The Devil's Carnival

Doubt and Delusion

“There. Now I do hope that you will enjoy all my attractions have to offer and I invite you to attend our main event.” Mrs. Gimble was grateful to have her boys back and cared little for what happened next but there was not a smile was to be found amongst any other in attendance. The man again removed his hat and bowed. As if on cue a man appeared in every one of the stalls and next to every one of the rides. Mesmerised by the sheer number attractions no one notices the ring master disappear. Reluctant but somehow unable to offer any kind of opposition the group enter through the metal gates and inspected their surroundings. As they walked the men who attended the stalls called to them and beckoned them closer. “Come one, come all!” One man shouted. “Test your strength and win a prize!” Off to their right was a man in a derby hat and white shirt holding a large hammer, next to him was a tall metal structure with a bell at the top. “How about you young man? Care to test your strength?” The man in the derby hat held the hammer’s handle out to Tom. Be it a flaw in his character, something to prove, all the eyes on him or all of the above he couldn’t decline the challenge. He puffed out his chest and stretched out his shoulders before taking the hammer. As he readied himself to hit the mark the man smiled exposing rows of rotten teeth. “What’s the matter boy? Too heavy?” Tom was taunted and behind him his friends called for him to show what he’s got. Even Danielle joined in and cheered him on but Mina kept to the side. She was not exactly frightened, yet, but the whole thing left her shaken. She didn’t know what but something was very wrong. Just by looking at the two boys desperate to get out of their mother’s grasp cemented the feeling. The three of them had been inseparable before going into that tent and now they couldn’t stand to be near her. Tessa Parker was very, very unhappy as she tugged at the pearls around her neck and before long she was going in for round three. Harold knew it and braced himself, but before she could say a word a small voice from behind called for her attention. “Excuse me Ma’am and Sir.” As Harold and Tessa Parker turned they saw a young man, probably sixteen, with long blond hair that hung in his marvellous blue eyes. He nervously clutched an A3 sketch book and had several pencils in one hand. His cloths were old and torn but even so his appearance gave him an almost angelic aura. He was striking. “I’m sorry but could I sketch a portrait of the two of you?” He avoided eye contact at all costs and only looked up from the ground after he finished stammering over his words and only briefly. “If its ok with you.” There was something about the boy’s eyes that made it impossible to turn away. At any rate Tessa Parker was flattered. She pressed her hand against her chest and smiled, the attention making her glow. “Off course you may dear.” Tessa was flattered but Harold was just happy he missed a scolding. The boy looked up and smiled, he was ecstatic and radiating with glee. “Thank you so much!” He was practically leaping up and down, unable to contain his excitement. “If you could come to my tent, I would really like to start right away.” His stunning eyes glowed as he stared up at them. “Lead the way my boy.” The gold haired child turned on his heels and headed for a tent not far from where they stood. Harold Parker put a hand on Tessa’s wais and, smiling, followed the boy who occasionally looked over his shoulder to make sure they still followed. Mina noticed the movement out the corner of her eye and when she turned saw Tessa and Harold Parker being led off by a young boy. A part of her wanted to run after them and tell them they were better off not following people they don’t know, but what if she was wrong? Mina turned to look back at the man in the derby hat who was still taunting Tom. No she wasn’t wrong, none of this was right. Carnivals don’t just pop up out of nowhere least of all the ones like this. There was nothing there, it wasn’t just the lights coming on. None of this was right. “What’s got you looking like you got a lemon slice glued to your tongue.” Danielle shoved her elbow into Mina’s ribs and after she looked at her she looked down again. “I don’t like the look of this.” Tom brought the hammer down on the bright red platform and a metal cylinder shot up about half way to the bell which hung at the very top. “What do you mean?” Danielle looked at her with just a little concern. Tom yelled at the man in the derby hat that the thing was rigged as his comrades laughed. The man shrugged his shoulders as he took back the hammer. “Don’t blame the rig if you’re lacking mate.” The man extended the hammer to Brian, who was giggling as well. “How about it friend? Win a prize for the lady?” Smiling Brian looked at Amanda as she clung to his arm. Mina and Danielle watched as Brian slammed the hammer down on the platform and the cylinder shot right up and hit the bell. When it did Danielle cheered as Amanda jumped up and down and into Brian’s arms. “This thing’s s**t! It’s rigged.” Tom shouted as his friends had the best laugh of their life. The man in the derby hat clapped his hands before taking the hammer. “That’s too bad.” The man said. “Better get back to the gym then.” The man in the derby hat handed Brian a massive pink studded bear which he handed to Amanda. Mina watched as Amanda hugged the bear and Brian put an arm around her. “I don’t know. It’s just not right.”