The distorted carnival music grew louder, accompanied by the occasional flicker of the lights. The air around the group felt heavier, and the shadows seemed to move on their own.

"Okay, new plan," Sungho said, his voice strained. "We find the exit. Immediately."

"If there even is one," Taesan muttered, his usual bravado replaced with unease.

"Don't say that!" Jaehyun hissed, still clutching Leehan's arm.

"Calm down, everyone," Arim said, stepping forward. Despite the fear in her eyes, her voice was firm. "We'll get out of here. Together."

Riwoo glanced at her, surprised by her sudden confidence. "Got a plan, fearless leader?"

"Not exactly," she admitted, "but that man said time was running out. We can't just wait around for something worse to happen."

"Something worse than a moving clown statue?" Jaehyun muttered, his voice high-pitched.

"We need to head for the Ferris wheel," Arim continued, ignoring him. "It's the tallest structure here. If we can climb it, we might see the way out."

"That's insane," Woonhak said.

"Do you have a better idea?" Riwoo asked, his eyebrows raised.

Woonhak fell silent.

"Thought so," Riwoo continued, "Let's move."

𝜗𝜚⋆₊˚

The group made their way towards the Ferris wheel, sticking close together. The once-vibrant carnival now felt like a twisted maze, the air filled with faint whispers.

"Are you hearing that?" Sungho asked, glancing over his shoulder.

"Nope," Jaehyun said quickly, "Not hearing anything. Not seeing anything. Not thinking about anything."

"Denial's a good look on you," Taesan mumbled.

They reached the Ferris wheel, its rusted frame looming ominously above them. The lights flickered weakly, casting long shadows across the ground.

"Who's going up?" Leehan asked, his voice trembling slightly.

"I will," Arim said immediately.

"Not alone," Riwoo said. "I'm coming with you

"Why?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Because someone needs to make sure you don't fall off," he replied, his tone light but his expression serious.

Arim hesitated but nodded. "Fine. Let's go."

The others stayed behind, their eyes darting nervously around the carnival.

"If anything moves, scream," Taesan said.

"Don't worry," Jaehyun muttered. "I'm way ahead of you."

𝜗𝜚⋆₊˚

Arim and Riwoo climbed into one of the creaking Ferris wheel cars. As it ascended, the view of the carnival spread out below them.

"See anything?" Riwoo asked, leaning out slightly to get a better look.

Arim squinted, scanning the area. "There!" She pointed towards a faint glow in the distance. "That might be the exit."

Riwoo followed her gaze. "It's worth a shot."

When they were still trying to focus, the Ferris wheel jerked suddenly. Arim lost her balance but Riwoo was quick enough to grab her arm, steadying her.

"Careful," he said softly, his grip firm.

Arim's heart skipped a beat. "Thanks," she murmured, her cheeks warming despite the eerie surroundings.

"You don't have to thank me," Riwoo replied, his gaze lingering on her. "I told you, I've got your back."

For a moment, the terror around them faded, replaced by the quiet hum of something unspoken...

The Ferris wheel jolted again, snapping them back to reality.

"Time to move," Riwoo said, his voice now edged with urgency. "We've got what we need. Let's go."

The two climbed out of the car, and without hesitation, Riwoo reached for Arim's hand.

"Hold on tight," he said. "We're jumping."

Arim looked at him, startled. "Are you serious?"

"Do you trust me?" he asked, his eyes locked on hers.

After a moment's hesitation, Arim nodded. "I do."

With a deep breath, they jumped, landing hard on the ground below.

"You okay?" Riwoo asked, quickly pulling her up as soon as they landed.

"Yeah," she said, wincing slightly. "Let's find the others."

"Not so fast," he said, brushing some dirt off her shoulder. His hand lingered just a second longer than necessary. "You've got to stop scaring me like that."

Arim smiled faintly. "You're not as fearless as you act, huh?"

"Not when it comes to you," he admitted quietly, a rare vulnerability in his voice.

𝜗𝜚⋆₊˚

The group reunited near the glowing light Arim had spotted from the Ferris wheel. It emanated from a small, ornate gate that seemed completely out of place in the decrepit carnival.

"That has to be it," Leehan said, his voice filled with hope.

"Agreed," Woonhak said. "Let's go."

As they approached the gate, the shadow creatures closed in, their guttural growls growing louder.

"Go!" Riwoo yelled, shoving the others towards the gate.

"What about you?" Arim asked, turning back to him.

"I'll hold them off," he said.

"No way," she said, grabbing his arm, "We're leaving together."

The shadow creatures lunged, but before they could reach the group, the gate emitted a blinding light.

The creatures screeched and dissolved into the darkness as the light engulfed the carnival.

𝜗𝜚⋆₊˚

When the light faded, the group found themselves standing in an empty field. The carnival was gone, everything was gone, replaced by silence and the soft rustling of the wind.

"Is everyone okay?" Arim asked, looking around.

"We're fine," Leehan said, his voice shaky.

"What just happened?" Jaehyun asked, his wide eyes darting around.

"Who cares?" Taesan mouthed with a casual shrug, "We're out. That's all that matters."

Arim turned to Riwoo, her expression soft. "Thanks for everything."

Riwoo smirked, though his eyes betrayed genuine relief. "Anytime. But you owe me dinner after this."

"Deal," Arim said, a small smile breaking through her exhaustion.

As the group began their trek back to civilization, Jaehyun muttered, "Next time, we're staying home and watching movies. No more carnivals. Ever."

"Agreed," the others said in unison, their laughter breaking through the lingering tension.

Arim walked beside Riwoo, her hand brushing against his. He hesitated for a moment before taking it, his touch steady and reassuring. She glanced up at him, surprised, but he only shrugged.

"Just in case you get scared again," he teased.

Arim rolled her eyes but didn't pull away. "Sure, Riwoo. Whatever helps you sleep at night."

As they disappeared into the distance, the faint echo of carnival laughter lingered in the air- just a reminder that some stories never truly end.

The End !