Chapter 23

Grace

I'm home. Inside, doors locked, safe from all killer clowns and their terrible punch lines

Grace snorted laughed when she sent the text to Archer. She expected a reply almost immediately, knowing he had a similar distance to walk, but after a few minutes, she saw that he had not even read her text yet.

"Maybe he didn't hear the phone?" she murmured to herself. "Do I send another text? Or do I wait?" she pondered, when her phone vibrated.

"Oh thank G–"

Mystery_Man

Hey babe ??

"Not who I need to hear from right now."

She swiped Mystery Man's message away and brought back Archer's number. There was still no read receipt.

"Screw it, I'm texting again. This isn't about being clingy, so he can get over it if he thinks it is," she said out loud as she typed.

Archer, is everything ok? It's past curfew, please tell me you're hom e

She anxiously waited a few more minutes. Both messages still sat unread.

"Shit. What do I do? What do I do?" she asked as she paced her living room.

Her phone vibrated again. It wasn't from a text, but an incoming call.

"Archer?" Grace answered.

"Hey, I just saw your texts," he said, sounding a bit breathless.

"Are you not home yet? Why didn't you just text back?"

"Promise me you'll remain calm."

"I can't do that, what's happening?"

"Nothing now, I'm almost home, but you were smart to make me carry this flashlight. You saved my life tonight," he declared.

"Archer, what happened?"

"A vampire was following me. I couldn't text back because I was afraid of losing sight of him."

"How do you know you lost him? Please tell me you're talking hands-free right now!"

"I'm not sure, and yes, hands-free. I had to take a more indirect route home, stay close to the main streets with more UV light. But I first saw him on a side street. He backed away when I shined the light on him. I haven't seen him in the last few minutes."

"Are you close to home?"

"Yes, I can see my condo from here. Jesus fuck, what is that?" he yelled.

"What? Archer? What do you see?"

"It's a clown," he choked.

"Okay, listen carefully."

"I don't think these things are humans," he whispered, afraid of being heard. "I thought everyone meant that idiots were dressing up as clowns and going around being assholes. This...what the fuck is it? "

"Whatever you do, don't run. You'll bring more attention to yourself. Have your house keys in hand, with the right key ready to be used. Keep your flashlight on, but now, hold your knife in your other hand. Some say that these things won't attack if it looks like you're armed. I'm not sure that's true, but better safe than sorry."

"I think this one just saw me," he whispered, his voice laced with panic.

"Don't fully look at it, but keep an eye on it in your peripherals. Walk normally, but keep your knife held up so it can see it," she instructed, trying to keep the tremors out of her voice.

"Grace."

"Archer?"

"If I get through this, I'd like to take you out on a proper date. Outside of working hours, preferably on a night without a curfew, and I'd really like to finish that kiss."

"No ifs, you will get through this."

"It's starting to walk towards me. It's curious, definitely trying to figure me out. Its head is tilted, but it's so unnatural. I'm almost at my building now. If I have to, I can run and beat it."

"No! No, please don't run. They're really fast. You're doing great."

"He's getting closer."

"Archer please, trust me."

"I do, I won't run, but if that fucker starts running…"

"If it runs, you better hope you're at your door."

"It's…it's starting to laugh. What does that mean?" he asked, the terror clear in his broken voice.

"Keep going," she whispered her encouragement, trying to hide the fear in her voice.

What was scarier than a killer clown? A laughing killer clown. It meant they had found someone to play with. This thing wanted to play with Archer.

"I'm almost at my door, a few more steps. His laughing is getting louder."

"Focus on the door, make sure your key is ready."

"It's ready, I'm at the bottom of my building's steps. Fuck! Grace, it's running," he cried out, no longer concerned with keeping quiet.

"Go! Run!" she screamed.

Grace placed her hand over her mouth, trying to keep the sobs at bay, so she could listen to what was happening on the other end of the phone. She could hear the creepy cackle of the clown, heavy breaths, and hurried footsteps. As the hysterical laughter became louder, Archer's breathing became laboured and panicked, much like her own. She didn't dare ask for an update. All his attention was needed on his escape.

Archer screamed.

Then she heard a loud crashing noise, followed by constant banging and a scream that sounded inhuman.

Then silence.

Her heart sank.

"Archer," she quietly sobbed.

"Grace," Archer panted. "Oh Grace, I'm here. I made it, I fucking made it," he said, laughing hysterically in relief.

"Oh thank goodness," she sighed in relief.

"Thank you for being here with me. You saved my life, again."

"You saved your own by listening to reason and staying calm."

"I need to destress, maybe do a workout or take a long shower, or drink a bottle of hard stuff, I'm not sure yet."

"Of course you do. Go, do what you need to do."

"Can I call if…" he trailed off.

"Yes, anytime," she offered .

"Goodnight Grace."

"Goodnight Archer."

Grace made herself a simple dinner —a sandwich with some vegetables and hummus on the side—but did it more out of routine than hunger. She picked at her food but found she had no appetite.

She was starting to consider that perhaps she was cursed. Anyone she was involved with lately ended up dead, or in extreme danger.

"What if he did kiss me today?" she contemplated. "Would that have sealed his fate?"

Then she remembered her mystery texter. After their intimate chat last night, he could be lying in a ditch somewhere, or torn apart in his home.

"Shit," she mumbled, as she ran for her phone she had left in the kitchen.

He had texted hours ago, anything could have happened.

Grace

Hey! Sorry, busy weird night

Hope all is well

Mystery_Man

There you are! I thought maybe last night was too much and you decided to ghost me. Lol

No, I couldn't answer when you messaged, sorry

Please tell me you weren't still out on that date with the curfew

It's a long story

I have time, if you do

Grace summarized her day to her mystery man starting with Larry and ending with her boss's close call with a clown. It felt weird to speak about Archer to another man. Another man she was somewhat involved with, but she couldn't deny that it felt good to talk about everything. She hadn't realized she needed that, and Archer wasn't giving her that right now, but rightfully so.

"I'm an emotional slut," she whimpered as she continued her conversation.

So you didn't have a date today?

…sort of, yeah…

Are you still unsure?

He bought me lunch for helping him out, which was a normal coworker/friend thing to do, but then he almost kissed me

Almost?

Larry

I see

Are you upset?

I don't have the right to be do I? I told you to date

That's not an answer

I don't like it. I thought I was fine with this, people date multiple people all the time

They do, and I thought I could maybe do that too, but I just feel guilty all the time

Does he know about me?

Shit, I don't think so. My assistant has blurted out about me talking to someone, but he has never asked, and I never brought it up

This isn't me. I don't do this

I don't know if I can do whatever this is much longer

Grace, I think we need to meet soon