17: Homey the Clown
(American Urban Legend)

⋆༺𓆩☠︎︎𓆪༻⋆

INILAPAG NI TAVLEEN ang isang platito na may dalawang slices ng pizza sa counter kung saan ako nakatoka. Sinamahan niya na rin iyon ng baso ng orange juice.

Ate Keena went home early to rest after finishing her screenplay and brought some pizza. Siya na rin ang nagtimpla ng panulak do'n.

"Thanks, Tav," nakangiting pasalamat ko sa bunsong kapatid.

"Walang anuman, Ate."

Tahimik na pinanood ko naman siyang ilapag ang natitirang mga platito sa lamesa ng kaibigang gumuguhit. Nag-angat ito ng nagtatakang tingin sa kanya. "Hindi ka na dapat nag-abala pa."

Kagyat na naupo naman si Tavleen sa silyang nasa tapat nito at inayos ang meryendang pasasaluhan nila.

"Ayos lang. Isa pa, offering ko kasi 'yan. May pabor kasi sana akong hihingin sa 'yo."

Habang lumalamon ng pizza slice ay naniningkit ang mga matang nagpatuloy ako sa pakiki-Marites sa kanila.

"Bakit? Anong kailangan mo?" Kiho asked her.

"Balak ko kasing gumawa ng picture book na siyang gagamitin ko kapag ka nag-practice teaching na kami," nahihiyang panimula ni Tavleen.

Asus, may isang taon pa siya bago iyong practice teaching nila. Ang advanced naman niya masyadong mag-isip. Pero quiet na lang ako kasi may nase-sense akong namumuo. It was nice to see Tavleen taking the initiative, whatever her intentions might be.

Sinusubukan na talaga ng kapatid kong makipagkaibigan. I am also glad that despite his serious demeanor, the young man expressed gratitude towards Tavleen's help, kindness, and offer of friendship in his own way. Pabalik-balik na rin kasi siya rito sa Library simula no'ng unang punta niya rito.

"May compilation na ng short stories akong nagawa sa tulong ni Ate Keena na siyang nagsulat no'n. Gusto ko na lang gawing picture book ang mga iyon. You know, I'm planning to teach children with special needs. I think they would love the picture book more."

"Hindi ba masyadong maaga pa para r'yan?"

Kinabahan ako bigla para sa kapatid ko.

Paano niya sasagutin iyan? Susko, para rin akong nanonood ng teleserye sa kanila.

"Ano kasi, pag-aaralan ko pa siyang ikuwento gamit ang sign language kaya gano'n," she explained, which made me sigh in relief.

Good job, Tav.

"Isa pa, ito lang iyong nakikita kong tsansa na makakahingi ako ng pabor sa 'yo. Who knows na baka next semester hindi na tayo magiging ganito ka-close, not that we're really close, but alam mo 'yon, 'yong kahit papaano ay ganito tayo kalapit sa isa't isa na parang totoong magkaibigan na talaga tayo," she continued.

Tahimik na nagtitigan ang dalawa. Pinaglapat ko nang mariin ang mga labi ko upang pigilan ang ngiti kong kumawala at baka ma-awkward sila kapag napansin ang mapang-asar kong reaksyon.

Umabot ulit ako ng panibagong slice ng pizza nang hindi inaalis ang mga mata sa kanila. Nang wala na akong makapa ay napangiwi ako pagbaling ko sa platitong wala nang laman. Kinuha ko ang cellphone ko at tinawagan si Ate Keena sa loob ng bahay.

"What?" tamad na pambungad niya sa akin.

"Ate, pahingi naman ako ng tatlo pang slices ng pizza rito sa Library, please."

"Why don't you get it yourself?"

"Nagbabantay pa ako ng counter."

"Then ask Tavleen to get them for you here."

Sinilip ko ang dalawa saglit bago ako tumalikod at tinakpan ang bibig ko upang hindi nila ako marinig. "She's still busy making friends. Hayaan mo na muna siya. Please, At—"

Tumunog ang windchime kaya napalingon ako sa pintuan at naabutan si Raegan na papasok bitbit na naman iyong brown envelope na alam ko na kung anong laman.

Napangiwi ako at sinabi kay Ate Keena, "Huwag na lang, Ate. Ako na pupunta r'yan. Dadalhin ko 'yong bisita."

Pagkababa ko ng tawag ay tumayo ako sa counter at tinawag ang atensyon ni Tavleen. Ibinilin ko muna sa kanya ang counter saka ko iginiya si Raegan sa loob ng bahay. Medyo marami kasi kaming bisita ngayon. Kaya para hindi na makaagaw ng lugar ay sa loob ng bahay na lang kami mag-uusap.

"Si Tito Levi?" tanong niya.

"Pinatawag ni Mayor Sagrado. Doon na lang tayo sa loob mag-usap."

Pagpasok namin sa loob ng bahay ay naabutan namin si Ate Keena sa may lamesa na abala na naman sa pag-a-add-to-cart sa cellphone niya habang kumakain ng pizza. Saludo rin talaga ako sa self-love niya kasi kakayod siya nang bongga pagkatapos ay aabsent at bibilhin lahat ng gusto niya bilang reward sa hard work na iyon.

Biglang kumalabog kaya napalingon kaming pareho sa entrance at natagpuan si Raegan na nadapa sa sahig. Hindi niya siguro napansin ang platform na sahig. Sa hula ko rin ay nawala siya sa pokus dahil nakatutok na kay Ate Keena ang atensyon.

Dali-dali siyang tumayo at inayos ang sarili. "Hindi ko napansin 'yon," pagmamaang-maangan niya.

Gusto ko sanang asarin pero hindi ko na lang ginawa at inaya siya papunta sa dining table kung nasaan si Ate Keena.

"You can eat the pizza and get an orange juice there," ani Ate Keena habang nakatingin pa rin sa cellphone niya.

"Grabe ang hospitable naman," komento naman ni Raegan.

Sumaglit ako sa kusina upang kumuha ng dalawang platito at baso para sa akin at kay Raegan. Siyempre, hindi pa ako tapos kumain, eh.

"May bagong Urban Legend na naman ba?" I asked him while I began eating.

Tumatango naman si Raegan at nilunok muna ang kinakain bago nagsimulang magpaliwanag. "With the city fiesta approaching, numerous fairs have opened. Unfortunately, after just two nights, one fair reported two murders."

Nahinto ako sa pagkain nang ipakita sa amin ni Raegan ang larawan ng tatlong biktima. Bigla akong nawalan ng gana.

"The first murder involved two employees in the fair. One in the horror house and the other was a technical operator for the rides. Sa sumunod na gabi naman ay isang babaeng customer na pumasok sa horror house ang pinatay. Ayon sa autopsy report, ginahasa rin daw ito."

"Didn't the authorities shut down that fair entirely after the first two murders?" nakakunot-noong tanong naman ni Ate Keena.

Nagpakawala naman nang malalim at tila dismayadong buntong-hininga si Raegan. "Iyon na nga dapat ang mangyari. The fair owner, along with all the workers, appealed that it's only one of the several times of the year that they get to open up and work. Matagal daw nilang pinaghandaan iyon at bukod sa mawawalan ng trabaho ay pahirapan din daw ang pagtatanggal ng mga gamit na naitayo na nila. They also promised to cooperate during the investigation when they begged to let them continue their operation. Pumayag naman ang awtoridad, lalo na at nagsama pa ang mga ito ng abogado."

"May witness ba sa krimen na 'to? What did they say that made you think this was the work of an Urban Legend?" I asked.

"May isang eyewitness sa pangalawang murder. He said that he saw the woman being raped by a clown inside the horror house after the operating hours."

"At hindi man lang siya nag-report agad?!" tanong ni Ate Keena sa mataas na boses, halatang nagsisimula nang mag-init ang ulo.

"Sa takot niya ay tumakbo kaagad siya at nagtago. Mabuti na lang at buhay pa raw siya."

Ate Keena scoffed and replied, "Kaya hirap tayong umunlad, eh. People keep turning a blind eye to crimes happening before their eyes. Fear is a normal reaction, but being a coward is a choice."

"Iyon na nga, eh. Pero balik tayo sa report. Sigurado raw siyang payaso ang nakita niyang gumahasa at posibleng pumatay doon sa pangalawang biktima. Nang tanungin namin ang may-ari, ang sabi niya ay wala silang mga empleyado na nagko-costume bilang payaso. Isang buwan na simula no'ng mag-resign ang huling payaso nila. Although may maskara sila ng payaso sa loob ng horror house bilang prop na nakadikit sa makina. May alam ba kayong mga Urban Legend na involved ang mga payaso?"

"Have you heard about the Creepy Clown Craze?" I asked, and he shook his head in retort, so I took the initiative to explain. "The Creepy Clown Craze that originated in the United States in 2016 has become a global phenomenon, with incidents reported in Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom. In August of that year, authorities in South Carolina received reports of a person dressed as a clown trying to lure children into the woods. Since then, reports of sinister clowns have spread to at least 20 states and other countries, leading to school closures and several arrests."

"However, creepy clown sightings are not a recent phenomenon. They can be traced back to at least May 1981, when cryptozoologist Loren Coleman coined the term 'phantom clowns' to describe them. In that year, children in a town in Massachusetts reported clowns in vans enticing them with promises of candy. Despite police efforts, which included issuing an all-points bulletin, setting up checkpoints, and conducting searches, no clowns were apprehended," I continued explaining. At the same time, Raegan listened intently, and Ate Keena seemed uncomfortable.

"Clowns in horror movies often take on an evil role, as seen in Pennywise from Stephen King's 1989 novel entitled It, which has been adapted into a miniseries and two films. Urban Legend has its share of evil clowns, including the legend of the Clown Statue. However, I think the urban legend of Homey the Clown is more relevant to this case."

Homey the Clown was an urban legend in North America, particularly in Chicago, involving a killer clown that emerged in 1991. The tale stirred significant public controversy and triggered localized hysteria, similar to the Creepy Clown Craze in 2016.

Most Homey the Clown sightings shared a common theme: a mysterious clown stalking children, attempting to lure them into his car or van. Legends quickly circulated, depicting this clown as a potential child molester, serial killer, or deranged maniac with sinister intentions of sexually assaulting and murdering children.

Homey the Clown got its name from Damon Wayans' character in the early '90s comedy series In Living Color, whom the criminal was said to have emulated in appearance. Some sightings even claimed that the clown carried a sock, similar to the character in the show who used it to hit children playfully.

Niligpit ko ang mga larawan at impormasyon para sa kasong 'to. "I'll work on this case with Papa."

"N-No, he's busy, so I'll come with you," ani Ate Keena.

"You can't," matamang sagot ko naman sa kanya.

"And why not?"

"Because you are scared of clowns."

Napabaling tuloy si Raegan kay Ate Keena nang marinig iyon. "You're scared of clowns?" A realization suddenly dawned on him. "Kaya pala no'ng birthday ng pamangkin ko na may clown, atat na atat kang umuwi. Akala ko dahil hindi mo bet ang children's party bilang dat—"

"Shut up!" mariing pigil ni Ate sabay kurot sa kanya.

Napahalakhak tuloy ako. "Why on earth would someone bring their girlfriend to a children's party for a date?"

"Anyway, I'll come with you, Alohi. You need a Bibliokinetic to seal this Urban Legend to the Monsters Playbook."

"Ate, I'm just being considerate with you. Takot ka sa clowns!"

"Ang kulit naman. Sabing hindi nga ako takot!"

PUMAILANLANG AGAD SA hangin ang sigaw ni Ate Keena kahit na nakakalimang hakbang pa lamang kami simula nang pumasok kami sa horror house kung saan nangyari iyong misteryosong murder case.

I weakly punched the clown head prop that suddenly popped up on our side, which made Ate Keena scream. "Hindi pala takot ha," I teased.

She quickly regained her composure. "Of course not! Nagulat lang ako, no!"

"Sige, lokohin mo pang sarili mo," nakangiwing sagot ko naman at nagpamulsa sa suot kong utility jumpsuit.

I feel more comfortable wearing these clothes when going on missions and battling Urban Legends. Nakakakilos kasi ako nang mas maayos. 

Nilibot namin ni Ate Keena ang loob ng horror house. May kasama kaming grupo ng mga high schooler at adult na mukhang mga horror fanatic dahil sa kabila ng mga masasamang balita tungkol sa horror house na iyon ay mas ginanahan pang pumasok.

"Three real and recent murders made this horror house even more exciting!" tili ng babaeng nasa 20s na mukhang isang social media influencer. "You know, guys, I've heard na someone wearing a creepy clown costume raw ang killer. Totoo kaya 'yon?"

Kumaway din sa cellphone ng nagla-livestream ang kasama niyang lalaki. "Kakasa ba tayo sa challenge ng Black Pearl Horror House? Let's find out. Stay tune on this liv—"

The man was interrupted when a high school girl screamed while covering her face with her trembling hands. We rushed towards her, and the couple continued their livestream.

When I glanced down, I discovered a sticky substance beneath me, which also stained my white sneakers with a red hue. The metallic scent of that crimson fluid also assaulted my nostrils.

"A-Alohi..." Ate Keena's shaky voice snapped me back to reality and compelled me to gaze at the sight before me.

A figure in a clown suit stood amidst a blood pool, clutching a bloodied machete, surrounded by the lifeless bodies of previous horror house visitors.

With a slow, ominous gaze upward, painted lips forming a sinister smile, and eyes glowing red, he declared, "Welcome to hell."

Nanginginig man ay binuksan ni Ate Keena ang Monsters Playbook. Beyond her fear of clowns, I felt she understood the severity of this situation. With this brazen horror house massacre before us as proof, Homey the Clown was no ordinary threat. We both could sense an overwhelming force from this enemy.

"I hereby return this entity to these pages and seal it within them!" Ate Keena chanted with the Monsters Playbook opened in her hands.

To our surprise, nothing happened, and no light emanated from the book to seal the monster back.

"I hereby return this entity to these pages and seal it within them!" Ate Keena repeated, but it still yielded no result. "Fuck, why is this Urban Legend not returning?!"

Ate Keena was about to try again, but I firmly held her wrist when I realized something. "Stop. That monster isn't from the book."

"What do you mean?" Ramdam ko ang kaba ni Ate Keena at ang nanginginig niyang mga kamay.

My family members are Bibliokinetics, gifted with the ability to seal monsters that escaped from their prison pages. However, Ate Keena does not yet possess the power that could equal the Librarian's, so she can only put up a good fight but never win against the malevolent entity before us.

"It's a real serial killer," I retorted and stared intently at the criminal's glowing red eyes. "Possessed by a crossroad demon."

Binalingan ko si Ate Keena, isinara ang Monsters Playbook, at iginiya siya at ang grupong kasama namin palayo roon sa demonyong payaso.

"You have to go. Keep yourself and them safely out of here."

Hinawi ni Ate Keena ang mga kamay kong nakahawak sa kanya. "Hindi kita iiwanang mag-isa rito."

"Ate, everything will be in vain if none of us are saved from here!" I shouted in frustration and, to some extent, fear.

Umiling-iling ako. No, I have to keep it together.

"Hindi ako mamamatay dito. Kailangan niyo lang mauna lumabas mula rito at humingi ng tulong. Tawagin mo si Raegan at si Papa."

Hinawakan ni Ate Keena nang mahigpit ang isang kamay at ang pisngi ko. "Sumama ka sa amin. Tumakas tayo lahat dito."

Umiling ako. "Kapag umalis tayong lahat, hahabulin niya tayo. Kailangan kong magpaiwan upang bigyan kayo ng panahong makatakas at makahingi ng tulong."

"No, no, Alohi. Hindi kita iiwan dito," nag-aalalang ulit ni Ate Keena. Ang takot at pangamba para sa kapakanan ko ay bakas sa kanyang mga mata.

"Please trust me on this, Ate. I can always regenerate," I reminded her. My regenerative ability appeared to reassure her that I would indeed be fine.

"Babalik ako kasama nina Papa at ang mga exorcist. Tutulungan ka namin," she reminded me, and I nodded and pushed her to go with the group to safety.

Hindi pa man sila nakakalayo ay naramdaman ko na ang presensya ng demonyong pasayo sa likuran ko. It wasted no more time and slit my throat using its bloodied machete. I collapsed to the floor, and then he repeatedly struck me with his weapon. I endured each merciless blow in silent agony.

Once he appeared content with my mutilation, he walked past my body and attempted to pursue the group. I swiftly seized him by the leg and forcefully hurled him back to his point of origin and away from the escaping group. When I fully regenerated from the wounds he had inflicted on me, I found him trapped in a massive crack in the wall.

Tumayo ako at pinulot ang nalaglag niyang machete sa sahig. "Oras na para bumalik ka sa impyernong pinanggalingan mo."

I swung the machete hard, but the blow only landed on the cracked wall, and the killer clown was nowhere to be found.

"Surprise!" the demon clown exclaimed as it suddenly appeared behind me.

I tried to strike, but he disappeared before I could hit him. Sinister and maniacal laughter echoed as I searched for him. Every time I spotted him, I swung again, only to fail as he vanished once more. He teased me by sticking out his tongue every time I couldn't catch him.

My grip on the machete tightened. This demon was as annoying as his teleporting ability.

"Since we're inside my horror slaughterhouse, why don't I tell you a scary story?" panunukso niya na ngayon ay nakaupo na sa isa sa mga bangkay ng biktima niya.

He casually ran a hand across the blood pool before him and raised it so he could lick on the blood. "But this time, the protagonist is a demon, and the real monsters are humans. Will you listen to that underrated scary story?"

「 ✦ 𝓛𝓸𝔀𝓵𝓪 𝓟𝓲𝓷𝓴𝓸 ✦ 」

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