The Carnival

Chapter 2

We all split up into different directions exploring the magnificent, abandoned area. Seb ran to the broken down rides, even though some were unusable, they were still suprisingly kept in good condition. Luckily, the operating machine for one of the roller coasters was still usable and had the key in the ignition, Dean did the pleasure of turning the key as Seb and Ariana prepared themselves for the intoxicating ride.

Dean then went to the mini games on the side and began to play them, he was shockingly good at the shooting the cans game, he invited me to play alongside him. I tried, but failed, as soon as I had my eye on a particular can, he would shoot it down then give me a mischievous grin. I looked around at the other stalls, that slowly was beginning to rot and decay due to its age, to find old, warn out stuffed animals and porcelain dolls. All that happened to be facing at us, staring right into my eyes. I soon gave up and wondered around the mysterious place, wanting to see more of the beauty that was cast aside rather quickly by the townspeople.

With my left earphone in my ear and the right earphone dangling lower than my chest and close to my navel, listening to BTS' new album Tear, I explored the Carnival and could feel the happiness and joy that once inhabited this place, it felt so real. I could even hear the merry laughter of children, disappearing as though the laughter was actually present, with me. How strange.

Looking around the place, I started to remember the circus that would come to my town every year, with the best rides I had ever seen, but here, they were as twice as big, more rides, entertainment and the glorious, sweet, crunchy popcorn and the fluffy, sticky, candyfloss that would leave a satisfying taste of sweet strawberries on your taste buds, it would leave you in warm pool of ecstasy. If only I could experience that satisfaction for myself, if only people didn't abandon this amazing place. would it still be around? Would it still be internationally known for good reasons? Would people enjoy hearing or seeing the Carnival instead of shivering at the meer sight / mention of it?

I was then swiftly snapped out of my train of thought when I heard twigs cracking behind me, becoming louder and louder, as if someone was walking towards me. I hastily span around to be greeted with nothing, suddenly the wind started to aggressively whistle in my ears and a gust of wind hit me so hard that I nearly fell of my feet, the vicious noise of nature contrasted to the deafening silence that had once filled my ears.

I frantically began moving my eyes around the surroundings looking for my friends, trying to see if they didn't leave me, and if they haven't, to check to see if they were okay. As I was searching the grounds, I saw to small circles of blazing, amber lights which quickly turned into a glowing viridescent. They felt like eyes, peering into my soul, trying to destroy it, I got scared and looked away, only to turn back to see nothing there, again. I called out to my friends and after they all answered me, I carried on with my inspection of the carnival.

I moved away form the spot that I had been standing at, and began to walk towards a massive black and white striped tent, it surprise me that it was standing there like it always had, it looked brand new, like someone had been living here or have been camping out here. I decided to enter the tent, because my curiosity got the best of me. But as the saying goes, curiosity killed the cat, so I was extra cautious on entering the tent.

In the wind, I could've swore I head a deep, gravely, chuckle that was aimed at me. I could feel my neck hairs stand on end, and goosebumps rise on the surface of my skin, even though the throaty sounding laugh frightened me, I continued onwards into the tent, ignoring the bad feelings in the pits of my stomach.

When I entered the tent, a putrid smell shot up my nose instantly, my reflexes were quick enough to cover my nose before I started gagging. Recovering from the horrible smell, I began to look around the tent only to see a workbench, equipment and tools on a desk that was by the workbench, and handcuffs.

Handcuffs... why on gods green earth was their handcuffs in an abandoned Carnival?, then I began to think, what if the rumors were true? What if a serial killer really did inhabit this place? Maybe when the carnival was first abandoned but not now, they would've taken us as soon as we were on the grounds and killed us, plus, looking closer at my surroundings, the equipment and handcuffs were beginning to rust, so no killer. Just my mind playing tricks on me, I hope. But it doesn't explain one thing, if there was a serial killer who used to live here, why was that putrid smell here? Like it was new? It had a metallic smell to it, like blood.

When I was going to do a further inspection on the tent, I heard footsteps outside circling the base, starting to feel attacked, I picked up one of the tools nearest to me, a crowbar, and held it in a threatening way. A person came into the tent, because of how dark the tent was and how the moon lights illuminating light shone down, I could only see a figure, but it was thankfully a figure I recognised. It was Ariana's.

"What are you doing here? And what is that smell? Ugh, it smells like someone died in here."

I nodded my head.

"I know right, anyway, I was just exploring the grounds, this place is massive!"

Was what I said in response to Ariana as she pinched her nose.

"Why do you have a crowbar in your hands?"

Ariana questioned curiously in a weird tone, her voice changed into a nazel tone as she was still pinching her nose. All I could do was shrug at her question.

"I thought you were someone else, a girl needs to protect herself you know?"

I said smiling, she rolled her eyes at me and laughed her catchy laugh. I dropped the crowbar and exited the tent with her.

"Where are we going then?"

I asked Ariana.

"Somewhere near the ghost train, we found something."