Page 79 of Carnal

It doesn’t matter now, because soon, I’ll be nothing more than ash on the wind.

And I’m bringing Dante Romano down with me.

CHAPTER 47

ESSENCE

Shrill,horror-movie grade screams erupt somewhere in the distance. It’s completely dark in the Funhouse save for a faint red light ahead of us.

“Should we follow that light?” I ask Dante quietly, voice trembling a little bit.

This is so stupid. I’m really getting scared in a silly little carnival attraction? Dante is right behind me, and he would never let anything happen to me.

I reach back and blindly search for the hardness of his body, but my fingers just grasp air.

“Dante?” I whip around and squint my eyes, trying to search for him in the dark.

Did that asshole really leave me in here alone?

I go back to where I remember the entrance to the House being and try to open it, but it’s locked. Frantically, I start feeling around for a lock or latch, but I can’t find anything.

Turning back around, I lean against the door and try to calm my shallow breathing.

You’re okay, Essence, I tell myself. Dante’s just fucking with you.He wouldn’t leave you in here scared and alone.

Right, of course.

Stepping away from the door, I wrap my arms around myself and start walking back the way I came. Those blood-curdling screams come again, and I swear they sound so fucking real. Shivers spider-walk down my spine, and a coldness washes over me.

“Dante,” I say louder, willing some strength into my voice. “This isn’t funny anymore. I’m scared.”

“Good,” a dark voice says from somewhere in the darkness. I gasp and turn around when I feel warm breath skate across the flesh of my exposed neck.

“Dante? Where are you?”

“I’m over here,” he says from my left. I turn and look, but it’s too dark to see anything.

“Dante, please,” I whisper, feeling my heart rate starting to race.

“Fiore,” he breathes from my right.

I can’t do this. I can’t catch my breath, and I feel like I’m going to pass out.

I keep walking towards the red light, hoping I’ll make it to the exit of this stupid Funhouse and wait for Dante outside.

The walls feel like they’re closing in on me, and I feel like I’m suffocating in the darkness. The faint smell of smoke tinges the air, and I can’t tell if it’s part of the attraction, or if this place is actually on fire.

“Dante—”

“Run,” he whispers from behind me.

Shit, you don’t have to tell me twice.

I bolt down the dark hallway towards that red light, coughing as more smoke fills the tight space.

Is the Funhouse on fire or is this part of the attraction?

“Dante!” I yell, looking around in the dark for him.