Page 23 of Carnival of Crows

“It’s beautiful,” she whispered.

I smiled. “Thought you might like this.”

She turned toward me, eyes shining.

“Do you mind if I take some pictures?”

I gestured toward the railing.

“Be my guest.”

She slipped a disposable camera from the small bag at her hip. Not her phone. Not a digital camera. Film.

The shutter clicked. Again. And, again.

She photographed the Ferris wheel and the moonlight reflecting across the lake.

She wasn’t rushing, she wasn’t perfectly posing staged items, she was collecting moments.

“I have to admit something,” I said.

She lowered the camera.

“Oh?”

“I had no idea who you were until my cousin told me.”

A small smile tugged at one corner of her mouth.

“That’s okay.” She shrugged. “You know me now.”

“I’ve had…” I searched for the right words, “…less than pleasant experiences with influencers since we opened the park.”

Her expression didn’t change.

“I don’t do the whole social media thing to begin with but then a few rotten apples left a bad taste in my mouth.”

She leaned against the railing, listening.

“But…” I shrugged as I continued. “I think I misjudged you.”

As she waited for the explanation, her brows raised.

“Watching you tonight, with the crows, the way you’ve experienced this place instead of performing for it.” I smiled faintly. “I don’t think you’re here just to make content.”

What I didn’t tell her was that I’d asked Cassie to show me her page after I won her the stuffed crow at the midway.

My brothers would have given me so much shit, but Cassie simply unlocked her phone and handed it over with a knowing smile. I watched a handful of videos of her walking in old cemeteries, cleaning headstones and leaving flowers, reviewing classic horror movies, book recommendations and, of course, her video logs of the haunted attractions she visited. None of it felt fake.

When I handed the phone back, Cassie had smiled.

“Maybe it’s finally time you make yourself an account, cousin.”

For the first time in my life…I’d actually considered it.

Luci smiled knowingly at my admission. It wasn’t smug. It wasn’t surprised. It was the smile of someone who’d heard those words before.

“I really do love what I do,” she admitted. The entire expression transformed her. Her eyes brightened. Her hands moved as she spoke. “I know social media gets a bad reputation, but I use it as a tool, not with the expectation to gain a million followers or go viral. I don’t take this life for granted either. I know it’s a one in a million chance to get people to connect with you… and stay connected with you. I know how lucky I am.”