Page 21 of Carnival Monster

As I approach the carnival grounds, laughter and music fill the air, beckoning me closer. Adrenaline courses through my veins, a heady mixture of fear and excitement.

Without hesitation, I slip through the gates, my eyes scanning the crowd for any sign of the masked man haunting my thoughts.

I weave through the carnival crowds, my eyes darting from one shadowy corner to the next. The excitement and fear coursing through my veins are a heady mix. The idea of finding the man who has been haunting my thoughts is exhilarating.

Suddenly, a scream pierces the air, and I freeze. This isn’t the typical scream of someone startled by a carnival fright or scare actor. No, this scream is different—raw, primal, and filled with genuine terror.

I see a group of teenagers running away from a darkened area, their faces pale and their eyes wide with fear. Without hesitation, I move toward the source of the commotion.

As I round the corner, I see him. The man I’m here to find. He’s tall and imposing, with broad shoulders and a menacing aura that seems to radiate from him. In his arms, he holds a terrified brunette girl with a knife against her throat.

I freeze, my breath catching as I take in the scene before me. The man’s back is to me, but I can see the terror in her eyes.

The girl whimpers, her body trembling while she tries to break free from his grasp. But he holds her tighter, the knife pressing harder against her delicate skin.

He traces the edge of the knife along her cheek and then speaks, “Scream for me,” he growls. “Let me hear you beg for your life.”

I stand there, transfixed by the scene unfolding before me. The man’s low and menacing voice sends chills up and down my body. It’s the first time I’ve heard him speak and his voice is so deep, and I’m shocked by a twinge of jealousy as he holds the girl close, his knife pressed against her throat.

“What the fuck?” The words escape my lips before I can stop them, and I see the man freeze, his body going rigid.

What the hell am I thinking?

I know how dangerous it is to reveal myself to this psycho. He’s clearly unhinged, and I clearly have a death wish.

14

GAGE

The voices in my head whisper like razor blades in my skull. Halloween is usually my favorite time of the year. It’s a night where I unleash the monster inside me and revel in the terror of my victims. But tonight, my target is nowhere to be seen. The rage inside me builds, threatening to consume me.

I stalk through the carnival, my senses attuned to the scents and sounds of the crowd. Earlier, I heard her friends say they’d stay clear of the carnival tonight through the device in her phone. The knowledge only fuels my anger, making the darkness inside me howl for blood.

I consider the passers-by searching for someone to satisfy my deviant urges. A young couple catches my eye, their laughter grating on my nerves. I imagine the girl’s screams as I slice into her flesh, the way her blood would look on my hands while her partner watches helplessly. The thought sends a shiver of anticipation through me.

But I force myself to keep moving, knowing I can’t risk drawing too much attention. The police are already on high alert after the attack on Charlotte, and I can’t afford to make any mistakes.

As I walk, the shadows seem to come alive, whispering in my ear. They urge me to let go, to give in to the monster inside me. I clench my fists, fighting the impulse to snatch anyone who crosses my path.

I spot a group of teenagers, their faces painted with garish makeup and their costumes revealing too much skin. They giggle and shriek as they stumble through the crowd, oblivious to the danger hiding in the shadows. I follow them, my heart pounding with anticipation.

I wait until they wander into a deserted carnival area, away from the crowds and the lights. The girl in the skimpy nurse costume catches my eye, her brown hair spilling over her shoulders.

I step out of the shadows, my mask firmly in place. The teenagers scream when they see me, their eyes wide with terror. I lunge forward, grabbing the girl by the throat. She struggles against me, but I’m too strong. I can feel her pulse racing beneath my fingers and hear the frantic beat of her heart.

Dragging her into the darkness, I ignore the screams of her friends. They scatter like frightened rabbits, too scared to come to her aid. I pin the girl against the wall, my body pressing against hers. She whimpers, tears streaming down her face.

I trace the edge of my knife along her cheek, watching as she trembles beneath my touch.

“Scream for me,” I growl. “Let me hear you beg for your life.”

“What the fuck?” a sweet voice cuts through the dark rage.

I freeze, my grip on the girl’s throat loosening as I turn to face the intruder. My eyes widen behind my mask as I see Aurora standing before me, her eyes blazing with fear and determination.

“Let her go,” she demands, her voice trembling.

I blink, wondering if my mind is playing tricks on me. I’ve obsessed over Aurora for days, dreaming of when I can finally make her mine. Is it possible that she’s really here, in the flesh?

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