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Conversations softened.

The Ferris wheel nearby comes to a full stop, its bright lights going dark one section at a time.

Then-

Dong.

The first chime rang across the grounds.

Eight.

The entire carnival went black.

Someone screamed.

Laughter followed.

I could feel Charlie standing closer than before.

I smiled.

Last year, the change scared the shit out of me.

This year, I was ready for it.

Second chime.

Fog hissed from beneath the booths, cooling my exposed legs.

Third chime.

A red light flickered on somewhere behind me.

Then another.

And another.

By the fourth chime, the warm glow of the fair had disappeared beneath the red, violet, and sickly orange lights.

Fifth chime.

The signs above the daytime attractions went dark.

Different ones came alive.

MIRROR MAZE.

THE SLAUGHTERHOUSE.

THE HOSPITAL.

THE FARMHOUSE.

More and more.

Metal scraped against pavement somewhere in the darkness.

Another scream erupts from the other side of the fair.