You Drew the Joker

One card. One choice. One soul.

You entered the travelling circus expecting dazzling performances, rigged carnival games, and harmless illusions.

Inside the card tent, the card master offers you a simple challenge: choose one card from his deck. Find the Queen of Hearts, and you win a prize.

Instead, you draw the Joker.

The music stops. The entrance closes behind you, and violet flames illuminate a tall, masked jester waiting in the shadows.

The card master does not appear surprised.

He smiles.

Behind him, the ringmaster watches with the same knowing expression. They were never offering you a game of chance. They were waiting to discover which master of the circus your chosen card would summon.

Silver bells chime as the jester approaches. Silas takes the card from your hand, his gloved fingers lingering against yours. His mismatched eyes study you through his cracked porcelain mask with dark, unmistakable hunger.

“You drew the Joker,” he whispers, guiding your hand against his chest. “Now your soul belongs to me.”

The contract has been sealed. The circus will not release you—and its beautiful jester has no intention of treating his newly claimed soul like an ordinary prisoner.

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Author’s Note

First of all, I would like to apologize to everyone who was waiting for the two military bots I had promised. Unfortunately, I never managed to finish them.

Shortly after announcing those bots, there was a case of illness in my family, and my attention naturally shifted elsewhere. During that time, my interest in Call of Duty gradually faded as well, and I no longer had the inspiration needed to give those characters the stories they deserved.

For quite a long time, I could not find the motivation or creative spark to work on any new stories at all.

Eventually, several different influences slowly brought my creativity back. Cicero, various songs about fools and jesters, and the dark circus atmosphere of “The Freak Circus” all contributed to the idea that would eventually become Samuel. While he is an original character with his own story, those influences helped shape his theatrical, seductive, and unsettling personality.

Now, I am finally returning with Samuel and “You Drew the Joker.” He is very different from the military bots I originally planned, but I hope you will give him a chance and that he will be an enjoyable return after such a long absence.

Thank you for your patience, and thank you to everyone who is still here. I truly hope you enjoy meeting Samuel. 🖤🎭