Author's Note: I own nothing.

26 Newest Cast Member

Jazz was going frantic. While the rest of the town was going mad over the effect a Gothic Circus might have on the youth of the town Dani had gone missing. She had thought she was just out as Phantom at first, though slipping herself, Tanya and Sam out of detention with Lancer had probably been a bad decision. But then she spotted Sam and Tanya alone walking down the street. They were moving quickly and both looked worried. Why wasn't Dani with them? Jazz stepped up to them.

"Have you two seen Dani?" She asked waiting for some lame excuse. For three people with a dangerous secret they were really bad at lying. Tanya shook her head.

"Not since Lancer let us out of detention early." She said. Jazz frowned. That didn't sound like Lancer.

"She said she was heading home. Maybe she's there?" That was a lie, though Sam was better than both girls at lying he still wasn't great. "Have you tried calling her?" Jazz shook her head.

"Maybe try that. She's probably at home safe." Tanya refused to meet her eyes. Something was wrong. But before Jazz could pry deeper Sam checked his watch.

"Come on Tanya we're gonna be late." They rushed off before she could speak again, practically running down the street. Jazz felt worry creep into her heart. Something was wrong, and as per usual Dani was in the center of it.

Freakshow, the ringmaster of Circus Gothica tapped his foot. He was waiting on something, a bit impatiently, he had a show to do. It had already been a full day, she should have been here by now. He'd never had one resist for more than a few hours before. He frowned eying the bright red orb on the top of his staff. It had been in the family for years and it had yet to fail him. It wouldn't make sense for it to start now. The show would be starting soon, they didn't have much time. He checked his watch and a figure appeared in front of him out of thin air. She was young, that was good, he needed newer talent. All of his cast wore disguises, it was part of the fun of his show, but the old acts could get stale after a while. He circled her once looking her over.

She'd need some work before she'd be ready, he'd have to move her act to later in the show, bump the contortionist up. Easy enough. Her red stained eyes were locked on the orb, he smiled. He'd seen the news coverage of this one. The world outside Amity was calling the whole thing a hoax but he knew better. But her face would be recognizable in Amity. She'd need a mask, a full one. He smiled to himself putting a finger under her chin and tilting her head one way then the other. Yes, she would do nicely.

"Lydia." He called and a soft whoosh told him his favorite had entered the tent. "Get our newest cast member ready for show time. She'll be going on last, bit of a surprise for the crowd. Use a mask and get the hair out of that braid. No visible face, can't have anyone in the crowd recognizing the ghost girl now can we?" Lydia nodded taking the white haired ghost by the hand and steering her to a different section of the tent. It would be a few days before he could safely leave Amity. Taking a ghost out of their haunt took time, besides it would give him time to bleed the city dry. They were already afraid of the ghost girl. Freakshow smiled straightening his coat. Tonight would be a good night.

Sam frowned. He had in no way wanted this to be how he experienced Circus Gothica. He had bought his ticket early and been so excited but this was rapidly turning into a nightmare. He'd expected his first visit to Circus Gothica to be from the crowd for one, not sneaking around backstage looking for Dani who'd flown off red eyed, quoting the Circus Gothica commercial. Neither he or Tanya were sure what was going on but the best bet they had right now on where she'd gone was here. They'd run into Jazz on their way here and she's been downright suspicious of them but they'd run before she could ask too many questions.

Sam paused at a gap in the backstage curtain staring out at the center ring. The tent was mostly lit by spotlights in the ring, the black circus tent did a good job keeping out the dying light of the evening. Currently a single form stood in the center of the ring as applause echoed around him. He was gaunt, in black clothes and a top hat, his long needle like nose sticking out from his pallid face. He smiled a wicked grin at the audience spinning his bright red staff in his hands.

"Spooks and ghouls, it is my pleasure to introduce a new act! Preforming on the high wire, feats so daring only she can accomplish them I present to you, Lady Death herself!" The crowd roared as the spotlight around Freakshow vanished and a new one appeared, pointing at one of the platforms on the high wire. The figure standing there was intimidating. She wore head to toe black, like her fellow cast members, except for a blood red belt around her waist. She had silvery hair that hung loose in limp curls and framed a mask made to look like a large bird skull. It covered her entire face and the eyes of the mask glowed red, the light reflecting off the scythe in her hands. It had to be for balance Sam reasoned as the girl stepped out onto the wire. She wore black fishnets and shorts just visible under a long skirt with a slit cut up the sides for ease of movement. The crowd gasped as she balanced the scythe upright on the wire in front of her. Screams echoed around the tent as she flipped off the rope, landing with one foot on top of the scythe, perfectly balanced. She stayed there for a moment, she flipped off the scythe catching it midair and landing on the wire. The crowd went wild.

"What are you doing back here, this is cast only." Sam jumped turning away from the gap in the curtain. Freakshow stood behind him frowning. Sam laughed lightly under his breath.

"Oh this would be so cool under any other circumstances. I'm sorry. I'm looking for a friend of mine. She was acting really weird." He rushed. Freakshow laughed.

"Darling boy, that narrows it down to about everyone in this tent!" He pointed out with a laugh. The tent flap behind them opened and Lady Death stepped into the backstage area. Freakshow frowned. "What are you doing back here? Get out there and do your encore!" But she didn't listen. Instead she pulled aside her mask. Sam gaped as Dani's ghostly green eyes stared at her her, confused.

"Sam?" Before he could respond Freakshow stepped forward practically snarling.

"What was that? Free will! Obey me minion!" He held the staff aloft and Dani's eyes flashed from green to red. She slipped the mask back on as Sam's heart dropped. All hopes of this being easily resolved vanished as he realized what was really going on.

"You're controlling her!" He hadn't realized he'd spoken aloud until Freakshow whirled on him, eyes gleaming.

"Get him." The next thing Sam knew his vision had gone black.