literature

Carnival

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Literature Text

My alarm clock woke me. The red lights showing it was six in the morning. The town carnival was in three hours. I patted down my red hair and made my way to the bathroom. I saw Joyce’s door was ajar and went to check on her. She was half hanging out of the bed, a puddle of vomit on the floor. I grabbed a bucket and a mop from the hall closet and was nearly finished cleaning the floor when I heard Joyce wake. She pushed her blonde hair out of her face and opened her eyes. “How are you feeling?” I asked,                          
“Like shit.” Joyce replied. I looked up and saw Joyce’s eye was swollen.
“What happened last night?”    
“Nothing.”
“That is not nothing.”          
“And?”
“Tell me what happened!”
“No! When did you become my mother, Mary? Just because you lost yours, doesn’t mean you can be mine!” Joyce yelled.  I was lost for words. I stood up and headed out the door. “I’m so sorry, Mary. You know I don’t mean-” The door slammed behind me. I walked out the back door to the garden and sat down on the bench. She’s right. I thought. Just because I lost my mum, doesn’t mean I can act like one. After my parents died in a car crash, Joyce became my guardian. “Oh mum. I miss you so much.” I uttered to myself, a small tear falling down my cheek. “It will all get better soon.” I wiped my eyes and turned to where the voice came from. Kaleb was leaning on the fence watching me, his black hair falling above his blue eyes. He’s year older and a good foot taller than me. “How do you know?” I asked.    
“I lost my dad three years ago.” He replied. “Hey Mary? What are you doing later?”              
“Nothing.”
“Would you like to go to the carnival with me?” He asked. I was shocked; I had never hung out with a guy. “Okay.” I answered.
“I’ll pick you up at nine.” Kaleb declared, disappearing back into his house.

“I’m sorry for what I said.”  Joyce said sitting at the dining table.
“It’s okay.”
“No really, I’m sorry. I wasn’t thinking.”
“It’s okay. Can we please drop it?”        
“Okay” Joyce sighed, “ I saw you talking to Kaleb, what does he want?”
“He just asked me to go to the carnival.” I replied calmly.                
“Oh my God! He’s so into you!” Joyce squealed.              
“It’s not a big deal.” I rolled my eyes.                                 “What! You finally have a guy that is interested in you!” Joyce said. I silently laughed to myself. “Let’s get your out-fit ready.” she said dragging me to my room.

At nine, Kaleb came and picked me up. We didn’t say much when we left. There was an awkward silence between us.  “Why did you ask me to go to the carnival?” I asked. Kaleb rubbed the back of his neck, “Well you’re, nice, pretty, kind and um.. pretty.” Kaleb said.
“Really?” I blushed,    
“Well, yeah.” He answered holding my hand.
We entered the carnival and spent most of the morning on rides. “One more ride before lunch?” he asked. I nodded and we walked up to the ‘Haunted House’. We stepped inside the cart and the harness strapped us in. The cart moved slowly along the rails, objects jumping out at us. Nearing the end of the ride I asked “Do you smell that?” I smelt smoke. Kaleb nodded. The air became thicker and I started to cough. The clown holding a chainsaw became engulfed in flames. My breath became shorter. I went to grab my asthma puffer from my pocket, but it fell from my hands and landed on the floor of the cart “Help! Somebody help!” Kaleb yelled. “It’s okay. Someone will be coming soon.” Kaleb assured me.  He continued to shout, people must have heard him because the cart stopped and two people tried to help us. I continued my struggle to breathe. My vision was blurred. “Save her.” I heard Kaleb muffled voice. The world spun and then went black.

I woke up, outside of the ‘Haunted House’ lying on the ground. I saw a crowd was huddled behind yellow tape, murmuring. A woman’s cry alerted my senses. Joyce was kneeling on the ground trying to reach towards me. Kaleb’s arms were around her, comforting her. She was saying something. But her words were muffled by her cries. I turned around and saw a white sheet covering what must have been a body. Someone died. Who? I lifted the corner of the sheet to reveal the face. A small, choking scream escaped my lips. It was me, lying on the ground. I’M DEAD! How? The fire? The smoke?  I turned around and saw Joyce was looking at me, her mouth was open but she wasn’t screaming. I walked towards her. Joyce’s eyes watching me. I knelt down. I had to be accepting about this for Joyce. “Joyce?” I asked, resting a hand on her cheek. I couldn’t feel her. “Can you see me?” She nodded. Her eyes were wide. “I want to tell you something Joyce and I want you to listen.” Joyce nodded again. “I know we haven’t been together for very long but love you like a sister. I always have, and I always will. But you must take care of yourself now.” I said. More tears escaped from her eyes. “Good bye.” I said, standing up and kissed her forehead. “Good bye.” Joyce whispered. “What’s wrong?” Kaleb asked.   Kaleb gave Joyce a confused look. I leant up to Kaleb and kissed him on the cheek. “Good bye. I will miss you both.” Kaleb put his hand up to his cheek as though he felt my touch.  A light behind me gained my attention. I turned around and saw my mother and father standing there, holding out her hand to me. “Mum. Dad.” I whispered and walked towards them, and was embraced. “I missed you so much.” I said      
“I have missed you too my little dove.” My mother said as the light engulfed us together.
This is copyright! no one can copy it or use it for anything! But I hope you like it :)
© 2013 - 2024 Lepricorn1
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nickp1211's avatar
This is awesome!