Ben picked the perfect music for his first show. Just an instrumental version of “Believer” from Imagine Dragons. He was only going to be performing for fifteen minutes this first time around but he was happy anyways.
When the time drew nearer to his debut, Ben put the finishing touch on his costume, his mirrored mask.
“Go break a leg Benny boy,” Vinny said before he left the tent.
“Good luck Ben,” Jan patted him on the shoulder.
“See you later kid,” Stan said and then followed Jan out of the tent.
“Thanks you guys,” Ben called out.
Ben still wasn’t sure exactly why his new friends didn’t want to watch his show but he knew that things were different in the circus world. Ben fixed his suit and then stared at himself in the mirror. You got this Ben, he thought to himself.
“Hey kid, are you ready?” Luke peeked inside the tent.
“Yes, yes I am.”
Ben turned around and looked at Luke. This was the first time that Luke saw Ben’s mask.
“Cool mask kid,” Luke said.
“Thank you.”
Luke and Ben walked toward the big top tent together. Ben handed Luke the disc with his music choice on it. Luke then explained to Ben approximately when he was to enter the ring and start his performance. Ben was feeling a bit more nervous until he was confronted by Tabby.
“Good luck Ben, I know that you’ll be great,” Tabby said and then blew a kiss to him.
Ben smiled and then entered the back of the big top tent.
“Listen for your name kid,” Luke said.
Titto and Jolene had just finished their act when Demon Dave entered the ring. He clapped and thanked them for their wonderful show as they exited. He then told the audience that they were in for a real treat. With excitement in his voice, Demon Dave told them that he has a new performer who was starting tonight.
“This young man has a talent that I haven’t seen in a long time. And you all are going to be his first real audience. He is fresh out of school and ready to make our circus his new home. Please help me welcome… Ben.”
Demon Dave snapped his fingers and then started to clap along with the audience. Ben entered the ring but suddenly felt odd. Luke also started the music that Ben chose. Believer, which helped Ben focus.
Gracefully, Ben trotted in a large circle with his cloak flowing around him. He then surprisingly produced a cane from within his cloak and stopped. Ben carefully balanced a cell phone on its edge and on the end of the cane. He then slowly moved it up to his chin and steadied it. Hands out and free from the cane, Ben stood there balancing the cell phone and cane on his chin. The audience clapped loudly and continued to watch.
Ben then tucked the cell phone into his pocket and twirled the cane like a baton. He tossed the cane high into the air and did a quick handstand. Before the baton could hit the ground, Ben stood up quick and grabbed it. He spun around and then bowed. Again the audience clapped. Demon Dave was happy to see how they responded to Ben, so it was time for the nights finale.
Demon Dave whistled which made Ben look at him. The spell that Demon Dave put on Ben earlier that day was triggered. Ben jumped around and darted at a few people in the front row. He pulled off the one end of his cane which revealed a sharp knife. At first the people thought it was part of his act until the blood started to fly. Ben first attacked a young woman in the front row and slit her throat. Then, he jumped two rows up and bit the arm of an older gentleman. Demon Dave started to laugh and walked up to the bleeding woman. Luke and his friend Sid tied the tent doors shut from the outside.
When some of the people saw Demon Dave drink the woman’s blood, they screamed and ran. Panic struck and many tried to leave the big top but couldn’t. The doors were tied shut too tight. Ben then attacked another man with his cane and stabbed him repeatedly.
Dave then floated to the center of the ring and called out, “attention my guests… Thank you all for coming tonight. I am so happy that you accepted my invitation on this important night.”
Ben stood at the top of the grandstand with his bloody cane and listened to Demon Dave.
“I hope that you all enjoyed the show tonight but it is time for you all to go,” Demon Dave said as he raised his arms.
Some of the people that were huddled together by the tent exit door suddenly started to shake. It was as if they simultaneously went into convulsions and dropped to the ground.
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