The Carnival

The Haunted House

I sat on Katherine's bed thinking as tears roll down my eyes. What must he be doing with Katherine? After 6 years, how did he manage to find us? Thoughts filled my mind like dark clouds on a rainy day. I was so lost in my thoughts that I didn't hear Alex coming.

"Elle, are you alright?" asked Alex as he sat beside me and put his arms around my waist and pulled me closer.

I leaned on his chest and just cried out. He held me tightly and gently brushed his hands in my hair.

"We will find Katherine together. She must be fine wherever she is. Don't worry I'll be with you," said Alex.

How am I supposed to tell him that it is just my battle and only I can finish it? I straighten up and wiped my tears.

"Alex, give this picture to the police for me,'' I said sadly.

He nodded and headed towards outside. He stopped, turned around and gave a sympathetic smile. I smiled sadly at him.

After an hour, the police left. My friends and Alex also headed back to their homes to grab their clothes as they were going to stay at my place for the night. I took a quick shower. Got into a pair of black jeans and a white crop top. I tied my hair as a bun and put on my boots. I pulled out the dagger that was give to me by my mother and put them in my boots. I grabbed my cell phone and headed to the carnival.

"I am coming to get you Katherine,'' I said as I closed the door behind me.

I was standing in front of the Haunted House. Still puzzled how this stupid carnival is related to the thing I've always been escaping from. I mustered all my courage and started walking inside when a scary looking clown showed up. I've always been scared of the clowns. Ever since, Mr. Black used to dress as a scary looking clown and cut with me a knife. I still have scars on my back. He used to drag me by my hair and tie me to a chair and cut my hands and back with a sharp knife. I used to cry for weeks due to the pain. The clown handed me a note and grinned at me. There was something familiar with these eyes. Like those cold blooded eyes just like Mr. Black. As I was about to ask him something, someone bumped me and I turned back. When I turned to see the clown, he was gone. I opened the note and read:

Glade you came. Let's play a game. Shall we? Come inside.

-D

I pushed open the door and was scared as a man with a big scar on his face with an axe appeared before me. He gave me one of his creepiest smiles. I walked past him and his gaze followed me until I was down the hall. It was indeed dark inside. I didn't know which way to go so I followed a group of kids. We entered a room where there was totally dark. No music. No sound. Nothing. My heart beat got faster. Sweats came on my upper lips. Suddenly, there was a loud noise and lighting came. There were pools of blood everywhere as if someone has been brutally murdered. A man with white paints on his face, long hair with a hat on his head with long coat appeared in front us.

"Welcome to The Haunted House," he said with a booming voice that echoed the whole place.

Everyone stood quietly.

"The rest of the journey is a big surprise. So embrace yourselves and don't be too scared,'' he said laughing loudly.

The lights went off again. I felt someone's warm breath on my shoulder. That person held my wrist and dug its nails into my skin. I felt a burning sensation on my wrist. The light came back. I turned around but no one was there. Then I noticed that the blonde girl in front of me was not in the room. But the doors were locked. Where can she be? I started walking with the group when I came across a strange room. There was blood on the doorway. I was about to turn the knob as someone grabbed my hand. A woman with long white hair, white eyes, with a pale wrinkled face wearing a long black robe appeared before me. She had a stain of blood on her robe. She handed me a letter and disappeared into the fog. I opened the letter and started reading:

Being sneaking, aren't you? I've got my eyes on you. Better follow the instructions or Katherine will go through the same pain as you did. Keep following the group.

-D

He got eyes on me? I searched for security cameras and saw that there were 3 cameras in the room. The lights went out again and I heard one of the doors open. A muscular hand cupped my mouth and dragged me out of the room. The scent was familiar. Someone close I know.

Alex!