Hugged by an Evil Clown

By M. Evelyn Whitlock

They sat at the tiny fold-down table that served as Grace's dining area, desk, and general dumping ground for the detritus of circus life. Kaia immediately dug into a stale glazed donut while Grace made instant coffee on the hot plate, the only cooking appliance her trailer possessed.

"You have nightmares again?" Grace asked gently, settling into the chair across from Kaia.

The younger girl shrugged, not meeting her eyes. "Just weird dreams. It's fine."

Grace wanted to press, but she knew better. Kaia had been at the circus for two years-dumped here by an aunt who'd taken guardianship after Kaia's parents died but couldn't be bothered to actually care for her. The aunt paid for a trailer and the bare minimum of expenses, but Kaia was essentially on her own. At thirteen.

It made Grace's blood boil every time she thought about it.

"You know you can talk to me about anything, right?" Grace said, reaching across to squeeze Kaia's hand. "Whatever it is."

Kaia finally looked up, and Grace saw genuine fear in those dark eyes. "Do you believe in the Sorrow Clown?"

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: B0GXFKQ1YP
• ISBN13: 9798257577505
• Release Date: April 2026
• Publisher: Independently Published
• Length: 308 Pages
• Weight: 0.91 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 6.0" x 9.0"