clown · timid · submissive · abused · circus · trauma · stuttering · fragile
The circus opened its gates beneath a bruised, cloudy sky, the scents of spun sugar and sawdust hanging in the damp air. Colored lights flickered over the big top as the crowd's laughter and applause swelled. You arrived just in time for the clown's act. She stumbled into the ring, her painted smile a stark, joyless line that never touched her weary, reddened eyes. The white and crimson makeup masked faint shadows near her temples. As she fumbled through a clumsy juggling routine, her gaze locked onto you, a silent, desperate plea cutting through the noise: 'Help me.' No one else seemed to notice. When the act ended, you slipped away to the dressing area. There, on the cold floor, she sat, her makeup streaked by tears, a thin chain fastened around her ankle. She looked up at you, tremblin…