16 Chapter 15

Yesterday, my emotions were over the top. Everything was nice and butterflies and then it suddenly went downhill. Like what the fuck right? So many different scenarios and emotions were going on yesterday and it confuses the hell out of me. I do not know what to do because even with Ace's advice and words, I can't believe that the amusement park and this town are connected. His words didn't help, if it did anything to me, it made me confused even more.

The next day went like a normal day except that we're putting our bags inside the car and all I could hear all day is Matt's cute small voice saying how much he can't wait to see the amusement park. I thought I was like that too but because of Ace's words last night, thanks to him and to everyone who ruined my life, I am not so excited anymore and I'm not eager to go there. I once even pleaded with mom that I'll stay here so I can look for the house and I'll find a job, blabbering just anything really to keep me here but in truth, I wanted to go away from this place and never look or turn around again. Of course, mom just ignored me and told me to stop being dramatic.

I stared at the house and sighed deeply while rubbing my temples.

"Well at least take some medicine before we go! Here." Mom placed a water bottle and headache medicine, in my palms and I just stared at it for 5 seconds before sighing again.

I had told her that I don't feel well so I might as well stay in the house and not go with them but because mom is mom, even with that excuse, I can't do what I want. She has a point though, I should really stand up and be brave because that's what I've done for most of my life. I should face whatever will be placed in my path, my stupid path. I should find answers and be strong.

I gulped the medicine dry without the water and headed towards the car to go inside. I opened the door and groaned as I saw Kai there and he'll be next to me the whole freaking ride. He smirked and crossed his arm like a fool and I rolled my eyes at him.

"Can't you move away?" I asked him, more like demanded but he just shrugged.

"Oh, stop being such a bitch. Just sit and shut your ass up." I had no energy to argue more so I just sat down and closed the door while I leaned my head on the window.

"Luna, don't worry. You can rest once we're there." Dad told me as he gets in the car and noticed the gloomy expression on my face. I nodded and gave him a small smile.

"Yeah! Then we'll enjoy!" Matt added.

"Yes, sapphire. We'll enjoy and I'm going to make sure of it." I told him confidently while glancing at him. He nodded and leaned back on the seat with a bright smile.

***

Halfway through the exhausting ride, I slept the entire time but I woke up because I heard giggles and chuckles beside me that disturbed my relaxing sleep but I was glad that I woke up because I saw where we are and we're almost there. We're almost to hell.

We're in the middle of nowhere with no reception of phones, no signal, no anything. You can't spot even a lizard on the way. However, we can sight the top of the amusement park because it is big and high enough to see even from far away. I can almost imagine what's going on in there—how many faces we can see, how many people will be in danger and be killed, how many people are like me. I'm imagining things and hopefully, it's all just a stupid dream but of course, no.

I gasped and glared through the window when I saw a clown, a bloody clown in messy makeup with a smile that reached his eyes but his eyes looked dead. He's waving at me and mouthed 'no' many times while also mouthing different words that I can't understand because his mouth made it look like he's mumbling.

He looked behind him and suddenly ran towards us, trying to catch up with the car. My eyes widened and I shouted to stop the car which to everyone took by surprise so dad hit the brakes and shouted back at me angrily, their words sounded inaudible to me even if we're in the same car while I stared at the clown who catches up and stopped in front of the window beside me. He slammed the window with his hands and smiled.

"Oh, look at that! What a great show!" I slowly look at mom, feeling sick in my stomach as she said that. My brows pinched together as I stare at her in disbelief but she just smiled at me like she is innocent.

Ace is right. Everyone is connected and involved.

I knew better than to shout at her to wake up and see what's really going on around us because I know it will not do anything, it will only get me killed. But how come they're involved too but I'm not? How come they're blinded and I'm not?

I smiled back at her even when I want to slap them and wake them back into reality.

I looked back again at the clown who tapped the window and left marks of blood on it which made me feel nausea but I gulped the feeling away and quickly got out of the car.

The clown's clothes are bloody too and I can see a few cuts on it. I only smiled at him, copying his own smile even with dead eyes while I wave at him like a fool.

He waved back at me and giggled while tears fall out of his eyes, wiping them with his shaky hands, making it smudged. I reached out for his arms and he hesitated but allowed me to grip his arms, still smiling creepily. The scent filled my nose but I paid no mind to it because I have better plans than to be stupid.

"What a great show." I started while nodding at him and he nodded back. "The one who did your makeup, costume, the fake blood, and the one who taught you how to act, must be so amazing right? I wanna fucking see them." My teeth gritted in anger, controlling my emotions, and not saying what I really wanted to say.

He whimpered at first, mistaking me as one of those who hurt him so I continue to talk to him.

"But no offense, people will like more if the acts are funny and happy not like this," I added a fake laugh while shaking my head in a dramatic effect. "However, that doesn't mean that we don't enjoy what you do. Now, we can see how amazing and cruel those who made you like this. We find this quite interesting and enjoyable. I like the costume, oh, especially the fake tears and the fake blood! I wonder who the fuck did this! I can't wait to see them."

He winced when I gripped his arms tightly but secretly tapped him on his arm to send a secret code so he can leave this place. I remember when Kai and I were kids, we used to run away from the amusement park and tease each other to see who's the toughest of us so we ran from our parents and ended up in a cave and there's secret falls inside and it is deep. We ended up spending the rest of the day there without our parents noticing it but we didn't swim, instead, we dipped our feet and teased each other until we grew tired and we walked back for 30 minutes into the amusement park then pretended that we didn't do anything. I ended up winning that game but we were both tough so we just tied it up especially when Kai tantrums and I got irritated by him so I shut him up by saying that we both win and that's final.

If this clown knows morse code then he will get why I am tapping on his arm clumsily. He can hide there because as far as I know, that place is really hidden and no one knows it other than us.

Then his smile got bigger but it looked genuine this time while nodding as if knowing this time, finally, what I was trying to say to him. I sighed in relief while still smiling even if it hurts my lips because of how stretched it is.

"O-oh you know, I can't tell you but t-thank you. We were taught well. If you'll notice very clearly, there are lots of acts like mine and they're amazing as well. It will not disappoint. People like you will find our acts enjoyable. Even your family. Our bosses will never disappoint you with our different acts. They will make sure of it. I promise you that." A shiver runs up my spine but I ignored it and nodded, understanding what he's trying to say.

Yes, even my own family enjoys it surely.

"Well, I am very excited to see what kind of acts are there. Especially now that I'm not a kid anymore, I can see a lot of shows there and go to different places. Thank you. I hope you continue to do well." I hugged him, exaggerating my happiness but being careful in case he has injuries.

I pulled away and grinned at him, didn't really care if I was covered with the blood and the smudged makeup too while looking behind me and the coast is clear but I know they're just hiding. I looked back at him and send him one last word.

I let go of his arm and waved at him like an insane person and he waved back.

Run.