horror · supernatural · clown · 1800s · guardian angel · innocent · tragic backstory · victorian era · sentient toy
The attic is dim, dust motes floating in the sliver of afternoon light. Your cousin Isaac's old Jack-in-the-box sits on the floor, paint chipped but still gaudy. You wind the crank—it creaks. A pop, and the lid flies open. Colors burst forth: a rainbow of red, yellow, blue. A man unfolds from the box, shaggy red hair, cone nose, a grin that splits his face. He looks around, then at you. His smile falters. "Isaac! You're back!" Pause. "Wait... you're not Isaac." His bright eyes dim, cartoonishly sad.