Lunch time the next day and the whole cafeteria was buzzing with discussion about the upcoming carnival. Word had obviously gone round and one could only guess what the ‘world of mystery’ was all about. The friends were at their table and were as well, discussing it.
“The mayor announced the date of the carnival from his office. It was all over the news this morning. I even saw loads of decorations in town square on my way to school” Dylan narrated after taking a bite out of his burger.
“Wow. I wonder what the theme will be this time. Last year’s casual theme was so fun and I just can’t wait to see this one” Campbell gushed looking at everyone.
“I heard that the world of mystery theme was all about a freak circus with so many terrifying circus games to play” Cole nudged Ciara and asked, “I know you’d be stoked to attend this one right?”
She in reply, shoved him aside, glared and continued her homework. She had no interest whatsoever in their discussion.
“Cut it out Cole” Dylan reprimanded.
“I was just kidding.”
“Well cut it out” he repeated.
“I heard that the world of mystery theme was going to be like a detective story where we have to find clues and solve mysteries,” Campbell added.
“That’s probably it” Isa concurred.
The bell rang signalling the beginning of classes. In their spacious classroom, occupied by few students, the history teacher taught.
Professor Gray, the ice king as he was popularly called was a grey eyed, black haired handsome man. He taught with passion and showed the amount of knowledge he possessed in the topic.
He taught them about intriguing legends and how they attained their level of heroism or became the most feared villains. He went on to tell them about myths that people have had unbreakable beliefs in, and quickly broke them with facts. In the classroom, it was like he was transformed into a wizard. He had every student enchanted and listening to his voice.
He was no more the cold, quiet and reserved ice king, but the passionate teacher that controlled his audience.
“Professor, are these legends really true? And the myths?” a guy in front asked suddenly. “Yeah, are they? All the mystical creatures and the horrific rituals, are they true as well?” A girl at the back asked and everyone wanted to ask their own questions.
Professor Gray gently put his hand up, at once stopping the myriad of questions hurled at him.
He looked at them carefully before answering. “As it stands, these legends and myths have only survived because of the belief in them which should make it seem like they are true, am I right?”
They nodded at once and he continued, “but people have different beliefs which really doesn’t make everything a complete truth. For instance, some people believe in the law of karma and would always testify to it, while some people would brush it off as bad luck or mere coincidence.
Some believe in fairies, monsters, vampires, trolls, werewolves, leprechaun and will downright defend it, some claim to have encountered them, but who knows, and some people dismiss it as children folklore and novel characters.
Some believe that there is a god up there, watching over everyone, blessing those that are good, and inflicting pain and punishment on those that are bad. There are people like the extremists who will go to any lengths to proclaim, defend, and fight for their god. There are also atheists, who don’t believe that there is a god that rules over them.
There are still some who believe that there is a life after this one, and the life you live here will determine where you find yourself in the other one. Some believe that at the end of your life, you just fizzle into non-existence.”
He peered into the faces of his students and continued, “so at the end of the day, is anything really the truth or a lie. People have different beliefs and choose not to discard theirs. Know why? Because beliefs are what keeps this world going. It’s what gives people a reason to laugh, cry, and live. It is their faith, and faith is what we hold onto in this life.”
There was a peculiar silence that settled in the classroom as the professor concluded his monologue. Slowly, they began to nod and murmur in agreement. Quickly, everyone began voicing out their own opinions on the topic and Isa excused herself. She had been nursing a full bladder.
Isa walked quickly in the silent hallway, mentally wishing for the restroom door to appear. As she passed a door, she caught a glimpse of the librarian and the janitor in an argument. She stopped for a moment, surprised that the librarian could enter a conversation let alone argue with her co-worker. She thought she’d rather lock herself in her house and feed chicks to her nine baby vultures.
She creeped closer and leaned against the door to eavesdrop. It was wrong to listen to elders’ conversations but she was way too curious to resist.
“It has begun Marian; the evil. I can feel it and I’m afraid we ain’t safe anymore. It is so close, yet so far away…” Crazy Charlie in a grim voice.
“Of course it hasn’t. You’ve been feeling that way since this year and nothing has happened, so why now? There’s nothing Charlie, no evil, no nothing” the librarian argued.
“No. This time it’s different…”
“No it’s not…”
“The carnival” he suddenly piped. “The carnival Marian. The carnival.” “What about the carnival?” She asked irritatedly. “It’s waiting patiently…expectantly. It’s going to use the carnival to act.”
“Charlie…”
“Why are you denying it? I know you can feel it, but you’re hiding it well Marian…”
“I’m not!” She hissed. Painful silence settled in the room as the two glared at each other. Moments later, the librarian sighed, “I can feel it. But I don’t think it will claim lives this time…”
Claim lives? Evil? What the hell is going on here? What evil were they talking about, and did they relate it to the carnival? What are they really hiding?
She blocked her thoughts and listened.
“… the moon. No it won’t be a blood moon this year so she will be safe…for now” the librarian said.
She?
Growling in anger, the janitor shouted, “even if it wasn’t a goddamn bloody moon, it could still harm Janet’s daughter…”
Wait! I’m Janet’s daughter!
Panicking, Isa stood up quickly and hit her head on the door handle. Then she locked eyes with the librarian and the janitor. Both were shocked to see her and she was horrified to see them. Then she did the only reasonable thing a young teenager like her would’ve done.
She ran.
She ran like the floor was made of hot lava and fire.
She shut the toilet door with a loud bang and leaned against it. She was panting and out of breath. She was also scared and confused and had suddenly lost interest in peeing. Putting her ear to the door, she listened carefully, checking for the sound of footsteps.
Silence…
Good…they didn’t follow.
She walked to the sink and stared at her distraught reflection. Maybe eavesdropping wasn’t the brightest idea, and now, she knew what she wished she didn’t. Isa turned on the faucet and splashed water on her face until her shakiness subsided. She found herself in this situation only because she had to pee.
“Curse you apple juice.”
Minutes later, Isa carefully opened the door and peeked outside. Empty.
Then she ran as fast as her legs could and didn’t stop till she reached the classroom door.
For the rest of the lesson, she was quiet, more absent minded, and all she could think of was the conversation she’d overheard.
What evil was threatening their safety? And the carnival, how is it connected to the carnival? Were their words true or were they having one of their crazy talks?
The bell went off signalling the change of classes. Everyone packed their bags and were leaving the classroom.
“Isabella White, can I see you for a moment?”
Isa stopped at the door. “… sure,” she answered uncertainly. She shut the door and came to stand in front of his desk. She wondered what on earth he wanted with her.
“You weren’t paying attention since you returned to class, is there a problem?” He fixed his steel gaze on her.
She shifted on her feet nervously, “no professor.” “Are you sure?”
“Yes professor.”
“Absolutely?”
“… absolutely professor.”
“Hmm…” he watched her for a while and said, “alright then, if you’re sure nothing’s bothering you, you may leave. Stop being absent minded in class. You might miss out on important information.”
Right. Tests…
“Yes professor. Thank you.”
Turning around, she quickly headed for the door, and left with a pair of grey eyes behind her.