The Gentleman of Fear

They say fear doesn’t always look like a monster. Sometimes… it dresses like

a gentleman. (Footsteps stop.) He appeared the same way every time —

no sound, no warning — just standing there like he’d always belonged.

A tall figure… bent at an impossible angle… wearing that faded red-and-gold striped

suit, like a forgotten circus left out in the rain. His top hat never

moves. Not even in the wind. Not even when he does.

They say if you see him once, it’s an accident. If you see him twice… he’s already chosen

you. (Soft fabric rustling sound.) When he walks, his limbs drag too