Mark Of The Stars

Chapter 3

Ace and I got to the Ferris wheel after a short 5-minute walk through the crowd of people that had gathered around the carnival. There was a long line of crowding, crushed, cramped bodies waiting for all of the rides. Ace and I crammed up into the line, even though I was surrounded by bodies all around me, feeling the energy ripple off of everyone, I couldn't help but feel tired. I leaned into Ace's chest burying my face into his shoulder.

After another 20 million hours of waiting, I whispered into Ace's chest, "How much longer my prince?" I could feel his face light up with excitement as his face felt hot against my frozen forehead.

"Not much longer Darling." Ace said slowly moving inches closer to the ride as the line became longer behind us.

"I'm so tired all of a sudden. Even though I took a nap. Is that normal?"

"It can happen, if you need to rest you don't have to look out from the top with me."

"That's ok, I think I can manage. I'm guessing it's all of the fresh air, I'm not used to all of the open space. We have been here for almost an hour." I commented, checking my watch next to my brand-new bracelet.

"Are you too tired to continue waiting? We can always come back tomorrow Dahlia." When Ace said Dahlia, he got a couple of questioning looks, but nothing serious or more than he had been getting before we got in line.

"Ace everyone's looking at you," I murmured against his embrace. I glanced behind his shoulder again to see if people were still watching us, and thought that I saw the man from the creepy booth. Must have been a figment of my imagination.

"I don't think that they are looking at me, Darling. You are the shining star here. Literally, Darling, you're sweating."

"I guess it's just hot outside. I'll get some water when we are done with this ride."

"Ok..." Ace said with concern in his voice almost mockingly, as he would never believe another word that came out of my mouth.

We continued to make our way to the Ferris wheel. I was getting dizzier with every step. We slowly got into the carriage and sat down. I glanced out of the carriage and thought I saw Freddie again. I must be hallucinating, I thought. I layed my head on Ace's lap as we were lifted into the sky. I slowly drifted into unconsciousness as we went round and round, only stirring when Ace paid the guy to keep us in the carriage.

After what seemed like a short while out of consciousness Ace tapped my shoulder, "Darling, the guy running the booth won't take any more tips to keep us on. It's been an hour." After a groggy start, I got up out of the carriage, misstepped, and tripped. Ace caught my arm and pulled me back upright.

"What's wrong?!? You never stumble, even when you wear 5-inch heels for a ball."

I mumbled something like, "I can't help it, I'm tired." continuing to try to walk unsuccessfully. Eventually Ace had to stand behind me and escort me out like I was learning to walk again. I stumbled along the path Ace was taking me on to a bench, another ride, or simply the boat to take us home.

As we were nearing the entrance to the park where there all of the kiddies rides where I fell and landed on my butt. I'm going to have a bruise there tomorrow. Ace picked me up and started racing in a direction, hopefully taking me back home, where I could rest and not feel sick anymore. I wondered how much longer until I could feel the nice silk from my sheets and an ice pack on my forehead.

"Not much longer, you feel extremely cold Darling. Do you need to sit somewhere?!" Ace exclaimed with question in his tone. He looked pale with worry when I stared into his eyes. "You look green Dahlia!"

I felt like I was going to pass out. My vision started to sway and I felt the ground rush to meet my head as my vision went black.