Eris, who started filling up the tank, turned. Her brow furrowed. "The fair? I thought you wanted to get home as soon as possible."
Carys's smile faltered. The question hung heavy in the air, a reminder of the harsh reality that hung over their journey. Her father's silence, his refusal to pay the ransom, was a constant ache in her heart. Home, once a haven, now felt tainted with disappointment and fear.
She shrugged, trying to mask the vulnerability in her voice.
"Maybe. But this just looks like fun, you know? A break from the road."
The silence stretched, heavy with unspoken words. Eris studied Carys, seeing the faint shadows under her eyes, the way she fidgeted with her fingers. A realization dawned on her.
Carys wasn't just eager to escape; she was also dreading the return to a father who hadn't even bothered to pay the ransom. The thought of facing that disappointment, that rejection, was unbearable.
"Alright, Princess," Eris said, her voice softer than usual. "Let's go see what this fair has to offer. Maybe a little fun won't hurt."
Carys's head snapped up, a surprised smile lighting up her face. "Really? You mean it?"
Eris nodded, a genuine smile playing on her lips. "Just don't expect me to win you any stuffed animals," she teased.
Carys's laughter, light and carefree, "it's okay, I can get them myself."
...
The sun, a giant orange orb sinking towards the horizon, painted the fairgrounds in hues of gold and pink. Carys, cheeks flushed and hair windblown, grinned from ear to ear. The day had been a whirlwind of laughter, adrenaline, and the sweet, sticky taste of cotton candy.
She and Eris had spent the afternoon weaving through the bustling crowds, their initial playful competition fading into a comfortable camaraderie. They'd ridden the rickety Ferris wheel, the world shrinking beneath them until it resembled a miniature village bathed in the golden glow of the setting sun. They'd screamed their way through the haunted house, clinging to each other more for laughter than fear.
But Carys, despite her enthusiasm, wasn't exactly a master of carnival games. Darts flew wildly off target, ping pong balls bounced treacherously, and the claw machine seemed to mock her every attempt. Each failed attempt was met with a good-natured groan, but a flicker of disappointment flickered in her eyes.
Eris, ever perceptive, noticed the subtle shift. With a mischievous glint in her eye, she took over. Her movements were calculated, precise. Stuffed animals began to pile up in her arms: everything that Carys wanted and missed.
...
Carys, her hair windblown and a playful smile plastered on her face, clutched a towering stack of plush toys. A floppy-eared bunny peeked from behind a grumpy dragon, while a majestic phoenix, its wings proudly unfurled, crowned the precarious pile.
"I still can't believe you won all of them," Carys exclaimed, surveying her loot with mock disbelief. "You're like a carnival sharpshooter!"
Eris chuckled, a genuine laugh that crinkled the corners of her eyes. "Maybe I just have a better aim than you," she teased, nudging a lopsided dog with her shoulder.
Carys swatted at her playfully. "Hey, I did win Panda! And that adorable unicorn!"
"Only because I helped." Eris teased, earning her a swat on the arm from Carys.
...
Carys clutched her giggling fit as they deposited the plush menagerie in the truck.
"Ready for some food?" Eris asked, a playful glint in her eyes.
"Absolutely," Carys replied, her grin mirroring Eris's. "This princess is starving!"
As they turned to head back for some food, a sudden splash of water sent a jolt through Eris. A stray water balloon, launched with youthful enthusiasm, had landed squarely on her back.
Carys, already laughing at the unexpected attack, erupted in full-blown guffaws. Turning, they saw a group of kids engaged in a full-fledged water balloon war, their faces alight with mischievous glee. Before Eris could even think, another balloon splattered against Carys's cheek, soaking her hair and sending her into a fit of giggles.
"Looks like we're fair game!" Carys exclaimed, her eyes twinkling with mischief.
Without a word, Eris grabbed her arm and pulled her towards a nearby booth selling balloons. Soon, they were armed with their own colorful arsenal, ready to join the fray. The air became a battlefield of laughter and flying water balloons.
Eris, surprisingly agile, dodged and weaved through the chaos, her playful throws finding their mark with impressive accuracy. Carys, fueled by pure joy, launched balloons with wild abandon, shrieking with delight every time she hit a target.
The playful skirmish took on a different edge. As they moved around the battlefield, their movements became more fluid, their touches more deliberate. Eris, dodging a balloon, found herself tucked against Carys, the warmth of her body a welcome contrast to the cool water. Carys, aiming a shot at a particularly smug-looking kid, brushed her fingers against Eris's wrist, sending a spark of something electric through them both.
And then, amidst the chaos, their eyes met. Time seemed to slow. The playful banter died on their lips, replaced by a charged silence. They were inches apart, the unspoken desire hanging heavy in the air. A slow smile curved Eris's lips, her gaze mirroring the longing in Carys's eyes.
Eris, soaked but exhilarated, found herself drawn to Carys's infectious laughter, the way her eyes sparkled with childlike glee. Carys, her hair plastered to her forehead, felt a thrill run through her as Eris brushed a stray strand from her face, her touch lingering just a beat too long.
The moment stretched, charged with unspoken tension. Slowly, they leaned closer, their faces inches apart. Just as their lips were about to meet, a well-aimed water balloon exploded in their faces, the cold water sending them both reeling back.
Carys sputtered, wiping the water from her eyes, her initial shock replaced by a burst of laughter. Eris, equally drenched but grinning, shook her head, droplets flying.
"Looks like we got ambushed," Carys chuckled, breathless.
"Surrender?" Eris asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Yeah...no." Carys smirked, turning to chase after the shrieking kid who threw the water balloon.
The chase was exhilarating, weaving between stalls and laughing crowds. The kid, a blur of bright clothes and gleeful shrieks, led her on a merry chase, but Carys was determined.
Eris watched the scene unfold, amusement dancing in her eyes. She couldn't help but admire Carys's spirited reaction, her infectious laughter echoing through the fairground. However, a flicker of unease crossed her features as she noticed a figure standing on the corner, his gaze fixed intently on Carys.
The man was tall and broad-shouldered, his face obscured by the shadows cast by a nearby stall. He wore a worn leather jacket and a black hat pulled low, hiding most of his features. But it was his posture, stiff and predatory, that sent a jolt of apprehension through Eris.
Adrenaline coursing through her veins, Eris abandoned her post and plunged into the crowd, determined to find the man and keep Carys safe, even if it meant revealing more about herself than she wanted to.
"Eris!" Turning, she saw Carys, her hair a mess of damp strands, a triumphant grin plastered on her face. In her hand, she clutched a dripping water balloon.
"He was fast!" Carys exclaimed, her voice breathless with exertion. "But I got him!"
Eris stared at her, momentarily stunned. The urgency in her chest ebbed, replaced by a wave of relief so intense it almost knocked her off her feet. She forced a smile, her heart pounding a frantic rhythm against her ribs. "Impressive," she managed, her voice strained. "But maybe we should—"
Carys grabbed her arm, pulling her towards the food stalls. "Come on, let's celebrate my victory with some hot dogs!"
Eris hesitated, her gaze darting back towards the corner where the man had stood. The man, gone. Just like that, vanished into the throng like smoke on the wind. Had he seen her see him?
"Are you alright?" Carys asked, tilting her head in concern. "You look like you saw a ghost."
Eris forced a smile. "Just a little spooked," she admitted, "Thought I saw something suspicious."
Carys's brow furrowed. "Suspicious? What do you mean?"
Eris hesitated. Should she tell Carys about the man? It would mean revealing the truth, a truth she wasn't ready to share. But the fear that had gripped her wouldn't let go.
"It's nothing," she said finally, shaking her head. "Just... let's go get you some hotdogs, okay?"
"Okay." Carys, ever trusting, nodded readily. Linking arms with Eris and leading her towards the food stalls.
As they started walking, Eris cast a furtive glance back at the corner where the man had stood. Still nothing. Had she imagined him? Was the fear just a figment of her overactive imagination?
But deep down, she knew it wasn't. The man was real, his gaze unnervingly focused on Carys. And despite his disappearance, the unease lingered, a cold presence clinging to her like a shadow.
————————xx———————xx———————-
(A/N:) Fun Fact! This book was supposed to end with 12 Chapters but I've thought it over and it seems too early to say goodbye to Eris and Carys here (even though there's a book 2 lol) so yeah, won't be ending this anytime soon :)
