• Kindle the flame to this fine comedy!
    That's what the letter said. I remember those beguilling letters inked into the ivory paper much too vividly. Oh, how I remember... Oh, how I wish I didn't...
    And here I sit, with a cold blade thrust to my throat by own kin! And all I can think is that letter! The very one that kills me so! The very one that makes my cheeks burn with bitter tears! The very one that makes me fall to my knees in utter despair.
    The Ring Master. Oh, the Ring Master. He sends you his invintation from the heavens, and it always says the same thing. Then, as soon as you lay your dreary head to rest, he dements your dreams.
    First, darkness, and only darkness. Your hands start to shake, or so you think. It's the pitchest of blacks, so you can't quite tell. The glorified silence is abruptly broken with the faint sound of clapping, and a soft chuckle.
    "Bravissimo, my fool!" is whispered into the nothing that consumes everything. Momentarily, a blinding light flashes upon you and him. The first thing that catches your grin is his fallacious, devious grin. And it runs chills down your spine after only a few long, perilous seconds. A hat is tilted atop his head so that his eyes are hidden by the shadow of the brim. His frail figure is draped with the stereotypical clothing of a circus' ring master. Of course, this is where his name derives from. Both of his hands are stuffed carelessly into his pockets, and his breath almost seems nonexistant. But then again, if you're like me, you hear a distant ringing in your ears and can't concentrate. You may laugh at this, but have you been sent the letter? I think not!
    "Now, now," he calms your slurring and stuttering heart,"There's no reason to fret. Just sit back, relax, and wait for your entrance 'Tis not dificult! I promise!" He lifts has hat ever so slightly and bows politely. You can't help but notice that he's grinning like a lying child. Your mouth is dry with unspeakable words- and idiotic /if/ spoken.
    You can't the seconds with your seconds with your fingers since your brain is too busy with horrifying thoughts to process time. Maybe that's why the next 20 seconds seem perpetual. But then again... It could just be the Ring Master testing your sanity. Nothing is real in this world of nightmares and curses. He hisses to you from oblivion,"Come now! Hurry! Hurry!" His voice is anxious and filled with fear. You can tell that this, this "performance" is important to the man. He grabs at your hand and chuckles as he pulls you through the darkness of your own dream.
    And then. Just then. You find yourself in an arena like structure, with a roaring crowd in the stands. Each person has their eyes on the same thing... You. "Ladies and Gentlemen!" His voice booms and the crowd falls deathly silent. "May I have your attention, please! The next event is something you wish not to miss!" The same devious grin plays upon his lips and he chuckles softly as you glance about nervously like a caged animal sentenced to death. Each person seems to think-and whisper-horrible things about what is to happen. You fall to your knees with pleading gasps of fear. The only thing that penetrates your thoughts is his mercilous laugh. The one with no pity, no remorse, not even a hint of kindess whatsoever. Horrid thoughts filter through you mind.
    Thoughts of ways to kill yourself.
    What would you do to stop the heartless pain?
    Thoughts of death.
    Does it not seem near, almost moments away?
    Thoughts of love.
    What would you do to see that one sepcial one last time?
    But mostly hatred.
    Who on Earth (Or heaven or hell) would pursue the dream of emmitting you through such painful torture?
    Just questions, questions, questions! No answers whatsoever!
    Just the suspense nearly kills you. Each audience members seems to dissolve into utter and completely silnce, yet again. You barely breath behind your mindless crying Your heart. It beats and beats and beats. You're just waiting for it to cease.

    You peer up at him for a moment. A lingering shadow, with a grin that kills. You can almost sense the future pain to come. And now. Now you wish your heart would just stop beating. Forever.