The spotlights danced across the circus tent, the audience roaring with laughter. Children clapped their hands in delight as the circus organ music played fast and furiously, pumping adrenaline through every spectator.
In the center of the glowing halo stood a magician clown—his face covered in makeup, his wide smile masking the fatigue and disgust he felt.
His name was Marcel, a magician clown, performing his final act. Circus life had sickened him—forced to practice day after day despite never being paid. Tonight, he would transform flowers into birds, cards into flames, and tears into laughter. But he could no longer hide his own tears.
He noticed a small light flickering in the distance; somehow, he sensed that his life was in danger. Yet he remained professional. With a dramatic gesture, Marcel drew a long black wand and shouted,
"For the last time tonight—a true miracle!"
The female assistant tossed a top hat into the air. The audience cheered. Marcel snapped his fingers.
puff!
A burst of purple smoke exploded, covering the entire stage. As the smoke cleared, a white dove soared through the tent's skylight. He knew what it meant—a signal. A small red glow began to form on his clothes. Everyone applauded… until the sound came.
BANG!
Right in the clown's chest. The plastic flower in his pocket bloomed red. Marcel staggered, glancing at the now-frozen audience. He tried to smile, as if it were all part of the show. But blood dripped onto the stage sand, erasing his own footsteps.
"My… last trick…" he whispered weakly, before collapsing.
The spotlight dimmed. The music stopped. The world faded. The audience screamed in horror, while somewhere in the crowd, someone watched him—grinning at his death.
As he died, warmth spread through his body. He opened his eyes to find himself in an unfamiliar place. His clown outfit was gone, replaced by a shabby robe.
Marcel saw a puddle nearby and knelt beside it.He stared at his reflection—only to see a completely different face. Fair skin, captivating gray eyes, and a sharp nose. He had been reincarnated as someone else, in a world he didn't recognize. Reaching into his pocket, he searched for an ID card, but found nothing.
And in that strange new world, he began to walk.