The Sacrifice

I stood under a glowing moon, feeling the howling winds passing through me, as I took in a deep breath. The faint smell of popcorn and deep fried foods lingered in the air. The rhythm of "Entry of the Gladiators" echoed through my head.  Why should a perfect day have to end the moment the gates close?  I wanted the excitement, I wanted the escapades, I wanted the magic to last… to last forever.
 	“We shouldn't be here.” A voice broke through the walls of my peaceful state of mind, “Laurina, did you hear me? We need to go.”
I turned my head to face him. When did the diamonds leave your bones? You used to live for the unknown with a bold sense of adventure. You were the one who taught me to crave such a feeling the moment you pushed me off the jungle gym, when we were five. You jumped and fell along side with me. That’s when you told me, “it’s okay Laurina, you have to face the scary things so you won’t be so afraid.” Now you stand before me with worried eyes and an absent expression. You’re exhausted. Life is finally catching up, and you’re forgetting about the heart of who you once were.
“Connor, I’m going to bring back your diamonds.”
“You’re going to what?”
“Follow me,” I shouted as I bolted over the path of trash and dirt. I turned my head to look back, as I saw him roll his eyes in frustration. He sighed and shook his head, then started to walk in the direction I was running. I continued to dash through the empty game booths, jumping on top of counters, and headed straight to ‘The Hall of Mirrors.’
I hid snug in a corner as I watched him slowly creep through the entrance. He stood facing hundreds of distorted mirrors. "Laurina, I know you're in here.  Let's go home before we get into trouble." Trouble? Since when did he ever think once about the consequences? It's a hard feeling to accept when you finally realize how much your best friend has changed right before your very eyes, over the years. I watched as he moved his hand in a waving motion, and studied each individual reflection. He began to pose before the mirrors, and shifted his eyes to observe the mimicking figures as he let out a smirk. I stepped out from the shadows and smiled back at him. “What are you even trying to do?” Connor asked with a slight spark of curiosity glowing in his eyes.
“I’m helping you find yourself.” He tilted his head sideways, and raised an eyebrow. “Just come with me,” I offered my hand and waited until he finally grasped on. He was a bit hesitant at first, but deep down he knew I wouldn’t take no for an answer. We made a shortcut through the park to the deserted food carts. I let go of Connors hand to jump behind an empty cotton candy booth, and rustled through a pile of plastic bags and papers. I ripped out a few blank pages from a notebook, grabbed a pen, and a roll of masking tape. I darted to the main entertainment stage in the middle of the park, as Connor trailed behind me. I scribbled down the following names: Carousel, Bumper Cars, Ferris Wheel, Tilt-A-Whirl, Scrambler, and Roller-coaster. He had a confused look on his face, but wore it with a sense of eagerness. I tore off pieces of tape and pasted the six sheets over the original selections. I stepped onto a milk crate and announced, “Gather around ladies and gentlemen! I present to you, ‘The Wheel of Excitement.’ Do I have any volunteers? You sir, won’t you do the honors and take a chance at spinning the wheel?”
He nodded at me with a grin, “It would be my pleasure.” He reached high, gripped his hands onto a wooden peg, and pulled down as hard as he could. The anticipation was starting to drive us crazy as the wheel slowed down, hearing the creaking sounds as the arrow hit the pegs with every passing option. Click. Click. Click… Click... Click… Click. Ferris Wheel.  He lashed his neck to face me, “Please tell me we’re going to climb the big wheel.”
I giggled at him, “It’s you’re prize, you can choose to do whatever you want with it!”
“TO THE FERRIS WHEEL!” he cried. He raised his arm, pointed to the sky, and dashed toward the carnival rides. I chased after him with my arms flying in the air.  “Hurry up,” he barked as ran up the stairs and grasped onto a metal support bar. I finally caught up to him and followed his movements. He jumped up and clutched onto the car’s open door hanging in the air. I carefully imitated his every move, as he helped me struggle to get into each car along the way.
We made it halfway through the wheel, climbing passed four of the cars. I watched Connor cautiously grab onto the spoke supporting the fifth car, and pushed his body over the door making his way in. I placed my foot on the edge of the car door, and I took a hold of the rim. The moment I lifted my leg from the surface, my entire body froze and my palms began to sweat. I forced myself to push through it and boosted myself up grabbing a hold of the small bar helping support the structure of the wheel. I screamed the second I realized there was no rim under my feet to give me the support I needed, and the only thing holding myself up was me. Connor quickly got up and hung over the side of the door reaching for my arm.  I dangled in the air, whimpering, he wasn’t close enough to touch me. He locked his hand on the edge of the car, jumped out, and clasped his hand snug around my wrist.
“Let go! Get back in the car!” I shrieked with tears running down my face.
“No, I’m not going anywhere, not without you!” He yelled back, squeezing his hand tighter. His arm started to shake, and he was starting to slowly sink lower along with me.
“Connor, listen to me. I’m scared, but that’s okay. I have to face the scary things so I won’t be so afraid. Remember? You told me that. Listen to yourself, and just let me go.”
“I can’t just let you go. If you fall, I will fall too,” his eyelids scrunched close. He timidly raised two of his fingers from the side of the car, “we will fall together!” We descended through the sky, towards the concrete ground. He pulled me close for my own protection, as I watched the scenery fade into black.

-LaurinaMN; TBT.