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This one didn’t turn into laughter quite as quickly.

Another chime.

The speakers crackled.

A little giggle floated through them.

Slow.

Distorted.

Then a voice whispered-

“Run.”

Chime.

The carnival woke up.

Doors flew open along the grounds.

Actors poured out.

A woman in a torn white dress sprinted barefoot through the crowd, shrieking as something blood covered chased after her.

A butcher dragged a cleaver along the side of a metal barricade, sparks jumping behind him.

Other actors crawled from beneath booths I’d just bought food from less than an hour ago.

This year was definitely more intense. I could feel it.

Someone grabbed a guest from behind.

She screamed bloody murder.

The smell of funnel cake was still in the air.

The rides were still there.

The games.

The lights.

But, the fair was gone.

This belonged to them now.

A scream erupted somewhere to my left.

I don’t move.

My eyes moved through the fog instead.

Searching.

Black clothes.

Masks.