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Ahh that makes more sense. “Okay.” I whisper back at her.

“Now.” she claps her hands. “Everyone else, this is Raven.”

Three guys and four girls smile and wave back at me. I have no clue if they were the same people as last year or not.

“Hello.” I say back with a wiggle of my fingers.

“You ready?” Willow says to me as she links our arms together.

I look ahead at the attractions and tents. “I sure am.”

TEN

I walk until we hit the entrance area.

The moment I stepped through the wrought-iron gates, the world seemed to exhale around me.

The warm sunlight spilled over the rows of striped tents, catching on strings of orange and colorful bulbs that hung.

Somewhere to the left, laughter erupted around a group of children stumbling out of the fun house, while the shrill ding of the carnival games competed with the cheerful call of vendors promising oversized prizes.

The air smelled like everything I missed all year- fresh kettle corn drifting on the breeze, sugary funnel cakes buried beneath powdered sugar, buttery popcorn, caramel apples cooling in rows, and just enough of sawdust to remind me that the place wasn’t polished and neat. It was alive.

I close my eyes for only a second, letting the memory and sound settle in my chest.

The Ferris wheel groaned lazily nearby as it carried riders high enough to touch the clouds. The carousel organ played a melody that was carried out in the area. The sound was joyous and freeing, and I couldn’t stop the smile that graced my lips as I looked around and soaked it in.

Last year, I felt like I couldn’t really enjoy it the way I wanted to, so this year I was taking it all in.

My long hair flowed in the wind and the faint smell of my shampoo whispers in my nose.

“Did you miss this?” Willow asks me as she comes up and settles her arms around my shoulders.

Glancing up at her with a smile, I answer. “Yes. It looks much busier than last year.”

“I know. Let’s get our tickets.” she says as she links my arm with hers.

I nod and we walk towards the booths. The same five booths sit their side by side with the workers waiting with a smile.

The lady with long black hair tied back in a ponytail greets us as we walk up, and the rest of the group go to the other open ones once its our turn.

“Hi. Welcome to Summers End. Will it just be the fair today.” she asks, fingers hovering over the tickets. “Or are you staying for the carnival tonight?”

I glance past her as I envision the tall man in a mask staring down at me.

“How different is it?

Her lips seem to stretch, making her grin wider.

“After dark?” she says. “Very different.”

A shot of thrill worked its way through me at the way she says it.

My eyes drift past her again as I look at the rides, all bright colors and flashing orange bulbs beneath the afternoon sky.

They looked harmless now. Fun and exciting.

But, I desperately want to know what they look like in the dark.