The surroundings shook, jolting me awake. My head throbbed as I forced my eyes open, squinting from a blinding light. I blinked, my blurry vision gradually clearing as the world slowly came into focus. 

Where am I? 

Feeling the uncomfortable sensation of my skin sticking to the metallic floor, I shifted my body. The hard, cold surface sent a shiver through my spine. 

My gaze darted around the surroundings, taking in the cramped space – steel walls, vibrant paint, and the faint scent of stale popcorn and cotton candy. It hit me–I was lying on the floor of a Ferris wheel compartment, creaking and swaying with the wind.

I shakily sat up, only to feel something sticking to my palm. I turned my head to see what it was. ‘Fuck!’ – it was a chewed-up piece of gum. 

Disgusting.

I gagged, scrapping my hand against the seat. 

Seriously? Why does this stuff always happen to me…?

Pushing the door open, a cold gust of wind stung my face. My hand reached for the seat, leaning on it for support. I shakily stood up as the compartment rocked. I stepped out, causing it to creak behind me. My eyes widened at the view. 

This place…

Empty stalls lined the pavements with flashy vinyl banners swayed in the wind. Bright string lights shone in the dark night. Colorful balloons floated near a row of unmanned carts filled with various snacks. 

Everything about it…reminds me of her. The way her eyes arched when she smiled, the sound of her laugh, her excitement…I miss her. I can’t bear it, living like this, knowing I’ve lost her forever.

The familiar scent of popcorn and candy wafted in the air. Rides stood eerily still, when the distant echo of the carousel’s haunting tune suddenly sounded, playing on a loop.

However, contrary to the lively image this place held in my mind. It felt like there was a presence here, something lurking in the shadows but there wasn’t a single soul in sight. 

I never came back after that day…so why am I here? 

Something cold grabbed my arm while I was lost in my thoughts, yanking me from my daze. A creeping dread washed over me. I whipped my head to discover it was a pale hand with a familiar ring on it.

It can’t be her.

My heart pounded, as I shakily turned my head to look at the owner of the hand.

No.

It was a ghostly pale Caucasian woman with green eyes wearing a loose white dress.

It’s impossible. She’s dead. I saw her die. But what if… no. I must be dreaming. It can’t be. But then, why does it feel so real? 

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My eyes widened as I gasped, my heart racing. ‘Carol?!

Please. Let me wake up from this nightmare before I start to believe it.

The corners of her mouth raised. ‘Let’s go on the Ferris wheel next, dear!’

That smile. I used to love that smile. 

Carol said excitedly, her eyes bright as she pointed in the direction I’d come from.

How? 

I hastily shook off her hand, stepping back as I pushed her away.

She tilted her head with a smile. ‘What’s wrong? Too boring?’

My palms were sweaty as I shakily backed away.

‘Jake?’ Carol asked, blinking hard.

My mind raced. I tried to make sense of what was happening.  

Could it really be…? No.

I stuttered out, pointing at her. ‘W-who are you?!’

She chuckled, the sound echoed in the empty place, raising the hair on the back of my neck.

‘Your wife, of course.’

I frantically shook my head, breathing heavily. ‘My wife died in an accident 5 years ago!’

Because of me.

Carol sighed, gently smiling at me. ‘It’s our tenth anniversary, love. Can’t you go a day without joking around?’ 

I should be happy. I should be relieved. But all I feel is dread. This isn’t my wife. It can’t be. 

She shook her head. ‘We came all this way to celebrate, so don't ruin it, okay?’

I couldn't believe it. I knew she was gone but her touch, her voice, her smile – everything was the same. It felt so…real. As real as the day I lost her.

This is something else. Something wearing her face, using her voice. 

My breath hitched at her words, a tremor running down my hand as I wiped the sweat off my forehead. ‘Nonsense! She died that day! When we were on the way here, she-’

The music suddenly died down.

Carol’s face darkened, her eyes narrowing as she stared at me with a blank expression.

‘So you do remember?’

 The lights started flickering

She came closer until she was inches away from my face. My heart dropped, a chilling dread crept over me. I realized that she had no breath.

I stumbled back but her icy hand firmly held onto my wrist. My breath caught in my throat as my heart pounded.

‘Who-what are you?!’

‘Carol’ laughed out loud, clutching her side. ‘Oh, dear. Don’t act cute. I’m your wife, silly~’

This can’t be real.

I fell backward, my palms grazing against the pavement. She bent down over me. I struggled to make sense of my suspicions, my head was spinning. ‘N-no’, I choked out,

She raised an eyebrow, staring down at me. ‘I’m just here because you seem to have forgotten your promise. That, you would be with me forever, in life and-’

She tilted her head, her lips curling ‘…in death.’

I flinched at the words. ‘Please.’

She held my chin up. ‘I waited. And waited. And waited.’ With each word her smile widened, her teeth sharpening into a monstrous grin. Her reddening eyes bulged as the image of ‘Carol’, my wife, distorted. Blood dripped from her head, the fatal wound that claimed her life. Her eyes turned soulless and gray. ‘But you still didn’t show up’.

Suddenly a searing pain shot up through my chest. I gasped, but the air caught in my throat. I stared at her, unable to scream as I choked, a metallic taste filling my mouth. 

I trembled as I looked down to see that her hand had plunged into my chest, tearing through flesh and bone. 

 This is it. This is where it ends. 

Warm liquid gushed out, soaking my shirt red. The flowing crimson fluid splashed on the ground.

Maybe I deserve this. 

Every nerve in my body screamed in agony as I felt a pressure building in my center. My breath hitched in my throat, struggling to form words. I could feel her hand wriggling about, digging inside my ribcage for something. The world around me slowed, my vision darkening as the strength drained from my body.

Maybe this is the only way to make up for what happened. To pay the price.

I weakly looked up, meeting her cold gaze as I struggled to choke out. ‘I’m…sorry’.

She pulled her hand back, ripping out the crimson organ still pulsing weakly in her hand. Blood splattered across her dress, her pale hands now coated with my lifeblood. 

‘Now we can be together forever.’

She smiled as she squeezed, crushing the organ with a sickening sound. 

A final thought flickered in my mind. 

I’m finally free.

Silence filled the surroundings as the world went dark.

THE END