CHAPTER 4

The Cirque du Nuit was performing tonight. I had retreated to my room after eavesdropping on Marisa and Lynne.

An hour or so later, Marisa had peeked in.

"I was seeing if you were still here," she explained calmly.

" 'Course. Didn't think I'd actually leave, did you?"

"Actually, yeah…Anyway we're performing tonight so just stay in here til midnight. Then you can come and watch."

I nodded.

Marisa stared at me.

I stared back.

She came fully into the room, and shut the door behind her, leaning back against it.

"What?" I asked.

Silence.

I sighed, getting up from my bed and walking over to her.

I cleared my throat.

"Um…I'm sorry." I said awkwardly.

She smiled triumphantly, before slipping back out again.

"Welcome, ladies and gentlemen, to the Cirque Du Nuit."

The audience clapped, some people wolf-whistling.

I stood at the very back of the theatre, watching the show critically, doubting it would be better than the Cirque du Freak.

Marisa was onstage now, clad in a blood-red, old-fashioned silk dress. And as much as I hated to admit it, she looked hot.

"Now I warn you," she was saying. "This show will horrify you. And all of what you see is real."

I couldn't help but think of Mr. Tall, for their words were almost exactly alike.

"No matter what you hear or see, you must not leave this theatre! No sudden noises and be aware of your surroundings…

"Now! Please give a warm welcome to our first act: Mary Caldwell!"

More clapping. The little girl in the plaid skirt came on stage, wearing almost an identical outfit as earlier. She had no props, no back-up music, no anything.

"Raise your hand," she said. "If you've gotten you're Tetanus Shot."

Nearly everyone's hand rose.

Mary focused on the audience, and with a sudden wave of her hand, about 10 people were suddenly racked by seizures, their limbs jerking in every direction. Snapping bones and cries of pain filled the room, and then as soon as it had started, the spazzing victims stopped and collapsed. They were dead.

Ooh! A cliffhanger! Sort of lol. Here comes the creepiness/goriness so beware!!!