Freddie's Face - By Reena Bhojwani

Written By: Reena Bhojwani

Category: Flash Fiction

Competition: Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026

In the gripping flash fiction piece "Freddie's Face," Reena Bhojwani captivates readers with a suspenseful and haunting narrative. This entry in the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026 showcases Bhojwani's ability to weave a tale of unexpected turns and chilling realizations. Set against the backdrop of a Halloween-themed birthday party, the story unfolds with Freddie, a clown on his first solo act, encountering a night that will indelibly mark his life. As the events spiral into a dramatic crescendo, the story explores themes of trust, illusion, and the thin line between comedy and tragedy.

About the Work

"Freddie's Face" is a masterfully crafted piece that delves into the psyche of its protagonist, Freddie, whose transformation into a nightmarish figure is both literal and metaphorical. Bhojwani employs vivid imagery and a tense atmosphere to draw readers into the unsettling world of the story. The narrative's escalating tension mirrors Freddie's internal conflict, culminating in a shocking revelation that challenges perceptions of reality and innocence. The work stands out for its intricate detail and emotional depth, leaving a lasting impression on the audience.

Freddy's Face

Original Submission by Reena Bhojwani

Freddie’s Face

A few hours before the incident, Freddie was excited. It was his first solo act as a clown. His salary sounded better when it was calculated in laughs rather than dollars, so any side job was always welcome. He had been hired through a friend for a private Halloween-themed birthday party for a business tycoon’s son. But the party was not what Freddie had expected.

His long-lost childhood friend, manager and make-up artist, Molly, had had her whole team working on this project for months. She had painted Freddie’s face, neck, hands and other exposed parts (like the bits above his ankles) white.

“I’m not sure about this, Molls. Do you think the kids will find me funny?”

“Oh trust me, Freddo, after tonight, none of these people will be able to forget you!”

And Molly was right.

The rings of eyeliner surrounding his enormous bulbous eyes made them look like something was squeezing them from behind his face. Freddie wasn’t sure if he should wear his red contacts or the white. Molly decided he should wear one of each, so his left eye was white and the right was red. Instead of a clown’s signature red nose, Molly decided to give Freddie a green one. Inspired by the Joker in Batman, Freddie’s face was given a lopsided grin that crept up to his left ear, constantly announcing to all watchers that he was permanently happy. She drew a scar across his right eye, making the red contact lens look like part of a very bloody injury. His hair stood up like charred broccoli that had been attached to a Van de Graph generator. The curled ends could have once been the tails of pigs.

His costume was also unique: Large “bare” clown feet. Molly gave him gigantic claws that scraped the floor as he walked. Black trousers a size too small so that they ended at his shins. A white-coloured pirate’s shirt, with frills near the neck. The sleeves and pockets were full of tricks that Freddie never got to use. Underneath the shirt, he had placed a squidgy plastic packet of red paint to serve as fake blood for his act. He also wore a red and white polka dotted bow and a matching top hat.

Everything was perfect. Then, before he went out on stage, Molly suggested that he start off wearing a mask of a carved pumpkin. So he placed the mask on top of his clown face and stepped out.

Molly had arranged all the lighting and sound. She had filled Freddie in about what to do because (even though he hated to admit this) he was covering for the original clown that was supposed to do this act and he didn’t have any time to rehearse. It was his time to shine.

Freddie remembered walking onto a dimly lit stage of a very small theatre. All he could hear were gasps as a spotlight shone on his feet. The floor mics enhanced and magnified the sounds of the claws, carving jagged lines on the stage as he walked.

Freddie pulled out a wilting flower and presented it to a girl near the front of the stage. He couldn’t tell how old she was. He couldn’t tell how old any of his audience members were. The lights were blinding and the contacts weren’t made for his prescription. Judging by the sounds they made, the audience didn’t seem like teenagers. Freddie thanked his stars. Teenagers were the hardest to please. They could never decide what they liked. He would have to pay them to smile.

The shrieks he heard when he removed his pumpkin mask further confirmed that his audience was young. He had had enough experience in theatre to know the difference between the screams of glee and the screams of terror. Something told him his comic act was not working. Were the lights playing tricks on him, or did the birthday boy just shut his eyes?

Perhaps walking to the middle of the crowd of young kids and telling the birthday boy to put his hands up was not very funny after all. The paint on his face had made his mouth stiff. His voice sounded more like a dead telephone line.

The space was small and the acoustics were good. A bit too good. The rest of the children backed away from Freddie, forming a circle around him and the birthday boy. On one hand, they were too scared to go close and on the other, they were too fascinated to admit they were scared.

No one spoke. The lights adjusted slightly. Freddie wasn’t sure if those were shadows dancing on their faces or expressions of panic. They asked for a scary clown, didn’t they? Freddie looked for Molly, but she had camouflaged into the curtains. He sighed and followed the rundown she had practically engraved behind his eyelids. He pulled out his gun and shot the first bullet.

There were more yells and cries. Only after the bullet had plunged into the red paint behind his shirt did the children realise the gun wasn’t facing the birthday boy. A few of the children clapped their hands. Some of the screams had giggles behind them. The birthday boy opened his eyes.

I must be doing well!

Interaction was key to his act, so he reached his hand out, poked the birthday boy in the chest and asked in his comic voice, “Shall I shoot you now?” As he said this, Freddie planted a small packet of red paint on the child’s shirt. No one noticed.

He heard a gulp, but the frightened child didn’t object. Freddie even saw him nod slightly. The child had agreed to his request, so the only logical thing was to follow through.

At the time, Freddie had thought that the child was a fantastic actor, just like Molly had said. She had said that he would drop dead instantly and pretend not to move.

Raw horror filled the room. It took over 10 minutes for Freddie to realise that he had committed cold-blooded murder and taken the life of an eight-year old on his birthday. Molly had set him up.

In his prison cell, Freddie requested for a mirror and for his make up stay on. He hoped one day the cracking, peeling mask of the monster that he had become would come off on its own, allowing Freddie to be an innocent man again. But every time he looked in the mirror, he saw the same manic monster-clown staring back. However, two rivers ran in parallel lines down his face, reminding him there was someone human beneath.

About the Competition

The Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026, hosted by Hashtag Kalakar, celebrates diverse voices and innovative storytelling. Bringing together talented writers from around the world, the competition serves as a platform for creative expression across various genres, including poetry, flash fiction, and essays. Participants are encouraged to push the boundaries of conventional narratives, creating works that resonate with authenticity and originality. The competition reflects Hashtag Kalakar's commitment to nurturing literary talent and fostering a vibrant community of writers.

We extend our gratitude to Reena Bhojwani for her powerful contribution, "Freddie's Face," to the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026. Her ability to craft a narrative that intertwines suspense and emotion is commendable. We look forward to seeing more of her evocative storytelling in future endeavors.

About Hashtag Kalakar

Hashtag Kalakar is a creative platform dedicated to providing artists, writers, singers and other creative talents with opportunities to showcase their work and reach wider audiences through competitions, features and creative initiatives.