ANOTHER FREE MURDEROUS MIDGETS STORY!

By the second story featuring Al and Hank, I felt I knew them well enough to write a full-length novel about them and the world they lived in. And what's more I wanted to! That world is what Circus of Horrors is all about. It is currently on offer for 99 cents.

GOT MY DATES MIXED UP!
THEIR DEBUT STORY WILL BE POSTED SUNDAY!!! 

Here you go, enjoy:

"Freaks get bullied it's as simple as that." Baby Alice wept. "And we are freaks!" 

Poor woman. She was the fat lady in the circus. And what an unhappy lady she was.Al and Hank nodded because what she said was true. Baby Alice sniffled. "You oughtta hear what this guy said to me. He's been coming around regular too. Every day nearly. What am I going to do?"

"Point him out," they said. So she did. The problem was he wasn't just a regular mug; he was the new assistant manager. You see, the circus was in the process of changing hands. And if he was bad the new owner was worse. Word spread quickly about him.

"Ain't you heard? Joe Surley bought us out! He's the worst bastard on the circuit!"

"Oh no!"

"Oh yes!"

The sword swallower and the thin man stopped speaking. They could feel someone was watching them. They turned to see a sour-faced character eyeballing them. He was the new manager, Festus McCoy. 

"Care to repeat that to me?"

The men shook their heads. Festus smirked and waved them off. He had just spotted Baby Alice and she was a lot more fun to insult. "Hey fatso," he called. "Come here, I need a good laugh!" 

 *

Just as predicted, the notorious Joe Surley appeared on the scene a few days later. He introduced himself in his usual manner:

"I'm running this here two-bit circus. Don't think that I won't close it down and sell off the animals for dog food if I want and you too!"

Some of the circus stars began murmuring. Surley stopped them cold.

"Look, this ain't big time. You're strictly the rejects from the bigger shows. So don't have any delusions about your worth!" 

When his eyes fell upon the cowering circle of those deemed 'freaks,' he smiled: "And you messed up creeps, step outta line and I can replace you like that!" he snapped his fingers for emphasis. 

Just then Al and Hank happened to walk over. They were all dressed up. They enjoyed dressing up between shows. They were movie fans and their favorite stars were the Hollywood tough guys. Paul Muni's Scarface and Edward G. Robinson's Little Caesar thrilled them.

Those in the know would have said they lived vicariously through film, becoming something different than the 3 ft. 10 inch midgets they really were. 

Joe snorted. "And just what are you freaks supposed to be? You look ridiculous!" Before either one of them could say anything their new boss stormed off. But not before laying it on thick: "Freaks you are and freaks you'll always be!"

"Bastard!" Al spit out. Hank wiped his face. He was sweating. He always sweated when he was upset. And boy was he upset.Each of them had grown up in mental institutions. 

Al had a police record. He pistol whipped a bully in Nashville when he was 17 and was put in the pokey for awhile.The boys, as they referred to themselves, were tough as old boots. 

They were sometimes mean besides and capable of anything.Both of them had done murder, most recently last Halloween in some jerkwater place, rubbing out two old maids for what they could get. 

Well times were hard in this Depression.They sold silverware and one or two other things they had come away with which was enough to buy suits and have a high old time besides.They liked dames, see? 

 *

Although Surley was rubbing them wrong about a lot of things, they weren't really planning to murder him until he told them about the clown outfits. "I been thinking. I got plans for this here circus! And we'll start with youse two! See I want you to be clowns! You're clowns anyway, so you might as well dress the part.

When Surley left the boys smiled."You know what we're going to have to do, right?"

Sure, they knew. They waited until the following Sunday. Joe always drank himself to sleep on Sundays because there were no shows on Monday.That's when they dropped one of his cigarettes onto his mattress.They had splashed the place with kerosene too; well they wanted to finish the job in the right way. Al lit the match. "Fucker."

The boys watched the fire for a while.

"Shame we couldn't cut his throat. I love to do that."

They both did, nothing like a good old crimson torrent.

"We can't always do what we want." Hank said. He was wise, that Hank.

*

The screech of sirens tore through the night air. All the circus people were huddled together in their night clothes.No one said they were glad. Mostly they didn't speak much about it other than to wonder what would happen to the circus and to them. 

Baby Alice was worried though. "Geesh, I hope McCoy don't take it over."

She needn't have worried since they arrested Festus McCoy the next day. Well, they found him with a lot of matches and an empty can of kerosene. 

The cops thought it was pretty obvious as to what he had done.

As for Al and Hank they just knew they were lucky it was another jerkwater town and not much was checked in such burgs."Yup," Al said. "We ain't never gonna kill in a big city."

"You're right," Hank answered. "Only we ought to go to Coney Island next week, I hear they're hiring."

"Okay, swell but look, no matter what happens we won't kill there."

"We'll work hard and try to get laid."

"You said it, brother, I'm always up for that!"

They're featured in Circus of Horrors (99 cents on offer)!

AMAZON 

THIS STORY IS ONE OF MANY IN:

AMAZON 

The Dancing Girls Arrived for the Opening!

Joe told them no circus was complete without some gorgeous dames. The clowns rubbed their hands in anticipation. Things were going great! 

ADULT LANGUAGE

Exceprt:
The clowns were heading over toward the dancing girls’ huts. “Look, we’ll just talk nicely to them. No vulgarity,” Happy said. But even as he said it, he couldn’t help but titter.

“Do you think they’ll tell us to fuck off?

They started to get nervous then. Fred’s threat was all too vivid.

“It wouldn’t be easy to find another show, boys. We all know that.”

They did.

“Okay, so maybe we should just hope for the best?”

“Hope for the best,” Happy said. “You kidding?"

***

“This is horrific in the best way! It is extreme ... and disturbing.

"Riveting. Imaginative. Chilling. Fantastical."

"Wonderful horror with a side order of ribs."

"Outstanding story line and strong characters. I felt like I was right there and a part of the sideshow.

"An awesome little creepfest!"

"Never going to the circus again!"

"True horror!"

“Scary from beginning to end! Sit back and read your way into a horror filled tale! Enjoy!”

BUY NOW FOR 99 CENTS! NOW - MAY 2ND!

AMAZON

Beacon - Free Story for Sunday!

SOMETIMES IT'S BETTER TO DROWN - FREE COMPLETE STORY - HOUSE OF HORRORS!

It was a beacon to all who saw it—a place of safety, a haven from harm. No one knew how long it guided ships, nor was it known how many were saved, plucked from the angry seas and certain death. 

The guardians of the keep sat watch, never faltering—ever constant in their vigil. So devoted were they.

The lighthouse keeper and his granddaughter often sat staring out at the sea, wondering if a ship would lose its way, wondering if those in peril on the sea would need their help.

“We shall bring them ashore if they need us, Emily. We shall do whatever it takes to draw them forth from the angry waves.”

The girl smiled and dimpled as her grandfather reached out to touch her golden hair.

How he loved her.

“You are Emily the fairest and the dearest thing in the world to me!”

She smiled for she loved her grandfather.

She loved, too the quiet life of the lighthouse. Yet though it was quiet, there was enough to do, for there were so many jobs. Her granddad did most of them but she helped. She lit the lamp at sunset and put it out at sunrise, filling it with kerosene each day.

She tidied the place too sweeping and cleaning the tower and the stairs and all around besides.

Her grandfather had enough to do, not only maintaining the lighthouse but seeing to it that there were candles and blankets for those in need.

Sometimes they were too late or ineffectual and they’d find drowned men, scattered on their island shore like so much flotsam. They hated that as it was such a waste of humanity.

At times like those they’d shake their heads and hope to be more successful in the future. They could only hope.

Then on a particular day, shortly after dusk they knew they were in for something major. They heard how the winds picked up for now great, violent gales were causing the windows to rattle noisily in their wooden frames.

“A great storm is brewing, Grandfather!”

He knew it too, for he could hear the thundering noise bounding up all around them. It sounded as though the place would be brought down upon their heads.

The lighthouse shook and the fire in the grate soon died, as the gusts blew down the chimney extinguishing it.

He lit another for it was best to be prepared. “No telling who might be here ‘afore much longer, Em!”

She nodded and smiled and soon settled back to see what the night brought.

They were conversing quietly; he was reading poetry to her or trying to for he could see she was distracted by the noise of the wind and the intermittent creak of wood. The lighthouse groaned for 400 years and was likely to groan for another 400.

“I shall put the light on—come child we shall see if there are any ships about!”

They climbed the winding stairs and though they tried to brace themselves they still gasped as the cold air hit them. It was something they could never get used to.

They saw it almost immediately. There was one, small fishing boat, pitching up sharply with each giant wave. It looked so precarious being thrown about as though it were a toy.

“Look there, do you see?”

She nodded. “They are done for. I shall go out with the lantern!”

She hurried down the stairs and onto the shore waving the lantern over her head. 

“Over here, make your way here, to our lighthouse beacon! It is the only way!”

They both watched then; Grandfather from his tower and Emily from the shore.

It was hard to see, for it was deep night and the sky was moonless. But then a wondrous thing happened. The ship began firing flares, great red flares that burst almost gaily overhead. How they crackled and exploded.

“They’re coming Grandfather!”

A lifeboat was headed straight toward them. But it hit one of the rocks and was split asunder as its cargo of half-drowned men was tossed ashore.

There were ten men at least, lying about, trying to crawl, calling out for help, begging and pleading to be saved.

When they saw they were saved, they wept.

“Bless you and thank you!”

“There now, you shall share our food and rest beside our fire. You are safe now.”

Some of the men laughed with the joy of relief, others were stony silent, seeming to disbelieve they had come to safety.

They were given dry clothes and blankets, and something hot to drink. It was for them, a miracle.

Their eyes followed Emily about--grateful eyes, shining with tears. Watching this beautiful young girl and calling her an angel.

For she was one to them.

“Aye you are that Miss, a golden haired angel sent from heaven!”

This, from the youngest of the men, a lad already stirred by love.

How grandfather beamed for he was pleased.

“Sleep now, and be at peace for a watery grave shall not be your home!”

The men nodded and smiled and bade their two saviors good night.

It was quiet then. And Grandfather and Emily smiled at one another and closed the door for they could already hear the even breathing of their guests.

“They sleep so soon.”

“They are tired and need rest.”

“Aye, but we don’t.”

Emily giggled and was quieted. “Shh, my dear. We must begin our preparations.”

There was truly a great deal to prepare. This was to be no massacre, for their bounty would be ruined. 

The men would not be slaughtered out right. That would never do. Emily was always the anxious one. So eager to begin.

“Patience is a virtue.”

 “Yes, Grandfather I understand.”

She hadn’t always understood. She had made a right mess of things. Done proper carnage in her time, torn flesh apart and feasted wildly like a hungry animal.

Her grandfather taught her. “There must be order to our existence. For without it we should have no nobility. And truly that would not be acceptable.”

She understood then and she understood now. After all, as Granddad taught her something worth doing is worth doing well.

She smiled and hugged him. “We shall keep them alive so that we may enjoy their blood and flesh and eat to our fill."

“Yes, there is no rush. Let us savor what the sea has chosen to give us.”

“Offerings from the eternal sea, I like that!”

They were pleased with their existence, not that it hadn’t been fraught with worry on occasion.

Grandfather sighed. “We have been here so long, my child, we fear leaving the island, though it could be the cause of our destruction by starvation! What weak-willed creatures of the night we are.”

Emily smiled, for she was already licking her lips and thinking of that which she would soon be consuming. Not only the rich, ruby blood but great quantities of living flesh.

“I wished for good fortune and it has come, I am grateful as well as happy! But I must tell you I cannot wait long, for it has been too long a wait as it is!”

Grandfather nodded. “Be calm; for I shall get the chains and the long knives now while you set the table for our feast!”

Epilogue

The youngest of the fishermen lived the longest. He felt the chains upon his flesh but he felt their teeth first, teeth feeding quietly, almost delicately.

Tasting.

He saw her then, the golden haired angel. She looked up and smiled and began to feed some more. He listened to the sounds she made.

Was he dreaming? He began to watch her. He saw her hair turn red with his blood as the light grew fainter. 

But there was no pain, for he was past it and past caring too and embraced death as a friend. 

End

© 2012 Carole Gill 

AMAZON 

"Carole Gill’s talent is a wonder to experience. She has the uncanny ability to craft horrors imbued in fairy tale finesse. The dreamy landscape of her imagination flows across the page with thoughtful, thought-provoking sophistication. 

There is no doubt that she soars above the endless parade of independent horror authors to shine as a true star in the darkness. With the brilliant anthology House of Horrors she proves why she is a perennial favorite. To put it simply, this is a great assembly of tales anyone would be proud to have in their collection."

Joshua Skye

Dark Media 

WHEN THE CLOWNS GOT ANGRY, THEY GOT REALLY ANGRY

Damaged, vulnerable people fuel this story. Horrifically abused in orphanages, the clowns become killers. They never worry about evidence or their crimes,either. They don't have to. 

GRAPHIC VIOLENCE

"The boys didn’t take shit from anyone. What were three more big mouthed louts to them? Al whipped out his razor. The dispute was settled in five bloody minutes. Where the sailors had been nasty fools taunting those they saw as misfits, they soon became blood-drenched corpses, their throats cut so deep, their heads dangled.

“Good thing the boss ain’t here.”

Al agreed. He knew they owed a lot to the clowns.

The clowns took care of everything—they cut them up into manageable parts, then basted them with some Heinz sauce, their favorite."

AMAZON

“This is horrific in the best way! It is extreme ... and disturbing. If you like that sort of thing and an author who can write it and make you a bit uncomfy ... Gill will likely make you smile ... even if you don't admit that part.”

"Riveting. Imaginative. Chilling. Fantastical."

"Wonderful horror with a side order of ribs."

"Outstanding story line and strong characters. I felt like I was right there and a part of the side show. This book is not intended for young readers or for those with a weak stomach. Kudos to the author!!!"

"An awesome little creepfest!"

"Never going to the circus again!"

"True horror!"

“Scary from beginning to end! Sit back and read your way into a horror filled tale! Enjoy!”

READ FIRST CHAPTER FOR FREE. MEET FRED DOGER AND HIS CIRCUS OF HORRORS!

Fred Dodger's Circus has fallen on hard times. They had to split from their last engagement. Yup, another murder. But there are reasons...Actually they're sideshow performers. But they're also badly damaged and vulnerable people. That's what makes them the killers they are. 

Here's the first chapter:

ADULT HORROR/GRAPHIC VIOLENCE/CANNIBALISM 

"The vehicle was a beat up well-travelled 1929 Ford school bus. It had been painted a bright red and said ‘Fred Dodger’s Circus’ on the side. Amid peeling paint, the image of ecstatic clowns was a bit pathetic looking. Curtains hung on each of the windows. Baby Alice had sewn them; now she sat outside with her pals waiting for the meat to be cooked.

An old man, somewhat senile in appearance and actions, sat licking his lips. His son, the owner/manager, had gone to town on business in his pickup.

The bus had withstood a lot of wear and tear. Well, it would have—what with three clowns, two midgets, and one fat lady riding it.

Al drove the bus. With him being three feet tall, there were adaptions to the driver’s seat. This, the manager had seen to and Al was pleased. His lady friend, the huge Baby Alice, sat near him. Her seat had also been adapted in order to accommodate her girth.

None of the troupe disliked riding in the bus or camping out in tents. The weather occasionally made it difficult for them, though. Once, near Tupelo, Mississippi, the bus had to be dragged out by the pickup. The manager had extensive experience in such matters and everyone was grateful he did.

Fred Dodger loved his people and looked after them very well, and they knew it. He had explained about leaving them to go to town in order to get some money. They said fine and decided to have a cook out.

Any car or truck driving past would have been amused at the scene. Clearly, they were circus people—carnies—with the clowns in full make-up, Alice who weighed just under two hundred and fifty pounds, and Hank and Al, both three feet tall.

Hank got to arguing with Al about the progress of the meat being cooked. When it was at last ready, Al served it up. The old man got his first out of respect. He dug right in. Baby Alice did the same, as did the clowns. Al and Hank had a salami they swiped from a deli. They weren’t going to eat what everyone else was eating. They weren’t cannibals.

They spoke while they chewed their salami. “I have to hand it to you,” Al said. “It makes for a perfect solution—cooking them guys the way you did.”

Hank agreed. “Three sailors, think of it!”

“They deserved it. Didn’t deserve no better!”

“True, but there were three of them. We’re just lucky we didn’t have far to take them.”

“Yeah, imagine them snooping close to us. I wonder what Fred would have done.”

“He wouldn’t have liked their taunts.”

The sailors had insulted everyone. Baby Alice was reduced to tears and the old man had been pushed when he objected to their language. Then they started in on the boys. Yes, boys—despite being 38 and 40, Al and Hank thought of themselves as that: kids, in trouble. The popular Katzenjammer Kids comic duo had nothing on them.

The boys didn’t take shit from anyone. What were three more big mouthed louts to them? Al whipped out his razor. The dispute was settled in five bloody minutes. Where the sailors had been nasty fools taunting those they saw as misfits, they soon became blood-drenched corpses, their throats cut so deep, their heads dangled.

“Good thing the boss ain’t here.”

Al agreed. He knew they owed a lot to the clowns.

The clowns took care of everything—they cut them up into manageable parts, then basted them with some Heinz sauce, their favorite.

It took all day for the meat to be ready. When they could finally taste it, the clowns were proud and Baby Alice said it was the best she’d had in a long time. Hank made lemonade. It was luxurious, sitting out in the early dusk of a cool June evening.

Most of the meat had been eaten when Fred came back. “Smells good. Any left for me?”

The boys looked at one another. Fred nodded toward his father who was still chomping away on what looked like a couple of fingers. When he walked toward the man, the boys started to worry big time. Snatching a thumb out of his hand, Fred shouted, “Christ Almighty! I warned you guys!”

He had and more than once. Al started to explain about the sailors, but Fred was having none of it. “I don’t like my father eating human flesh! That’s my main gripe. Okay?”

The boys nodded. “It won’t happen again.” They looked sincere. Fred doubted that they were. “Just don’t let me see you do it again.”

Total hypocrisy, but Fred did feel sorry for them.

Old Pa had begun to doze. “Come along; time to turn in, old ’un.”

The old man found it hard to stand. His joints cracked and he shook his head. “These old bones,” he said as the half eaten thumb fell to the ground. Alice glanced at it and giggled.

Fred led his dad toward the pickup. No tent for Old Pa. Not at his age. Fred had a nice, cozy, little box-like enclosure he constructed himself for them both to sleep in, in the pickup.

“I got it all accomplished in town, Dad. Got them checks cashed. We should be fine for a while.”

The old man nodded. “I’m tired out…”

“I know. That’s why you’re going to be sleeping in a sec!”

His people watched them go. They liked being with Fred and his father. It was like having a family. Better really, considering how they were raised.

Al and Hank grew up in orphan asylums—graduating eventually to mental hospitals. Baby Alice lived with her father who beat her. She ran away to live with a succession of men who did the same. Her best day came when she started to work freak shows as the fat lady. People were nuts, fucked up in one way or another. She made extra money on the side for those patrons that wanted a flash—a buck to flash her naked, oversized jugs and a buck fifty for a feel. If they wanted more, and some of them did, the price went as high as five dollars. That hadn’t happened since Fred hired her.

Besides, she had a boyfriend now. She and Al were a couple. How the two managed it, Fred had no idea, but from the look on Al’s face, he was sure something had been figured out. Over time, a relationship had grown between the two of them. Which was nice, Fred thought. It would keep them both on the straight and narrow.

After tucking the old man in, Fred emerged and gave the clowns an angry stare. “I don’t like the cannibalism. I don’t like it at all.”

The clowns started to argue with him. Happy was the most vociferous. Before the old man went senile, he used to ask him why he let the clowns join up. Fred would reply he felt sorry for them. How do you not pity feel sorry for three men who hide behind garish clown makeup because they know it’s less frightening for people than their own faces?

Each had been cut up and scarred when they were little. They came from an orphanage where they were burned with cigarettes and cut up with razor blades, leaving their faces in horrific condition. They got the idea of the clown makeup from an old carny they had befriended. He taught them how to be clowns and showed them how to cover their scars up. When he applied the cooling pancake, they giggled. Jocko had been their friend until he died. It was through him they discovered the carny life.

“I think we pissed him off,” Noble said, meaning Fred.

“Can’t please everybody.” Danny shrugged.

“What am I going to do with you guys?”

“Love us?” Happy offered."

"Riveting. Imaginative. Chilling. Fantastical."

"Wonderful horror with a side order of ribs."

"Outstanding story line and strong characters. I felt like I was right there and a part of the side show. This book is not intended for young readers or for those with a weak stomach. Kudos to the author!!!"

"An awesome little creepfest!"

"Never going to the circus again!"

"True horror!""Scary from beginning to end! Sit back,and read your way into a horror filled tale! Enjoy!"

AMAZON

Baby Alice and An Acquired Taste!

Joe, the mysterious carny, has given sideshow performer, Baby Alice a special meal. He loves exposing those he deems 'right' for very special gifts. It's the way he operates. 

graphic violence/language

Excerpt:

"The first bite just about melted in her mouth. The meat was tender. Lamb, perhaps? Whatever it was, it tasted heavenly. For a woman her size, Alice was generally a dainty eater, but this dish proved so fantastic that she just gobbled it up, shoving handfuls into her mouth and moaning while she did.

It was better than sex and because of that, she didn’t give a flying fuck when her little man came back. In fact, she wasn’t even thinking of him. Suddenly, she felt the most intense hunger, as well as thirst.

She knew there was nothing to drink. Her eyes began to scan the hut. There had to be something…

When she saw the mouse, she cried out. Somehow, she was able to grab it. It only struggled for a second. That was all the time it took for her to bite its head off. She drained it and then ate it.

Then she caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror, the mouse blood stained all over her chin and breast. Well, not both, but one got a bit splattered. And because she liked what she saw, she smiled.

*

Hank and Joe watched her from outside and giggled to themselves. Damned if she didn’t always fly back with the best stuff. But then again, children’s flesh was always to be prized.

“Never figured her for a blood sucker,” Joe said. “Still, you never know about people.”

“Was it because you blessed the food, Joe?”

Joe didn’t answer; he only winked."

END OF EXCERPT 

***

AMAZON 

"Riveting. Imaginative. Chilling. Fantastical."

"Wonderful horror with a side order of ribs."

"Outstanding story line and strong characters. I felt like I was right there and a part of the side show. This book is not intended for young readers or for those with a weak stomach. Kudos to the author!!!"

"An awesome little creepfest!"

"Never going to the circus again!"

"True horror!"

99 cents on offer! What Fred Missed Seeing!

Fred and his troupe have arrived at the circus. Everyone's pretty excited. The show opens in just a few days!
Excerpt:

"The newly hired performers started to arrive that afternoon. There were all sorts of folks, including dancing girls, very pretty and young looking, most of them. The clowns got to discussing the size of their tits and who had the best ass. Fred shook his head in a warning gesture. The clowns just laughed.

There was a Gorilla Lady—damned if she wasn’t all hairy looking. Fred couldn’t believe she was a fake. Maybe that hair is real. Dexter, the muscle man, looked like a nice guy, tall and built like a mountain.

Don and Joe stood with Lucy, which annoyed Fred. They looked too chummy for his taste. But any jealousy melted away when Lucy’s arm shot up and she waved! She hurried over. “Aren’t they all marvelous? Look, here comes the Wildman.”

Fred caught sight of The Wildman of Zanzibar. He didn’t look very wild or imposing. He certainly didn’t look like a cannibal. Fred didn’t think he was; probably just more of Joe’s bullshit.

“They’re all old timers. We worked the circuit before,” Lucy explained.

Bob and his dogs were even there. Some kids snuck in and Bob was talking to them. There was a little girl with ribbons he was making a fuss over.

Mabel came out and greeted everyone. She was a fine looking lady and boy did Tommy look proud of her. She knew everyone.

“It’s like one family,” Fred said, and it was.

He knew then if he had his way he’d stay with them forever. They were nice to Old Pa and seemed to really be one big family.

Tommy had organized a big cook out—kind of a welcome for all the performers. During the event, he made a great speech. There were great eats and the dancing girls came out later wearing scanty costumes. Alice looked at their svelte, shapely bodies. Poor Alice.

The girls started to do the hootchy kootchy. Then a shimmy, which got the clowns all riled up. They whistled and clapped. Fred knew he’d have to speak to them about not doing anything stupid.

The others, including the Gorilla Lady, sat with Lester and Don—but Lucy came over to sit with Fred. She was excited about Alice and Al when Fred told her about the ring. Fred wondered if she had ever been engaged. He was afraid to ask her though.

They all had a fair amount to drink, despite Prohibition. Tommy kept quite a store. “And we don’t worry about any raids either—I know the right people and money always talks,” he said. “Ain’t that right, Bob?”

Bob the dog man gave him a funny look. “Sure is, boss.”

Fred wanted to ask Lucy about Bob but she was talking to Al and Alice. When Old Pa started to snore, he bid everyone a goodnight. “I best take my dad back now.”

They waved him off. But he thought Lucy’s wave was special, at least he hoped it was.

He put his old father to bed, whistling as he did. “It feels good to be happy,” he said. “Don’t it, Old Pa?”

No answer because the old man had fallen asleep. Fred fell into a deep sleep. The distant sound of laughter and talk from the cook out lulled him. It sounded comforting.

But because he was asleep, he never saw Tommy’s trailer door open. Nor did he see Mabel step outside, naked as a jaybird. Tommy laughed with glee when two huge wings appeared. “I love when you do that!” he cried.

She laughed too as she blew him a kiss and flew away. Up into the sky she soared, like a giant bird. She came back later—holding a child in her arms..."

END OF EXCERPT

AMAZON

"This is horrific in the best way! It is extreme ... and disturbing."

"Riveting. Imaginative. Chilling. Fantastical."

"Wonderful horror with a side order of ribs."

"Outstanding story line and strong characters. I felt like I was right there and a part of the sideshow.

"An awesome little creepfest!"

"Never going to the circus again!"

"True horror!"

“Scary from beginning to end! Sit back and read your way into a horror filled tale! Enjoy!”