🐦‍⬛The Night the Circus Came To Town

I love scary stories and horror movies. I had a dream a couple of years ago that woke me up with a start.

I saw a forest at the cusp of dawn, and there was an old stone well in the middle of a clearing surrounded by tall, bare trees. A dark figure stood behind the well, a woman waiting for something.

I waited, too, wishing I could wake up because the woman felt very menacing. While we both waited, a long, hairy spider leg crept over the edge of the well and padded onto the dirt beneath it.

That was enough; I woke up, leaving the two in dreamland. But my imagination was piqued. The pair stayed in my imagination and wouldn't leave, nor did the feeling of foreboding from them.

This is what came from that dream.

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The dark forest was silent, eerie, waiting. The creatures that called this particular forest home could sense what was coming - something vile, something older than time. A tiny -pop- sounded, and a tall woman with long coils of jet-black hair appeared, slowly pushing an old black, Victorian baby stroller.

Her crimson lips smiled down at the bundle in the crisp, white sheets. A soft rustling issued forth, and a bird twittered nervously in a nearby tree. The woman's beetle-black gaze pierced the bird's breast, and it fell with a soft thud into the stroller. A crunch resounded through the forest as the creature in the blankets fed.

The woman made an unusual figure walking through the forest, pushing her stroller. She was out of place in this part of the world, but after eons of adapting, she could blend in easily. She would morph to fit her surroundings before heading into town. For now, though, her dark red shirtwaist, ankle-length, midnight black taffeta skirt, and button-up black boots were from her favorite era of her life thus far. The humans of that period were naïve and very tasty in their innocence. Skin as pale as milk gave her an otherworldly appearance, and her striking looks caused her to be avoided except in situations where she chose to be more seductive.

A dusty crossroads appeared in the near distance. She loved crossroads; more towns meant more people. She inhaled fully and could smell animals and crops growing and, of course, humans. They had a particular scent that was irresistible, especially when excited or afraid. She loved both fragrances equally.

The woman reached the crossroads. A wooden post with fading white paint stood in the middle; four different town names were written crudely on each side. Her fathomless eyes took in her surroundings. A barren, dry field of dust stared flatly back at her. Distant blue and white mountains to the east promised delicious feasts where more people surely lived. An impatient clicking came from the stroller, and she cooed softly,

"Nicht mehr lange." The creature rustled, and the sheets fell away.

"Steigen, mein Schatz," she spoke softly.

She stood back and watched, her shiny black eyes glittering with excitement as one long, spindly leg covered in bristly black hairs appeared over the edge of the stroller. The creature's foot padded onto the hard dirt as two more legs joined the first. A round, hairy body with sixteen eyes and black pincer fangs rose as five more thin, strong legs lifted the creature up and out. It clicked its pincers as if tasting the air.

"Es ist gut hier, nein?" the lady asked.

The monster turned to her and clicked appreciatively.

"We will have many feasts here." She moved to stand near it, and she touched its head in a motherly gesture.

This creature was a gift from her grandmother many years ago, and the two held a fondness for each other that had never been broken, though many had tried and later regretted. Those humans had been particularly tasty; their skin marinated in that fear and regret she loved like an old wine.

"Wirf dein Netz, Kleiner," she commanded.

The lady and her beast worked in the growing sunlight. She marked three points in the dirt where her snare would lie with three very old, dark red garnets. These had been a gift from her grandfather to mark her third, thirteenth, and twenty-first birthdays. At twenty-one, her training was complete, and if she had begun it with reservations, she ended it with enthusiasm to see the world and taste its delights.

Many decades had passed, and she never tired of finding new places to feed. With a quick turn of her black boot, she created a small hole in the barren earth, dropped a stone in, and smoothed the dirt with her pale, long-fingered hand, whispering incantations over the earth and stone. The creature scuttled between the three points, quickly casting a complex web. It climbed and spun, and when it was done, the lady stood back admiring.

The web glistened white and silvery in the early dawn light, dew catching and running down the sticky, silken strands between the stones. She praised her creature, which clicked happily. The lady turned around in the web, none of the strands touching her, and she walked the paths to be laid out, whispering more ancient words to the cool air. As she walked, the web became invisible.

The lady clicked her tongue, and the creature scurried back to its bed, little puffs of dirt rising around its heavy feet. The stroller creaked, and the hinges squeaked as it settled among the sheets. Exhausted from its work, it folded its long, hairy legs beneath it, closed its many eyes, and promptly fell asleep.

From a deep, inner pocket, the lady pulled out a small, golden box. The size of a lady's cigarette case, the square metal box had scroll and vine work etched delicately into the outside. Madame Maggie's Menagerie and Circus was engraved on the lid with a carving of the Big Top circus tent next to it. In the right light, the flag appeared to flutter in a breeze.

She slowly tapped the lid three times with her red-painted fingernail and turned a lever on the bottom three times. Lifting the lid, she set the box down in the middle of the web, went to her sleeping creature, and pushed the stroller out. The creature slept on, undisturbed, and Madame Maggie waited.

Ever so faintly, she could hear the music coming from the Big Top inside the golden box. Shafts of red and white light shot out of the box, ricocheting off the tops and sides of the now invisible web. The shafts of light grew brighter and faster until a full-size Big Top tent stood in the northwest corner of the dirt field. Her black eyes glittered as the light and music grew louder and more frenzied until her entire menagerie of animals and the exhibition tents lay in their respective places within the web.

Everything stilled momentarily while Madame Maggie took a deep lungful of the fresh summer air. Her creature turned over in its blankets, and she slid black gloves onto her pale, slender hands up to her elbows.

The lid snapped shut on the box, and Madame Maggie entered her web and picked it up, returning it to her pocket. She turned to go and snapped her fingers three times. Instantly, the circus came to life. The bandstand music started back up from the Big Top. She could smell caramel popcorn, and a flash of silver caught her black gaze.

Elise, the young daughter of a dignitary from a faraway town, stood, trembling, next to her hula hoop in her silvery, shimmery dress. The length enhanced her long, slender legs. Madame Maggie didn't always feast on or feed her creature their prey. No, she needed a show and a menagerie to lure more in.

"Tell the others we begin again," Madame Maggie said coldly. She gave the girl a dismissive wave, and Elise whimpered fearfully and ran for the Big Top to tell the master, Thomas.

Thomas was her oldest and most faithful and usually could calm the new captives down. He hadn't been able to with Elise. And the girl's fear was tainting her skin, and her constant attempts to flee were getting bothersome. Elise may serve better as a snack rather than a pretty hula hoop dancer and tight-rope walker.

Pulling her gloves tighter and placing a hairy black leg back under the white sheets, Madame Maggie began the walk into the nearest town, pushing the stroller in front of her. As the sweet smell of humans got closer, the lady whispered some magic over the creature, and it transformed into a very chubby, black-haired, black-eyed human baby. Her magic softened her features, pinned up her long, dark curls in the latest fashion, and gave her the air of an innocent yet seductive mother.

Her boots landed daintily on the dusty boardwalk. The town was still relatively quiet, with people just starting their day. Madame Maggie's nose caught the scent of meat pies being baked for lunch later and bacon, toast, and coffee while someone had their breakfast.

She entered a hotel and was greeted by a pretty young woman, her chestnut hair up in a loose bun that accentuated the curve of her rosy cheeks. She smiled at Maggie and greeted her with a cheery "Good morning." The creature clicked, and Maggie murmured her soft lullaby to it. She knew this young woman smelled very sweet, and the forest bird had only whetted the creature's appetite.

"Good morning," Maggie replied in perfect English. "Do you have any rooms available for me and my baby?" The girl peered over the tall counter at the stroller.

"Oh," she squealed. "I just love babies. Boy or girl?" Her face was glowing. Oh, she would do very well if Elise proved to be more of a problem.

"A little boy," Maggie walked closer, and the girl stepped back suddenly, her eyes widening in a sudden fear. Then, a look of confusion crossed her face, and she shook her head.

"Sorry, I just had a chill," she giggled self-consciously.

Maggie gave a comforting smile that usually soothed the more sensitive humans. This girl must have the gift and could sense what Maggie and her baby really were. Most humans came willingly, too stupid to follow their own wisdom when their fear kicked in. The sensitive ones were more fun to capture…and more tasty. Usually, with some convincing from Maggie in the form of a better disguise, the gifted ones forgot their fear and walked into her web eventually. Maggie was sure this girl would as well.

"How, how," the girl stuttered, "old is he?" She craned her neck but wouldn't come closer. Maggie whispered a word, and the girl visibly relaxed and came around the counter to peer into the stroller. Her eyes were glazed, and she tickled the creature's cheeks, and the baby giggled and cooed at her.

"Oh, he's adorable," the girl stood and looked at Maggie, who had transformed so she looked softer and more inviting than before. "What's his name?"

"William," Maggie said.

"A fine name for such a handsome boy." She looked out the window as a man dressed in tails and a top hat walked past. Thomas had followed as Maggie knew he would. The girl's face was slack and Maggie lifted the spell. The girl came to with a start, looked around as if finding herself somewhere unexpected, and inhaled quickly.

"You wanted a room?" She hurried back around the desk, seemingly afraid again and wanting to escape Maggie's immediate presence as soon as possible.

"Yes, if you have one. We're just passing through."

"The stagecoach has been in already?" the girl asked.

"I'm not sure," Maggie said.

"Well, how did you get here then? The train's not due until tomorrow."

"We came in on the last one."

"Yesterday?"

Maggie nodded and cast her whispered spell again. This pretty young thing asked too many questions. With a vacant look on her face, the girl looked at the keys on the wall behind her and pulled down number thirteen.

"Here you go. Last one. Would you like to pay now or when you check out?" Her green eyes were looking at Maggie but not seeing her.

"I'll pay now."

"Marguerite!" An older woman, clearly the girl's mother, came out from a doorway to the side of the desk. Her bun was a little tighter, her skin a bit more wrinkled, her chestnut hair faded. "Our guests are waiting for their breakfast. What is taking so long?" Then she saw Maggie, and her scowl turned into a polite smile.

"This nice woman is taking the last room, Mama." The girl said it so emptily that her mother scowled again.

"Are you feeling all right, Marguerite?" She reached out a hand to touch the girl's forehead.

"I was just going to pay," Maggie said, coming forward. As she suspected, the mother didn't have the gift. She smelled like the masses who would come to her circus tonight. The woman reached out greedily to take the coins in Maggie's outstretched hand, not recoiling once. She passed Maggie the room key, and the coins clinked into the register.

"Breakfast is complimentary, Ma'am. Served at seven o'clock." She nudged her daughter as Maggie whispered, and the spell lifted once again. The girl shook her head, glanced at Maggie and her mother, and hurried out the doorway holding her skirts up, not looking back.

Maggie eyed the girl's slender figure hungrily. Yes, with her pretty face and figure, she'd bring in many men, young and old, for her and her darling to feed on.

"If you need anything else, just let me or Marguerite know. My name is Martha. And you are?" She held a pen poised over a guest ledger, the number thirteen and the payment amount already written down.

"Mrs. Charles Roberts," Maggie said with an air of condescension.

Martha reacted with servitude, as Maggie wanted.

"Will your husband be joining you, Mrs. Roberts?" Her eyes roamed over Maggie's expensive clothing and jewelry. "I see you have a little one." She glanced disdainfully at the stroller where the baby slept. No, this mother would not miss her daughter when Maggie left town with her.

"Sadly, no. He is with the good Lord now." She made the sign of the cross, and Martha gave her condolences. Maggie learned early on a dead husband who was with the Lord made them stop asking questions and leave her alone.

"Well, your room is at the top of the stairs. Will you need help with the stroller?"

“No, thank you, Martha,” Maggie said, backing up and turning for the stairs. “I’ll take William up now and return for the stroller.”

Martha looked around in bewilderment.

“Where is your trunk, Ma’am?”

“It’s coming on the train tomorrow.” Maggie bent to pick up the baby, cooing to it in German. It wriggled but stayed asleep.

“Very good, Ma’am,” Martha said as Maggie ascended the stairs. Maggie heard a bell tinkle as the door opened but didn’t look back. She knew who it was.

“Morning, Ma’am,” Thomas greeted Martha.

“I’ve got some news for you and your fine establishment.”

“Oh, what is that, Sir?” Martha asked as Maggie smiled, put the key in the lock, and turned it. The door opened with a creak. She could hear perfectly if she stood just inside her room.

“A circus?” Martha asked. “Oh, we haven’t had one of those around these parts in ages. I’ll make sure I tell all my guests. Who doesn’t love a circus?”

Who didn’t, indeed? Maggie laid William in a crib and descended to get the stroller.

“Well, I’ve got a flier, Ma’am, if I could pin that up somewhere?” she heard Thomas ask. She could smell his fear as he heard her descending. He may be her most loyal, but she knew it was only fear of her and the creature that kept him doing her bidding. Primal fear and her spells bound him to the golden box that trapped him. Its heaviness lay against her leg inside her pocket. She smiled greedily and couldn’t wait for tonight when she could gather more.

“That would be quite all right. Just give it to me, and I’ll put it up here for my patrons.”

Martha took the flier for “Madame Maggie’s Circus and Extravaganza Show” and placed it in her front window.

"Thank you, Ma’am. I’ve got other places to visit. Where would be the next best place to go?”

Martha thought for a moment. “Probably the mercantile down at the end of the boardwalk.” Martha pointed to her left.

Thomas nodded, turned, and hurriedly left, not looking once at Maggie as instructed.

"Martha, I think I will have breakfast. My baby is sleeping and should be okay for a while without me."

"Right this way, Ma'am," Martha said with irritating flattery she knew was a show. Martha would make a good snack for her darling.

Madame Maggie sat alone in the corner of the quaint hotel's dining room, partially obscured in shadow. The other guests chatted amiably amongst themselves, oblivious to the predator in their midst. Marguerite hesitated as she approached the table, a platter trembling in her hand. Maggie whispered another incantation, and the girl's demeanor changed like before. She exchanged vacant pleasantries while Maggie took the time to investigate her properly. With her pretty face and autumn tresses, she would definitely serve a better purpose than a tasty morsel.

"Will there be anything else, Ma'am?"

Marguerite asked, avoiding Maggie's piercing black eyes that were studying her intently.

"No, my dear," Maggie replied softly.

Marguerite smiled vaguely and turned slowly to go. Maggie lifted the spell, and Marguerite hurried away to serve a table of rough-looking men, a shudder rippling down her spine.

Maggie's day was just beginning as she stood to leave. The lights flickered as she walked past, and all eyes were on her as she left the dining room. No one knew why they felt so drawn to the tall, elegant lady, but they knew there was something special about her. Maggie whispered a word, and Martha came hurrying in, announcing the circus on the outskirts of town. The room buzzed to life as diners started making plans to visit. They rushed past her to check the flier in the front window.

As Maggie wandered through town, she saw Thomas had done well. Posters of her circus were in the saloon, hardware store, post office, and train station. The townsfolk kept looking her way, wondering who this woman was in their dusty town. She smiled, knowing they would soon find out, which would be very good for her.

Walking by a window, she saw a spider in the corner. Holding her gloved finger out, she whispered a word, and the spider scuttled onto her outstretched hand, its black eyes peering into hers. She said another spell and put the spider along the boardwalk, sending it on an important errand. It would be back soon to tell her the state of the circus. Were they ready?

As Maggie stood, she grabbed a handful of dirt from the street, and as she walked back to the hotel, she let it steadily fall from her hand, whispering her age-old spell to bring the people to her circus. The day passed quietly, an unusual lull over the town. All anyone could talk about was the circus at the edge of town. The gates opened at sundown, and all the townsfolk were hurrying through their daily tasks, so they weren't the last ones to arrive.

As the sun set, the spider returned. It looked as though it had aged a year. It moved slower and had a white mark on its back. It was time. Crushing the spider under her heel, Maggie descended the stairs with her darling and placed him in the stroller. She pushed it with one hand and let the magic dirt sprinkle along beside them. She heard the townspeople's footsteps following her at a distance. She didn't need to look back. She knew their eyes were glassy and happy, vacant smiles were on their weathered faces.

Thomas stood in his tailcoat and top hat, ready to greet them. Maggie caught sight of Elise's silver dress as the girl ran to tell the others. Her behavior tonight would determine if she was allowed to live. Marguerite could still prove to be a replacement. But where was Marguerite? Maggie hadn’t seen her in the crowds but had spotted her mother and a man she presumed was the girl’s father.

The people passed by Maggie, some looking at her apprehensively until they saw Thomas beaming at them, welcoming them in, his smile faltering a little. She walked around the perimeter, checking for any breaks in her spells and her darling's webs. Everything was intact. She waited until the last smiling family passed the gates and entered the circus, then sealed the gates with a wave of her hand.

Chattering, happy people milled around the tents and attractions. The tiger paced in her cage and roared at a group of children who screamed, candy apples falling to the ground as they ran away. Fresh popcorn and soda were being devoured as everyone slowly meandered through the circus and eventually into the Big Top. Elise and two other young women Maggie had captured from other towns were performing. The crowd oohed and ahhed as they twirled through the air and caught each other so they didn’t fall to the hard ground below.

Maggie nodded to Thomas once everyone was inside with full bellies and distracted by the acrobatics. He tried to hide his fear of what was coming next, but Maggie could smell it on him. He disappeared into the tent, and Maggie spoke a phrase, waved her hand, and the canvas sealed itself shut. The only way out would be when Maggie decided it was time. She pulled the now wide-awake baby from the stroller and whispered,

"Jetzt essen wir."

She kissed the baby's forehead, ran her hand down his spine, and placed him on the ground. The magic reversed itself, and soon, her glorious, eight-legged creature stood before her, clicking its pincers hungrily. Its beady eyes looked at where the canvas was sealed.

The audience applauded as the last acrobat finished her performance, and Maggie twitched a finger. The flap reopened, and her darling entered, running into the crowd. Maggie smiled as the screams of terror began. She now entered, sniffing deeply. As Thomas, Elise, and the others hurried out past her, Maggie said to Thomas,

“Find the girl from the hotel and take her to my room. Now.” She wanted Marguerite for her collection. He nodded, his face twisted in fear, hands twitching to cover his ears against the screams behind him. Maggie pressed a bottle of tincture in his hand to sedate the girl. He ran off, and Maggie resealed the tent. Thomas would find her. He always did her bidding. Unworried, Maggie turned and watched as her darling filled his belly, and soon she joined it. It had been too long since she'd fed.

***This story won an Honorable Mention in the 2023 Scary Story Contest from American Fork Utah Library.