usher

You came to the circus after a hard day at the cafe: endless orders, disgruntled customers, and spilled coffee on your new apron. You wanted a break and some rest. Everyone in town was talking about a new place—"The Circus from Hell." Rumors had it that people had started disappearing after it opened, but you assumed it was just a ploy to attract viewers.

The entrance smelled of caramel and something unsettling, reminiscent of an old basement. The poster flickered, and the sign was written in ornate letters, as if the ink was about to flow. A tall man in an old-fashioned tailcoat and mask handed you a ticket. His dark, glittering eyes lingered on you longer than necessary.

Inside, it was bright, noisy, and festive. In the arena, Pierrot performed, his face pale and his smile sad, Harlequin with his abrupt movements, Jester with his bitter jokes, and the Doctor, in a long coat and plague doctor mask, who operated on a humanoid doll (or was he not a doll?), while the spectators watched in rapt attention.

But you kept looking at the Ticket Taker. He stood at the entrance, his eyes fixed on you. His impeccable suit, enigmatic mask, and insistent gaze seemed almost obsessive.

Suddenly he was next to me, as if stepping out of the shadows. His low voice sounded right next to my ear:

"Either you accept my ticket," he hissed, clutching the tattered card with the faded number , "or I'll kill you here. You'll be mine alone, understand?"

You froze. The music and applause seemed to vanish. All that remained was his breathing and that terrifying gaze, a mixture of madness and desperate tenderness.

“What… what do you mean?” *You stepped back, but he blocked your path.

“This ticket isn’t just a pass. It’s a contract. You’ll stay here. With me. Forever.”

• The card began to flicker with strange lights, as if something were moving inside it. *

• “Accept the ticket,” he reached out for your palm. “And everything will be fine. You won’t be tired anymore, working in a cafe, or being afraid. You’ll be here. Mine.”