Think, Jules, think!
“Where are you, Jewel?” Elias’s voice sounds from behind me, echoing between the rides.
To my right, the bumper cars pavilion lights up, and I stumble to the left. Then music starts playing, a distorted warble at first, before settling into an upbeat tune.
“Oh, god,” I whisper, my hand on my chest. How can I hide when everything is about to be lit up? How can I hear him coming when the rides are about to each blare their own creepy-cute song?
As more rides start waking up, I head in the direction of the Ferris wheel, still in the dark. When footsteps and voices sound behind me, I dash under the loading platform, holding my breath.
“Good,” I hear Elias’s voice say. “Get the houses. I’ll turn on the Ferris wheel.” A low chuckle. “Fond memories.”
Shit, shit, shit! He’s coming here!
I crouch down, trying to make myself as small as possible. Elias is whistling a spooky tune, his footsteps slow and measured. Gravel crunches under boots—he must have gotten dressed, while I’m still vulnerable and exposed, tall stalks of grass tickling my thighs as I keep low to the ground.
I cover my mouth with my hand as he walks up the steps to the loading platform. A moment later, he’s standing directly above me. He’s put on his ringmaster outfit, or at least some of it, and something dark hides his face. He flips a switch and pushes a button. Slowly, the Ferris wheel starts to move, the metal creaking as weight is redistributed.
White spots dance in front of my eyes, and I take a deep breath, the sound masked by the clanking of suspended cages.
“Oh, Jules,” Elias singsongs. “You can’t hide forever.”
Tears slide down my cheeks as my toes go numb from the cold ground.
“Boss!” someone calls out, making me flinch. “Want me to get Cujo on her scent, help you find the thief?”
Elias chuckles above me even as my eyes go wide. A dog?
“Sure. I have her scent right here.”
I watch as he pulls bright red lace from his pocket—my bra! My cheeks warm when he lifts it up, and I hear him take a loud drag. When he groans, my clit pulses in response.
Traitor!
As soon as Elias walks toward the worker who’s offering to track me down with hounds like a fugitive, I sneak away from the ride. I need to get somewhere safe. Maybe somewhere indoors?
I’m walking between rides, sticking to the shadows, when I’m startled by loud laughter. It takes me a moment to realize it has that tinny sound signaling it’s coming from speakers, but I’m already trying a side door marked STAFF ONLY. Unlocked.
Relieved, I slip inside. I’m in a dark, narrow hallway that seems to run on the outer edges of the building. Probably a maintenance corridor. I could stay here, but… It just takes someone opening the door and peeking inside to see me—there’s nowhere to hide.
I walk past the back ends of whatever carnival machinery fuels the ride I’m in, sometimes almost tripping over cables on the ground. Quirky music can be heard from the other side, more tinny laughter, and various sound effects.
Finally, I find a sliding panel and duck through, closing it behind me. When I straighten, my heart freezes in horror. I’m in the freaking funhouse, and there’s clown stuff everywhere!
“Oh, no,” I groan. And, yeah, maybe the man chasing me with the intent of ending my life should be my top worry right now. But I really do hate clowns. “I need to find somewhere to hide…”
I look around, trying to find a good place to lay low. The walls are painted with spirals, stripes, and warped faces. I take a step, and the floors bounce under me, a honk sounding from the speakers, louder than my shriek of terror.
“I hate this, I hate this, I hate this,” I mutter as I carefully inch toward the other end of the room. I pull away the curtain, momentarily relieved to be out of the bouncy room. But now I have to go through a spinning tunnel.
It’s painted with stars, and I feel drunk just looking at it. I grab the handrail and try to get past with my eyes closed, but I’m too afraid to keep them shut. What if I run into a trap? What if I run into Elias?
Suddenly, I stumble and nearly fall. Strong hands grab me by the waist, steadying me, and I let out an ear-rending scream.
“Easy there, Little Sapphire. Don’t want you hurting yourself… yet.”
“Let me go!”
I struggle against him, elbowing him in the ribs. All he does is chuckle.
