The Circus Wagon
Andrew S. Fuller
Damnation Books, LLC.
ISBN: 978-1-61572-174-0
eBook
Novelette/7764 words
Horror

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A reader of The Circus Wagon by Andrew S. Fuller will most likely ask “What is the circus wagon?” and “When is Mr. Epstein going to step inside the thing?” But I also wonder about the man himself; his story is told in such a way as to make me question his lack of emotions and his disinterest in people. Is he a sociopath? Or is he just trapped like his grandmother was trapped. I really can’t say. But I think his final decision and his thought “Now I knew what I was and what I had to do.” points heavily toward his strange character. It, by the way, is also the author telling us that he knows what he’s doing. You see, the fundamental rule of story writing, in the most general of terms, is that the “main character” must undergo some kind of change or arrive at some kind of realization by the end of the story.

Anyway, this particular circus wagon has been around since Epstein was a child, apparently protecting his grandmother from trespassers—human and animal. The transgressing animals are always retrieved by adults, as they are most often cut in half. The uninvited people? His grandmother’s cryptic statements create suspicion. The day the circus wagon allows its doors to be opened and all sorts of shoes and clothing are found inside confirm that suspicion. All that’s left is to figure out where the people go and why? The adults aren’t much help. Even though they know there’s something very wrong here, they won’t talk about it. Not even when they try to stop the circus wagon.

Epstein, the child, watches until his curiousity surpasses his fear of the wagon—just enough for him to check it out as thoroughly as the thing will allow. The years go by and Epstein watches as the world tries to destroy or stop the wagon. He goes to College, his Grandmother’s solitary life ends, and the now adult Epstein enters a serious relationship with a girl named Wendy. He has lost track of the wagon. But shortly after the engagement ends (he offers up no feelings), the circus wagon appears in his own yard. Epstein seems to accept it without question. And as the years slide on by, the man realizes the circus wagon protects him just as it protected his Grandmother. But he also discovers that the protection comes at a cost. The thing is jealous in its self-appointed duties. Epstein kisses his new girlfriend, Karen, and the thing knocks a hole in his living room wall. The next morning his paperboy is used as a horrific example as to why Epstein should take heed.

Once again, Epstein numbly stands aside as ever greater attacks are made by the authorities on the circus wagon. This goes on for about a week, with his new girl doing everything she can to help, including getting Epstein to move out of the house (changing hotels frequently). Then we come to the clincher. Epstein must decide, once and for all: a life of colour and feelings and love or finally accept the embrace being offered by the old wagon. What Epstein decides, what ensues because of this decision—I leave these things for you to discover and answer for yourselves.

Make no mistake, The Circus Wagon by Andrew S. Fuller is seriously disturbing. And I hope you enjoy the story as much as I did.

Copyright © Clayton Clifford Bye 2011