Page 18 of The Devil Within

As I expected, no call returns my greeting. I pull my chunky black sweater around me tighter. My black combat boots sink into the muddy ground as I walk slowly and carefully though this graveyard of haunted joy. I dressed in a cute little black dress, black fishnets, and my boots with a sweater over the top to go into work for a few hours this afternoon, and I came straight here afterwards. I wasn’t exactly sure what I would find out, but I sure as shit wasn’t going to be caught running from a serial killer in heels. I would’ve dressed in something warmer if I’d known he’d leave me wandering through an abandoned carnival alone in the rain.

I chew on my bottom lip as I move cautiously around the ferris wheel. The unmoving eyes of the creepy carousel animals seem to watch me as I slowly wander through the desolate space. That’s one of the main attractions they promote here—a creepycarousel with decaying animals that you ride on. It’s grotesque and glorious in its own unique way. The other main attractions are the corn maze and pumpkin patch. But after this last Halloween when a man was found mutilated and murdered out there, I doubt they’ll be promoting that section of the carnival next year. It’s even more eerie to know I’m out here alone, meeting a stranger who claims to have information about my missing friend, at the sight of a brutal and mysterious murder. This is probably a really fucking bad idea.

As I continue to wander, I suddenly hear music off in the distance. It’s faint but it’s there. Maybe it’s one of the rides? I know that seems silly; everything is closed down, but this whole thing is off already. This place is freaky as fuck and it’s messing with my mind.

“Hello?” I yell out again into the darkness as I attempt to navigate toward the haunting sound of carnival music. I’m entranced, drawn toward the sound like a lamb willingly walking to their own slaughter. For Celeste though, I’d gladly walk toward Hell.

As I round the boundary of the looming ferris wheel, I find the source of the music—the fun house. The lights are on and the music is blaring. The sinister clown face on the front beckons you inside, willing you to enter its mouth and be consumed by whatever lies within. Unease coils tightly in my core. My instincts tell me to run.

A buzzing in my pocket causes me to jump and a startled sigh leaves my parted lips. My eyes dart around in fear, making sure I’m truly alone before I reach in my pocket to retrieve my phone. A message notification glows on my screen.

UNKNOWN: Turn around.

As soon as I read the words I spin. Standing amongst the grayfog is a man. Tall and imposing, he looms in the shadowed darkness cast by the ferris wheel behind me. He’s dressed in all black and I can’t see his face because it’s hidden behind a mask. It’s the mask that makes me gasp and stumble backwards. His demonic appearance is horrifying, the sight sending tingles throughout my entire body. The mask is hideous; a black and gold demon with a long curving tongue protruding between sharp fangs. I know that demonic disguise—it’s the same face that’s been haunting me for months. My masked stalker has found me again. He cocks his head to the side as he appraises me. Goosebumps prickle across my skin as the hellish creature fixes his sights on me. Every cell in my system is on fire underneath his gaze.

He takes a slow step toward me. I can feel his presence like flames licking across my skin, even across the expanse of frigid evening air that separates us.

“Are you the one who messaged me?” I ask the demon in front of me. My words leave my lips as a soft, white whisper.

He doesn’t answer me. He just takes another calculated step towards me. I take one back. It has to be him.Right?

“Run.” His voice slithers across the cold fog like a snake coiling its way around my skin and constricting.

“What?” I ask in shock as I assess the man in front of me, trying to determine if he’s even real or if this is all a nightmare projecting pieces of my unconscious fears into reality.

“Run, little one,” his voice drips with ill intent as he stalks even closer, attempting to narrow the space between us while I scramble away in an effort to maintain my distance. “Because if I catch you, you’re mine.” He takes another step closer and laughs. “Mine to fuck. Mine to use. Mine to hurt. Mine to own.” With each word he steps closer, driving me closer and closer towards the fucking creepy ass fun house at my back. “All. Fucking. Mine.”

My heart pounds uncomfortably in my chest. Panic races through my veins as anxiety bubbles through my core and restricts my lungs. I need to know the truth about where my friend is, but at what price?Am I willing to play this fucked up game with the monster in order to save her?

Before I can think too much, my feet are moving on their own accord. My fight or flight instinct has clearly chosen flight. My boots sink into the soft mud of the ground as I run with everything in me. The cold rain whips my cheeks as I sprint toward the only shelter around—the funhouse. It’s probably a really bad fucking idea to hide in a house of horrors but what other choice do I have? If I don’t hide, he’ll catch me, and then I’m his.

The music and lights grow brighter and louder as I race toward the entrance. I can feel the demon behind me as his thunderous steps chase me down, getting closer and closer. Panic and desperation propel me up the ancient wooden steps and into the darkness beyond.

Inside, the haunting carnival music persists to blast through crackling speakers. The gears and rusted machinery running the attraction groan to life. He must have turned on whatever fucked up shit is in here.Great. I just need to find the exit, make it out of here, and get the hell away from the madness this masked man has thrown into my life. It was a terrible mistake coming here. I played right into my stalkers plan, allowing myself to be the lamb up for slaughter.

I move further into the darkened hallway; smoke and shadows dance up the wooden walls that seem to be closing in on me. I know it’s a perception trick but it’s still creepy as fuck. Good thing I’m not claustrophobic. A sudden noise behind me makes me jump, propelling me forward. The hallway takes a sudden and sharp turn before opening into a large room bathed in eerie red light.

I stare back as hundreds of eyes scan my figure. The distorted forms and the scarlet lighting send a shiver running down my spine. I blink and the hundred reflections blink back at me. It’s a hall of mirrors. He’s run me straight into a creepy as fuck hall of mirrors.

Footsteps behind me catch my attention and send my heart rate reeling. My chest tightens as panic courses through my entire nervous system.

“Come out, come out, wherever you are, sweetheart.” His distorted voice sing-songs from behind me, bouncing off the walls around me.

My feet seem to move before my mind can process what I’m doing. I stick my hands out in front of me and enter the reflective maze beyond. I turn to the left and see my panic stricken face staring back at me from all angles. It’s so disarming to come face to face with my own fear. Suddenly, a flash of black appears in the reflection. I move as quickly as I can, spinning to turn in the other direction as I wander further and further into the maze.

“I know you’re in here, siren.” His voice sounds as if he’s closing in. “Your fear calls to me—it’s the sweetest song I’ve ever heard.”

His footsteps echo off the reflective walls, leaving me lost as to what direction the sound is coming from. My heart beats rapidly in my chest as I turn again, desperately trying to flee from the monster who’s trap I’ve fallen straight into. I can feel the adrenaline pumping through my veins as it pushes me to keep fleeing. But as I round another corner I’m met with hundreds of horrific faces. The black pits of hellish fury stare back at me from each reflection of his mask.

“Caught you.” His deep, distorted growl curls around me and sends goosebumps skittering across skin.

I start to move to the right but so do the reflections. He’s everywhere and nowhere. The mirrors are playing tricks on myeyes and he’s playing tricks on my mind. I spin on my heels and run to the left. His reflections disappear but the sound of his sinister laughter echoes behind me as I frantically flee. With my hands braced out in front of me I slam against wall after wall, crashing through the twisting and turning walls of mirrors.

I turn a final corner and freeze. I’m in an open room with mirrors on all sides. My wild and winded face reflects back at me as my eyes flick from mirror to mirror. I move toward the center of the room, spinning slowly as I take in my situation. I’m trapped—trapped in a room full of mirrors at the heart of a deserted fun house.

“Nowhere left to run love,” he croons as he steps into the doorway, blocking my exit and sealing my fate.

For every step he takes toward me, I counter with my own step backwards. The monster before me is reflected in every mirror, giving the illusion that he’s closing in on me from all sides. He’s right—I’m trapped.

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