like a railroad

022

⚠️TW: this chapter contains drugging and suggestion of rape ⚠️

We parked outside, and started walking over to the entrance. Ok, ok, maybe it was more of a speed walk for me because I was really excited.

This was the first carnival I had ever been to, because my family didn't like them, and I just never really had the opportunity.

"Wait up Carter." I slowed to a stroll, so that Avani could catch up and begin speed walking with me.

"Someone's excited." She laughed, as we stopped outside the pre-payed ticket booth. We grabbed our wristbands, and put them on. Unfortunately, having to wait for our slow friends to catch up.

"Ha, I've never been to one before, but it seems so fun ya know? The ferris wheel, the bright colors, the gross food that people buy anyway."

"Fair enough, what do you wanna do first El?" The whole group was together now, in a little huddle to the side of the entryway.

"Well, although carnivals look fun, they can be dangerous... so rules first. Buddy system, no accepting drinks from strangers, and the second you put your cup down... throw it away. Hold your drink like a woman at a bar, and if a ride looks sketchy... it probably is."

The girls nodded. "Ay, I'm talking to you guys as well. Men can get drugged too." They nodded and returned back to their previous statement.

"So what ride first." I stared at the silent group.

I rolled my eyes. "Who wants to do the gravity spinning one?" Avani raised her hand. "The rest of you guys are lame."

"LETS GOOOO." She laughed, and we walked over to the ride, getting in line with our tickets.

We did ride after ride, finally landing on the swing ride. It looked super high, but the idea of how cool the carnival looked at night from that elevation pushed me through.

We strapped into our seats, putting our phones into our matching phone lanyards. My phone getting absolutely shattered will have to wait another day.

The ride started out, and surely but steadily, the seats took off, our feet getting farther and farther from the ground.

Soon enough, we were high above the other rides, the colors a mild blur, and the crisp air flowing around me.

I looked towards the ground, people walking in all directions. I saw the rest of the gang huddled in a line waiting in front of some sort of food truck.

I could really go for something to eat right now. I'll get something once we get off.

Me and Avani did the usual TikTok creator things... make a TikTok on the swings, create and entire album worth of photos of us smiling.

When we finally got off, we walked over to the food cart at which I had seen the rest if them at earlier.

"Hey El, how was the swings?" Vinnie asked me, kissing the side of my cheek. "How did you know?" I asked smiling.

"I was your first like on that vid."  He smirked. Not gonna lie... it was kinda impressive that he was able to like the video that fast.

"Aww, so sweet. But um yeah, I enjoyed it." He nodded, understanding not to push me for details. I hate it when people push stories or details out of me.

"Well have you gone on the Hurricane? I was thinkin'  we would all go together?"  I almost nodded, before realizing my extreme need to pee.

They began to turn around when I added, "WAIT! Hold on, wait for me... I just need to go to the bathroom."

"Ugghhh fine fine." They shooed me towards the bathroom and stood outside the door, waiting for me to be done, like a group of bored schoolchildren on a field trip.

I finished, turned to wash my hands, but failed due to the absence of soap from the dispenser... and gave up, replacing my soap for my pocket hand sanitizer.

I exited and we all walked over to the ride, standing and talking as we drew closer and closer to the entrance.

While we waited in line, a person wearing an officials shirt walked around giving out treats.

Me being the 'never full' being I am, gave him 1 dollar in exchange for a soft pretzel. She handed it to me and I began to eat it, Vinnie and Amelie's mouths basically drooling from the smell.

It was surprisingly fresh, the dough still warm and toasty. I let the homies have a bite #friendoftheyear, and before long it was gone.

We got onto the ride and the second I strapped myself in... it was like my stomach was holding a rally against my digestive system. Tossing and turning itself. I was gonna hurl.

"Sorry-" I jumped out of my seat and ran over to the side if a building, hurling onto the floor. Thank the lord no one saw me. That could have been very, very embarrassing.

I stood up, spitting out the residue from my mouth.
"Hello El." Oh fuck no.

I strong hand grabbed my wrist, and a began to feel dizzy, the lights of the carnival becoming distorted and my heart beat suddenly becoming excruciatingly loud.

"Stop." I tried to yank my hand from his, but his grip was too tight and my consciousness was slipping from me. I felt so slow, my reaction time completely dissolved.

"No, no, no... I think we're going to have some fun while we are alone." He said it calmly... as if it weren't a troubling statement to say/hear.

"Just STOP. Leave me the hell alone." I began to walk away but my legs felt like jelly and I couldn't support myself. I fell. Like the annoying bitch in the horror movie. I friggin fell.

I was literally sitting on the ground, in an ally of a carnival fair, waiting for whatever the hell Justin wanted to do to me to happen.

"Carter you back here?" Even in my drugged out state... I knew that voice. It was Vinnie.

Thank you... whoever is up there... thank you. I tried to call out to him, but no sound came out of my voice.

I couldn't move my body. Please, please just let him see me.

Now this was one of the first times when I truly believed that soulmates are real. That when you really love someone... your souls are connected in a way.

His head turned, he saw me.

He ran over to me. I had no idea where Justin went. Probably ran off when he thought there might me a witness.

"It's okay sunshine, you're gonna be ok."