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By Xyhaun
08/21/2010 - 22:45:39

Type: Factory building
Rating: 2.14 (Good)
Tags: book, history, lonely carousel, lonely nine, tome

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Description

Lexis

The Ferris wheel rotated slowly, as if it was resisting its role in the carnival. Webs from some unknown giant of a creature were strung between the scarlet metal beams. Dozens of the light bulbs had broken, while the rest flickered and sputtered, trying to hold on to the last of their light.
The wheel was not a main attraction within the Lonely Carousel carnival. It was primarily a prop, merely something to lure souls onto the grounds.
The operator of the wheel was a poor soul by the name of Shaun. Unlike most of the carnival?s staff, he was not a manifestation of the Lonely Carousel?s dark heart. He was once a visitor to the carnival himself, nigh on forty years ago. Since that night he had not aged. He had not eaten. He had not slept.
He had not left the presence of the wheel.

***

An old, paint-chipped pickup rolled along the gravel road. It was close to one in the morning, and the pickup had been on the road for hours. Two teenagers sat in the cab of the truck: a boy named Shaun and a girl named Lexis.
?Do you have any idea where we are?? Lexis questioned, scowling at Shaun.
?Of course I do,? Shaun said, his gaze not wavering from the road, even though it had been perfectly straight for the last five miles.
?No you don?t!? Lexis exclaimed. ?You haven?t known where we are for a while now, have you? Listen, Shaun, I am exhausted. That party totally drained me. So you better get me home soon or??
?Okay, fine!? Shaun barked. ?I?ve been lost almost since we got on this stupid road. But look?there are a bunch of lights up ahead. If we don?t know where we are when we get there, then at least there will be someone we can ask for directions from.?
?I don?t know,? Lexis said. ?I?ve seen enough scary movies to know that lights in the middle of nowhere are never a good thing.?
?Relax,? Shaun said. ?This isn?t a movie.?
After a few minutes of silence, the pickup pulled into a large gravel lot. Despite the size, only three other cars were parked in it. The source of the lights was revealed as the couple pulled in: a carnival. The Lonely Carousel carnival, as shown by the wooden sign at the gate.
?A carnival?? Lexis asked. ?Are you serious? Shaun, we should go back. This is, like, straight out of Stephen King.?
?Would you quit worrying?? Shaun said. ?Let?s go check it out.?
?But??
?Do you see any murderous clowns or giant saws or anything??
?Well, no?.?
?Then let?s go. It?s not gonna hurt.?
Reluctantly, Lexis followed Shaun to the gates.
?Welcome,? said a man dressed in various browns and reds. He was short, only about four feet tall.
?How much is admission?? Shaun asked.
?No admission,? the man replied. ?Just a requirement that you enjoy yourselves.?
?Can do,? Shaun said. ?Let?s go Lexis!?
Inside the carnival gates, the two were treated to a wondrous world of lights, sounds, and smells. Everywhere they looked, neon and incandescent lights flickered and flashed, inviting the teens to join them. Laughter and music, rings and beeps, every sound imaginable rushed their ears. And the smells?popcorn, cotton candy, chocolate, hot dogs?. There was simply too much to handle.
?Where to?? Shaun asked Lexis after they?d both had a minute to take in the scene. But as soon as he asked the question, he knew her answer.
He was pulling Lexis to the Ferris wheel before she could answer properly.
There was no operator at the wheel, but as soon as the two teens had sat down in the nearest chair, the wheel began. Slowly it spun, a gentle, fluid motion.