The house at the Crossroads (BxB)

When History Fails to Repeat

"No," he deadpanned without missing a beat.

Karlos' shoulder slumped at the quick rejection.

"Why? You're clearly bored here," he whined.

Gabriel eyed him, his face wearing his usual expression of either disgust, pity, or annoyance. Karlos could never figure out.

"I'm waiting for someone. She'll be back in a minute."

"You mean Laura? She'll take more than a minute. The look on her face showed she needed enough time to get everything out."

Gabriel frowned. "You know her?"

"Yeah, We've met at the market before. Interesting girl."

"Gab, I'm back," Laura waved her hand as she approached them, "Karlos, you're here too."

Gabriel looked at Karlos, a smug plastered on his face. "Told you she'll be fast."

Karlos chuckled and addressed Laura, "That was quick."

"Yeah, I'm used to it." She grabbed a spoon and took another scoop of fruit salad.

Karlos watched her worryingly, when he turned to Gabriel, the boy only shrugged.

"So, what were you two talking about?" she asked after gulping the dessert.

"Karlos wanted to get out of here," Gabriel said and empty his glass.

Laura nodded excitedly. She took another spoonful of salad, swallowed, drank water, and chittered, "Let's go, let's go. I know just the place."

The girl skipped away, Gabriel quietly followed. Karlos stomped his feet as he trailed behind them.

They hopped in Karlos' car and maneuvered their way through the crowded streets. Laura pointed the directions, but Karlos kept glancing at Gabriel who was not the least interested. He had the same expression Franco had at first when Lucas came to him. Karlos was determined to change it as successfully as Lucas did.

They parked in front of a traveling carnival, the kind who only deploys in the town during fiestas. The rusted gate stood tall, and there was a welcome sign who was barely hanging on its life. They went to the ticket booth and bought the entrance fee. The skinny woman who attended them was chewing bubblegum and had lashes coated in ink. Karlos was starting to get suspicious of the place.

The gate creaked open and they were welcomed by moving lights and screaming people. There were various rides including a roller coaster, a carousel, a swinging boat, a Ferris wheel, an octopus-like ride, and others Karlos could not name. The place had been scattered with booths of different activities and food stalls. There were children running and parents getting dragged. They heard a loud scream and turned to see a man running away from a horror house, a group of people laughing behind him.

Laura cracked her knuckles and said, "This is gonna be fun."

Karlos had never been horrified of a girl.

Laura dragged them first to the roller coaster. Of course, she would. Karlos was expecting and dreading it at the same time. He was not particularly scared of heights, but the last time he rode into one, he threw up. The people riding screamed as the car rolled down, Karlos felt his stomach twisting.

The line was long, but they make it to the second batch. The closer the line moved, the dizzier he became. He swallowed and squeezed his eyes shut.

"Are you okay?"

When he opened his eyes, they were met with Gabriel's worried ones.

"Yeah...yeah, I'm good."

"You don't have to ride it if you're not comfortable. Are you scared of heights?"