Page 19 of Carnival
Her fingers drum over the third card, and she seems reluctant to flip it over.
“The world, reversed.’’
“And that means what, exactly?”
“Incompleteness, or no closure,’’ the lady explains. “In your case, I can see that the answers you seek won’t satisfy you. You’ll be thrown off balance, and the need to find closure will consume you. However, you will not find the answers that you’re desperately seeking. Because you will not be prepared for the ache they will bring.’’
My eyes fall on the last card. “And this one?”
She turns it over. “The king of swords, reversed,’’ she chuckles. “You don’t strike me as the manipulative type, my dear. And it’s not about you.’’
I lift a brow, trying to ignore the chilling sensations spreading through my entire body, my bones feeling cold. “Then?”
“He will use every manipulative tactic to keep you by his side. And you’ll fall for each and every single one, my dear. You ought to be careful.’’
My mind is a wild storm of thoughts, my emotions at an all-time high. I’m unsure what to make of all of this — and I’m not someone who believes in tarot reading. Yet, with each word she’s spoken this entire time, my mind is less and less clear.
As if she’s successfully forced her way into my head, causing uncertainty and doubt to rear their ugly heads to the surface. If it’s about James, then I’m fucked. The man seems to be the manipulative type, and if he’s good, I’ll need to be extra careful around him. All in me is telling me that he’ll reappear and that it will cause more conflict between my mind and heart.
I shake off the thoughts. “Uh, how much?” I ask, pulling out my wallet.
The lady shakes her head. “No need to pay me, my dear. You’ll pay the price soon enough.’’
Again, why the fuck does it sound like a threat?
“Now, off you go.’’
I stand up, feeling more confused than before I entered the tent. I glance at her one last time, then head toward the exit; however, her voice stops me, and I don’t dare to look at her. The tone in her voice is low, and it’s almost like a warning.
“Keep your eyes and ears open, my dear; he’s near — he’s everywhere.’’
I exit the tent with a run.
I don’t stop running until I’m a bit further away from it, then stop, allowing the cold air to hit my face and bring me down from the sudden high I’ve been feeling. I take a deep breath, closing my eyes for a few moments.
“Where the fuck have you been?” Aria’s voice causes me to open my eyes. She reaches me and narrows her eyes at me. “I’ve been looking all over for you!”
“I was just…’’ I pause, breathing out. “Getting a tarot reading.’’
“Without me?” She frowns. “Where?”
I point with my thumb behind me to the tent, carefully looking at her. Aria’s eyes dart between the spot I’m pointing at and my face, a brow lifted.
“There’s nothing there, Rose.’’
I whip my head around immediately, my heart sinking to my feet. The spot where the tent was is now completely empty, with a small bench and two people sitting on it. I start looking around, thinking I might’ve pointed to the wrong spot, but there isn’t a single trace of the tent.
What the fuck just happened?
8
Rose
Four cotton candies and two big bottles of lemonade later, Aria and I are sitting on a bench. The screams, laughter, and music fill our surroundings, and for a moment, I silently observe the scenery. Footprints out of fake blood, decapitated doll heads, and some that look a little too human for my liking are all around. People are enjoying their time, taking pictures, seemingly content.
No one even wonders about the murders that took place here. It looks like I’m not the only curious idiot that’s decided to return and perhaps find something out. The thoughts of James don’t leave my head, and I’m barely able to concentrate on what Aria’s telling me.
She snaps her fingers in front of my face, and I blink the thoughts away, turning to look at her.
