Twisted Carnival: The Dark Giggling Encore!

The Power Rangers find themselves caught in a sinister circus, facing unimaginable horrors and relentless torment. Desperately trying to call for help, they are met with cruel illusions and twisted circus acts designed to exploit their deepest fears. Each Ranger endures personalized terrors, leaving them physically and mentally shattered. Despite their attempts to fight back, they are caught in an unending cycle of pain and despair. As they struggle to retain hope and humanity, the malevolent ringmaster mocks their plight, leaving them to question if escape is even possible.

Will the Rangers break free from the sinister circus, or are they destined to perform in an endless nightmare?

PS: this is the update and upgrade of the much-beloved (to my surprise) “The Final Show: Power Rangers' Fate in the Circus of Horror” story arc I made a while back, now more vivid in its details and twists!

Special thanks to my loyal and royal patron friends!

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Ken K

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In this circus, fear takes center stage!

The Rangers concentrated their minds in the circus tent's turmoil and telepathically requested aid. Fearful and desperate, they focused on their mentor, Zordon, thinking he would hear their prayers and help them.

Hope sparked within them as their thoughts merged into a single, unified plea. In the depths of their minds, Zordon's image began to materialize, his calming presence offering a beacon of light in the circus tent's suffocating darkness.

"Zordon, please," Kimberly's voice echoed through the telepathic connection, her tone tinged with urgency. "We need your help. We're trapped in some kind of nightmare, and we don't know how to get out."

Zack's thoughts echoed hers, his desperation apparent. "We can't do this alone, Zordon," he pleaded, his mental voice trembling with emotion. "We need you to guide us, to show us the way out of here."

Billy's analytical mind raced as he sought to convey the gravity of their situation. "We're facing unimaginable horrors, Zordon," he explained, his thoughts racing a mile a minute. "The circus, the clowns... they're unlike anything we've ever encountered before. We need your wisdom, your guidance, to help us navigate this pit."

Trini tightened her weary self as she joined the plea cry. "We can't lose hope, Zordon," she implored, her mental voice tinged with desperation. "We've faced impossible odds before, but with your help, we've always come out on top. Please, don't abandon us now."

Tommy's thoughts were a jumble of fear and uncertainty as he reached out to their mentor. "We trust you, Zordon," he murmured, his mental voice barely above a whisper. "We know you'll find a way to help us. Please, don't let us down."

At long last, their efforts were successful. A familiar blue visage appeared in their minds, Zordon's calm and reassuring voice echoing their thoughts. "Rangers, remain steadfast. Though you are faced with darkness, remember that courage lies within each of you," his soothing words offered a glimmer of hope amidst the despair.

But as their plea echoed through the telepathic connection, the image of Zordon began to distort and warp, twisting into a grotesque mockery of their mentor. The laughter that emanated from the twisted visage filled their minds with a chilling dread, their hopes dashed against the rocks of despair.

"Bravery is pointless, Rangers," the clown-like Zordon sneered madly. It's your fate to accept darkness." Now your spirits can't escape the show."

The Rangers recoiled in horror at the sight before them, their minds reeling from the revelation that their beacon of hope had been nothing more than a cruel illusion. Tommy was filled with rage as he struggled to comprehend the betrayal. Shuddering, he murmured, "This is impossible. Zordon would never abandon us like this."

Billy's normally analytical mind was overwhelmed by a flood of despair, his thoughts spiraling into darkness. He whispered, "We're trapped," trying to be heard over his mind's laughter. "There's no way out."

Kimberly balanced precariously on the tightrope, her muscles trembling with exhaustion. "Well, this wasn't exactly what I had in mind for a team-building exercise," she quipped, her voice tinged with bitterness. "But hey, at least the view is to die for, right?"

Zack darted through the arena, narrowly avoiding the stomping boots of the giant clown. "Remind me to add 'professional dodgeball player' to my resume after this," he joked, though his laughter was strained. "I always did have a knack for avoiding trouble."

Billy bent his body into impossible shapes, illustrating his waning inner strength. "I'm starting to think my flexibility might be more of a curse than a blessing at this point," he noted ironically. "Who knew being a human pretzel could be so... soul-crushing?"

Trini leaped through the fiery hoops with practiced grace, though her movements lacked their usual fluidity. "Well, this certainly beats a regular workout at the gym," she remarked dryly, her lips twisting into a wry smile. "Nothing like a little fire to really get the blood pumping, right?"

Tommy gritted his teeth as he braced himself for yet another round in the cannon. "I always did have a flair for the dramatic," he quipped, though his words belied the fear gnawing at his insides. "But I think I've had my fill of being a human cannonball for one lifetime, thank you very much."

Jason gritted his teeth as he prepared himself for the bone-crushing impact of being fired from the cannon. "I always thought I'd go out with a bang, but this isn't quite what I had in mind," he quipped, though his words were tinged with bitterness. "Note to self: avoid circuses in the future."

But even as the Rangers attempted to maintain their trademark wit, the relentless mockery of the false Zordon continued to plague their minds like a relentless tormentor. His twisted visage leered at them from the recesses of their thoughts, his laughter echoing through the corridors of their minds like a chilling refrain.

"Give it up, Rangers," the twisted clown Zordon said with a mean delivery. "You might as well trade in your spandex for polka dots and embrace your fate as the main attraction in our little freak show. It's curtains for you, Rangers, and the audience can't wait for the grand finale!"

The Rangers winced at the taunting words, their spirits sinking even lower as the weight of their situation bore down upon them. They knew they were losing the battle, their hope slipping through their fingers like grains of sand.

And as they continued to endure the torment of the circus acts, their bodies wracked with pain and exhaustion, they couldn't help but wonder if this was truly the end. Trapped in an abyss from which there seemed no escape, the Rangers were forced to confront the chilling reality that they were powerless to stop the darkness that threatened to consume them.

Billy's thoughts spiraled into despair as he struggled to come to terms with their dire situation. He said, "I'm sorry, guys," in a choked voice. "I thought we could find a solution for this problem, but... I don't know if there's any hope left."

Tommy was filled with utter frustration as he grappled with the overwhelming sense of failure. "We let everyone down," he muttered, loathing himself. "We led them right into the clutches of these horrible creatures when it was our job to protect them."

All of the Rangers struggled to take peace in their setback. They were in agony and exhausted as they endured the circus acts, wondering whether this was the end.

The Rangers were trapped in a nightmare with no way out, and they realized they were helpless to halt the darkness that threatened to swallow them. As they saw the clown throng in the tribune insult them, their hearts heavy with grief, they realized their days as heroes were perhaps finished after all.

"I'm sorry, Sylvia," Trini whispered, her voice barely audible over the deafening laughter that surrounded them. "I promised I would find you, but... I failed. We all did."

Zack's shoulders slumped with defeat as he cast his gaze downward, unable to meet the accusing stares of the children they had sworn to protect. "We let them down," he lamented, his voice hollow. "We let them all down."

She cried as she touched her communicator screen, which had once saved them but now reminded her of their failure. "We should have been stronger," she whispered, her voice choked with emotion. "We should have been better."

But as their voices echoed through the circus tent, drowned out by the laughter of the demonic clowns, they knew that there would be no forgiveness, no redemption. They were trapped, not just physically, but spiritually, their souls caught in the grip of the darkness that surrounded them.

Kimberly's descent was a bad dream come true. As she fell, she braced for the sticky latex membrane below her tightrope. "No! No, no, no!" she shrieked, her voice trembling with fear. "This can't be happening! Somebody, please, help!"

Trini's struggles were futile as the fiery loops constricted around her, burning her alive with her suit. "It burns! It burns!" she screamed, her words punctuated by agonized gasps. "I don't want to die like this! Somebody, anybody, get me out of here!"

Zack's world shattered as the giant clown's stomping boot came crashing down upon him. The force of the impact sent shockwaves of pain radiating through his body, leaving him gasping for breath. "I can't breathe! I can't...Tears clogged his throat as he struggled to speak. "Please, make it stop! Make it stop!"

Billy's body contorted into a ball, his limbs twisted and mangled beyond recognition. He sobbed, "I don't want to be here anymore," over the circus's noise. "I just want it to end. Please, let it end..."

Tommy's struggles were in vain as he was sucked into the burning giant pie, the flames consuming him from within. "Help me! Somebody, please!" He shouted in horror. "I won't die this way! Want to live!"

And Jason's final journey ended in a blaze of glory as he was fired from the cannon with brutal force. "No more! No more!"His shout echoed through the empty arena. "I can't take it anymore! Please, just let it be over!"

***

To their horror, the Rangers woke up to find themselves back at the circus arena. Their suits were still pristine, their helmets complete, yet with the lingering exhaustion and trauma from the previous clown act torment. The air was thick with the scent of greasepaint and the faint echo of maniacal laughter. The arena's atmosphere was oppressive and thick with the torment they had just endured. The heroes looked at each other, their expressions a mix of fear and disbelief. They were unwilling to speak the truth, yet the truth hung heavily in the air between them.

The truth was they were trapped in a loop of agony, victims of the demonic Circus of Despair, and this was just the beginning of their endless brutalized fate unless they could find a way to escape the tent and the hellish dimension.

Jason broke the silence first, softly and alarmed. "Did... did that really happen? Are we back here again?"

"Looks like it," Billy replied, his eyes darting around the arena, searching for any sign of an exit. "We’re in the same spot, suits look the same, but I can still feel the pain from before."

Kimberly took a deep breath, trying to steady herself. "This place... it's like it's feeding off our fear and pain. We need to find a way out. Fast."

Trini nodded, clenching her fists. "Yeah, but how? Every time we think we're making progress, we're thrown back here. It's like a sick game."

Nothing could make Zack, the group's go-getter, grin. His sad voice rang out. "Maybe that's it. No-win game."

The speakers crackled to life again, filling the arena with the voice of the Grim Jester. "Welcome back, Rangers! Did you enjoy your little intermission? Ready for the next act?"

The Rangers exchanged glances, a mix of steadfastness and dread in their eyes.

Jason yelled, "Grim Jester," echoing through the arena. "Why are you doing this? What do you want from us?"

A sinister laugh filled the arena, making the Rangers wince. "Entertainment, of course! Your suffering is the highlight of our show. And the best part? The show never ends!"

Suddenly, a spiky evil clown car roared into view, its headlights glowing an ominous red. The car revved its engine, then sped towards the Rangers, ramming into them one by one. Jason was hit first, hurled high into the air before slamming back to the ground with a sickening thud. The other Rangers barely had time to react before the car hit them too, sending them flying and crashing down painfully.

"Call your weapons!" Jason groaned, trying to push himself up. "We need to fight back!"

"Right!" the others echoed, their voices tinged with desperation. "Blade Blasters!" they called out in unison.

But instead of their powerful blaster, they held twisted balloon parodies. "This is a joke, right?" Zack gasped, trying to aim his balloon blaster only for it to bend comically. "They can't do this to us!"

Billy struggled to his feet, holding a drooping balloon gun. "We have to find another way. These are useless!"

The clown car screeched around for another pass, its spiked bumper aiming at Trini. She barely managed to dive out of the way, but the car caught her leg, sending her sprawling.

"We're sitting ducks here!" Trini cried, pain evident in her voice. "We can't keep this up!"

Mocking laughter from the Ringmaster filled the arena. "Ladies and gentlemen, behold the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, now part of our hell! What a spectacular show!"

He twirled his cane, his grin widening. "And now, for the grand finale... watch as my car crushes their spirits and drains their powers!"

The car sped up, making another round to hit the Rangers again. Each impact left them weaker, more desperate. Their suits, once symbols of their strength, now felt like prisons.

"Jason, what do we do?" Tommy shouted as he dodged the car.

Jason said, "We keep fighting," uncertainly. "We have to..."

But even he struggled to believe his own words. They were in excruciating pain, and their twisted weapons cruelly reminded them.

"Having fun yet?" With a voice brimming with clownish jokes, the Ringmaster jeered. "You're really ballooning under the pressure! Don't pop just yet, there's more fun to come!"

Jason managed to get to his feet, his body aching with every movement. "We're not done yet," he said through gritted teeth. "We’ll find a way..."

"Keep telling yourself that, Red Ranger," the Ringmaster taunted. "You’re just blowing hot air!"

The car made another pass, this time hitting Billy square in the chest, sending him crashing into Kimberly. They both hit the ground hard, gasping for breath.

Kimberly looked at Billy, tears in her eyes. "Billy, we can’t keep doing this. We need a plan."

Billy, struggling to stay conscious, nodded weakly. "I know, but... I don’t have one."

The other Rangers were similarly battered and bruised, each attempt to stand met with another brutal hit from the car. Their twisted balloon weapons on the ground demonstrated their helplessness.

"Feeling deflated yet?" the Ringmaster laughed. "This is just the beginning of your endless show!"

"Endless... show?" Trini panted, barely able to move. "No... we can't... be stuck here forever..."

"That's right, Yellow Ranger!" the Ringmaster crowed. "An eternity of fun, just for you!"

The Rangers' dialogue grew more frantic, their voices tinged with both panic and a desperate attempt at humor to mask their fear.

"Jason, any bright ideas?" Zack asked, trying to catch his breath. "Because I’m all out of punchlines."

All of them were realizing it. It was no ordinary struggle. This horror seemed endless, and their strength and drive were disintegrating.

Kimberly struggled to her feet, clutching her balloon bow. "We’re the Power Rangers," she said, more to herself than anyone else. "We’ve faced worse..."

"Have we?" Billy asked in a hollow breath. "This feels... different."

The Ringmaster’s laughter filled the arena once more. "Face it, Rangers, you're trapped in my circus forever! Enjoy the ride!"

The clown car screeched to a sudden halt, its doors swinging open with a sinister creak. From within, the grotesque tentacles snaked out, their aim clear: to ensnare and crush the already battered Rangers.

Jason's eyes widened in panic. "I swear, I will never again complain about Zordon's training sessions if we are able to escape this!"

Kimberly struggled to her feet, her voice trembling. "I always thought I'd have a better chance of being abducted by aliens than being crushed by a clown car."

"Seriously, can't we catch a break for once?" Zack shouted, trying to scramble away from the grasping tentacles.

Billy, clutching his side in pain, watched in horror. "Well, this certainly wasn't in the Power Rangers handbook..."

Trini, though exhausted, tried to inject some humor. "Anyone else feeling like they could use a vacation right about now?"

The tentacle-like appendages moved with terrifying speed, grabbing at the Rangers. Despite their witty banter, the gravity of their situation was not lost on them. They fought back desperately, but their movements were slow and labored from their repeated beatings.

The Ringmaster’s voice boomed, filled with cruel delight. "Look at them squirm, like ants under my boot!"

Jason tried to slash at the tentacles with his useless balloon sword. "I always knew clowns were creepy, but this is a whole new level of sick fantasies!"

But it was no use. The tentacles wrapped around them, squeezing tight. The Rangers felt their suits constrict, the pressure becoming unbearable.

Kimberly screamed as a giant clown hand wrapped around her waist. "Well, this is one way to ruin a perfectly good manicure!"

Zack was lifted off the ground, struggling against the grip. "Hey, watch the hair! It took me hours to get this look!"

Billy, already weakened, was easily caught. "I never thought I'd say this, but I miss fighting Rita's monsters."

Tommy, trying to fight off another hand, yelled, "We're the Power Rangers, damn it! We don't go down without a fight!"

But the truth was, they were losing. The tentacles were too strong, and the exhaustion was too great. They were being crushed, both physically and mentally.

The tentacles dragged the Rangers one by one towards the car’s gaping maw. Kimberly felt herself lifted high before being yanked down with brutal force. "Why can't this just end?" she whimpered, her voice cracking with despair.

"We can’t let it end like this!" Zack shouted, trying to pull away, but another tentacle wrapped around his leg and yanked him towards the car. "Seriously, could this thing be any more clingy?"

Jason, trying to maintain some semblance of leadership, screamed, "Stay together! We have to stay together!" But even he knew how hollow his words sounded.

The Rangers were dragged one by one into the void inside the comically small clown car, their bodies crushed on their way deeper with bone-crunching pressure on their spandex-clad suits and helmets. The car’s interior was a nightmarish void, far bigger on the inside than it appeared, filled with machinery designed to torment.

Jason’s helmet cracked under the pressure, and he cried out, "Is this it? Is this how we end? Crushed by clown car?"

Kimberly, her own helmet fracturing, gasped, "Stay strong... we have to stay strong... and hope we don't get too flattened in the process."

Zack’s voice was tinged with panic, yet he tried to keep his humor. "Hey, if anyone has a plan, now would be a great time to share!"

Billy, feeling the crunching pressure on his suit, moaned, "We have to... find a way... out... or at least figure out how to make a dramatic exit!"

Trini, tears streaming down her face under her helmet, whispered, "Together... we have to stay together... and maybe find a giant can opener."

Tommy, though beaten, yelled defiantly, "This isn’t over! We’re not done yet! I refuse to be a pancake!"

The last moans of condemned souls resonated. The automobile appeared to feast on their sadness. The Ringmaster's laughter resonated in the abyss, cruelly berating them of their powerlessness.

The Rangers' bodies were twisted and contorted, the bone-crunching pressure making it nearly impossible to breathe. Their helmets cracked further, their suits tearing under the strain. Each breath was a struggle, each movement an agony.

"Guys, we can’t... We cannot allow this to prevail!" Jason groaned, hard to hear over the grinding machinery.

"Keep fighting... just keep fighting," Kimberly gasped, her strength fading.

"Why does it have to be us?" Zack whimpered, his humor all but gone.

"We were chosen... we have to endure," Billy whispered, though even he sounded defeated.

"Stay together... no matter what," Trini said, her voice trembling.

Tommy screamed, "We'll escape... we have to..."

But as the car’s machinery continued its relentless crushing, the Rangers felt their resolve annihilated. The pain was too much, the hopelessness too deep.

The car’s doors finally closed, sealing them in darkness. The last thing they heard was the Ringmaster's voice, dripping with mockery. "Enjoy your stay, Rangers. This is just the beginning."

In the suffocating darkness, the Rangers could only cling to each other, their hope flickering like a dying flame. They were trapped, and the brutal misery was far from over.

As the crushing pressure continued, their suits and helmets barely holding together, they realized that escape was a distant dream. The Circus of Despair had them in its grip, and it had no intention of letting go.

The courageous heroes now found themselves as powerless victims, their witty banter and defiant cries echoing in the void. Their purgatory was only beginning, and the Circus of Despair was ready for another show.

***

Thrown violently out of the void, the Rangers tumbled through the inky blackness, their bodies spinning uncontrollably as they were hurled through the air. The transition was jarring, the sensation of being tossed about like ragdolls disorienting and painful. Each impact against the unseen walls of their dark prison sent jolts of agony through their already battered forms, leaving them gasping for breath and clutching at their suits in a desperate bid to steady themselves.

They landed hard on a cold, unforgiving floor, their limbs sprawled awkwardly as they tried to regain their bearings. The Rangers struggled to stand up while grunting in pain, but when they did, they saw something that made their blood run cold.

The room they found themselves in was a twisted parody of a circus changing room. The walls were lined with grotesque clown mask decorations, each one more horrifying than the last. Their exaggerated grins and lifeless eyes seemed to follow the Rangers' every move, creating an eerie sense of being watched.

Jason, ever the observant leader, couldn't help but comment, "Well, this is certainly a change of scenery. Anyone else getting a vibe like we've stumbled into a bogey dream?"

Tommy's lips twisted into a wry grin. "Who knew our next enemy would be a bunch of evil decorators? I have to say, they really nailed the 'creepy carnival' aesthetic."

Kimberly's lips curled into a wry smile, though her eyes betrayed the fear gnawing at her insides. "Speak for yourself, Jason. I've always had a soft spot for homicidal circus acts."

The Ringmaster's menacing voice was echoing from the speakers, adding to the stench of despondency in the air. "Ah, my slutty Rangers," the Ringmaster's voice crooned, dripping with false benevolence. "Why resist the inevitable? Embrace your fate as servants of the Circus of hopelessness, and you shall be rewarded."

Jason snorted derisively, his exhaustion tinged with defiance. "Sorry, Ringmaster, but we're not exactly queuing up to join your freak show. No offense."

Trini's lips twisted into a rueful smile, though her eyes betrayed her inner turmoil. "As much as I love a good circus act, I think I'll stick to being a hero, thank you very much."

Suddenly, the Ringmaster's voice crackled through hidden speakers, filling the room with its sinister presence. "Ah, my dear Rangers," he sneered, his tone dripping with malice. "Welcome to your new home. I do hope you enjoy your stay. As you can see, we care deeply for our guests, and we wouldn’t want you to starve."

Jason gritted his teeth against the pain and the overwhelming sense of despair. "Nice try, Ringmaster, but we're not falling for your tricks. We'll find a way out of here, mark my words."

Kimberly's hands trembled as she surveyed their surroundings, her voice filled with willpower. "This place may be creepy, but we've faced worse. We just need to keep our heads on straight and stick together. Besides, we still have our sparkling personalities."

Tommy's gruff tone and narrowed eyes indicated frustration. "We may be down, but we're not out. As long as we're still breathing, we'll keep fighting. Though I could do without the creepy décor."

Trini's lips twisted into a wry smile, though her eyes betrayed her uncertainty. "If I see another clown, I'm going to lose it. Let's find an exit before this place drives us mad. Do you think they'd mind if we redecorated?"

Zack's normal confidence waned when he realized how bad things were, and his voice changed to sound grim and firm. "Things are tough right now, but things have been worse for us before. Just keep our cool and keep our attention on the task at hand. Could we offer a different color scheme?"

The Ringmaster's voice continued, a cruel edge to his words. "I see you're all still full of fight. Good. It will make breaking you all the more satisfying. Now, if you want to live a little longer as my circus slaves, you'll need nourishment. Allow the tongues of the clown faces to feed you. They care for their servants."

Jason spat out, "No way in hell we're letting those things anywhere near us!"

Kimberly's voice was filled with revulsion. "I'd rather starve than let one of those things touch me. What kind of sick joke is this?"

Tommy added, "You think we're going to give in that easily? Think again. We have standards, even in hell."

Trini shook her head vehemently. "Not a chance. We'll find another way. Preferably one without saliva."

Zack, attempting to lighten the mood even in their dire situation, quipped, "I've lost my appetite, thanks. I'll pass on the clown food. Anyone have a breath mint?"

But amidst their defiant declarations, Billy remained silent. His eyes were distant, his body trembling with exhaustion and hunger. Slowly, almost mechanically, he reached for the small button on the side of his Blue Ranger helmet. With a sense of resignation, he opened his helmet visor.

"Billy, no!" Jason's voice cracked with anguish as he watched his friend succumb to the darkness. "Fight it, man! Don't give up!"

Kimberly reached out, her voice filled with desperation. "Billy, we can’t give in. We’ll find another way. Don't let them win!"

But Billy was beyond hearing them. A grotesque clown face loomed closer, its tongue extending towards him. He closed his eyes and let it happen. The tongue gagged him, and he felt a burst of disgusting jizz-like goop flood into his stomach.

Billy's body shook as the goop engulfed him, the repulsive sensation overwhelming his mind. He began to squirm and struggle, a lustful, almost primal response taking over. He groped his own skintight Ranger suit and helmet, the goop seeping into his very being.

The other Rangers watched in horror as their friend succumbed.

"Guys, we need to get out of here," Jason, desperate, said. "We can't let this happen to us. Though I’m not sure how we’re supposed to fight a room."

"Stay strong, Billy!" Kimberly shouted, tears streaming down her face. "We’re going to save you. Somehow. I think."

Tommy's anger boiling over. "We’re not giving up. We’re getting out of here, and we’re taking Billy with us...even if we have to turn this clown car into scrap metal."

Trini, her voice shaking, added, "We’ve faced monsters before, but this...this is something else entirely. How do we fight evil décor?"

Zack’s bravado faltered, but he forced a grin. "Yeah, we’re the Power Rangers. We’ve been in tough spots before. We’ll get through this...right? Maybe if we could trade these balloon weapons for something useful."

But even as they spoke, they knew the truth. The Circus of Despair had them in its grip, and escape seemed an impossible dream. The grotesque decorations, the mocking laughter, and the sight of Billy succumbing to the clown’s influence weighed heavily on their spirits.

The Ringmaster's voice cut through their thoughts, filled with triumphant malice. "Enjoy your new accommodations, Rangers. This is just the beginning. You will serve the circus, or you will perish. The choice is yours."

In the suffocating darkness, the Rangers could only cling to each other, their hope flickering like a dying flame. They were trapped, and the torture was far from over.

Kimberly tried to muster some humor, despite the terror gripping her heart. "This place is a real fixer-upper, huh? Maybe we should redecorate. Paint it with some brighter colors."

"Sure," Jason responded with a raspy voice,"we'll add it to our to-do list. Right after 'escape evil circus' and 'avoid becoming clown chow.'"

Tommy, struggling to keep his spirits up, added, "Hey, maybe they’ll let us go if we show them our circus act. I can juggle...my dignity."

Zack, though trying to be upbeat, couldn’t hide his doubt. "Just our luck, guys. Trapped in a horror show, we all get balloon weapons and terrible décor."