Page 99 of Off the Rails

As we headed for the door, Blade looped her hand with mine and led me down the cobblestone walkways with nothing short of exuberance. Whether it was because of the ticking clock or her own excitement, I couldn’t tell, but we were flying down the path toward Prize Alley.

“What, you think winning me a teddy bear will solve this?”

“I hope not. That’d be way easier than what I did.” Blade hummed with excitement. “Any other guesses?”

I shook my head. Even if I’d felt like entertaining her little game, I honestly had no clue what she had planned. Trying to figure out what went on in Blade’s mind was a task better left to a professional.

Even they might not be able to dissect this weirdo.

I didn’t have to wait long to find out though. As we strode past defunct carnival games and ticket booths, there was only one structure in the whole of Prize Alley that had power.

“The carousel?”

The thing towered over the game stands like a small mountain. A double decker, it was tricked out in full Victorian style: decorated horses galloped on the lower platform while painted doves spread their wings on the top deck.

Or they had, at least. Most of the park had changed since my childhood, and the carousel was no exception. The bright red and white paint had faded into muddier shades. Only the gold details held their varnish, and even that had chipped away in places.

The wooden horses were mostly intact. But the birds were completely gone.

I peered at the upper deck, trying to get a better look. The platform was enclosed now, but even under the warm carnival lights, I struggled to make out what had replaced the birds.

“Is this your grand plan? A couple of spins on the carousel.”

“Not exactly…” Blade smirked.

Before I could dig at her cryptic response, she hopped up onto the spinning platform. With her elbow looped around one of the tall, golden poles, she reached a hand down for me.

“You Freaks have a death wish. You know these rides are dangerous, right?”

“Oh, please. It’s moving two miles per hour.”

Grumbling, I took her hand, gripping on tight until I got my feet underneath me. This was nothing like the teacups of death, but the motion was enough to knot the pit of my stomach.

“Plus,” she added, “Cyrus told me you’re no stranger to hitching a ride on these things. That log flume trick you pulled⁠—?”

“Safer than the alternative.” I raised a brow, daring her to challenge me. Cyrus had made no secret of how much she despised me.

And Blade wasn’t going to bullshit me. “Can’t say I disagree.”

She shook her head, squeezing my hand. “Come on. We’re almost there.”

Blade led the way, never dropping her grip on my hand as we weaved through the dancing horses and wide carriages until we reached the grand Victorian staircase that wound around to the upper platform.

I wanted to be annoyed with her. More than anything, I wanted to hold a grudge, to make her pay for her lies. But her excitement was contagious, and as we bounded up the staircase, I couldn’t help the racing of my own heart.

Sucker.

I forced the smile from my lips. I wouldn’t let her see my joy. As we crested the staircase, Blade swung open a brand new glass door and ushered me into the dark enclosure.

I should have been afraid. She was a killer, and a liar, and god knew what else?

But as she flicked on a light switch, my jaw dropped. Everything changed.

Where wooden doves had once spread their wings now stood a deluxe dance studio. One Blade had built from scratch, I realized.

“Surprise, Trinket.” She purred. “Whaddaya think?”

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