The rollercoaster was thrilling. Suspense building as we rise into the clouds, then feeling my stomach fly into my throat as we rush back to the ground. I screamed the whole way, Nolan laughing and whooping beside me, unseen. I have never loved being out of control, but I am learning not to fear the unknown.
Now, after regaining my balance and nerves, I allow my friend to convince me over to the game station.
"I don't see the point." I huff as we go.
"It's fun." Nolan sing songs, and I have to push through the throngs to keep up. It isn't just people in the near vicinity, but ghosts too. Somehow, though, when Nolan turns toward them, they mysteriously vanish. I don't question it and I don't push it, the feeling of being thoroughly alone with my thoughts is gift enough. "I'm going to warn you, they are all rigged, but try to enjoy it, Miss Sunshine. It's all a part of the atmosphere."
Nodding, I allow myself to gaze about. The rides and stations are bright beacons for life, and people laugh and shout around them. I let myself sink into the feeling. It is wonderful, simply listening to the giggles and screams of carefree people. Who knew? I take in the whirling rides, blurs of colour in the night. I stare at the vendors, passing out trays of stacked food. Seeing the grease dripping from the trays, I cringe, but smile. Then there is the grand ferris wheel, riding its splendour and grace in an arch of wonder. I have never felt so far from my comfort zone, but never so close to happiness.
"Is that a smile I can see, or is it just a trick of the lights?" Nolan teases, vanishing through a group of high pitched girls and reappearing on the other side. "I thought Miss Sunshine doesn't smile."
"I do."
"I was beginning to wonder if she had any emotion at all." He gazes at the moon, as if refusing to acknowledge my presence along side him.
The conversation is halted when we reach the strip of the pier that holds the games. I am steered toward the ball toss game, then handing over tickets and throwing a round red rubber ball. I am terribly bad at it, causing Nolan to kill himself with laugh after each throw. I find even myself laughing when a toss knocks the hat off the game manager.
"Ah! Hey! Come back here!"
I run away from his shouts, down to the other end, where I am dragged into more games. I go to stations that include prize wheels, darts and games of skill and luck. When my tickets have almost run out, I join up a water spray game. The attendant comes over after I have finished, handing me a small stuffed dinosaur. He is young and attractive with blond hair and blue eyes.
"Here with someone?" he inquires nonchalantly, leaning against the stall in a manner that reminds me of Nolan. I glance over my shoulder to where he has wandered to. He is standing behind a bald man with a camera, making facing and bunny ears. I turn back.
"More than you will ever know." I slide off my seat and wade amongst the people toward Nolan. I nod toward the figure behind the tourist, now with hands like moose antlers.
"Let's move on." Nolan nods in agreement. The man with the camera throws his look over his shoulder, trying to find the object of my gaze. He turns back to watch me leave, a puzzled expression wearing his face.
"One last place." Nolan beams. "Follow me."
"Where?" I ask.
"You'll see." He sprints off.
My feet pound on the wood of the pier, the sound reverberating on the water below. I chase him, dodging people. The wind pushes my hair back. I feel free.
I stop as I hit the paved part of the fair. My head thrashes about wildly, searching for my guide. Then I see him, waving at me from an empty seat on the ferris wheel. His spot is the lowest point on the wheel, a pink and gold carriage that glitters in the moonlight. He points to one side of the metal gate which fences off the loading pad. A part of the gate hangs open. I slide over to it, using the shadows as cover. I leap behind the ferris wheel attendant, running for the seat. I hear a clank, and the wheel begins to spin. I see another carriage shooting toward me, even as Nolan's runs away. I give one last burst of energy, leaping and landing half in the carriage. Someone in the line gasps. I pull on the back bar to seat myself in the carriage.
"Well done, Miss Sunshine. I didn't know if you had it in you." Nolan smiles as we ride around, breaching the top. I can see the whole fair ground up here, an underline to the stars above. The night sky is a belt studded with sparkling diamonds. I can't describe the joy I feel.
"It's beautiful. I can't b-" I am cut off by a pitchy scream at my left. The ferris wheel has stopped, with us at its peak. A ghostly woman is hanging off the side. Her cries and whimpers shoot bullets of fire through my heart. I cover my ears, despite knowing it won't help. Suddenly, the other senses flood me, waves of bitter tastes and smells that force me into an abyss of numb. I am tumbling, falling, moving down and away from reality. My entire body is at the mercy of this relentless spirit.
Then, something cuts through the hurt.
"Adalia, listen to me." Nolan sends cracks down the wall the ghosts have built around me.
I gingerly pull my hands from my ears, but the wailing becomes louder and it feels like my senses are being smashed with a hammer. Holding back tears, I buckle over.
"Adalia!" the boy beside me yells. I look back up to him, listening. "Reach over and touch her. Tell her to find peace." I am sceptic, but I trust Nolan more than anyone else in my life. I do as he instructs, cautiously putting my hand on the woman's. I almost recoil at the shock. Cold ice runs up my arm, replacing the onslaught of ghostly
"Find peace," then, I add, almost as an afterthought, "The peace that the ground may provide." It just feels right. The burning in my arm reduces to a tingle. I watch in fascination as her hand begins to disintegrate, empty air taking over where her form once was. When she is gone, the sudden assurance that she will find peace takes over me.
"How did you know that would work? I ask, whirling back to Nolan. My control over myself is coming back, and with it, questions.
"I didn't. I just kind of felt that was the right thing to do, you know?" I do, sort of. It is like the understanding that that woman is now at rest. "Things appear in my mind. I don't know how I know them. I just know that they are true." He looks down at his hands. This is the most pensive he has ever been. "It's hard to explain." He murmurs.
"No, I totally get it." I say, my voice soft. We spend the next few moments in silence, watching the bustle of people below. I gaze out to sea, where the lights of the fair and the stars dance on the water. It is a vast space, dark blue sea stretching into the unknown. The expanse is so big, so endless, that it makes me feel small. My problems are so minute compared to the rest of the world.
I venture a look at Nolan. His face is plastered with a mixture of disbelief and horror.
"What is it? What's wrong?"
"I think, I think that I just remembered something about my death." He admits.
"Whatever it is, I'm sure its fine." I've wondered why Nolan's ghost is so young, but I never had the nerve to ask. "Everything happens for a reason, remember that."
"I'm not so sure." his eyes meet mine. They are scared, a pair of sky blue marred by clouds of fear. "I-I was murdered."
A/N
*Cue dramatic music* Hi! Let me know what you think about this change in events. Please, please vote and comment. It makes my day each time. Thanks!
~ThisGoldenLife
YOU ARE READING
The Hades Test
Paranormal"My name is Adalia Kritant, and I can see, feel and communicate with ghosts." Adalia has lived her life with a curse: the ability to see and hear the dead. It has caused her to miss out on the joys of life. Friendship, happiness and love have elude...
