Look at this thing. Blake said, nudging me as we leaned against my SUV. I turned to see a

multi-colored VW bug pull into the middle of nowhere gas station. As the vehicle pulled into the

pool of light bathing the gas station, I saw two clowns in the front seats. Their heads moved

in unison. Eyes fixed on Blake and I, as they pulled up on the opposite side of the pump and

stopped the car. The driver got out. Eyes still fixed on us. He looked strange somehow.

His eyes were yellow and there was something up with the irises. I figured he was wearing color

to contacts. What the fuck are you looking at? Blake said, I'll wipe that smile right off your face.

The clown smile got even bigger at that. Almost too big. Like his face was made of elastic.

The passenger got out. A similar tight-lipped smile spreading across his face.

They didn't say a word. They just stared at us. I knew Blake was about to do something stupid.

That's it, you fucking freaks! My friend said. He stepped forward, but I grabbed him by the arm.

Take it easy. I said to one before looking at the clowns. Sorry about my friend. I told them.

He's had a rough day. We don't mean to offend you, uh, gentlemen. The gas pump clicked off

and I removed the nozzle from my Ford, putting it back into the pump. Blake was still staring at the

clowns. His arms held out from his sides and an unconscious effort to make himself look bigger.

I got in front of him and whispered, the last thing we need right now is to draw attention.

Remember, they're still fucking staring at us. He said, just let it go. I told him,

pushing him around at the back. Huffing, Blake got into the passenger seat.

I got in and fired the vehicle up. And as I pulled out of the gas station,

I glanced in my rear-view mirror to see that the clowns were still staring at us.

I suppressed a shiver and focused on driving straight. I'd been drinking and the last thing we

needed was to get pulled over. We arrived at the cabin 20 minutes later. It belonged to a friend

...