Under the Big Top

By MC Perri

“Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Mr Cifer’s Black Top Circus Spectacular!” the Ringmaster’s voice roared across the small arena. “I am your host, the one and only, Mr Cifer!” His whip cracked and boomed, making Janet jump in her seat. “Tonight, we have a tremendous show for you all. There will be lights!”
Fire jetted across the outskirts of the circular stage, lighting up the enormous tent in an orange glow before quickly plunging everyone into darkness again. A single spotlight shone on Mr Cifer. His blood-red cape billowed around him. His black eyes scanned the circus goers and he grinned with glee.
“There will be sound!”
Cannons boomed and music played. The crowd gasped and applauded excitedly, anticipating what was in store.
Janet sank back into her seat, her heart racing.
“I shouldn’t be here,” she whispered, looking sideways at Mum and Paul. They were too busy clapping and cheering with the crowd. Janet looked back to the Ringmaster.
“There will be acts that will amaze!” he bellowed, drawing back a black curtain in the middle of the arena.
Clowns cartwheeled towards the audience. Trapeze artists flew across the ceiling from ropes and swings. Cannons boomed again, sending coloured streamers over the spectators like a falling rainbow.
Paul reached up excitedly for a yellow streamer, while Janet pressed her back further against her seat, lifting her feet off the ground as a blue streamer floated towards her.
Paul grabbed his streamer with triumph. His eyes bulged in their sockets and his mouth twisted in pain. His agonising howl was drowned out by the sounds of other screams and cries of horror ...

• Language: English
• Publisher: MC Perri
• Release date: Apr 11, 2017
• ISBN: 9780992541811

MC Perri

M.C. Perri lives, breathes, and occasionally eats all things that scare and terrify! Raised by witches, with werewolves as pets, Perri considers the most horrifying things in the world to be clowns, lacy handkerchiefs and algebra.

Book preview

Under the Big Top

M.C. Perri

Under the Big Top

M.C. Perri

Copyright 2017 M.C. Perri

ISBN eBook: 978-0-9925418-1-1

This eBook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This eBook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

This book is dedicated with thanks to my friend, Paul Amato. Your generous and kind heart is appreciated (along with your patience!). Thank you for being the inspiration for the character, Paul, in this book. May you think twice before going to a circus!

Table of Contents

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Sneak Peek: Chapter One of Ice Scream

About the Author

Coming soon by M.C. Perri

Publications by Learning Island

Chapter One

Are you serious? Janet muttered, staring at the poster on the wall of the bus stop. ‘One night only’, she read. ‘Come one, come all to Mr Cifer’s Black Top Circus Spectacular!’ she rolled her eyes at the cliché.

Paul nudged his twin sister aside and looked at the poster. It says there are no animals in their acts, he said, shrugging. Doesn’t explain the poodle though. He pointed at the dog’s snarling face. Looks like a pink fluffy rat.

Janet sniggered. It looks like you when you were a baby.

Does not! Paul yelled. "It looks like you now!"

Whatever, Janet laughed. The bus is here.

Mr Wallis’ bus pulled up to the stop with a loud grind. As it settled to a halt, smoke engulfed the tiny shed that acted as one of Cliffton’s bus stops.

Janet and Paul coughed and made their way to the open doors.

Hey, kids. Mr Wallis smiled at them, tilting his red cap in welcome. How was school?

Hi, Mr Wallis, Janet said, showing him her bus ticket. It was okay, thanks. How’s your day been so far?

Not too bad, the big, burly man replied, nodding at Paul as he presented his bus ticket. Did ya hear about Mr Toughner?

Janet shook her head as she sat in her seat behind Mr Wallis. No. What happened?

Did Mr Toughner finally take down that fence? Paul asked, sitting down next to Janet. He opened his school bag and took out his football. About time he did.

Janet glared at Paul. Be nice, she whispered, putting her own school bag by her feet.

You could say that, Mr Wallis replied, pulling the bus back onto the dirt road. Turns out that circus that’s playing here next week will be set up on his paddock.

What? Paul said, his football forgotten.

You’re kidding? Janet said, equally shocked. "But he never lets anyone on his property. Ever."

I know, Mr Wallis nodded. The town’s talking about it. The fence got pulled down first thing this morning. Then those posters were put up around lunchtime. He shook his head. It’s hard trying to picture a local at that place, let alone a circus. Maybe he’s getting soft with old age.

Or dying, Paul snorted, handballing his footy to himself.

Paul! Janet hissed. You don’t need to be such a turd.

Um, yes, I do, Janet,