The line into the carnival snaked up the hill. Beatrice and Harper were almost to the gate lined with hanging iron lanterns and a matching fence so tall it hid all but the tops of the tents beyond it when they found Harper's friends. Harper blushed to her roots when she saw Eloise, and the two gave an awkward side hug, the other girl shyly smiling at the taller Harper.

Beatrice smiled, too, in spite of herself. Maybe this wouldn't be so bad?

The middle schoolers chattered, raising their voices to be heard over the loud music and sounds from the carnival. Red and gold fireworks exploded surprisingly close, filling the air with crackles and bright sparks up ahead.

Beatrice flinched with each crack, a headache starting to settle in.

Her anxiety clawed through her stomach and throat, leaving her skin tight and her body buzzing.

They got to the gates, and a worker dressed in plain black pants, a gold silk shirt, and a porcelain mask, stamping Harper's and her friends' hands first.

"Welcome to the Aurum Carnival; may we bring you wonder as you close out the year." Their voice was muffled behind the black and gold painted porcelain, and Beatrice flinched at the iciness of their hands as they took her left hand to press it with the entry stamp.

Memories of the carnival eight years ago flitted through her minds-eye as she looked at the shimmering ink. A small ferris wheel glistened on her hand, and when she glanced up, she caught the eye of the carnival worker.

They looked away first, and Beatrice allowed herself to be pulled forwards with her sister's group of friends, turning back once to see that they had been the last ones admitted to the carnival. The worker had disappeared with the line she could've sworn was behind them. Her head throbbed.

But the wonders of the carnival pulled her in still, urging her in and entrancing her. Fire dancers weaved through the crowd, their hoops of fire arching up into the night sky with each twirl. Colorful rides-- ferris wheels, merry-go-rounds-- peeked between the luminescent tents, and the tents themselves boasted everything from shooting games to fortune tellers, acrobats to magicians, all with their own flair, with their own intrigue.

A magician lured the group in first, dressed in a smart black suit with gold filigree, her tricks spewing cards and light as she moved. Her tight blonde bun reflected the fire from the fire dancers, and, between her hands, sparks flew as she danced around her assistant, both a wave of black and gold fabric, just like the other carnival workers. In a flash, he disappeared, leaving nothing in his place.

The crowd clapped, and Beatrice found herself clapping with them, despite her unease. Harper laughed beside her, pulling on her arm.

"That's amazing!"

"It is!" Beatrice agreed, forcing excitement, but her words were lost in the loud bang as the magician revealed a slithering maroon snake as if from thin air. It hissed and showed its fangs, coiling around her arm. The crowd gasped and jumped back, wary.

Beatrice felt a prickle of fear. This act was familiar. The snake wasn't, but the movements of the magician, the dance, the sparks, her blonde hair-- they rang of a memory or a dream.

The snake swirled around the arm of the magician, bobbing its head as it watched her neck, and Beatrice knew before the rest of the crowd what came next. The snake lunged. One of the children cried out. In a twist, the magician spun, reappearing with blooming roses in all colors between her fingertips. She bowed and presented them to the audience, flinging them into the smoky air.

The crowd rushed for the flowers, and Beatrice startled when she saw Harper catch them before being swallowed by hugs and cheers from her friends. The audience cheered along with them, and the magician gave one last bow, urging them to their next destination.

As the crowd wandered away, Beatrice scanned for her sister, furrowing her brow as she saw the group of friends disperse but without Harper in tow. Looking first to the empty stage, then to the space beside Eloise, Beatrice felt her panic reemerge.

Her sister had disappeared just like the magician's assistant had. Just like Beatrice's best friend, Alice, had eight years before.