One Week in June | ONC2020

June 13th 11:45 PM

The Kepner Carnival has been one of the longest standing traditions within the town. Every year the founding families pool together their donations and appoint the current Mayor of Kepner to host the event. Over the last decade Mr. Petrov, Peter and his brother Clarke's father, has been the reigning Mayor and he spares no expense on creating the best possible Carnival, consistently topping the previous years event.

"I don't like that we're doing this." I say, handing one of the locals running the ticket booth a ten dollar bill. She hands me a small roll of blood red tickets and my stomach churns just looking at the color. "Thank you," I whisper to the woman before Alistair leads me into the main strip of the Carnival.

"You're going to need to choose two people and get this over with." Alistair wraps his arm around my waist, pulling me closer to him so that I don't run into the alley of clowns dancing around, tormenting people. He guides me towards the center of the Carnival where Mayor Petrov has set up the main stage in anticipation for the raffle and well known performances from high ranked musicians, he calls it the Battle-of-the-Bands. Last year Kanye and Lady Gaga attended. Like I said before, the man spared no expense.

Mayor Petrov would always brag that his Carnivals were the best and that thousands of people would flock to attend. I can see that he wasn't exaggerating because there are at least a thousand people within eyesight. There are families wandering close to the carnival games and children beg their parents for a couple extra dollars to try and win the huge stuffed animals. Couples are cuddled up near the cotton candy machines, the perfect way to spend a summer date. I longingly stare at their blatant happiness, wishing that I could have that sweet, relaxing moment with Alistair; instead, I'm trying to figure out what two unlucky individuals are going to die tonight.

"Reia! I didn't think you were going to make it!" Peter Petrov emerges from within the crowd surrounding the shaved-ice booth. Clarke Petrov, Peter's younger brother, is following closely behind his brother. "I've been trying to hang out with you all week, but you haven't returned any of my texts." He rubs the back of his neck and tries to act as nonchalant as possible, but I know he's peeved at me for blowing him off and showing up to the Carnival with Alistair.

"Yeah, sorry about that. I've been a bit preoccupied..." I trail off and look down at grass, I can't muster enough energy to try and make things right with Peter in this current moment. Mom had given me my phone back a few days ago, right before she was murdered by the residential lake demon, but I've been too busy and stressed to even look at that stupid piece of technology. Peter could have sent me a hundred messages and I would have no clue until now. Alistair must have sensed my unease because he moves closer and reaches around me to place his hand on my waist.

"How's it going Peter?" Alistair asks, trying to take the heat off of me.

"Miller." Peter replies snidely. Peter's eyes are fixed on Alistair's arm around me as he continues, "I see you and Reia are getting pretty close." My cheeks heat up from embarrassment, but I don't move away from Alistair. Peter and Alistair have been vying for my attention since we were little, though Alistair was the one to make extra efforts in order to maintain our friendship all year long, while Peter would ghost me for nine out of the twelve months of the year. Peter was notorious for hitting me up when he needed something, but would vanish when I needed him. I guess that bad boy/douche routine was one of the things about Peter that kept me infatuated with his aloof presence for so many years.

"We were actually hoping we'd run into you two," Alistair completely disregards Peter's remark. "Reia was wondering if you might be able to help us with something down by the lake? You see, I was hoping that I could deal with it myself, however I'm just not strong enough." I look up at him confused. Why is he trying to involve Peter and Clarke? We have enough to deal with on our own and I don't think we need to expand our little duo.