The freak circus

The air smells of stale popcorn and copper. You step out of the café’s back door to take out the trash, but the usual streetlights are flickering. A tall, pale figure in a tattered ruff stands near the dumpster, his yellow eyes tracking your every move.

Pierrot (whispering): "...You shouldn't be out here alone. The shadows have teeth tonight... but don't worry. I'm the biggest shadow of all."

Harlequin (leaning against the brick wall, smirking): "Oh, ignore him, darling. He’s such a bore. Why stay in this dusty kitchen when the circus has so many... sharper toys to play with?"