The Worst Summer of My Life

The Shitshow Begins

August came around at last, and brought with it the sweltering heat of summer's dying breath. The park hummed with endless crowds, partially because families were milking the last shreds of summer vacation before school started back up, and partly because there was going to be a solar eclipse that day. The park booked a magic show for the occasion, and even we were excited. The show stage sat in the center of the food promenade only twenty feet from Wienervana, so we'd probably get a free show. Unfortunately, in anticipation for the entertainment, everyone in the damn state wanted a hot dog or a burger to munch on. 'Swamped' didn't cover it. Stacy hurried to pull meat out of the coolers, Gavin and Cal hauled ass on the grills and fryers, and Alice and I - the dream team - ran the tills.

The line stretched further than I could see, and customers weren't too happy about that. Every other person served as a firm reminder that service employees were not real people to society, and my patience was running very thin. As such, I'd never been happier to see hokey magicians take a stage in my life. Six people in dark, hooded robes entered the promenade at noon, mercifully ending the nightmare at Wienervana. More than half of our would-be customers abandoned their meaty quests to get a good seat for "The magic show of the century". We worked through what was left of the line and took a moment to catch our breaths and restock the rollers. I leaned on the counter next to the others, watching the magicians take a formation while ominous music blared through the speakers. Above us, the eclipse began.

Their apparent leader - a tall man with long red hair spilling out of his hood - stepped towards the microphone perched onstage and dramatically surveyed the audience. "Hello and welcome, patrons!" He boomed in a perfect showman voice. "Did any of you know that eclipses are the perfect opportunities for ancient rituals?" The music grew whimsical.

Stacy giggled beside me. "This is so dumb," She whispered.

"Today, we'd like to show you what kind of power it has!" He raised his arms towards the slowly moving eclipse. The crowd applauded. "We need six volunteers for this trick," He spoke into the mic. "But be warned! It is a grim task!" The soundtrack turned ominous again.

Dozens of hands shot into the air. Each magician began to personally select their volunteers. "Kasey," Gavin nudged me. "You should volunteer," He laughed.

"Oh my god. Yes. Do it." Alice egged on.

"No." I said flatly. Cal grabbed my wrist, raising my arm and waving it like a maniac. "Cal-" I struggled, laughing. He had one hell of a grip, and my so-called friends watched me try to fight him with amusement. "Sssstop-" I cackled, preparing to fight dirty if I had to, but it was too late.

"You there! The pretty girl with the hot dog hat!" The tall man grinned at me, extending his hand. Everyone, and I mean everyone, looked at me. I wanted to die.

"Oh, no, I'm sorry, my friend was just-"

"Aaaw, don't be shy! Come on up!" He interrupted, beckoning. The silence that followed crushed me into powder. I hopped over the counter and shot Cal a look while he wheezed, feeling my guts turn to ice. I did not like having so many eyes on me.

"I hate you all," I hissed at them as I dragged myself towards my fate. I didn't mean it. They burst into laughter at my embarrassment. Maybe I meant it a little. The man took my hand and pulled me up, positioning me in a line with the other volunteers. He moved to loom behind me, uncomfortably close, but I was too upset about being in front of a huge crowd in my dorky uniform to think about it.

"All you need to do is stand still," He instructed. The crowd hushed. "When the eclipse completes, we will perform the spell, and you'll see things beyond comprehension!" I balled my clammy hands into fists on and off, flexing them nervously as I stared helplessly at my mischievous friends. Little shits.