Ruby Gillman Reanimated: Death From Above

We now return to my fucked-up Ruby Gillman AU with Oceanside reimagined as a Foggy Stephen King nightmare. What horrors will our heroine face today: necromancy, cannibalism, or just good old-fashioned garden-variety murder?

...

Paggles the Friendly sewer clown is a soul who strives to bring a ray of sunshine to children near and far. Usually, he gets a downpour.

He grew up in the shadow of his big brother in Derry, P.W., a fellow Clown who entertained children all around town, and while his ‘shows’ might have been unorthodox, the kiddos rarely complained after.

And when he wasn’t inviting them to float in the sewers, he practised his antics on Paggles. A little blood fountain in the sink, balloons popping innards, and other brotherly pranks. Paggles tried to laugh away P.W.’s antics, but after a slight mishap involving a boy, a paper boat and a dislodged limb, he sought a town with more smiles and less regurgitated infants.

Instead, he found Oceanside. Unlike the sunlit California fairytale of the film, this was a murky New England fishing port. Built on an ancient Viking burial ground, it’s where folks holiday when Silent Hill is too cheery for them. Paggles stove to bring joy to the townsfolk, with balloon dogs, confetti and even the odd warning to beware the Werewolf Pastors, Dragur, Quaker Zombies and Cannibal Cops that dogged their little burg.

He got jeers, screams, and the odd mop to the head as thanks.

The only soul around to lend him a kindly ear was young Ruby Gillman, though her brother Sam was less enthusiastic. After one particularly lamentable performance involving stale silly string, Sam made Paggles an offer. Just close your eyes, stick out your hands and get a free friendship present. Paggles, giggling with joy, accepted. He got a face full of free fertilizer.

Ruby was not impressed. She tries to stick up for the poor bastard, though even she’ll admit he’s a bit of a weirdo.

Chelsea revels in his misery. She says it’s funny, though deep down Paggles kind of reminds her of herself in ways she’d rather not admit. Seeing the shit he got from his big brother reminds her a little too much of the Hell her own mum Nerissa put her through.

Will Paggles ever bring a smile to the kiddies? Maybe if he keeps his chin up, rubber nose to the sky and soldiers on (And maybe they’ll be a sunny day in Wales...)

For more of Ruby's gruesome adventures check out the link below...