Page 17 of Welcome to Carnage

Pierce lifts his glass, but not before shooting me a playful smirk. “Three it is, sis,” he says. We all clink our glasses together and down our shots. The liquid burns a trail down my throat, but it’s a welcome sensation, helping to numb the nerves. I pour myself another one, glancing at Luna to see if she wants a refill.

She arches a brow and smiles. “Someone is ready for a good night. Fill me up.”

Pierce nods. “One more, and then we leave.”

I pour us another glass, and we throw it back. I cough as the liquid burns my throat.

Pierce claps. “That’s it. Let’s get to the carnival before all the fun is over.”

I roll my eyes as it’s only seven o’clock, but follow my brother and best friend out of the house, locking the door behind me. We’ve decorated the yard with all the decorations in the attic for Halloween, and Luna and I carved six jack-o-lanterns, which we’ve put on the porch, all of them still lit.

I take a deep breath, and we step out into the night, ready to face whatever crazy shit the carnival might bring. Or what Nyx might bring.

Pierce called us an Uber, which stops in town a few minutes walk from the carnival. The streets are alive with people in costumes and kids going door to door playing trick and treat.

Normally, I’m so excited for tonight, but it’s overshadowed by Nyx’s warning and what he intends to do to me.

As we approach the entrance of the carnival, the scent of cotton candy and popcorn fills the air, mixed with the cool autumn breeze. There’s a buzz of excitement as children dart around in their costumes, their laughter echoing through the night. Lights of all colors illuminate the scene, casting long shadows. Spooky decorations adorn each stall, and the merry-go-round’s music plays in the background. But beneath all this cheerfulness, a sense of dread knots in my stomach.

Pierce notices I’m not myself. “Lighten up, Av, it’s Halloween!” Pierce nudges me playfully.

But his words barely register as I scan the crowd, my eyes subconsciously searching for Nyx.

“Yeah,” Luna adds, grabbing my arm. “Don’t let anything ruin your night. Remember, we’re here to have fun!”

Lizzy and Olivia notice us and approach. They’re two girls we went to high school with. Lizzy is dressed as a black cat, her black minidress hugging her like a second skin, paired with black ears and makeup. Olivia is wearing a nurse’s outfit, her long blonde hair cascading over her shoulders, and fake blood splattered over the white costume.

“Hey, guys!” Lizzy chirps, giving us all hugs.

“We were about to go on the spinning teacups! Wanna come?” Olivia asks, bouncing with excitement.

I look at Pierce and Luna, both nodding encouragingly. Despite Nyx’s warning, I can’t let it ruin my night with my friends. I smile and follow them to the ride.

Lizzy tells us about her new job at the diner down the street as we wait in line. “It’s pretty good money. And they have a really cute cook who keeps flirting with me!” She giggles, nudging Olivia.

“Where are Damien and Isiah?” I ask as they’re normally following Lizzy and Olivia everywhere.

Lizzy shrugs. “Think they had to work tonight. We’re meeting up with them later at the shack. You guys should come.”

The shack is a little dive bar on the outskirts of town. It’s the only place that doesn’t ask for ID in Carnage, so we often hung out at the shack before turning twenty-one. Now, I’m not sure why they still do.

“Maybe. We’ll see how it goes,” Luna says, glancing at me.

We clamber into the spinning teacups, the chatter and laughter of my friends filling the air. I plaster a smile, forcing laughs in all the right places, trying my best to join the fun.

I find myself forgetting about the cloud hanging over my head and enjoying the sensation of the cups whizzing around. I laugh with my friends, and for a moment, it feels like tonight won’t be so bad.

Lizzy gives me a pitying look as we get off the ride. “I’m sorry about what happened to your date, Avina.”

Luna nudges her. “We’re not here to dwell on that, guys! Avina needs to have fun tonight.”

Olivia nods. “Right!” She glances at Pierce. “I love your costume, Pierce.”

I roll my eyes as Olivia has been after my brother for years but won’t take the hint that he’s not interested.

“Thanks. I told Luna and Avina that going as the Joker makes sense. No use trying to fix something that isn’t broken,” Pierce says.

Olivia bats her eyelashes at him. “I agree.”

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