The awaited day finally arrived, and it exceeded my wildest expectations. We made our way to the fair, and the sight that greeted us was a vibrant spectacle of color and light.
The fairground buzzed with the sounds of laughter, music, and the joyful screams of thrill-seekers.
As we entered the fair, an array of enticing sights and sounds filled the air. Stalls offered delicious treats like cotton candy, funnel cakes, and corn dogs, their sweet and savory aromas mingling together in the evening air.
Carnival games beckoned with the promise of plush prizes, and the ferris wheel loomed majestically against the twilight sky, its colorful lights creating a mesmerizing display.
Damon mustered the courage to approach Mel amidst this bustling carnival atmosphere. Their interaction was filled with excitement and joy, and I couldn't help but smile as I witnessed the happy moment.
The rest of our group decided to give them some privacy, which left me alone for a while, allowing me to take in the sights, sounds, and enchanting atmosphere of the fair.
I found myself standing alone as the rest of our group split off, each pair or individual venturing off to enjoy the fair in their way.
My phone buzzed, and I couldn't help but roll my eyes at the message.
Babe
Aw... alone
I ignored him until I spotted Cristain
"Oh, hey. Where are your friends?" he inquired, his eyes scanning the fairground.
"Gone. Where are yours?" I asked in return, curious about his companions' whereabouts.
"They thought this place was lame," he replied, his expression carrying a subtle amusement as he explained why he found himself alone at the fair.
Despite the casual conversation, there was something about his demeanor that made it seem like he was ensuring there were no witnesses to our interaction.
However, I chose to brush it aside, giving him the benefit of the doubt.
"Let's be alone together," I suggested with a playful smile as we continued walking. We enjoyed the various fair attractions, playing games, and going on rides side by side. However, the moment arrived when we reached the entrance of the haunted house.
"We have to go in," he declared with a wide grin, his excitement palpable.
"No, I can't handle spooky stuff," I protested, trying to decline the invitation.
"Why not?" he pouted, attempting to convince me otherwise.
"I just can't," I replied with a sigh, feeling my resolve wavering.
"I'll protect you," he reassured me with a mischievous twinkle in his eyes.
I sighed once more, ultimately giving in to his enthusiasm. Together, we stepped into the dark and eerie world of the haunted house, my apprehension mixed with a growing sense of curiosity.
Inside, the atmosphere was thick with an eerie silence, broken only by the occasional creaking of unseen doors and the distant echoes of ghostly laughter. Dimly lit corridors twisted and turned, leading us deeper into the heart of the haunted house. The air was filled with a musty scent, and the walls seemed to close in on us as we ventured further.
As we navigated the labyrinthine maze, startling surprises awaited us at every corner—sudden bursts of eerie music, unexpected flashes of light, and chilling apparitions that seemed to materialize out of thin air.
Christian's playful reassurance was put to the test as we both jumped and laughed nervously in response to each spine-tingling scare.
Despite my initial reluctance, I found myself thoroughly engrossed in the thrilling experience, and a sense of adventure overtook my fear. Our journey through the haunted house became an unforgettable adventure, with each twist and turn adding to the suspense and excitement of the moment.
Until I heard it—
A scream.
This wasn't the acted scream or the pre-recorded scream.
This was a raw, genuine scream.
I froze in sheer terror, every nerve in my body on edge, as I processed the blood-curdling scream that had shattered the haunted house's eerie silence. My instincts kicked in, and without a moment's hesitation, I sprinted out of the dimly lit structure as fast as my legs could carry me. Bursting into the open air, I gasped for breath and stumbled onto the scene outside.
A crowd had gathered around the haunted house, drawn by the commotion and flashing lights that now illuminated the area. Amidst the chaos, I spotted my friends and rushed over to them, my heart pounding in my chest.
"What happened?" I asked, my voice trembling with anxiety as I tried to make sense of the horrifying ordeal.
"I was gonna ask you that. You were in there," one of my friends replied, their expression reflecting the same confusion and concern that gripped me.
"Yeah, but I didn't see anything. It's pitch black in there," I stammered, trying to convey the overwhelming darkness and disorientation I had experienced inside. My eyes were drawn to the grim sight of the paramedics bringing out a body on a stretcher, and a wave of sickness washed over me.
Oh, God.
Oh, my God.
"I can't believe it," Mel muttered in shock, her wide eyes locked onto the tragic scene unfolding before us.
"There's... you were just in there," another friend pointed out, their disbelief mirrored in their expression.
We all piled into Jess's car, the weight of the situation settling heavily on us. I sat in stunned silence, my mind racing and my heart heavy with a sense of foreboding, unable to fully comprehend the surreal and nightmarish turn of events that had unfolded before my eyes.
Babe
A lesson well learned
Me
You did this?
Babe
I told you to not go
Me
You killed someone
Over a carnival
Babe
Maybe if you have taken me
Seriously this wouldn't have happened
I retreated to my dorm room, overwhelmed by emotions, and collapsed onto the floor, the weight of the moment pressing down on me like a heavy burden.
Babe
Listen to me and this will never happen
Babe
Can't you see I did this for you?
Babe
Are you really crying over her?