Writer's Games: Carnival

What do you imagine to happen on the typical Saturday evening?

Most of us imagine partying, time out with friends, movie nights etc.

This week, however, the clubs aren't earning the money they usually do me either are the cinemas. That's because the majority of the town are at the carnival.

Everything you can imagine is there: the Ferris wheel, the bumper cars, the heater shelter, the fun house, all the food stools. Each and every attraction is decorated with fancy lights, sparkling tinsel - despite it not being Christmas - and prizes to be won.

"Atilius," Callisto sighs, turning to his friend, "the news has been empty for weeks!" It's true: the local, national, global news has been lacking an interesting update for almost four weeks now. "What if we start something?"

"Cal," Sayuri intervenes, pointing to her signature watch. "This place is almost closed! What are you suggesting we do? Blow up the hook a duck stool?"

Atilius can't help but snicker at Sayuri's remark before snapping his finger over enthusiastically. "Sayuri, you just gave me an idea!" The three young adults gather around in a little circle, ready to listen to whatever miraculous idea Atilius as come up with. "What if we trap citizens in here! Make them play a game?"

"Woah dude," Callisto exclaims, imagining the possibility. He'd have control of the attractions, he could scare the day lights out of civilians. "Make it scary like in the films from decades ago!"

"Too right," Atilius grins, looking at his friends. "We have everything right here. Why not make the most of these attractions, right? I mean, after tonight, this funfair will be out of use for weeks as it's left to rot."

"May as well make the most of it," Sayuri snickers, rubbing her hands together before shoving them in her jacket pockets and sauntering over to the gate where the buzzing citizens would file out and into the car park.

As people begin to filter out, Atilius manages to gather thirty random citizens; the citizens - and Atilius - climb onto the roller coaster for what they think is the last time. Little do they know...

As the entirety of the staff, other than the three friends - who happen to be working part time as a way to earn some extra cash - clear off out of the park, only twenty nine people remain.

And they'll remain for a long time. Sayuri closes the gate and locks the ten padlocks on the barred doors. No escape from this place; it's like a jail in comparison to what you'd think a funfair would be like.

As the roller coaster ride comes to a halt, people begin to realise that their belongings, their families, everything had disappeared within the space of a minute and a half. Callisto had managed to escort the children out with the help of the late-leaving staff, before stealing their belongings and hiding them in their office.

As the thirty people begin to show their emotions, Sayuri cackles into the microphone; her manic laughter echoes around the speakers. "Welcome to Carnival, tributes."