Midnight Carnival (Part 5) Funnel Cake

Another week has passed..! How does time move so swiftly? Regardless, here is this week's installment. I am truly enjoying writing this one and don't want to rush it. Depending on how things go, this story may spread into February. Too soon to tell but I wouldn't mind either. As with all my writing, I shall leave it up to the characters.

Part 5 picks up right where we left off with our friends! Let's see what they're up to, shall we? If you just happened to stumble upon this one and want to catch up, click this link to take you to Part 1 of The Midnight Carnival.

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But first, the legal bit:

This is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to actual events or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law. For permission requests, contact jensequel.com 

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“Ok,” Jake said while they were seated around a picnic table. The girls were sharing an order of funnel cake while Alex was finishing a corn dog. Jake’s empty plate sat in front of him with a balled-up paper towel. “I’ve had enough of the booths. Let’s hit some rides next.”

“I’m in,” Alex said, finishing the last bite and adding the wooden stick to Jake’s plate. He wiped his mouth of any residue of grease or mustard before reaching for his drink.

Maya wrinkled her nose at the thought. “I’m out,” she said as she pulled a piece of the greasy cake from the main lot. “Have you seen those rides? I think we know why this is hidden inside the abandoned park.” She popped the warm sugary bite into her mouth. “I doubt they have a license.”

Emma looked concerned yet remained quiet as she daintily picked at the funnel cake. She considered Maya’s point but reasoned the entire thing was all for show. There was no way anything this extravagant was flying under the radar of the neighboring town. The town was just too small for that to happen.

“Want to try that music one?” Jake asked Alex.

“You know it!”

“What music one?” Emma asked.

“The spinney one,” Maya replied. “You boys go on ahead. We’re gonna finish here.”

Emma looked alarmed. “Should we split up?”

Maya looked at Jake. “We’ll meet you outside the ride. I just don’t feel like standing and eating this. We’ll be covered in powdered sugar.”

Jake raised his eyebrows. Before he could respond, Maya laughed and tossed a piece of funnel cake at him. “Later you perv.”

Alex looked at Emma before standing. “You good?”

Emma nodded while Maya wrapped a hand across her shoulders.

“She’s got me,” Maya said with a smile. “Now go. Get out of here.” She made a shooing gesture at Jake and Alex. “We’ll see you in twenty.”

Emma watched while Alex and Jake walked away from the table and disappeared into the crowd. “Are you sure we shouldn’t go with them?”

“They’ll be fine,” Maya said. “Besides, it gives us time to see a few things I know Jake would never see.”

Emma looked back at her friend. “I did see a tent with wax works.”

“See,” Maya grinned while pointing a finger coated with powdered sugar. “That’s what I’m talking about. You would never get Jake into one of those.”

“I think they’re fascinating.” Emma replied. She took another bite then pushed the plate toward Maya. “There’s a lot of skill that goes into creating them.”

“The artist never sleeps,” Maya muttered.

Emma wiped her fingers on a paper towel. “We’ll need to wash up first.” She craned her head around the area. They were seated in what used to be a food court for the amusement park. Boarded up food booths lined the perimeter. “There has to be a bathroom somewhere here besides the port-a-John.”

Maya finished the plate and stood. Gathering the empty plates and paper cups she deposited them into a bin close to their table. “I think I saw one on the way in.”

As soon as Emma stood another group began to sit at the table. She hurried to catch up with her friend. “That was rude,” she commented, looking over at the group that had overtaken the picnic table.

Maya looked back noting the black leather jacket and tight denim jeans on one of the men. “Hot though.”

Emma couldn’t help but laugh.

It didn’t take long to see the building in question. It was more apparent by the line of women that snaked from the main entrance. Emma spied a water fountain near the entrance, and she pointed it out to Maya. “Unless you have to go, let’s just use that.” She produced a handful of clean napkins she had kept in her pocket.

Maya smiled at the resourcefulness of her friend and the two quickly wet the napkins and wiped the sugar and grease from their mouths and hands.

“Before we hit the wax museum,” she said, grabbing Emma by the hand. “Let’s go in there first!”

Emma turned and looked at the front of the tent Maya was referring to. The tent in question stood apart from the rest of the revelry. Hidden in the shadows of an abandoned roller coaster, it almost blended into the scenery. Emma didn’t remember passing it on their way to grab some snacks. The tent itself was adorned with richly patterned tapestries and bore the mark of ancient symbols. Her hand subconsciously strayed toward the pocket that held her ticket.

Maya, sensing the other girl’s trepidation paused. “Don’t tell me you’ve never had your tarot cards read!”

Emma looked at Maya and smiled, the spell broken. “No. Never have.”

“Perfect!” Maya crowed. She pulled Emma across the thoroughfare. “Let’s get that cherry popped then, shall we?”