Casting Shadows

Carnival of Horrors

The concrete was wet from the rain. The wind shook the branches of the trees surrounding the house, occasionally even picking up the hem of my dress. There was a motorcycle parked by the streetlight where I had last seen Derek. It looked almost gothic, jet black and shiny like a new penny. A helmet was carefully strapped to its back.

I glanced at Derek, puzzled. "Is this your ride?"

He looked back at me, confused. "Yes. I apologize. I should have warned you about the bike. You could have brought a change of clothing," he said, directing his eyes at my dress.

"Oh, please stop apologizing," I said. "The dress is not the problem."

"What is it, then?"

"You're the gatekeeper. I didn't think a motorcycle would be your way of transportation," I said and smiled, picking up the helmet.

"Did you think it would be a broomstick?" Mirth played in the dimples of his cheeks. "Every century has something to delight me. Your century has trust issues and bikes. It is what it is. And I have affection towards speed and beautiful land scapes. Who would have thought one could combine the two?"

"Then you might as well get yourself a helicopter," I remarked.

His eyes followed mine. I couldn't help but think that he looked at me as if it wasn't the first time we had met.

"I appreciate the suggestion, but I do not like heights. You and I had better buckle up, Rebecca. We are about to hunt some demons," he said, and the motorcycle raced into the night.

AFTER AN HOUR OF CRUISING OVER COUNTLESS FREEWAYS, we finally came to a stop. With the wind lifting my hair, the road dangerously curving too close to the steep edge of the mountain, I leaned harder into Derek's back. My hands were wrapped around his torso so tightly, they were numb.

"What is this place, Derek?" I asked while the motorcycle slowed.

In front of me stood a house, shaken by loud music and people's voices. Darkness was scattered over the brass fence; trees were the only witnesses to the still silence of our surroundings.

"It's a haunted house. I'm sure you have been to one of those places before," he said and helped me take o the helmet. He carefully placed it on the seat.

I tried to clarify my confusion. "But it's a fake house. All the people inside are actors."

When we slowed our steps, a fake demon head at the top of the haunted house illuminated out of the forest. The monster's eyes mingled, and his tongue slid back and forth.

Lines and lines of people stood by the entrance, and only one VIP lane was empty. Standing outside, we could smell fear racing out of the door. My muscles became rigid, and I shuf fled back a step.

Derek took my hand into his. "You're so tense. You have to let it go. You will be surprised by what you can find under the shiny wrapper. It's all about perception," he said, smiling his mysterious smile while we continued following people in line. He was so determined and fearless. I wished to be like him.

"Umm, Derek, I'm not sure I want to do this." I felt my legs weaken.

The longer we waited, surrounded by the stuy air and people's voices and the warmth radiating from their bodies, the more claustrophobic I became.

"It's a piece of cake, Rebecca. I thought you were tougher than this," he said and let me go in the line first.

Oh, that hurt. I was tough! How dare he? I had survived the hauntings, high school, and calculus with Mr. Shaw .

"I am not helpless, Derek," I said haughtily. He shrugged.

I couldn't say more, as we were forced to enter the long hallway of the haunted house. The lights flashed gold, alabaster fog enveloped the rooms, and the faint background music camouflaged any and all sudden movements we were able to hear. I felt even more claustrophobic after passing through a long tunnel that squeezed us in. My chest started to hurt. I was gasping for air and my stomach grumbled, but I still tried to hide my nervousness. Derek knew what I was going through, yet he didn't bring it up, which I felt thankful for. He came up behind me and put his hands around my waist at first; then he carefully placed his hands onto my eyes in a blindfold. I felt my muscles relax, and my breathing was finally slowing down.