House of Horrors

The sun dropped below the horizon, leaving the carnival bathed in the eerie glow of neon lights. Josh tugged on Stephanie's hand, pulling her toward the World of Wonders exhibit. He grinned at the pictures of the unbelievable wonders promised inside.

"I can't wait to see how they pull that one off," Josh said, pointing to the Cyclops.

Stephanie tugged on his bicep. "None of this is real. It's just a waste of money."

"Oh, it's real all right," said a low voice from inside the ticket booth.

Stephanie jerked her head to the right and met the stare of a greasy-looking man with dark hair and a beard that came to a point about six inches below his chin.

Stephanie rolled her eyes. "Sure it is."

"A disbeliever," the man said. He tapped his finger on the booth as he looked Stephanie up and down. He leaned forward, pressing his nose against the thin glass and speaking through the circular opening. "Perhaps this isn't the right exhibit for you...yet."

"Try never," Stephanie said, tugging on Josh's arm again. "Can we please go?"

Josh smiled. "Don't tell me you're not curious."

Stephanie nodded her head slightly to her left. "He gives me the creeps."

Josh laughed. "He works the ticket booth for the freak show. He's got to play the part and get people spooked enough to enter the exhibit, right?"

Stephanie shrugged and glanced at the man again. She jumped when she saw he was staring back at her. His lips curved in the most sinister smile she could imagine. "Yeah, well he's a little too good at his job." She turned away. Over Josh's shoulder, she saw the sign for the House of Mirrors. "Let's go there instead."

He followed her gaze. "You probably just want to check your reflection in all the mirrors."

Stephanie playfully lifted one shoulder. "Maybe." She took Josh's hand and pulled him across the parking lot. They walked through the archway at the entrance to the House of Mirrors and heard a cheerful voice over the loudspeaker.

"Step inside and see yourself in a way you've never imagined."

"Is this a maze or just a lot of crazy mirrors?" Josh asked as he took his wallet from his back pocket.

"Both actually," the man in the ticket booth said.

Stephanie squeezed Josh's arm at the sound of the man's voice. It sounded exactly like... No way could it be the same creepy guy from the freak show.

Stephanie peered through the dirty glass. The booth was dimly lit, but she could make out the shadow of a pointed beard. Her nails dug into Josh's arm as she squeezed him tighter. "It's you," Stephanie said. "Did you follow us?"

He laughed again. "You must be thinking of my twin brother. He runs the booth at the World of Wonders exhibit."

Stephanie turned away, trying to shirk the sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach.

"Enjoy," the man said, pressing a button that unlatched the door.

Stephanie practically ran through it, wanting to put as much distance between her and the ticket guy as possible. The door slammed shut behind them, making Stephanie jump.

"Why are you so jumpy?" Josh asked.

"You didn't find that guy the littlest bit-?" She shuddered. "I can't even describe it."