The Carnival
The air was thick with the scent of buttered popcorn and cotton candy as Ethan, Rachel, and their friends Madison, Tyler, Marcus, Jessica and Ryan navigated the bustling maze of carnival attractions. The sun had dipped below the horizon, casting a surreal glow on the scene before them. The laughter and excited chatter of the crowd threatened to drown out the mechanical hum of the rides, but Ethan could still hear it, like a faint whisper in the back of his mind.
"Come on, let's go on the Ferris wheel!" Rachel exclaimed, her eyes shining with excitement. She pulled Ethan by the hand, her fingers warm and comforting against his clammy skin. He couldn't help but smile at her enthusiasm, even though he knew that every turn of the wheel would bring him closer to the stars – and the darkness that lurked within them.
"Alright," Ethan conceded, trying to shove aside the nagging dread that gnawed at his insides. "But only if we grab some ice cream first."