It's All Part Of The Show 'The Carnival Of Glass'

Chapter I 🎪A Carnival Like No Other

Death is something– something, a force that combats the living–

The very living things that are all incapable of being freed from a transition such as the void of being deceased. Death does not go back for what it has thus already touched, as it does not go back -it on;y moves forward -much like so of those it made dead.
To twist the concept and the words that define death for what exactly it is: perminate -is to twist the meaning of life.
What then are we entitled to label such an event, if the ones who death caresses to now leave those of the living whom they once walked among? If those who have the sent of death on their flesh, and they now simply avoid its presence by merely one act or trade- If they who meddle with the cycle of life and death are not dead, surely they cannot be alive either, yes? -I would say so. Need be, if they continue to walk amongst the living, yet not of the living, then they are frankly not of the same form in which they came into and stepped out of the word... No matter how they look and no matter how they may seem- they are not human. Pondering the metaphorical question with a logical answer of what if, they are somehow able to avoid the inevitable and permanent action of death itself... Simply picture death as a crack in the road and then effortlessly stepping over it. Just like that -They're in the clear for all the days to come. They will not and cannot die. So now, what does that make them? They are no longer able to make a place for themselves in the normal categories A and B: either; human or inhuman.
And if they are not human -they look human... they simply are incapable of dying, the simple question remains: Who or WHAT are they?

I myself might have a general idea–

-Mr. Cochran

... 57 years later...

Argentina, Oregon, 2019

There was only blackness... Nothing more---

I strained my eyes to catch even just a quick glimpse through the thick darkness, and that's just what I got.

I could see a vision of a girl, no more than twelve years old. The vision was rather clear -she seemed to be asleep, but she was sleeping in a basement -Not by her desires, but by someone else's force.

I saw her in that dark room with cement walls all around. I didn't really know what was going on, but I had a hunch that I would find out.
I could feel her fear. Her fear was unique, but it was a strange kind of fear. She feared something else. It wasn't fear of me.

I was used to people being afraid of me.

She was afraid of things far more sinister than I. -The fear of two humans -No, they were the two monsters in that house with her.

I felt my adrenaline start to rise while all a matter of waves -each bearing a different emotion than the last came to acquaint me in the still and emptiness of my chamber.

I'm always alone inside my inner chamber. The only one besides me who comes out of my chamber alive is Bartholomew. He and I go way back and we've been acquainted for quite some time. I can't call him anything else though. While he does a lot for me, I am not his friend, nor anyone's friend.

I am a friend to no man.

A wave of anger washed away the thought of Bartholomew and it was replaced by the little child once more. She was 'dreaming' of my Carnival, she was dreaming of me. -Would she remember me though?

DREAMING -That's not a term that should be used to describe my Carnival. At least not now it isn't.

{the girl's dream -Wallace, Idaho}

A deep unidentified voice spoke over a speaker that echoed all around:

"Remember the special opening night hours, the park closes at 10 PM."

Fire spewed from both sides of the entryway where my ticket-guy was taking people's carnival flyers that they had presented for free admission. -We can't have people going around with those carnival flyers in pockets anyway. -That would jeopardize my good name now, wouldn't it?

She passed through the large skull entryway with the red jewel-like eyes.

The child came in seemingly lost standing between all the massive red and white and black and white striped tents. The crowds pushed past her like she wasn't there... like she didn't exist.

She was here.

"Everyone enter the Big Tent! Tonight's spooky festivities will begin right inside. Everyone report directly to The Big Tent!"

The deep voice came again.

I approached her as she sat alone amidst the other guests watching my show. For a mere two seconds, a faint smile was taking form on my face.

"Shh. It's all right. It's all right, you're all right." I spoke softly to the girl from behind her as she looked up at me from over her right shoulder.

"It's all right, you're okay. Oh, don't be alarmed everyone, it's all part of the show. You may experience things here that are going to wow you. You may experience things that will shake you to your very core, right down here." I gestured to the ring below with my hand concealed in black leather.

"But just remember, it's all part of the show!"

I held up each of my fingers -one for each word. My pinky finger was the last to straighten itself as I stretched a smile.

I made my way back to the circular ring, taking short yet long strides down the series of steps that went up the rows of bleachers.

The child seemed lost -Probably the least of her concerns.

The Carnival filled with wonder had turned to The Carnival Of Doom and it was too big for someone so small.

{end of girl's dream}

I know what they did... I know what happened and was was going on now. This girl on the other hand, was only aware of one of these doings.

As for the other side of the story, well... stay till the end of The Show.

(1,051 words)