The Carnival

It had been ages since I had last visited the annual carnival with my family. I used to be crazy about it when I was a kid, but as you grow you tend to act mature. This year I was home during the carnival time. I don't know why I had this strong urge to visit the carnival again. I tried to convince everyone to join me, but thankfully nobody agreed. Over the years I had been in this situation many-a-times, hence learnt to be on my own. It didn't feel uncomfortable any more. So I decided to head for the carnival alone.

After reading 'The Alchemist' I have somehow become a strong believer of the 'message from the universe'. I had this feeling that I have to be there, something important is about to happen at that place, so it was good that I was heading alone, I can easily look for signals. I don't know whether it was because of excitement or anxiety, my heart started pounding making me further believe my gut feeling. As soon as I entered, I started looking for signals. It was a strange coincidence that there were multiple people in black robes. I thought it was some sort of re-creation of a movie which I had watched some time back, where a girl was able to spot the death-eaters at a carnival and tries to warn every one of the impending danger, but nobody believes her and ultimately a lot many people die because of a gas cylinder blast. I smirked at my imagination, thinking why would I be seeing death eaters, I don't have such supernatural powers. I just blew away that thought and moved towards the food stall. I bought my favourite dish and sat down with my chair facing the crowded ground. After watching the crowd for a while, I couldn't neglect the fact that there indeed were an unusually odd number of people wearing black robes. It kind of gave me a spooky feeling. My gaze started following one of the black robes, just to spot any suspicious activity. In order to keep a close watch, I started following the black robe, while maintaining a safe distance. That person had slowed down, as if aware of being followed by someone and started stopping by each stall to query about the available stuff. I was so engrossed in my detective activities that I accidentally banged into someone. I had to decide, whether to continue my search or help the person I just knocked down. I dropped the idea of following the black robe and decided to help the man get up, as if knocking him drove some sense into me. Unlike other people who frown on being knocked down, he happily took my hand instead. While he was getting up, a slight breeze exposed the rim of the knife which he was carrying in his side belt. Ideally, this sight would have scared me in the kind of situation I was, but his presence was surprisingly soothing. His smile was charismatic, I wondered whether he was trying to hypnotize me or what. I gathered my thoughts after a while and managed to say, " Are you ok?". To which he replied patting my back, " I am perfectly fine, and you don't worry, I'll take care of everything, you go home". I was like, why is some random stranger asking me to go home. I needed his picture, to warn the cops about any suspicious activity, but how do I convince him for a picture was a big question. I came up with a story, stating that he looked similar to one of my friend's sibling and requested for a selfie to show it to my friend. He looked at me as if he knew what I was doing and happily clicked a selfie with me. I thanked him and walked away maintaining my pace so that I do not attract attention. I went to the security section and narrated the story to the cops, when the cop asked me for the picture, I took out my mobile to show it to him, but my mobile had stopped working, I wasn't sure about the battery status. The cops asked to describe the appearance of the man and assured me that they will look into the matter. Till that time, I was completely exhausted with my own thoughts so I left for my home.

I did not mention any of it to anyone at home, because a lot many things did not make any sense, plus they would stop allowing me to step out alone. Next morning, my Dad asked me about the carnival at the breakfast table, but before I could speak anything, he increased the volume of the television to hear the news. It was regarding the carnival, a predator was found stabbed near the boundary of the Carnival's kids play area. Nobody knew who killed the predator, though killing of the predator wasn't the right thing, but what would have happened, had the predator managed to attack the kid's zone. People were blessing the saviour of their kids. My dad looked questioningly at me, and asked whether I have any hint of it, I shook my head and immediately rushed to my room to get my mobile. I tried switching it on again, it worked this time. I quickly opened the gallery to check the selfie which I had taken with the stranger. I couldn't believe what I say, it just had a bright patch of light beside me in the picture.

I still wonder whether it was a flash defect or something else.