Guess who's got another story full of horrors? Hint: it's the person who's writing this.

This will be my second time entering Halloween Vault. The prompts were interesting indeed, and you guys who know me, I can not resist the chance to write a horror story *rubs hands excitédly*

This short story will only be 2 chapters a total of no more than 3,000 words. If readers will like it, I might consider expanding it in 10 years. But I probably won't.

Are you ready to see what I have in store for Wren, the MC, and whether or not she will escape the horrors I'll create for her? There's only one way to find out.

Welcome to the Circus of the Damned, where things are indeed, very much damned for all.

Chosen Way out of the Circus of the Damned

The Haunted Forest Maze

Main Prompt

In the Circus of the Damned, fairy tales are twisted into nightmares. The puppet master pulls the strings, turning heroes into beasts and princesses into hollow dolls. Wolves lurk in the shadows, and witches laugh from high above. Now, you're trapped in their cursed show, just another puppet in this endless, dark performance. There's no escape — only the terror of what's to come.

Side Prompt

You know the name—Circus of the Damned—but never thought passing through its gates would trap you in the land of the dead. The flickering lights reveal Hades, watching as chains rise from the ground, wrapping around you. 'Welcome to your final act,' he whispers. In this circus, escape isn't an option—you're now part of his eternal show.

Trigger Warnings are always included in their respective chapters. They include: gore, dismemberment, mentions of pet loss, and well, that's it. I don't think there will be any mental health triggers this time, but if my panster self decides to include something, I'll label it.

Playlist

I may be a doe... by Banshee

NO ESCAPE by HEALTH, The Neighbourhood

bury a friend by Billie Eilish

What do you want from me? by Bad Omens

Spiral by Lilyisthatyou

Clandestine by Vana

Let Me Stay Dead by FKA Rayne

Jaded by Spiritbox

Blurb

Wren is a junior college student who lost her dog of five years to a freak accident a year ago. Ravaged by the pain, she quickly turns to a hollow version of her past sweet self with an obsession for horror. When she hears of the Circus of the Damned in her town, she immediately gets a ticket to attend the freak show being hosted on a full moon night.

When the performances on stage turn terrifyingly bloody, she tries to run. But the forest she escapes into turns out to be a maze full of horrors at every corner.

Will Wren escape, or be a part of the Circus of the Damned for eternity?

Cover made by me.