I couldn't believe I agreed to this.
This ride made no sense.
My stomach twisted even after it ended, the feeling refusing to settle as I stepped off the platform. For a moment, the ground beneath me didn't feel stable. It shifted slightly and subtle, but was enough to make me pause.
I exhaled slowly, pressing my fingers against my temple.
"Remind me why we did that again."
"Because you need to feel alive at least once in your life," Kenny replied instantly, already looking far too proud of himself.
I glanced at him.
He shrugged. "You didn't die. That's a win."
Revin stood a little behind him, watching quietly as always. "Your balance is off," he said, like he was stating a fact rather than asking a question like always.
"I noticed," I muttered.
The ride wasn't the only thing that felt off, and I've been wondering about since we arrived. It's kind of vague in here.
"Come on," Kenny said, turning away before I could think too much about it. "We're getting something to eat."
And I followed without arguing.
I glanced over my shoulder to find shops and cafes with an alluring incense of sweet and spicy smelling foods.
Everything looks so good to resist here. I can see why Kenny is so hung up-on this place.
I saw the caramelized donuts once again, and this time, I knew I had to try them without Kenny's stupid interruptions.
"Let's go have a bite over....there." I said as I guided their eyes towards the donuts.
I hope that sounded natural.
"Yeah we know. I have been observing you for quite some time and boy, you should have seen your face all jittery with excitement and staring the donuts into their poor souls."
Shoot. Even he can be smart sometimes.
"..um..NO, there's no way I was doing that. yeah..."
I hope my face isn't looking all red.
"Man, you're terrible at acting." Kenny scoffed at my face.
" Anyways, I am starving...Let's go." Revin said.
" yeah let's go. The child's hungry, MOTHER."
" You sure know how to piss me off."
"Anytime, V."
" FOLKS! We're closing for the day in 5 minutes. Come grab your goods!" It was an unfamiliar voice coming from the shop.
"wait, did he just said that they were closing?" I aksed.
"It's first come, first serve now V. I'm taking Revin with me to get a hold on those donuts. Try catchin' up buddy."
And here we are.
I envisioned he was up something like this.
" Yeah let's see about tha-"
A shift in air.
There was no clear reason for it. No sound, no movement that stood out.
Something didn't set right.
I think I've felt like this before.
wait...where are Kenny and Revin?!
Dammit! I lost sight of them.
The crowd blurred slightly as I looked past it. Faces passed by without meaning, voices fading into something hollow.
I've never been this anxious before. I know something's coming and I don't recognize it and I think I'm drowning in this heavy crowd and nothing makes sen-
Until I spot someone.
That's when the memories come flooding in like a storm in my mind.
A someone with brown hair flowing down her back and vaguely once-seen hazel eyes and her tanned honey skin glistening in the sun as it set.
"....Aria?"
She looked my way as I called her out.
My hands were shaking and my body trembling.
How could I forget about her? I need to ask her so many things. I really want to. I don't want to be left in the dark. Never again.
So I chased after her.
This time for sure I'll know.