The clown urban legend is definitely one of those stories that stuck with me for a while after I’d read the first time when I was a kid. It sets this unease int he back of your mind. Could someone be in your presence and not even know it? I hope you like my rendition of this story.

Story Intro:

This next story promises to be a dark tale. Babysitting can be a frightful thing. Simply the feeling of being a child wanting to prove adulthood at only the age of 14, and taking on adult responsibilities. You are the guardian of the house, the protector of someone small who depends on you. And if that was challenged. Well….What would you do?

I’m Tasha Wheelhouse and this is Copper Shock.

The Clown Urban Legend

The smell of barbeque smoke was heavy as I walked over the lawn. The sun was out and the block party Barbeque was in full swing. Being the awkward 14-year old that I was, I stood with my cup of Kool-aid. There wasn’t really anyone my age. Frankly I felt I was too old to go running with the group of kids to play tag or ultimate frisbee. Families around me were talking in circles and laughing with one another. And, that’s when I spotted Austin Nielson sitting next to his mom. I looked at him in wonderment. He was a toddler when I last saw him and, now he was 6 and happily doodling in a coloring book at a picnic table. His mom looked up and made eye contact with me. She smiled and waved me over.
“Hi Austin,” I said.
“Hi.”
“Whatcha drawing?” I looked over his shoulder, It sort of looked like… well I tried to guess.
“Is that an Elephant?” I asked him. Austin stopped coloring and gave me a dark look.
“No! It’s a dog!”
“Well then what’s that?” I asked pointing to a long trunk-like appendage to the animal. The crayon color was purple so it truly was hard to tell what he had in mind.
“Tail duh!” I looked to his mom who gave me a look and rolled her eyes.
“Austin is pretty creative.” She told me petting the top of his head and giving it a small kiss. “So how are things with your parents?” She asked me.
“Dad’s business is doing so well he’s started traveling out of the country regularly. Mom’s been working on her house styles blog.”
“I’m so glad to hear they’re doing well! What about you? How’s school?”
“It’s great. I am eager to get a job, but can’t really hold one down at 14 because I can’t get a consistent ride and won’t have a learner’s permit until I’m 15. So I’m feeling sort of stuck.”
“You know, Todd and I were thinking of going out this Friday. Why don’t you watch Austin?”
“Watch? Like Babysit?”
Mrs. Nielson laughed. “Yeah, you can call it babysitting. I don’t see the harm, I know your parent’s well, and I think Austin would love to spend time with a big kid. Would you like that Austin?”
Austin looked up from his paper and gave me a big glare. He then took a deep breath and asked me seriously.
“You’re a girl.” He said in small disgust. “Do you like Transformers?” He eyed in utter suspicion.
I smiled to myself and said,
“Bumblebee of course! He’s awesome and funny.” Austin then beamed back at me and looked to his mom.
“Can we watch Transformers when she comes over?” Austin was now very excited about this idea.
“Oh, I don’t see why not?”
“Mrs. Nielson?”
“Hmm?” She looked up to me from her boy who had now gone back to coloring.
“I don’t want to blow this but, I’ve never officially babysat before? Do I need to make him dinner? Tuck him in?”
Mrs. Nielson smiled and then leaned forward.
“The secret to babysitting? You just watch him closely enough so that he doesn’t eat paint, stab himself with anything sharp, raid the candy jar, or set the house on fire. After that, you have him brush his teeth,