The Drafted Reality and Dreams

CHAPTER 13: Mr. FRANCIS

After I walked away from Edson and Clarence to do something else other than going inside of the haunted house with them. I soon regretted it, there wasn't much to do for an adult especially when the adult is wearing formal clothing. I was already sweating buckets, but what can I do? Leave and come back in less formal clothing? Can't just leave my wife and son here on their own. Who would give them a ride home?
    I sighed, walking along with a big crowd of people. I was surrounded by thrilled shrieks of people on rollercoaster rides, people celebrating birthdays, etc. I was just surrounded by a whole bunch of extroverted people. What can I do? Now that I'm on my own? I sighed once more, slouching over. I looked around until I found one of the stands where you can win prizes. I especially saw the one where you would throw a dart at a balloon.
    Now that sounds fun. I smiled softly–my eyes lightened up. I went towards the stand.
    "Interested in throwing darts to win a fun prize, sir?" The stranger on the other side of the stand had a wide smile on their face.
    I nodded, "Yeah, I am actually." I smiled just as wide as them.
   
    After I paid, I started throwing the darts that I was given. Back when I was younger I was known to be good at throwing darts. And now I still am, I guess the past me still lingers. I was able to pop four balloons–I had five darts. Missing just once isn't much of a big deal, but the past me would think otherwise. Guess I have really grown much more mature than before.
    I was given a brown teddy bear that was holding a heart. Even the littlest of things can give you a prize. I smiled softly, I thanked the man before going on my way. I held the teddy bear with one hand, leaning it towards my armpit. I kept walking before finding another stand that caught my interest. I went over to the stand to get another prize; a golden fish stuffed animal that had a top hat.
    Winning two prizes led me to getting a tripled amount of prizes. I went over to the picnic table, placing down all the prizes. Examining each one, there was the teddy bear, the golden fish, a camouflage lizard, an actual goldfish, and more. I sighed, feeling proud of myself, but also exhausted. I sat down at the picnic table, watching as people walked, winning prizes, and screaming to death on rides.

I was covered in sweat, it was much hotter than expected. I sighed, looking around me to find a stand that sells drinks. And of course it was the same stand before doing the haunted house. I stood up to get some lemonade once again, once I got back to the picnic table most of the prizes were taken. I cursed under my breath, only the goldfish was left behind.
I sat at the picnic table for a while longer. The table began to feel hot; roasting hot. I watched the crowd while I enjoyed my lemonade; the lemonade tasted a little bit too sweet. But it was good either way, the good thing was that it didn't taste bland like any other lemonade I ever had.
I began to get bored, almost finished with the lemonade. I looked at the fish that was left behind. I guess nobody wanted a pet fish, and neither did I. There weren't any fish tanks back at home, nor do I know how to take care of fish in the first place. I do remember having a pet fish when I was a tad bit younger. It died within a few days though. Probably because I didn't feed it after two days of having it.
After I finished the lemonade I had a weird taste in my mouth; almost sour. I grabbed the small plastic container that has the fish inside of it and started walking around a bit more. Sitting around in the heat doesn't do much other than roasting me alive. I would sometimes stop in front of rides that had people on them and watch them have fun for a little bit. I would even sometimes talk to the fish when going to the bathroom. Weird, I know. But I didn't really have much else to do.
I eventually went back to the haunted house. On the way there I saw a man who stuck out like a sore thumb. He was wearing overalls that were stained with dirt, along with that he had a red plaid shirt that had long sleeves with buttons at the ends of the sleeves that were folded. His face looked melted, which was a bit disturbing to look at. He was also on the way to the haunted house.
I thought that he was one of the scare actors who came at a later time. But I was wrong...