Dark Perceptions (Mystic's Carnival Collective) by Debra Kristi Read Free Book Online

fear , I reminded myself.  
    The mental pep talk went nowhere. Did nothing for my fortitude. I gritted my teeth and pushed forward, an insatiable chill swirling around my ankles. My first step wobbled, unstable on the makeshift floor. Instinct bubbled up, willing me to back away, skitter the opposite direction. Only that would paint me yellow, a bright and shining coward in Matt’s eyes. The last thing I wanted.
    What am I really afraid of? I speculated, staring at the whirling lights awaiting.  
    None of the answers that came to mind made any sense. It was nothing more than a carnival ride. An overhyped, light-up-the-park, spin-till-you-yak thrill.  
    We pushed forward and I watched its latest victims spill out, nothing other than happiness filling their expressions. Joy and enthusiasm in their jaunt. Twenty-three, twenty-four, twenty-five, I counted. Where was Mr. Tall-dark-and-red-cap? Or the gal with the flashy silver jacket? I couldn’t find them. My lips slipped into a sour frown and I drew closer to Matt, trying to hide, protect myself from disappearing, as well. Why was nothing about this carnival normal?
    “Where did the guy with the red baseball cap go?” I squeaked, layering the worry on thick.
    Matt looked at me like I was mad in the head. “You’re not looking to replace me already, are you?”
    “No!” The word flew from my mouth with the force of a wrecking ball. I took a deep, calming breath. Surely he teased. If he knew how I felt, he would never… “I’ve just been watching and counting. I don’t see the same number getting off as going on. And I can’t find the guy with the red cap I saw earlier, or the girl in the silver jacket.”
    I sought Matt’s deep brown eyes for reassurance, for comfort, for strength. They mitigated my inner turmoil. His hand found the curve of my back, the spot guaranteed to send tingles of security rocketing through my system.  
    Matt looked to the crowd exiting the ride. “I don’t see them, but I’m sure they’re there,” he reassured. “The guy probably took off or lost his hat in the spin, and the girl is hidden by all the people coming out at once.” He shifted his weight, pulling us closer, and brushed his hand along my spine. “No one went missing.” He tossed me an encouraging grin, one that said I knew better and was above silly panics. “Now come on, we’re going to see where this takes us. Remember?” He grabbed my hand tight, dropped his brows, and tossed me a daring smile. Step by step, up he pulled, guiding me toward the spinning cyclone filled with screams of anticipation and excitement and fear.  
    Which scream would be mine? Excitement, anticipation, fear?
    The metal grates creaked and groaned beneath each foot fall I braved. I feigned a front I barely held onto, kept wrapped around me like a false mask, a makeshift armor. The massive machine’s motor, wailing like a yowling cat, scratched at my self-control, and I clutched the railing beside me till my fingers drained white to steady my tremble.
    Steam billowed around us, kicked up from the motor below. Sweat trickled down my neck, my blouse clung to my damp skin, and my heart hammered an overwrought jig in my chest. People pushed, shoved, herded us through the entrance. I searched the faces around me, looking for something besides anticipation. I sought foreboding, the emotion tacking my feet to the ground like tar, slowing my approach. Everyone rushed. Everyone except me.  
    Wait! I don’t want to go.
    I planted a determined scowl on my face and forced my legs to keep moving stiffly forward. Let Matt lead the way.  
    Inside the beastly contraption, a ghastly adapted Roulette Wheel spinner, the atmosphere dropped upon us, heavy and oppressive. I shuddered, feeling the presence of death. Anything but welcoming. Mirrors lined the interior walls, casting an unnerving peep show in the dim, strobing light.  
    Smoke and mirrors, all part of the trick. I knew that.  
    The illusion.