A/N: When I finished Benny's Baby I was pretty burnt out, don't get me wrong I love writing but I needed a break. But now after taking about a month off I've come up with another set of stories I think you'll enjoy.

More than anything I want to create an antagonist that will keep people up at night and what better way to do that than in stories? The last two monsters I made (Alec/Coal and Sasha) weren't that scary. These guys and the ones I'll be introducing in the other stories I hope will freak you out, they kinda spooked me and I'm the one who created them.

So hopefully you'll stick around and enjoy The Spellmaster's Mother it'll be mostly an Ethan/Sarah story with some Erica/Benny on the side. Please leave a review if you like or hate what you read, feedback is one of the most important parts of writing, and I'd love to hear what you have to say! Thanks again! Enjoy!


The Spellmaster's Mother

Chapter 1: When the Circus Comes to Town

Six year old Ethan fidgeted as his parents held a small schedule up. He groaned in annoyance, didn't they realize they were wasting time standing around doing nothing? The circus bustled with life around them as people went to fro, all over announcers could be heard as they tried to catch the attention of the ever passing crowd, and all young Ethan wanted to do was get out there and experience it all. Then without warning the smell of freshly popped popcorn assaulted his nose and on instinct he felt his mouth water. He tugged his mom's pants.

"Can we get some popcorn?" asked Ethan as he licked his lips. It smelt so good. "Mom?"

"Give me a moment sweetie," said Samantha as she patted him on the head. She went back to talking with Ross. He huffed in annoyance and decided to take matters into his own hands. He inhaled deeply and followed the scent until at long last he came upon the popcorn vendor.

"Hey there little guy," said the man as he leaned over the counter. "Can I get you some popcorn?"

"How much can I get for a dollar?" Asked Ethan as he held up the entirety of his money. The man seemed to think about, and for agonizing moment Ethan feared his dollar wouldn't be enough. Then man flashed him a smile and scooped up a large container of popcorn. "On the house kid, enjoy the circus!"

Ethan smiled, thanked the vendor, and after eating a handful decided it was time to head back to his family. The only problem was he had no idea where they were. He walked through the midway eating his popcorn looking for any sign of his mother or father. He saw performers, animals, other vendors, but nowhere did he see his mom, dad or the familiar color of his baby sister's stroller. Panic began to well up in the pit of his stomach as he continued to look. Without realizing it he began to run. Did they leave him behind? That wasn't possible, was it? Had they decided they liked his sister more than him?

The popcorn container clattered to the ground as he raced along the rows of tents. His family had to be here, the needed to be here. They wouldn't leave him behind, they couldn't! After what seemed like an eternity he ran darted the nearest tent hoping by some strange miracle his family would be there, and if they weren't then maybe he could at least ask one of the employees for help. His heart sank when he saw a bunch of strangers watching masked figures on stage. The performers danced and mimicked motions of those in the crowd.

Ethan summoned the last bit of his courage and walked towards the front of the stage. He looked up at the performers and asked for help. Instead of an answer they began to copy him motion for motion, behind him the crowd began to laugh. Ethan felt the world spin around him, the laughter and the performers became one, they were all laughing at him for wanting his family, for wanting to go home. He fell to the ground and began to cry, he covered his ears trying his best to block out the noise.

They were laughing at him because he was scared, because he was alone. Ethan hugged his knees close to his chest and continued to cry.


Ethan leaned on his elbows and stared out the window. He watched as the leaves floated towards the ground and wished at the moment he was far away from Hannah Price and her annoying morning announcements. In an attempt to block out her over excited voice he closed his eyes and tried to think of something, anything that might distract him until they were over. His first thought was Sarah, at least until he remembered his last attempt at talking to her, and decided to think of something a little less embarrassing.

And for some strange reason his mind jumped to the last failure of a date with they had had together. He sighed in defeat and decided that maybe for once Hannah's announcements weren't that bad.

"And don't forget that we'll be having a special performance in the auditorium tomorrow, and all students are welcome to attend during fifth period."

"How does she manage to be so happy?" Groaned Benny as he threw down his pen in agony. Ethan glanced over at his friend's doodle and laughed, it was a picture of Benny blowing up the speaker. "I get here and all I want to do is sleep."

"I miss sleeping," whispered Rory from behind them. "But I think what I miss the most is drooling when I'm sleeping. There's nothing better than a good night's drool."

"Gross," said Ethan and Benny in unison.

"And as a special surprise last night we've received word that Everlasting Circus will be arriving in Whitechapel this weekend!"

Ethan felt himself pale, and from behind he heard Rory squealed in excitement. All around people began to mummer.

"That's right, Everlasting Circus will be arriving here in the next few days and will stay all throughout next week! And as a special treat students get in for free, all you have to do it show you're student ID at the entrance! Your first period teachers have been given flyers with information on them, I hope to see you there!"

The class exploded into discussion, and despite Mr. G's best attempts there was no hope of getting things back under control.

"If it's anything like in the movies then it's going to be cool," said Benny as he stared off into space. "Can you imagine all the things I might be able to deep fry? My mouth is watering just thinking about it!"

"Deep fried chocolate rats," said Rory as he leaned over his desk. "Or maybe they'll have a house of mirrors, I've always wanted to go into one of those."

Ethan lost track of the conversation as he watched Mr. G hand the flyer to the closest student. Of all the things that had to happen it had to be a circus. He closed his eyes as he remember the last time he had gone to one. He shivered.

"Hey Earth to Ethan, are you there?"

"Huh what?" Asked Ethan as he returned to reality. "S-Sorry, what were you talking about?"

"We were talking about clowns," said Rory with a smile. "He think's they can fit into those cars with magic, I think they're like silly putty and-"

"You ok man?" Asked Benny as he looked at him. "You went pretty white there more a moment, like you just a needle white."

"I-I'm fine."

"Are you scared?" Asked Rory as he leaned in closer. "You totally are, aren't you?"

"Am not."

"Are too."

"Ok, fine. Maybe I might be a little scared, the last time I went to circus something bad happened."

"Oh yeah, I forgot about that," whispered Benny as he leaned back in his chair. "Dude that was like when you were six."

"What happened?" Asked Rory as he poked Ethan with his pencil. "Tell me."

Ethan shook his head; he didn't want to talk about it. Rory leaned over his desk and continued to poke him. Benny sighed:

"When Ethan was six he went to a circus with his family. Now imagine a six year old smaller younger less Ethan-y Ethan. He wandered off to get popcorn and got separated from his mom and dad. Being the smart little kid he was he went into the nearest tent looking for help, the only problem- he went into the tent with a creepy mimic act, and instead of helping him, they started to make fun of him. Poor little E got so freaked out by the whole thing he hasn't watched a movie or even talked about it since."

"Aww," said Rory as he looked at him with sympathy in his eyes. "Poor little Ethan."

"It was a bad year for both of us," said Benny as leaned back at his chair. "That was also the year my mom died. On the bright side it was the year E moved to Whitechapel. But enough with with this depressing stuff, let's talk deep fried circus food."

Ethan sighed, it was going to be a long day.


Ethan caught sight of Sarah and Erica at the end of the hall and felt his heart race. "Maybe we shouldn't go this way, the other way is faster." He tried to turn down another hall.

"Oh no you don't," said Benny as he caught him by the backpack. "You haven't talked to Sarah since Stern exploded last week, I think it's time you fixed that."

"I have too talked to her, its just things have been weird between us since that date."

"Like I said it's time to fix that, besides Erica will only talk with me if your there to talk to Sarah. So it's time for you to man up, here," he snapped his fingers and a cupcake appeared. "And if things start to go south just start eating it, trust me it works all the time when I'm talking with Grandma."

"Hey guys," said Sarah as she waved to them. "Nice cupcake." Ethan blushed and Benny gave him a thumbs up.

"What do you want?" Asked Erica as she crossed her arms and glared at Benny. "Can't you see we're talking?"

"About the circus?" Asked Benny as he gave her a smile.

"Uh duh," said Erica as if it was the most obvious answer in the world. "That's all anybody can talk about, I looked it up on my phone and apparently it travels all over the world and just appears without notice."

"Sounds pretty cool," said Sarah as she smiled at Ethan. "What do you think Saturday night we head over to the circus?"

"I don't know," said Ethan timidly as he stared at the ground. It was one thing to admit to Benny and Rory he was afraid, but to Sarah? Never. "I've got a lot of things I need to get done over the weekend."

"We don't have to go over the weekend, it's here until the end of next week."

"I-I guess, I mean wouldn't you rather go see or a movie or something?"

"This might be a once in a lifetime opportunity," said Sarah excitedly as she grabbed his hand. Ethan felt himself go red. "You can't tell me you're really going to pass on it."

He shrugged his shoulders and she gave him a sympathetic smile. "You're not scared are you?"

Erica snorted and did her best not to laugh if possible Ethan was sure he went even redder than ever before. He pulled his hand free from hers. "I-I'm not scared. W-why would I be scared? I mean we've fought creepy things before, this is just a bunch of tents and performers and stuff."

"It's ok if you're scared."

"I'm not scared," yelled Ethan causing all his friends to give him a weird look. "Let me know when you're going and I'll be there."


"The harder to tried to convince Sarah you weren't scared the more it sounded like you were scared," said Benny as he peered out the window with the binoculars. "You should've just eaten the cupcake like I told you."

Ethan rubbed his face as he thought about everything that had happened. Why had he said that to Sarah? He didn't want to go anywhere near that circus. He shivered as he thought about the performers who had mocked when he was little. He leaned back in his chair and tried to distract himself from everything that had happened.

"You know it's pretty obvious Sarah wants to hang out with you, maybe you should try asking her out on a date again."

"I don't want to talk about it right now," grumbled Ethan. "Do see anything interesting?"

"I see a bunch of lights just past the park," said Benny without moving from the window. "I wonder if that's where they're setting up the tents and stuff."

"Really? That would make sense considering that's the most open space in the entire city."

"Yup it's the tents, they're putting one up now."

Ethan got up and took the binoculars from his friend, he peered through the lenses and sure enough in the distance he could see a bunch of bright lights and what looked like poles going up. He handed them back to Benny and sighed.

"I can't believe I talked myself into going to the circus."

"Don't worry I'll be there, and so will Sarah and Erica. Nothing bad will happen. It'll be like a double date, expect we're not actually dating them," said Benny as he patted his friend on the shoulder. He snapped his fingers and grabbed his jacket, "Come on I'm going to prove that the circus isn't that scary."

"Where are we going?" asked Ethan as he stared at his best friend. Benny pointed out the window at the large patch of lights. "No, there is no way I'm going over there."


If there was one thing Ethan should've learned by now it was Benny unique ability to talk him into stupid situations. By the time they reached the tents it was almost eleven, and both boys shivered in the cold night air. Ethan rubbed his hands together trying to keep them warm and stopped when they came to a strange chain link fence covered with a blue tarp. Though they couldn't see through it the sounds of people could be heard on the other side.

"I'm surprised we haven't see anyone else here," said Benny as he looked around. "You'd think that more people would be trying to get a glimpse of the first circus in years that's ever come to Whitechapel. Hey I think I found a hole."

Benny motioned for him to come forward and pointed to the small tear in the cloth. Ethan leaned forward and peered through. Sure enough people were moving in all direction setting up booths, tents, moving animals to and fro. His fears and worries suddenly felt so childish and stupid, how could this be scary?

He gave Benny a smile, who in turn gave him a thumbs up. Ethan peered through the tear again, maybe he'd catch sight of something cool like a lion or an elephant. Instead a woman passed by wearing a a bright red coat and top hat. From the way she was calling out orders it was pretty obvious she was the one in charge.

"That must be the ringmaster," thought Ethan as he waited for her to turn. Another figure, much taller than the woman though similarly dressed, appeared by her side. Ethan frowned as he tried to get a better look at them. The taller man's head shot up, as did several of the various workers. The woman turned towards the fence and he felt his breath catch in his throat. The curly brown hair, the bright green eyes, she looked at him and smiled.

"Long time so see Ethan."

It wasn't possible. Then the second Ringmaster turned, and Ethan struggled to catch his breath, it had no face.

We the Ringmasters want Whitechapel to be pure, and shall remove those who dream of a cure.

He stumbled backwards and fell onto the ground. He scrambled to his feet. "We need to go, we need to go now!"

"Why?" Asked Benny as he ran to keep up with him. "What's going on? What did you see E?"

Ethan said nothing as he continued to run, he looked over his shoulder at his best friend, the brown hair, the green eyes, it wasn't possible. The Everlasting Circus had come to town, the question was what had come with it.