The Childe (8 page)

“Cat, you in there?” Julie whispered, her face poking through the tent’s opening. “Is that woman alright? She left in a hurry, muttering something about the cards are never wrong. You okay Cat?” Cat rose from her chair and forced a smile.

“Of course I’m alright, she had a headache and I guess she went in search of aspirin. Migraine I think she said. You were right Julie, as usual. Are you sure you’re only 15? You seem to have the wisdom of an old person.”

Julie started laughing. “Cat if I had a dollar for every time you’ve said that, I’d be rich,” she replied grabbing ahold of Cat’s hand, pulling her outside the tent.

“I still don’t see them anywhere”, Julie said looking around for the others.

“Well I know what I’m in the mood for,” Cat said, eyeing the huge ferris wheel. “Why don’t we go on that?”

“Okay,” Julie replied with a sigh.

The line for the ferris wheel was at a crawl. Cat stood silent, mulling over what Madame Nadja had said.
I know I saw the death card. And I know it’s definitely not a good sign, like she told me it was.
Cat felt Julie staring. “What?” she asked.

“Are you still hung up on wasting five bucks on that reading? Come on Cat, it’s not the end of the world!” she joked.

If only you knew Julie
. “No I wasn’t thinking about that,” she replied. “I was just thinking how we need to spend more time with Linda.”

“Oh, I agree. Maybe we should plan something for next weekend then?” Julie asked smiling. Cat nodded, glad that she succeeded in changing the subject.

Slowly moving up the line, Cat noticed Julie starting to fidget. “Cat, I’m sorry but I’ve got to pull an Elle. I can’t hold it. I’ll hurry, I promise. If our turn comes, get on. I know how much you like this ride.” As cat was about to reply, “no buts. Get on, if I don’t get back in time okay.”

“I’ll go on with her if you don’t make it back,” a soft voice said behind them. They turned and saw Hannah smiling widely.

“That settles it. I don’t feel so bad going now. Thanks Hannah, see you in a little bit,” Julie said scurrying off.

“I really don’t think Julie likes rides, or heights for that matter. She was just going on with me because she knows I like this one. To be honest, I think Julie would rather be home studying or in a library, than here,” Cat explained.

“Where are the others? Is Matt here?” Hannah asked shyly.

“They went on the serious rides dragging Elle with them,” Cat replied.

Hearing people whisper behind them, Cat turned and noticed everyone in line looking to the right. Following their line of vision, she saw Isaac and his group walking through the crowd, the sea of people parting, making way for them. “Ugh, why is everyone so in awe of him? It’s ridiculous. He’s such an ass! Why can’t anyone see that? Sorry Hannah I didn’t mean to say that out loud.”

“It’s okay. I feel the same way most of the time,” she replied. Turning back around, Cat realized they were next in line and moved forward. The man with the name tag that read Frank yelled, “Next!” They showed their bracelets and Cat climbed into the car first.

“You’re not going on with her!” Isaac growled, dragging a struggling Hannah away from the ride.

“Why don’t you let her decide for herself Isaac? Stop bullying her!” Cat’s eyes blazed with anger. Isaac stopped and turned. A gasp went up from the crowd standing around them.

“Okay, hurry up! I don’t care who rides but you’re holding up the line. So either stay in or get out,” Frank said looking pointedly at Cat and Isaac.

Out of the corner of her eye, Cat saw Ryan jump up on the platform, show his bracelet and plop down on the seat beside her. Frank pulled the bar down and the wheel moved forward to allow the next passengers to get on. Cat watched Hannah push away from Isaac and storm off. He looked up and glared at her and then turned abruptly heading after his sister.

“Your friend doesn’t like me much,” Cat stated crossing her arms over her chest to ward off a sudden chill.

“Don’t feel bad, he doesn’t like most people,” Ryan replied turning to look at her. Cat stared straight ahead. He leaned back and watched as she ignored him.

What the hell am I doing? I hate heights!
He thought to himself as the ride began to move higher.

“Are you okay?” she asked with concern, noticing him fidgeting nervously.

“Yeah,” Ryan uttered quickly, trying not to look down.

Damn, now she thinks I’m weird! Alright, get a hold of yourself Beckford, you’re not…that…high up,
he thought trying to calm himself. He looked at Cat and a warm feeling came over him. His fear began to subside.
There’s something about this girl that just draws me in. She passes by me at school without even a glance. But for some reason I’m always aware of when she’s around. I mean I know her schedule already, isn’t that a little creepy?
He laughed to himself. Cat looked over and saw a goofy smile plastered on his face and wondered what he was thinking about. Ryan quickly turned away, realizing she caught him staring at her. Looking over the edge and noticing how high up they were, he immediately stared straight down and moaned, clutching the lap bar tightly.

“Are you sure you’re okay?” she asked trying to make eye contact with him.

“Yeah, yeah, sure, I’m fine. Really,” he murmured loosening his grip. An awkward silence fell between them.

Cat felt Ryan staring again and turned to look at him. Feeling embarrassed that he had been caught gazing he dodged her glance and looked straight ahead. Realizing the ride stopped, he jumped from the seat and took off into the crowd without a backward glance.

Well that was odd. Why was he staring at me? I bet that’s why he was fidgeting. He was regretting getting on the ride with me. I know he doesn’t like me because every time I pass him in the hallway he acts like I’m invisible.
Sighing, Cat caught sight of Julie waving to her. Walking toward her, Cat noticed Isaac leaning against the counter of the midway game behind Julie. His cold stare watching her as a cat does with a mouse. She stopped herself from sticking her tongue out at him and grabbed Julie by the arm, leading her toward the house of mirrors where she saw the others waiting for them.

“Where have you guys been? We’ve been waiting here for like ten minutes!” Amanda demanded tapping her foot with arms crossed.

“Sorry guys, we had a little run-in with you know who. But it was no big deal. So how were the rides?” Cat asked changing the subject.

“They were great!” Amanda replied, noticing Cat looking at Elle who was hunched over holding her stomach.

“Elle, you okay?” Julie asked. Elle nodded.

“Of course she’s okay, you enjoyed it didn’t you Elle?” Amanda asked putting her arm around her. “Now let’s take a break from the rides and head into the House of Mirrors! She exclaimed, leading the group up to the large and very creepy clown face entrance.

CRACKLE…CRACKLE…
“Welcome to my house of mirrors! It’s full of surprises! Beware of the walls, they might move on you! Hope you can find your way out! If not, oh well!” A creepy voice came through the speaker in the clown’s mouth. “Yes, welcome!” The menacing laughter that followed sent chills down their spines. Entering the mouth and pushing their way through a wall of black curtain, the group slowly approached a door with a sign that read “Fun this way!” The door slowly creaked open revealing a labyrinth of mirrors. It appeared as if their reflections went on forever. Entering last, Cat was mesmerized. It took her a few seconds to realize that the others were far ahead and she had fallen behind. She hurried to catch up, but found her path suddenly blocked by a mirror that somehow appeared in front of her.
Oh wow, that’s what that creepy ass clown voice meant by moving mirrors. I bet there’s some mean little man operating them
. The mirrors seemed endless and just when she thought she had found a way out, more mirrors were placed in her path. Looking around she saw nothing but her reflection looking back.
Where did the path go?
She was completely surrounded with no apparent way to move ahead, to the sides or back. Watching her reflection, she saw her image slowly disappearing, until she was looking at an empty mirror. The lights dimmed and then she was in total darkness.
Don’t panic Cat! This is all a part of it!
She thought. Sighing, she was relieved when the lights slowly flickered on and she could see her reflection again.
That was weird. This place is totes giving me the wiggins. I need to find everyone and get out of here.
Turning around she caught a glimpse of a dark figure in the distance. The mirror in front of her shifted and the figure disappeared. The room became freezing cold and Cat could see her breath.
What the hell’s going on? That’s it, I’m out of here!
Scanning side to side Cat began to panic, looking for the exit. With her heart pounding, she began pushing the mirrors to see if she could move one herself. Reflected in the mirror she was attempting to move, Cat saw the mirror behind her opening, exposing the dark figure. The hood of its cloak was pulled slightly back revealing its bright red curly hair. Terrified, she screamed hoping someone would hear her. She shivered as her cry echoed over and over.

“Catherine! I need to…” the figure called out. Before it could finish, the mirror Cat was desperately trying to open gave way, causing her to fall forward, hitting her head.

“Cat! Cat wake up! Cat! Elle, go get someone! Cat, can you hear me? Matt, go help Elle,” Julie ordered, rubbing Cat’s hand.

“Out of my way, out of my way, what’s going on here?” A man as tall as he was round pushed Julie and Amanda away from Cat, speaking into a two way radio. “Yes, get in here now! We’ve got a fainter. Yeah, she’s breathing. No, I don’t know why she fainted! Get your ass in here now!”

Looking at Julie and Amanda, he pointed at a mirror behind them. “Push on that mirror, that’s right, now when it clicks, push it again.” To Julie and Amanda’s amazement the mirror moved and they could see a hallway leading outside. A person was hurrying down the corridor toward them, carrying a small case. As he got closer they realized he was a paramedic.

“Okay everyone, clear a path. What happened here?” the paramedic asked hurriedly.

“We don’t know, we got separated from her, heard her screaming and then we found her like this,” Julie explained, concern filling her eyes.

“Does she suffer from low blood sugar?”

“No, I don’t think so,” Julie replied.

“Well let’s check her vitals. Look! She’s coming around! Guys stand by!” he barked into his shoulder radio. “The patient’s coming around, over and out. Well, little lady, just lay there. No, don’t try to get up,” he said, gently suppressing her attempt to sit up.

“What…what happened, where…am I? Julie…Amanda?” Cat focused her eyes on their faces, confused at why they looked so worried.

“Now, how do you feel? Do you hurt anywhere?” he asked, intently looking at her.

“No…I…I don’t hurt. I remember…I…nothing.” Cat stopped as she remembered what happened.
The dark figure. The one I saw from the carousel. How did it know my name? I don’t think I should say anything about it right now
. “I think I know…why I passed out. I haven’t eaten since breakfast…maybe I need…to eat something.”

“Yes, that could be it, can you stand?” the paramedic asked, placing his hand on her shoulder.

“Yeah…I think so. I feel so stupid. Sorry guys, I guess this will teach me to skip a meal, huh?” Cat tried to laugh but it sounded hollow.

“I’ll go get you something Cat,” Amanda said as she started walking down the hallway. “I’ll be right back.”

“Okay, okay let’s get her out of here. We’ve got to restart the attraction. There’s a crowd waiting outside, and they’re getting impatient,” barked the rotund man. Cat stood up. With the help of Julie and the paramedic, she walked down the hallway to the exit. The rotund man followed, pushing the mirror back into place, muttering something about young girls and not eating due to them thinking they were fat. His daughter had gone through that phase and it had driven him nuts.

Outside, Cat was lead to a picnic table away from the crowd. The paramedic looked at Cat and shut his bag. He stayed with her until her friends came back with an assortment of drinks and food, enough to feed themselves and a few others too.

“I’m going to leave now, okay. Eat slowly and then, and only then, get up and start walking around. No crazy rides for the rest of the night. You might even want to consider going home a little early,” the paramedic said and then walked away. Matt handed Cat a hot dog with mustard and ketchup from the tray that Amanda had brought over. She took a bite and started chewing slowly as she had been directed. Everyone else sat down at the table with her and grabbed a hot dog, apparently having not eaten as well.

“How are you feeling Cat? Do you want to go home?”

Startled, Cat looked at Amanda. “Yeah…unfortunately I think I’ve had enough tonight.”

“All right, I’ll call my mom and have her pick us up,” she said, taking out her cell.

During their walk back toward the entrance, making sure no one was watching, Cat reached up and felt the painful small knot on her forehead.