Cremated Chains.

Chapter Fifteen: The Carnival.

The Earth had descended into a state of calm as autumn swept its way through the streets and woodlands, leaving behind trails of nature's vibrant gifts wafting through the chilly breeze. The land took on a buoyant lack of subtly, the earthy greens and browns that provided a homely quilt to the Earth now covered in a storm of boisterous leaves descending like giant confetti.

Almost like the trees were paying homage to the season of the soul; one dedicated to the introverted beings who often wandered across the volcanic foliage, contemplating the harvest and prosperity surrounding them.

Several of these people paused during their time in the park, taking in the fresh air with a hint of an earthly aroma; the fragrance of homeliness, the aroma of autumn.

As the season of inner peace, stoicism, and memories of joy descended onto Rosemary Park, a thrum of constant chatter drifted around the jovial couples, families and children lounging on the benches and grass coated with various picnic blankets.

Cassidy sucked in a deep breath as she and Raina waltzed into the park, each of their faces stretched into tremendous smiles.

A thin beige tweed sweater hung over Cassidy's favourite black crop-top, black jeans and a set of black and white sneakers tying the outfit together. Alexandra had suggested a more fashionable outfit, but Cassidy had always been one for simple yet stylish, prioritising accessories over flashy clothing.

Their interlocked arms were stretched as Raina pulled Cassidy away from the crowd of numerous families, leading her towards Cameron.

"You have got to try the Tiramisu around here. And the marble cake!"

Raina seemed like a kid in a candy shop, her childish grin, glazed eyes and pristine Hijab adding to her nostalgic persona. Like Cassidy, the artistic girl had preferred a simple outfit, going for a black band t-shirt, a full sleeve inner and a set of deep blue jeans.

Cameron had initially chosen to directly take them to the carnival where Valerie and Timothy waited for the trio but decided against it when Cassidy had revealed her lack of experience with the city's sweets.

A dramatic gasp and proclamation of 'candy crime' were followed by a swift U-turn to the infamous Rosemary Park.

The quaint land had quite a reputation, but for the wrong reason. It was one of the hot crime spots of the city after a group of thieves murdered a security guard and hid his body in the children's playground equipment, ensuring anonymity for the night whilst also making the buoyant play-set turn into a nightmare.

Yet people still visited the park throughout the morning, seeking a place of comfort and calmness for the day but clearing out before sunset.

"I don't get why someone would come to this place with all the crime surrounding it."

Raina glanced back at her, their hands detaching as the artist fetched her wallet.

"Because the food's great and so is the area. Plus, after people realised how dangerous being here after dark can be, most people abandoned this place. Only half of the daily visitors remained."

Cassidy nodded, soaking in all the information as her mind trailed to another subject. She now realised why her kidnapper had decided on this location during his initial note. It was not only an easy area to use but also a crime that could be charted off as yet another teenage girl who dared to go into the park while not knowing its history.

Children giggled around Cassidy and Raina as the latter led the brunette skater through the crowd of families surrounding the ice cream and bakery food trucks. They spent a few minutes gazing at the menus before Cassidy settled on a cookie crumble and vanilla cake along with a small tiramisu, with Raina taking the same.

The sweets were heaven on her palette. As they munched on the chocolate chip cookie placed onto the rectangular cake, Cassidy certainly realised why Raina had been so flabbergasted to begin with.

"After this, we need to head to the carnival. We only have a few hours until our families start to get worried."

The two teenagers giggled as they headed to Cameron's black car a few paces away from them, apologising for their slight delay.

His car's interior mimicked the exterior with thick black seats that sunk in a little when you sat. Initially, Cassidy had been reluctant to roam the city with Cameron driving the car, her hesitance stemming from his lack of license. But she allowed herself a few adventures as her back dug into the passenger seat, waiting as Cameron attached his phone to the Aux cord.

"If you can't drive legally, who's car is this?"

"My brother's-" Cameron quickly sifted his gaze from the girl beside him to the road ahead and back once more.

"When he left for college, he decided to buy a car for himself, so I got his old one."

Raina joined the conversation as she moved forward, leaning her head against Cassidy's seat.

"The advantages of the rich."

The trio giggled at her reply, a playful argument breaking out between Raina and Cameron as Cassidy chose to gaze out the window.

Don't enjoy yourself too much. You know what happened last night.

Cassidy's grin turned upside down as the voice made an appearance, making her once again go over the foundations of her plan and contemplate the people she could trust.

The black car stopped at various spots throughout the town, allowing Cameron and Raina to give Cassidy a tour of the city while also reaching the carnival in due time.

Stringed lights were hung up all over the area with pleasurable aromas drifting through the air as they made their way throughout the amazing setup. A Ferris wheel churned at the heart of the carnival; its centre occasionally being covered by the zooming rollercoaster flying throughout the top of the area.

Towards the left various swing and spin rides, as well as the famous 'hammer' ride, took up the maximum amount of the skyspace, the grass taking up a more jovial trend as assorted stands of fried fritters and delicious delicacies were placed all over the premises.

The right side was dedicated to games, some akin to the cliche 'shoot the target to win a prize' while others spiced things up.

One particular stand hosted a set of rings for each player, they would go against each other to form a chain with the colourful loops, and the fastest person would emerge the victor, receiving a cash prize she was unsure of.

Her childhood memories of attending such riotous and exuberant fairs were brought back to life as Cassidy dragged Raina all over the area, stopping to play different games and munch on snacks.

Cameron, however, had another thought in mind, leaning towards the exotic, heart-wrenchingly fun rides placed all over the area. After a few games, the trio awaited their chance at the spinning teacups keenly, each of them eagerly devouring their snacks and discussing future rides.

"How about the Ferris wheel, girls love going there."

Raina all but choked on the bar of chocolate she was munching, looking incredulously at the boy beside her.

"That slow, ancient and corny thing? Really Cameron?"

"How about the hammerhead ride?"

Each of their heads turned towards Cassidy and back towards the aforementioned ride, their gaze settling on the diminishing, almost non-existent, queue as people filed in and out of the ride.

"Shouldn't we wait for Valerie and Tim?"

Raina rolled her eyes at Cameron's question, making Cassidy laugh as the Arab girl persistently claimed their friends would want them to have a fun time. In the end, the trio decided to race towards the ride with a promise of the winner getting to choose what they did next.

Regardless of the sore condition of her feet, Cassidy chose to madly dash across the extravagant exhibits surrounding her, occasionally pausing to contemplate the fastest route to the ride of nightmares and dreamy skies.

When her converse finally struck the ground outside the ride, Cassidy wildly turned on her spot to survey the faces around her, examining the crowd for Raina or Cameron's familiar face.

The first was easier to find, it seemed both of the girls had chosen the same path and reached the ride together, making them tie for first place. Cameron, however, chose a different path.

Tufts of familiar brown hair raced towards them from the right alley.

It was quite clear Cameron had opted for the shorter yet busier path instead of the long yet practically vacant (well as vacant as it can get in a carnival) path. A playful frown played on his lips as he spotted her and Raina leaning against the Mickey Mouse height measurer, his disdain evident.

"You know for the track team's captain you're pretty slow."

Cassidy giggled out the sentence as Cameron's form approached, playfully patting his shoulder to rub salt into the wound.

"Or maybe you both cheated."

This time the trio emitted laughs and scoffs as they scanned their gaming card and proceeded to the seats at the back.

Heart thumping, ears popping and limbs wildly splaying around; Cassidy had never felt more alive as she swung round and round with the ride with her chest firmly strapped to the seat. Each time the hammer swung upwards a spectacular view met her blue eyes, one filled with light and laughter from the carnival.

Persistent to capture the moment she hesitantly slid her phone to her right palm, snapping a quick picture and nestling it back into her pocket.

Cassidy and Cameron seemed to have the time of their life, Raina, on the other hand, seemed to be more spasmodic, choosing to screech her heart out and curse the ride each time it paused at the top before dropping for a few more rounds.

It was quite evident the Hijabi wasn't running off of the ride only to preserve her pride. Which was why Cassidy opted to hold onto her hand and drag the girl off of the ride as soon as it was over, a grin never leaving her face.

"If you were scared, you could've said so."

Raina grinned at her and tugged the brunette girl towards the Turkish ice cream stand.

"I knew if I told you then we wouldn't go on the ride, and I wanted a reason to face one of my fears."

Cassidy mirrored her grin as Cameron joined them, ordering a chocolate ice cream before seizing the two girl's palms to walk around the strip of land laid out in front of them.

"You're quite peculiar Raina."

"So are you, I thought you would be more of a staged recluse."

Cassidy laughed at the observation, quickly nibbling on her ice cream before retorting to the Hijabi.

"I don't really see the point of isolating myself to change someone's perspective. Plus, I'm pretty sure most girls don't do that."

Cameron fake gasped as he joined the conversation, clutching his heart and grinning as he spoke.

"So, we've been deceived by the females?"

"Precisely."

This time the two girls spoke together as they once again laughed and walked towards the roller-coaster, nudging each other's shoulders and cracking corny jokes along the way.

Cassidy could have chosen to rear back and be cautious, but she didn't see the point of doing so when all she could feel was absolute bliss.

Just as they got onto the ride the trio spotted their blonde friends and took up the last two carts of the roller coaster, grinning at one another while tentatively awaiting the ride ahead of them.

When the red and blue machine whirred to life and zoomed across its designated track they cheered in delight, whooping at each turn and internally screaming at each fall. The roller coaster went around its path twice, the second time being as thrilling as the last.

But during the repeated round, Cassidy was surprised by something that wasn't present the first time. As the ride swiftly paused at its highest peak, Raina laughed and excitedly pointed towards their blonde friends, briefly explaining the moment to Cameron and Cassidy as the ride stopped.

It seemed Valerie and Timothy had another reason to run off by themselves.

A hooded figure frowned at the trio piling into the black car below him, the tinted glasses restricting his gaze from the office four floors up. He had certainly not expected Cassidy to not only rebel against his wishes, but also go as far as to forget all about the notes. With a swift blink, his eyes shifted to the laptop screen on his lap, hickory eyes scanning the text before him.

You shouldn't have ignored our advice,

The consequences won't be nice.

Can you save him in time,

Or will his body be riddled with water and grime?

A laugh and a sinister smirk were elicited as he pressed the print button, the white printer whizzing to life and following his commands.