Phantasm Carnival Novels & Stories

“Technically, I’m your boss. That’s more of a scandal.” “You look like the thought of a scandal excites you.” “If Amalia were entirely removed from the situation, it would. However, we have to consider Amalia.” “We do.” I looked around the carnival, taking in the scent of funnel cake and popcorn while children ran around screaming. Their parents chased behind them, looking exhausted and carrying collections of cheap toys won from game booths. “What do you want to do first?” Brandon asked, his gaze locking on one of the rides that flipped you upside down and spun around. “That looks like fun.”

But no matter their looks, they actually behaved like teens on spring break. Not only were these Haunters so loud, it was also plain to see some of the alleged evidence of paranormal activity was fake. They had a zillion static cams all over, plus the handheld cameras they carried around, yet most things happened off-camera. Not to mention a great deal of what they got was personal experiences, like being touched, hearing voices no mic captured, catching a glimpse of a shadow right outside the cam field, feeling cold spots their thermal cam didn’t register.

Callista. The phantoms accompany me as Edwin carries me through the foliage. My head falls off his shoulder, limp, and my blurry sight upside down. I see other white-clad youths walk behind us. Edwin leads this lethal parade. The whole forest is bathed in moonlight, and my scattered mind travels back to my own coming of age ceremony. The phantom of Farris walks nearest to me, dressed in the same way I last saw him. Seeing him makes me feel strangely nostalgic. Back then, things weren’t this bad.

The moment we stepped into the carnival, something inside me lit up. Not softly. Not cautiously. It burst. “This is insane!” I gasped, my eyes darting everywhere at once, trying—and failing—to take it all in. Lights draped across stalls like constellations brought down to earth. The giant wheel turned slowly in the distance, glowing like something out of a dream. Music pulsed through the air—loud, alive, unapologetic. Food stalls sizzled and steamed, kids ran wild with laughter, couples leaned into each other like the world had paused just for them.

A carnival. Not just any carnival, either—it looked like something out of a movie. Giant Ferris wheel spinning lazily against the night sky, music playing from distant speakers, kids laughing, strings of colorful lights zigzagging overhead. The smell of popcorn, grease, and cotton candy hung thick in the air. Ricci stepped out first and came around to open my door like some fucking gentleman. “You coming?” I looked at him like he’d lost his mind. “A carnival?” He smirked. “You were expecting a five-star restaurant?”

While snacking on her lunch, Maria paid attention to the words her grandfather was saying. "Phantom beats are sinister and vile creatures that feed on human flesh and fears. They are extremely dangerous and are twice as hard to take down compared to regular magical beasts. Luckily, you'll never have to encounter such creatures, since beast-types outnumber phantom-type creatures. But if you ever encounter one... run." The heavy, intense gaze of her grandfather caused a cold chill to sweep over Maria's body.

Missus was slang for wife in Thimberton. "I'm scared, Dr. York!" Fiona was on the verge of tears as she looked at Cassian with fearful eyes. "Don't be afraid. I'm here." Cassian comforted her before questioning Phantom once more. "These villagers never did anything to you. Why did you kill them?" "I killed them? Heavens, no! They're not dead to me. On the contrary, they're my greatest treasures," Phantom declared. "Ever since I was young, I dedicated myself to learning the secrets of corpse animation. It took me ten years to master this ability.

The carnival was worse once you got inside. Not in a bad way exactly. Just overwhelming. Too much light, too much sound, too many smells all fighting for space at once. Fried dough, popcorn, damp grass, hot grease, metal, cheap body spray. Games lined one side in a bright row of scam and desperation. Rides crowded the other, all spinning arms and blinking signs and music playing over music until none of it sounded like a real song anymore. Clair seemed delighted by all of it. She dragged me first toward the stalls, then toward a row of food stands because “looking cute is hard work,” then back toward the rides because she wanted to “see what had the best lighting for photos.”

She paused for a moment before delivering the final blow, "You're not good for anyone." Camille unconsciously held her breath, expecting a witty rejoinder from him, but none came, and they made the rest of their trip in tense silence. * * * * Hours later the carnival was in full swing. The year's FFCC's theme appeared to be "Fairy tale" because every part of the amusement park was filled with characters from children's favorite stories: princesses, dragons, knights—just name it.

Nightfall came and the excitement overcame a large crowd of the carnival. Various neon color beams lit up part of the darkness over the crowd as they gathered for fun. Songs and laughter riveted across the grounds choking out street noise. The two girls had left their dorm by taxi. During their ride, Meagan spoke of what would be at the carnival. “OMG Vass, they are going to have so many events happening. Look!”, Meagan presents her phone before Vastria who was sitting in silence watching the driver who was obviously annoyed hearing Meagan rambling about the carnival. Vastria took Meagan’s phone reading smiling as Meagan went on, “Yeah, there is a concert, an acrobatic show, and so much food