Page 17 of All Hallows' Haunt
“Yes, please,” she answered. “I don’t know if I can take walking the grounds, riding the rides andyouover and over.”
I palmed the backside of her thighs and lifted her against me. Her ankles crossed at the small of my back, and she nestled her head in the base of my neck. I took a moment to enjoy how she felt in my arms. I tamped down the thoughts surfacing that knew this was fleeting.
The night wasn’t over.
“Have you been on the carousel recently?” I asked to break up the sadness creeping in. I kissed the top of her hair and started walking out of the mirrored maze. Leaning against the wall, I moved more carefully given Sienna was in my arms.
“Uh, I haven’t, but what are you doing?” She laughed.
“It’s how you get out without getting stuck or busting your nose. The trick to a mirror maze is to follow one side and make the same turns. There are only so many dead ends; you’ll get to the end faster.” I kept moving, making the turns and bringing us closer to the end. I pushed our hour, and Anthony would let new patrons in soon.
“How do you know all this?” Her fingers swirled little patterns against my shirt.
“I’ve been a little obsessed with this kind of stuff for a while now. The last thing you want to do as an employee is get trapped inside your own fun house.” I made the final turn and found the exit hall. It was dimly lit, the red lights faded as I pursued the door. “Did you have fun?”
“I’ve never had more fun, honestly.” She yawned after, and I tucked her against me tighter. I put my back against the push bar and opened the metal door to the crisp breeze. “Do you like your job?”
“What an interesting question considering this is my first day and I’ve spent the majority of my night doing so many wretched, sleazy things to you.” I moved my hands to her ass and squeezed for added emphasis. “Earlier in my day, yes, I did enjoy it a lot. I think it’s fun to incite controlled chaos. The connections I’ve made with coworkers are equally amazing. They’re some of the best people I’ve ever met.” I walked to the front, catching Anthony’s attention. He pointed to the cotton candy bag, but it seemed to slip Sienna’s mind so I shook my head. He gave me a nod, and I started for the next attraction.
“What are you looking forward to next year?”
“You don’t wanna know what I’m doing this winter?” I countered.
“Nah, the year’s practically done. What’s your goal next year?” She snuggled in closer, and I adjusted my hold on her. No one cared to pay close attention to us; there were far weirder sights moving through the crowd. In this pavilion, trending pop music played through the speakers instead of the Halloween soundtrack.
“Well…,” I trailed off. There was so much that I looked forward to next year, but it was hard to single out one thing. “I’d say college.”
“You said you just turned twenty?”
“Yeah,” I answered. “I couldn’t go straight to a university after I graduated. My mom’s never been in a position to afford payments or loans, so I put it off. Decided to go to community college first, you know? Simple associate’s degree, work where I could. Managed to land some really good scholarships, like fucking fantastic support.” I smiled, thinking about moving into the dorms for spring semester.
“That sounds amazing, Ev.”
“It is. I know it is,” I hesitated.
“But?” she asked, lifting her head.
“But I’m worried about Flora. She hasn’t lived without me, and Mom works so hard. I’m concerned she’ll feel alone, like I chose to leave her. Everyone looks forward to college, and as the older sibling, you’re so ready to be free, you know?” She nodded in response. “But you don’t realize that you’re leaving someone who’s never lived without you. I went how many years without a little sister? She’s counted on me every day for seven years.”
“I don’t know many things, but I’m certain she won’t feel like you chose to leave her. Everyone wishes their siblings were half as considerate as you.” She sat up quickly and looked around. Not finding what she searched for, she rested against my shoulder again.
“Everything okay?”
“Oh, yeah. It’s nothing.”
I looked around the shops and stands that filled the walkway. There was another cotton candy vendor, but she would have mentioned wanting another bag. She didn’t ask to play games when we walked to Mirrors of Horror. My nose caught it before my eyes.Cinnamon. Was she excited for a cinnamon roll?I looked down at her face, but she didn’t betray her thoughts.
After-orgasm treat then.
The familiar chime of carousel music made its way to us. The large ride spun as the decorative horses moved up and down. There wasn't a crowd waiting in line, and gathered bystanders were sparse. I patted Sienna’s ass before sliding her down my body and steadying her.
“You ready?” I asked, holding out my hand. She placed hers in mine cautiously, and a knowing smile crept over her face.
“What exactly should I be ready for, Everett?” She let me guide her to the empty turnstile. No one was in line before us, and there were very few riders on the current round.
“Just your every day, run-of-the-mill carousel, baby.” I flashed her a toothy grin.
“Oh, I’m positive this is going to be anything but a normal ride.” She dropped her weight to one side, leaning her hip against the metal railing.
