Escape from Doom! (Mr. Tophat)

Chapter 1

1944

Marcus and his young wife stood outside the finished product of his dream. For the longest time Marcus had wanted to make his father's dream come true, and make it successful. And today Marcus felt was the day to make all of that happen.

It couldn't have been a better day for a grand opening of a carnival. Everyone would be looking for something to do, to keep them distracted and create fond memories with their families and loved ones as well as friends. The day was made even better because Marcus had his wife by his side. In his eyes nothing could go wrong or ruin this important day for him.

As for Amani, she couldn't help but feel different about how the day would go. Amani kept having the feeling that something terrible was going to happen, to ruin this day. And she just couldn't shake the feeling. She's had it from the moment she woke up that morning.

Marcus turned to his young wife, noticing the look of unease on her face. "My beloved darling, supportive wife. Why do you have a look of worry on your face? This is the day that we both have been waiting for, ever since I had put my plan into motion to build a carnival from the ground up. It was always my father's dream to run a successful carnival. But he didn't have anyone by his side who believed he was capable of doing anything that he put his mind to. Today is the day that I make my father proud. And I won't let him down."

"Marcus are you absolutely sure it's wise to go through with this grand opening today? We had fallen a bit behind on schedule to get some of the rides up and working. And you haven't really had a chance to properly test the rides out to see if they are safe for the public to be on. What if one of those rides malfunctions while we have paying customers riding one of them? What if someone gets hurt while riding on one of the rides, or worse killed? It would ruin your dream of being a successful carnival owner," Amani said. "Please Marcus, postpone the opening date at least by a week. That way you have a chance to test the rides and see if they are truly safe for people to ride on."

"Amani, you know I can't do that. I had already put out the flyers to attract customers for the grand opening. If I postpone, people may not show up. And we can't afford people not showing up," Marcus said. "Besides, I already have a TV crew coming to witness this wonderful moment for the both of us."

"We can't afford someone getting injured or killed," Amani argued.

"Do you trust me," Marcus asked.

Amani let out a defeated sigh. "You already know the answer to that."

"Then don't worry about anything else. I just need you to look beautiful, and be my beautiful assistant as we create magic and bring families closer together, as they make wonderful memories," Marcus said before pulling his wife in for a quick kiss. "Now get rid of that worried look on your face. Look cheerful. The news reporter is here to interview us on the success of our brand-new carnival."

Marcus spotted the reporter making their way over, getting ready to watch as Marcus opened his carnival to the public.

"Ladies and gentlemen! Welcome one and all! It fills my heart with such great joy to see so many wanting to come and bring my vision to life. I want to thank all of you. I hope you all create many memories with your families and those that you love. I know that I will. I now announce the carnival to be open to the public," Marcus said causing the crowds to go rushing into the carnival to purchase their tickets.

Marcus watched with a smile on his face as many families played games, ate food and riding the rides. Amani was worried about nothing. Everything is going smoothly. Nobody has to know that none of the rides haven't been tested, just so we could keep this grand opening on schedule. Nothing could go wrong now, Marcus thought to himself before he was broken out of his thoughts as he heard screams coming from deep within his carnival.

Marcus looked and noticed that one of the rides that people were riding on, began breaking down causing the reporter to turn and watch as the horrific scene unfold.

The reporter walked over to Marcus asking him about the incident that took place a moment ago. "Mr. Cochran, how do you explain the failure of the rides? Are you going to shut down the carnival until further notice?"

"This carnival was supposed to be successful. This carnival was my dream. It was the dream of my father to have a successful carnival. How could this happen to me," Marcus asked ignoring the reporter.

Amani noticed the shocked look on her husband's face while the reporter kept making an attempt to ask him questions about the rides breaking down, causing the grand opening of the carnival to be nothing but a failure.

Amani rushed over grabbing the reporter's attention. "I think it's time for you to leave now."

"It's my job to report the news to the public. And rides breaking down with people on them is news that should be spread around for everyone to hear, that way people can be kept safe and avoid coming to a carnival that is dangerous to them. What were you and your husband thinking by opening up such a dangerous place to the public," the reporter asked.

"You have already caused enough damage as itis. So, I suggest that you leave before I call the authorities and have you escorted off the premises," Amani snapped, causing the reporter and the rest of the crew to vacate the carnival.

Later that night

Amani walked around the now deserted carnival, looking for any sign as to where she might her husband, when she heard an angry scream come from the tent.

Amani rushed to the tent and spotted her husband sitting in the middle of the huge ring, where circus performers would have performed for the crowds that dy. Slowly Amani approached her husband, unsure of what mood to expect him to be in.

"Are you happy now Amani? My dream to honor my late father by opening a successful carnival, it has been ruined. News of the failed ride collapsing with people on it, have been shown all over the news. What was supposed to be a happy place where memories were to be made is now something of a broken dream of mine. Nobody will come to the carnival now. They fear for their safety and their lives," Marcus said not bothering to turn and face his wife.

Amani let out a defeated sigh, hating to see her husband like this. "Marcus, I begged you to postpone the opening the carnival. I told you to wait a little bit longer, that way we had a chance to properly check and test all of the rides to make sure that they were safe for people to be on. But it was you who wanted to stick to your schedule and open the carnival today. You were the one who assumed that nothing could go wrong if you just opened it to the public without testing rides. Now the legacy that you have is a carnival that put one too many people at risk."

"If you're going to lecture me on what took place tonight, then do us both a favor and don't waste our time. Go home and do something more productive with your time. I wish to be alone anyway," Marcus snapped at his wife.

"Fine. Until then I will leave you here until you're ready to come home. I will be there waiting for you there, until you're ready to come home; after you're done wallowing in your self pity," Amani said before walking away from Marcus.

Three days later

It had been three days since Amani had heard or seen her husband. She was beginning to grow extremely worried about him. Amani walked to the living room to grab the phone to call the police, when the front door opened, revealing her husband.

"Where have you been? Where did you get those ridiculous clothes," Amani asked while hanging up the phone.

"No time for silly questions now. I have something truly amazing to show you," Marcus said while grabbing hold of Amani's hand, pulling her behind himself as he walked out the door.

It didn't take long until they reached a creepy looking carnival that gave Amani chills.

"What is this place Marcus," Amani asked.

"Welcome to your new home my love. You now belong to me and my carnival of doom," Marcus said. "Oh, and another thing my darling wife. I'm no longer going by Marcus. I'm now going by Mr. Tophat now."

Amani turned to look at her husband, but backed away from him in fear. "Marcus...please don't...ahhhhh!" Shortly after Amani's world went black.