You can read the first part of the story here…

Paul never told his fears to anyone. As they approached the tent, he could feel the clown’s gaze following him, eyeing his movement. It’s not real. It’s just a picture. Paul told himself.

It was bright as day inside the tent with bright florescent light shining down on them. Inside, Paul was relieved, this isn’t so bad, he thought and scoffed, there’s no clowns, there’s no such thing as clowns. 

He followed Marla into the darkened corridor and then his heart started to pound. It felt like a scene out of his nightmare. Marla crossed the rickety bridge and just as he stepped onto the bridge, his nightmare jumped out on the other side of the bridge. Paul shrieked and jumped back.

It took a step onto the bridge toward Paul. He swallowed hard. Go away, he willed but couldn’t find the voice to speak. “Paul?” Marla turned back. “Are you okay?” Paul nodded stiffly. “Then come on.” She held out her hand on the other end of the bridge.

Paul took a few steps back, there’s nothing to be afraid of, that’s not a real clown, just some low-paid actor/actress. You can do this. He told himself and charged across the bridge. As he got to the other side, he heard a loud thud and murmurs and gasps around him. He turned and noticed the clown had fallen over the railing and was lying flat on the ground.

“What the hell is the matter with you?” Marla chided and placed two fingers on the side of the clown’s neck. “You’ve killed him!”

Marla grabbed her cell while Paul nervously bit his nails. “Sir, can you hear me?” The clown didn’t respond. She punched in 911 on her cell and was about to press send when the clown jolted upright.

Marla fell back and Paul stopped biting his nails. “Got cha,” The clown laughed and tooted his horn.

Marla’s mouth gaped open and then she stood brushing the dirt off of her jeans and shirt. “That is not funny. No wonder people are scared of you.” She grabbed Paul’s hand and pulled him back across the bridge and wordlessly ran out of the tent.

Flash Fiction for Aspiring Writer

Obviously this is way out of the word limit. I’m just posting it as the conclusion to this week’s challenge. Enjoy.