creepy… not my thing” the second girl shivers
The first girl begins typing on her laptop “Probably good for their marketing though…” she then notices Monarca patiently waiting to be dismissed “Oh, sorry! Yeah we’re all set, we don’t need anything else right now.”
“No problem! If you need some snacks or more coffee, let me know” Monarca says as they walk back to the counter to grab the next order.
“Here you are, your hot chocolate” they place the cup next to a younger man in a suit
“Thanks!” he grins “I’ve really been craving something warm with this chilly weather”
“It sure got cold all of a sudden, didn’t it?” Monarca smiles, it’s hard not to, with the young man’s cheery disposition. He continues “Yeah, the weather’s all over the place. You leave the house with a coat and umbrella, and you still end up sweating by the end of the day, haha.”
Monarca takes the opportunity to close the conversation. They can tell this guy likes to chat, but there’s still another order waiting “For real. If you need anything else, just call me over, ok?”
The coffee stings Monarca’s hands as they place the last order on the tray “ouch that’s hot, better get it to them quick”
“ A coffee with cheese bread, and a cappuccino with a brownie, right?” they ask, placing the items on the table. It’s an older couple Monarca has seen in the cafe before, but not often enough to be considered regulars.
“That’s right, thanks!” the man says, eyes glued to the newspaper he’s reading
The woman leans towards Monarca “hey barista, did you see the news?”
“Not really, did something happen?” they reply
“You heard about the one who disappeared?” the woman’s voice is hushed
“Oh, the one who ran off with a lover or something?”
“No one really knows for sure” the man says, turning a page in his newspaper
The woman looks around, as if someone might overhear “I just wanted to say… be careful if you’re leaving late, ok? This place closes quite late, so… stay alert, alright?”
That's not ominous at all… Monarca thinks “Will do. Thanks for the heads-up! And enjoy your coffee!”
It’s sweet that they care though. Maybe I should keep an eye on the news more often
Monarca walks back behind the counter, the Boss’s complaint interrupting their thoughts
“Tsk. I’m sick of all these flyers everywhere.” then to Monarca “If anyone comes in to hand out flyers, tell them we don’t allow that in here. And when you have a moment, pick up the ones that have been scattered around.”
“Sure thing” Monarca replied. “Some people are kinda rude to the circus folks, don’t you think? On the way here I saw some guy beat up a clown." Their usual cheery expression drops a moment, as they remember the awful cheering from the crowd.
The Boss frowns “The way they act freaks people out. Best to stay away from them, it’s bad for business”
“I suppose.” Monarca says, and starts off to clear the tables and pick up any wayward flyers
Walking back to the counter with a handful of flyers, Monarca greets another customer “Welcome in, what can I get for you today?” a nondescript man in a blue suit, yet something about the man seems…off somehow.
“Thanks! I’d like a strong, hot coffee.” he says as he takes a seat at a table
Monarca puts the flyers down on the counter “Sure, I’ll bring it right away”
“Here’s your coffee, it’s quite hot” Monarca sets it on the table carefully
“Thanks. It’s really cold outside. What’s with those flyers?” the man asks, pointing at the pile of flyers on the counter
Monarca looks over at the pile “Oh, I guess someone outside was handing them out. The customers have been leaving them on the tables, so I’ve been picking them up.”
“How rude to do that in a place of business, right?”
“Yeah, it’s more work for me” Monarca sighs
The man gives Monarca a smile… but it makes them… uneasy for some reason. Stop it, Monarca thinks to themselves he’s just a normal customer, what’s your problem
The man says, “If you want, I can take them for you. I’ve been gathering a bunch for recycling, anyway.”
“Really? That would be great, thanks. Better than throwing them out.” Monarca takes the pile from the counter and brings it over
“No problem at all, dear” he says, taking a sip of his coffee
Monarca starts “Do you need anyth-”
“Do you like the circus?” he interrupts, looking at them intently
“Huh? Ah, I think I’m a little too old for that now” Monarca gives a nervous laugh
“Nonsense. This circus isn’t for kids, they’ve got some pretty creepy stuff.”
Not as creepy as this guy right here Monarca thinks “so… you’ve been to the circus?” please hurry up with this conversation, I don’t know how much more I can take
“Are you even listening?” the man’s question brings Monarca out of their daze
“Sorry?” Monarca says, slightly embarrassed
“Haha , thought so. Anyway, here take this.” he slides over a pink and black ticket for the circus “Go check it out, then try telling me it didn’t give you chills”
“N-no! I can’t accept something like that.” this dude has given me enough chills already
Monarca eyes the ticket
“Don’t worry, I’ve already seen the circus. I was thinking of going again, but I’ll be leaving town soon. Come on, just take it, it’s for tonight” he slides it further across the table
“W-well… I guess I will, then.” The ticket is pretty, and looks like it was expensive Monarca thinks, pocketing the ticket. I was considering going, anyway. Might as well use this one.
The man sits back, satisfied “Thanks for your time. I’ll let you get back to work.”
“Let me know if you need anything else!” Monarca leaves the table, relieved. The further they get from the table, the more Monarca wonders why they felt so nervous around that customer. Being in customer service has pretty much fixed whatever social awkwardness they may have had before taking the job. Monarca dismisses it as a one-off random bit of nervousness, and continues working.
Monarca is busy wiping down the counter when the Boss comes over “As soon as the last customers leave, close everything up and clean the place. We’re closing early today.”
“Did something happen?” Monarca looks up
The Boss’s eyes shift “I have an unexpected appointment. And since you’re working alone, I’d rather you didn’t leave too late. I’ve gotta go now, can you take care of everything?”
“Yes! No problem, leave it to me!” a little too enthusiastic maybe, but who doesn’t love a shorter work day?
“Call me if anything comes up.” the Boss waves as he walks out the door
Phew, now to start slowly getting things cleaned up… Monarca pauses. Too bad Carol isn’t here to help, it was always fun closing the cafe with her, and the extra set of hands would ensure a faster cleanup. I hope she’s ok.
The man in the blue suit walks to the counter, coins clicking together as he places the money down “Hey there, here’s the payment, I’m heading out. Have a good night, and enjoy the circus!”
“Goodnight, sir!” Monarca calls after him, already getting cleaning supplies out.
Twenty minutes later, they’re finally finished, and actually looking forward to seeing the circus. Monarca pulls out the pink ticket and admires it for a moment before grabbing their coat and locking up the cafe.
In the lineup to get into the circus, Monarca looks around. There’s pretty lights along the tents and food stalls, circus music drifting closer as the line moves up.
This looks pretty lively. Gotta check out the food Monarca thinks
“Hello there, visitor! May I punch your ticket?”
Monarca holds out the pink ticket for the man to look at. He’s very well dressed, in an expensive looking suit and top hat. Very different from the circus attire Monarca has seen before, even different from the red clown’s outfit they had seen earlier. A pang of regret pierces Monarca when they think of him. I should have stepped in, maybe he wouldn’t have gotten hurt as bad. If I see him somewhere tonight, I’ll apologize.
These thoughts are broken when the man with the top hat exclaims
“Oh! That ticket gives you special access. Please, follow me.”
Monarca smiles, I knew it was expensive! “Really? Wow thanks!”
The top hat man leads them through the circus towards a pink coloured tent. With a flourish, he bows, hand extended toward the opening of the pink tent
“Please come inside, visitor. The show will begin soon”
Monarca walks through the opening. It’s very dark, even darker when someone closes the tent opening. At first, Monarca isn’t afraid, this is a horror attraction after all, there’s sure to be jumpscares… but this total darkness? “H-hey, is anyone there? Hello?” they nervously call out. Something is wrong. Before they can turn tail and run in the approximate direction of the tent opening, they feel a heavy blow to the back of their head and fall into a different kind of darkness.
Reader POV
“Well… that wasn’t what I was expecting.” you lean back in your chair and stretch. It had been interesting, but this was definitely a bad end, getting eaten by the circus cast without being able to do anything else. You vowed to never ignore Pierrot again, that was clearly the ideal route, anyway.
You finish your snack and head off to bed, setting your alarm for tomorrow and flopping into the soft blankets and pillows. As you drift off into dreamland, you think of the bad end and how unfortunate that you couldn’t even try to convince the circus members to spare you somehow. You suppose that’s what makes it a bad end, that it’s just too late to change fate at that point. I’m thinking about this way too much. Just go to sleep already.