Crimson || Tom Riddle

𝖊𝖑𝖊𝖛𝖊𝖓

Strings of lights were swung above cobbled streets. Stalls were bursting with colour. Children ran wild with sticky fingers, fireworks popped overheard and the air smelled of sugar.

Arabella hadn't planned to enjoy the carnival.

She told herself she was here for one thing — to watch Tom. To make sure he didn't mess it all up. But the moment Jane squealed and grabbed her hand, dragging her past a candyfloss stand, Arabella found herself grinning before she could stop it.

"This is the best night of my life!" Jane shouted, nearly bouncing out of her shoes. "Look! Look at the rides! Do you think Tom wants to go on one?!"

Arabella glanced behind. Tom stood a few paces away, arms crossed, looking like someone had personally offended him by inviting him here.

"I think he would love to."

Jane marched over to him and tugged his sleeve. "Come on. We can go on rides and have fun."

Tom looked down at her hand like it had physically wounded him.

"I don't ride things that spin," he said stiffly.

•••

Arabella sat side-saddle on a painted white horse, waving as Tom passed her again. He sat stiff on a dragon, gripping the pole tightly. His jaw was clenched and his knees looked very awkward. They were riding a carousel.

"I think he's having fun!" Jane beamed, riding a glittery unicorn and throwing her arms out like she was flying. "Look at him. He's so happy."

Tom was not happy.

But Arabella was. Jane was right, this was an amazing night.

They stumbled off the carousel, Arabella laughing while Tom looked like he'd just survived a natural disaster. "That ride was stupid," he muttered.

Arabella tilted her head. "You picked the dragon. No one made you."

"It was the only one that didn't have sparkles."

Jane skipped beside them, biting into a giant swirl of red toffee. "You were so good at it, though! You didn't scream or cry or throw up or anything!"

Tom gave her a tight, pained smile. "A high bar."

They wandered further into the carnival. It was all red and yellow and white. A brass band played somewhere and the air smelled like fairy floss.

Jane skipped ahead of them and then stopped, pointing to a carnival game. "Let's do that one!" It had wooden ducks floating in a shallow pool. A man behind the counter beckoned them with a toothy grin.

"Pick the right duck, win a prize!"

Arabella crossed her arms. "That's rigged."

"Obviously," Tom said. "They make the winning ducks slightly heavier. Float lower."

Jane frowned up at him. "That's cheating."

Tom shrugged.

"Please?" Jane gave them both a pleading look. "It's not about the prize. It's about the fun!"

Arabella sighed and pulled out three coins from her pocket, dropping it onto the counter. "Three goes."

Tom didn't move.

"You too, Tommy," Arabella said sweetly.

Tom looked like she'd asked him to jump off a cliff, but he stepped up anyway. Arabella picked a blue duck and lifted it. Nothing.

Jane picked a yellow one. Nothing.

Tom squinted at the water like he could drown himself and give his soul to Lilith for this stupid ring. Then he plucked a red duck from the edge of the pool and turned it over.