Escape from Doom! (Mr. Tophat)

Chapter 6

Amani looked down knowing that her husband would lock her in the giant music box that almost resembles a doll house. Only thing is there were no walls within. All the rooms were open and flowed into one another. But what makes it so bad is that her husband can control the box from the outside. Not only that but Mr. Tophat can keep an eye on her at all times; and speak to her until she loses her stubborn streak, and give into what her husband wants to do,

"Are you going to behave yourself Amani; or do I have to punish you until you learn where your true place is," Mr. Tophat repeated himself growing slightly annoyed.

Letting out a defeated sigh, Amani quietly answered, "I'll start doing as I'm told."

"Good girl. I knew you would see things my way. Come along now. We have to get ready for the big night tonight," Mr. Tophat said excitedly.

Amani gave Mr. Tophate a confused look. "What is so special about tonight, that has you so excited? Is there something that you forgot to tell me?"

"Tonight is the night we open the carnival for all families to come and enjoy a night of fun with family," Mr. Tophat said.

Amani was about to argue, but quickly stopped herself, knowing that Mr. Tophat wouldn't hesitate to put her in her personal hell. "What do you want me to do tonight?"

"I want you to stick close to me. I might need you to help me put on a show tonight. I don't want the crowd falling asleep during the events of the first night," Mr. Tophat explained.

"What would I have to do to help keep the crowed on their toes," Amani said.

"Do what you do best...perform your stunts that you have been practicing all these years that the carnival has been active. Unless you have some new routines that you want to perform tonight. If that is the case, then you might want to use the time to practice your new routine before we have our grand opening tonight," Mr. Tophat said.

Amani was about to reply but decided against it. Amani turned on her heel, walking away to find a quiet place so she may practice her new routine that she was planning on performing that night.

Bartholomew passed Amani as she rushed out of the tent.

Mr. Tophat glanced up, noticing that Bartholomew entered the tent. "Bartholomew, what brings you to the tent?"

"I couldn't help but notice that you and your wife were having a loving conversation with one another. I may have given into the temptation to listen in on your conversation with the little lady," Bartholomew explained.

Mr. Tophat gave Bartholomew a stern look. "Bartholomew, you know eavesdropping is wrong. Besides, if Amani found out, you wouldn't hear the end of it from her. You know how much she hates it when you listen in on our conversations."

"No offense boss, but I could honestly careless wat your wife likes or dislikes. I do the things that I do for a reason. I want to know, do you honestly believe her, when she says that she will behave herself? What if she is only saying that, to keep you from suspecting that she is up to something? Don't you think that you should keep her on a bit of a tighter leash," Bartholomew asked, earning a glare from Mr. Tophat.

"Bartholomew, my wife is my concern and mine alone. I know I can trust her not to do what is expected of her. My wife will do anything and everything within her power to keep from upsetting me. Besides, she already knows that if she does anything to cross me, she will go right back to her favorite little box until she learns the valuable lesson; don't do anything stupid to cross me. Trust that I know what the right decision is to help keep this carnival up and running smoothly. But in order for that to happen, I need you to trust my plan. And trust that I know what I have to do to keep my wife in line. Now go do another walk around, make sure everything is ready for the big night tonight. I can't go through that nightmare all over again," Mr. Tophat said.

Rachel sat on the steps, when the familiar car pulled up in front of the school. Rachel got up from the steps, making her way over to her car with a huge smile on her face.

The moment that Rachel got in the car, her mother noticed the smile.

"I'm guessing it's safe to assume that you had a good day today," Hannah asked.

"Well, it went better than I thought it would. I managed to at least make one new friend today," Rachel said, causing Hannah to smile wide.

"Oh honey, I'm so proud of you. Wait you didn't bring up that creepy carnival that keeps giving you those horrible nightmares, did you," Hannah asked.

Rachel hated lying to her mother. But deep down, Rachel didn't want to be disappointed with her, for something that she can't handle. "I assure you mom. We didn't talk about Mr. Tophat and his carnival of doom. I had time to think about what you said. I don't want to go around making friends over a nightmare that constantly runs loops through my brain," Rachel said.

"I'm proud of you sweetheart. Maybe this move truly was for the best. I'm also glad that you are seeing things my way," Hannah said, before remembering something. "I almost forgot. To help you take your mind off things going on, I want what is best for you. And I know I haven't been the easiest for you to talk to or get along with, since the passing of your father. But I would really like to take the time to do a little bonding with you. Just you and I going to enjoy all the fun things together. I was wondering if you wanted to go to the grand opening of the carnival tonight?"

Rachel thought about it for a moment, before remembering that she had to meet Graham later that night.

Shoot! I would really love to go to the carnival with my mom and not disappoint her. I mean she will already be upset with me when she finds out that I lied to her about Mr. Tophat. But I also can't miss this opportunity with Graham either. It is important that I make a good first impression. He may be the key to make it easier to help me make friends. That and if his friends are going to hang with us, I don't want them to think bad of me either. I hope Graham is talking his friends into hanging out with us, Rachel thought to herself.

"Honey," Hannah said snapping Rachel out of her thoughts. "You never told me if whether or not you wanted to go to the carnival with me tonight."

"Oh, not tonight mom. I don't want to bump into Graham and his friends if they do go. It wouldn't be a good look for me to be seen with you," Rachel replied.