Vol 3, Issue 1

Once the door shut, we melted from the house, returning to our families, our Sunday chores. We went back after supper. There was still no sign of Jacob, so we stood by the cedars swapping stories, smoking hand-rolled cigarettes. Sixteen years old, we watched the silent house intently, as if we expected the future itself to emerge from the close and shady stillness.

It was dusk by the time the front door creaked open. Jacob paced slowly down the path, meeting us under the arch. His face was pale and he appeared pensive. What happened? we asked him. What was it like? All around us we could hear the music of crickets, the murmur of the ocean. He cleared his throat to speak.

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Metallic ribs of roller coaster track intertwine amidst the sky. The sounds of laughter, rides, and carnie barkers fill the air. The glow of the traveling carnival beckons all with promises of fun, thrills, and excitement. The magical dark carnival is in town—your town.

The line for the new ride wraps in a zigzagging line around the concession stands and chance game booths. Excited riders wait like livestock ushered by curiously edgy clowns in powder blue tuxedos.

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The light from the closet formed a golden triangle on the carpet. Her clock ticked steadily beside her on the nightstand.

“Stop it Jason. Come to bed.” But he stepped inside the closet and the door blocked him from Amy’s sight.

“All you bastards better behave in here. You keep turnin’ on this light and I’ll start chargin’ you rent.”

Amy laughed and threw one of the pillows at the closet door as Jason came out. He grinned in the dim light. Picked the pillow up and threw it back at Amy. He moved to flick the closet light switch and stopped.

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Horne applied pressure to the gas pedal and the engine roared alive.

The truck matched speed, and Horne held an eye on his predator in the mirrors. He thought about pulling over and calling Highway Patrol, but the last thing he wanted was to be close to another cop tonight.

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