Ivan Darkwood was a man of simple needs. As a carnival barker in the 1930's, Ivan loved his job, and he loved to entertain. For years he had been working for one of the most notable traveling carnivals in all the U.S. Everywhere the wagons went, the crowds flocked. Ivan was ecstatic. He commanded an audience where ever he went, and he craved the attention it brought. Other carnivals dotted the map, but none brought the people in like Ivan did. Threatened by fickle customers, Ivan sought to better himself and his carnival constantly, trying madly to create wondrous environments and make his carnival ever more extreme, he pushed his workers harder and harder, making their performances ever more dangerous. Ivan believed that increasing the danger of his performers would surely sell more tickets and brand his carnival as the most amazing thing on the face of the Earth. It worked....in a way.
It was the mid 1950's. Doctor Colin Sheppard was at the pinnacle of his career as head surgeon at Mercy Hospital. He was famous for his rather unorthodox procedures, but nevertheless he saved lives. That was his job, that was his calling. But the events of one fateful night would change all that, and send Doctor Sheppard into a spiraling nightmare of dread and despair for the rest of his natural life.
