Freak Show

               Dusty knew there was something wrong with the Farmingdale Circus.  It wasn't anything he could put his finger on but more like something he could sense.  The performers were too eager to entertain, leaping around as if their lives depended on it.  The animals were skittish with wild looks of fear in their eyes.  The clowns … the clowns were downright terrifying.  Their makeup barely concealed their evil grins.

            The most horrible part of the circus was the Freak Show.  Dusty had only been through it once before but that was more than enough.  He didn’t like the way they looked at him with hunger in their eyes.  The Bearded Lady, the Tiny Boy and the Wolf Man were just a few of the odd assortment of mutants on display.  The worst member of the collection was the Gigantic Woman.  She weighed at least 500 pounds and flashed a smile that sent chills down Dusty’s spine.  He remembered sprinted from the tent as if it were on fire.

            Every year, his parents insisted on taking him to the circus for his birthday.  Why they even bothered asking him what he wanted to do on HIS day, he didn’t know.  This year for his 10^Th birthday it was exactly the same.  He woke up, ate breakfast, and went to the circus.  The stench of rotting food and garbage filled the air.  The clamorous performers grated on his nerves.  Dusty stomped moodily next to his parents wishing he was home watching TV.  Before long, a clown approached them.
           
            “Hey there, young fella!” the clown chirped. “I bet it’s your birthday!”

            “How did you know?” Dusty’s mother asked, surprised.

            “Oh I just know,” the clown explained with fake cheerfulness.
           
            Dusty knew however.  He felt it in his soul.  The clown was evil.  Evil clowns always knew when it was your birthday.

            “Well young fella, today is your lucky day!  Since it’s your birthday you can see the Freak Show for free!  Come with me!” the clown chimed.

            “NO!” Dusty shouted, backing away.

            “Dusty!” his father said in his ‘stern’ voice, “don’t be rude.  Go with him.”

            Dusty knew he had no choice.  The clown held out his greasy white hand.  Dusty tentatively reached out his hand as the clown clamped down on his arm.  The clown’s palm felt cold and clammy.  He was whisked away from his parents before he could protest.  The clown walked quickly forcing him to run.  He opened the tent flap and shoved Dusty inside.  The smell of bleach assaulted his nostrils. 

            “Don’t be afraid,” the clown hissed, “this will be fun, I promise.”

            He led Dusty to the one place he didn’t want to go.  He led him to the Gigantic woman.  She was even larger than he remembered.  Her stained, black sweat pants were stretched to their breaking point.  She wore a baggy red shirt that didn’t quite cover her immense midriff.  Dusty could see her mottled, lumpy flesh shifting with every breath.  Her eyes were cold and beady, encased in rolls of fatty tissue.  Dusty tried to pull away.

            “Wait,” the clown said, “don’t you want to see her up close?”

            “NO!” Let me go!  I want outta here!” Dusty yelled, squirming.

            “I will in a moment.  Just go closer first.  You wouldn’t want everyone knowing you're a wimp, would ya?”

            As Dusty took a step closer her eyes became green and her head flew backwards.  Before he could react, her stomach split in two, revealing an enormous mouth filled with sharp teeth.  The clown shoved Dusty with all his might, cutting short the scream bursting from his lungs.  He spilled into her massive mouth as she clamped down forcefully.  His body severed in two, spraying blood everywhere.

            “Is Mistress happy with her meal?” the clown simpered.

            “NO!” she bellowed.  “I’m still hungry.  Bring me his parents and a performer for dessert!”