Young Writers Society

On the Ferris Wheel

It was the perfect night for a carnival, the moon was bright, the air was crisp, and everyone was smiling and joyous. The ferris wheel in the distance was glowing a bright array of colors, and the carnival was filled with laughter and cheering. Kane adjusted his jacket and strolled over to a booth of carnival games, listening to the leaves crunching underneath his boots.

After playing a multitude of carnival games, Kane checked the time and made his way over to the illuminated ferris wheel. He hears heavy breathing from behind him, and Kane quickly spins around, only to see two little girls fighting over a caramel apple. He shook his head, and continues walking.

He finally gets into line, and loosens his scarf, leaving it to hang loosely around his neck. As he’s waiting for his turn, he overhears a couple talking. “Look! The Invisible Killer escaped from prison!”the man yells, and everyone gathers around the couple. Kane feels someone brush up against him, and he swats his neck, feeling something burn. He looks back and sees a man with blonde hair walk in front of him as he shoves something in his pocket. Kane tightens his scarf again, and runs to catch up with the moving line.

Kane turns on his phone and scrolls through Twitter, reading the news about the escaped murderer. Goosebumps go down his spine as he reads what the killer did to his victims. He’d inject someone with poison on an open spot of their skin, and then run away. The poison would slowly break down in the body, slowly killing the person. The killer would then come back to the victim to watch them die, and then carries the body away. An uneasy feeling washed over Kane, and he hastily turns off his phone. “Next,” an employee calls, and Kane walks onto the ferris wheel cart. He sits down, and the man he saw earlier sits across from him.

The man messes with something in his pocket, and slowly brings his hand out in a tight fist. He starts to tap his foot rapidly, and breathes heavily. “Hey, uh, are you okay there?” Kane hesitantly asks, and Kane slowly slides to the exit of the cart. The man swallows, “Yes, sorry, I have a fear of heights.” Kane nods his head, “No worries, we all have fears,” he smiles at the latter, “What’s your name?” He asks, “Luke.” the man states. Before Kane could tell the latter his name, Luke turns away and shuts his eyes.

Kane eyed Luke warily as he ran his fingers through his ratty hair and shook his head fiercely. All of the sudden the ferris wheel jerked to a stop, and Kane flung to the side. He gagged as he hit his throat against the door, and fell back onto the seat. As he gets up, he looks Luke into the eyes and sees a glint of amusement in his eyes.

A loud alarm blares throughout the carnival, and all the rides around them stop. Kane can hear the employees below them yelling over the alarm, “That serial killer is here!” one of the employees yells, and he hears Luke stifle a laugh. “Dude what is wrong with you?” Kane questions, and Luke rolls his eyes, “It’s just funny how everyone panics over a rumor.”

“You really think this is a joke?” Kane scoffs, “What if it’s true and we get killed?” Luke then chuckles, “Do you really think a serial killer who just escaped would immediately try and murder someone?” Kane pauses to think, “Don’t answer that.” Luke says in a monotone voice.

Kane goes onto his phone, getting ready to call the police and hopefully they could get everyone off the rides. The call fails, and he realizes that he has no service. “I just had service a few minutes ago, what happened?” he mumbled to himself, going back onto Twitter to scroll through his already loaded feed. As he’s looking down at his phone he notices that Luke’s wrists have a bracelet of raw skin around them, and Kane looks away. He turns his attention back to his phone, and sees a photo of Luke. He opens the photo, and looks up to Luke. “Why are you on my Twitter?” Luke's eyes widen, “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Kane hands him his phone, “That’s you, isn’t it?” Luke licks his lips, “No, that’s not me.”

Kane suddenly starts to feel really nauseous, and he puts his hand onto his forehead, feeling really warm. He takes off his scarf, and unbuttons his jacket.”I need to get off this ride, I feel horrible.” Luke stands up, and leans over the railing, “The employees are gone, everyones panicking.” Kane sighs heavily, “Lets see if there’s a way down.” Luke nods, and looks at his watch. They both leaned over the railing, looking for a set of emergency stairs or a ladder. “See anything?’ Kane asks, and from behind him Luke responds, “Nope, keep looking.” Kane feels Luke breathe heavily from behind him, and Kane stands up straight.

Kane groans as a heat wave flashes over him, “I’m going to sit down.” Luke nods, “I’ll get you some water.” Kane looks up at him, “Really?” Luke nods, “Here.” Kane takes the water graciously, the iron tang of the water being ignored by how thirsty he was. Luke sits down beside him, “I have a way off.” Luke says confidently, Kane nods groggily, his ears started to ring and his eyes start to close. “What is it?” he croaks. Luke brings a finger to his lips, “Just trust me, Kane.” Kane forces his eyes open, “I never told you my name,” He tries to sit up, Luke laughs and pushes him back down onto the seat. “I know all about you.” Kane shuts his eyes, and he feels his fingers tingle. “Now trust me, I have a way off.” Kane groans in protest, and he feels Luke put his rough fingers against his lips. “By the way, the answer was yes.”