Page 135 of Chalk Outline

I giggle as I round another tent and lose my bodyguard in the process. He’s too busy flirting with the woman at the entrance, who’s dressed like a fairy from a fantasy book.

Well, fairies are known to be tricky.

Skipping on my feet to the photo booth, I slide into the seat inside. The sign reads $5, so I slip a bill into the money slot, and it starts to snap pictures of me.

I stick my tongue out, make a funny face, smile widely, and make a heart shape with my hands. I rush out to grab my mini photoshoot and tuck it into my pocket.

The joyful laughter of children echoes, catching my attention as I turn toward the carousel in the corner. The wistful smiles of parents watching, recalling their own childhood adventures, tug at something deep inside me.

I only have Grandma.

I’ve often wondered what it would be like to spend time with my parents in a place like this. I see them once a year, if I’m lucky.

I’m twelve, and it has always been this way.

My eyes flick to three tall men as they walk past me, wearing creepy clown masks. I hold my breath when the one holding a snake stops in front of me. He tilts his head to the side and brings the snake’s face close to mine.

A shiver runs through me as I stare into its horrifying eyes.

“Want to touch it?” he asks in a menacing voice, chuckling. “Come on, don’t be scared, little girl.”

I shake my head to decline the offer, my legs rooted to the ground, unable to move as the snake’s hiss leaves me paralyzed.

The clown chuckles once more—the sound is darker and far more sinister.

“Don’t let a snake catch you like this.” He lets it slither along my neck. Its dry, yet smooth and rough, texture leaves me gasping for air. I breathe through my parted lips and don’t dare to move.

“Please, get it off me,” I say in a small, shaky voice.

As the snake moves, I instinctively tilt my head back, and my eyes lock onto the holes in his mask and the bleak stare of the man’s eyes.

“You know,” he whispers, “They can wrap around your neck and squeeze it to death, unless they decide to sting you with their venom or swallow you whole. The latter is rare, though.”

The snake hisses again as it slithers off my skin onto the clown’s hand before he walks away.

I take a shaky breath and shut my eyes for a moment. Don’t faint. It’s okay. I open my eyes and spot familiar red locks in the distance.

“Grandma, who are you looking for?”

I run to her, glancing over my shoulder every second to ensure the clown is gone.

“Damn it, Winona, what did I say?” She spins around to face me, furious as usual, shooting me a look that makes my stomach turn. For a fleeting moment, her expression softens before turning hard again. “I’m looking for a guy. I was hoping to find him.”

“What does he look like?” I hesitate.

“I don’t know,” she admits in a harsh tone. “I know his name is James. That’s all.”

“I can help you look.”

“Absolutely not. Where is your bodyguard?” she huffs, giving him a once-over as he catches up to us. “Useless,” she mutters.

“Can I at least get some cotton candy?” I bat my eyelashes at her and press my palms together. “Pretty please.”

“Fine.”

She remains expressionless and flicks her gaze at my useless bodyguard. Inching closer to him, she lowers her voice to a whisper, thinking I can’t hear it over the noise around us.

“All eyes on her. If you lose her again, I will pluck your eyeballs myself and ensure you never work in the field again. Understood?”