Page 9 of Carnival Nightmare

She grins. “What can I say? I know how to pick a quality rom-com.”

I nestle further into the couch, feeling my eyelids grow heavy. It’s been such a long day. The movie plays on, the characters’ silly antics making me smile.

Alice glances over. “Think you can get some sleep tonight?”

“Maybe,”I say through a yawn. Having Alice here definitely helps. I’ll rest easier with my best friend keeping watch.

Eventually, the credits roll, and the music plays softly in the background. My eyes drift closed, popcorn bowl still in hand. I feel Alice gently take it from me and hear her whisper, “Good night.”I mumble it back as I fall asleep, comforted knowing she’s nearby.

6

CADE

Iglare at the newspaper headline.

LOCAL WOMAN TERRORIZED BY STALKER.

My fists areclenchedin anger while I read how the cops took evidence left at her apartment by the stalker. That bullet was meant for her, not for those idiot cops.

I crumple up the newspaper and toss it aside. That naughty girl must have ratted me out to the cops. I’ll have to teach her a lesson about keeping secrets. But first, I need to get my bullet back. I know exactly where the police station keeps all their evidence. I’ll just have to break in tonight and take what’s mine.

“Cade! Get over here!”

I look up to see Tyson waving me toward his tent. Great. Just what I need right now. I plaster on a fake smile as I walk over.

“What’s up, boss?” I ask casually.

Tyson holds up a copy of the newspaper. “Care to explain this?” he asks sternly.

I glance at the headline again and shrug. “No idea. I didn’t do anything.”

Tyson narrows his eyes. “You sure about that? I know you have a history of causing problems in the towns we visit.”

I force myself to laugh. “Come on, Tyson. You know I’ve been on my best behavior lately. I’m here to do my job and ensure all rides run smoothly.”

“So you had nothing to do with this stalking incident?”he presses.

“Nothing at all,”I lie smoothly. “I don’t know anything about it.”

Tyson studies me for a moment. I keep my expression neutral. Finally, he sighs.

“Alright, I believe you. But I’ve got my eye on you, understand? No funny business while we’re here.”

I nod. “You got it, boss. I’ll be an angel.”

“See that you are,”Tyson says sternly. “Now, get back to work. The gravitron is acting up again.”

“On it,”I reply. As soon as Tyson turns away, my fake smile drops. I hurry off before he can question me further. That was too close. I’ll have to be more careful if I want to get my bullet back and make my girl pay for being a rat. But Tyson doesn’t control me. I do what I want when I want. And soon enough, I’ll have what I want most—my pretty angel.

I head to the gravitron to start working on it. That thing is always breaking down. As I’m tinkering with the wiring, I hear footsteps behind me.

“How’s it going, Cade?”

I glance over my shoulder to see Lars approaching.He’sone of the few guys I get along with because hedoesn’task too many questions or get in my business.

“Not too bad,”I reply with a nod. “Just trying to get this hunk of junk running again.”

Lars peers at the control panel, shaking his head. “Man, we really need to replace this thing. It’s ancient.”

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