(Friday)
(September 8, 2017)
(Attwater Carnival)
(9:00 P.M.)

In the parking lot of the carnival, full of cars, sits a silver Porsche. Sitting in the silver Porsche, are Vanessa and her father. Vanessa sits in the passenger seat, wearing a lace top and dark red skirt. She is currently arguing with her father in the front seat, who is wearing a formal suit. On the radio plays "I Know There's Something Going On" by Frida.

Vanessa: "I'm telling you daddy. I have no idea who would have done this to me!"

Mayor Windemear: "Seriously... Nobody? Come on honey, think... think... Who would send you a note like this?"

Mayor Windemear slams his hands on the wheel. Screaming he says-

Mayor Windemear: "Think goddammit!"

Under stress and pressure, Vanessa screams back at him.

Vanessa: "I'm trying!"

Vanessa buries her face into her hands, trying not to ruin her makeup as she cries in fear and frustration.

Vanessa: "God! I'm so scared... Shouldn't we go to the cops or something daddy?"

Mayor Windemear takes a deep breath in, calming himself down.

This person may threaten to expose my secrets... I can't let a silly prankster get to me. Not now. Not after everything I've worked hard for.

Mayor Windemear: "I'm sorry Vanessa."

He puts his hands on her shoulders, apologetic.

Mayor Windemear: "But look honey, it's going to be alright. Trust me. It's probably just some twisted prank. Don't worry about it."

Mayor Windemear: "Now go, your friends are probably waiting. I'll see you at the carnival later."

Vanessa sniffles as she wipes away her tears from a tissue she kept in her purse.

Vanessa: "I'll take your word daddy."

Vanessa kisses her father on the cheek. She smiles.

Vanessa: "Love you."

Exiting the car, she struts out to the entrance to the carnival. As she leaves, Mayor Windemear begins to tear up.

Mayor Windemear: "Love you too... have fun at the carnival."

Pulling the letter he received earlier in the week out of his pocket, he stares at the bold red words.

"This anniversary is going to be KILLER. It's good to be home, Billy."

Mayor Windemear's face is full of concern. He stares out to see Vanessa walking away. She struts towards a group of girls making their way to the entrance of the carnival. She snaps her fingers.

Vanessa: "Girls, wait up. Polly and Esther!"

Vanessa snaps her fingers. The group of girls girls rush back to Vanessa, like desperate dogs.

Vanessa: "I need you to do me a favor... find me Claire. Her and I need to have a little chat."

_______________________________________________

In another part of the parking lot, is Emma with her red car. In the passenger seat is Allison. As the car stops, Allison smiles at Emma.

Allison: "Thanks again, Emma."

Emma sighs again.

Emma: "It's fine. But seriously, I can't be your chauffeur forever. Have you even applied for any jobs around here?"

Allison seems disappointed and hurt.

Allison: "Emma, I just moved into town. It's only been a week. Please, give me some time to adjust to everything."

Emma rolls her eyes in frustration and scoffs

Emma: "Fine, but it's my house and my rules. You have to pull your own weight. For now, go have fun I guess."

Allison seems confused.

Allison: "Wait, you're not coming?"

Emma shrugs.

Emma: "As much as I'd love some sisterly bonding, I've got more important things to attend to."

Slightly offended, Allison looks Emma in the eyes.

Allison: "More important... than spending time with your sister you haven't seen in 16 years?"

Emma: "Like I said, I'm doing this for mom."

Emma spots two girls, Paige and another girl, outside of the car.

Emma: "Looks like your friends are here anyways. Have fun."

Allison seems unsure, but exits the car anyways. As she exits the car, the girl, who's darker skinned and has braided black hair, runs up and hugs her. Allison seems joyfully surprised.

Allison: "Oh, well hey Cece."

Cece giggles.

Cece: "Hey! Look, I'm just really excited, it looks like I'll be performing after the midnight ceremony!"

Allison looks excited along with Cece.

Allison: "Oh my gosh, that's great!"

Paige: "Isn't it though? It'll be a nice way to top off the carnival."

Paige reaches for her pocket.

Paige: "Speaking of that, here's everybody's tickets."

Paige hands out a ticket to Allison and Cece.

Cece: "Well, are we ready to celebrate Allison's first week in Attwater?"

Cece and Paige glance at Allison. Allison giggles.

Allison: "Sure, let's go have some fun."

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(10:30 P.M.)

Through a dark alley, walks Claire. Outfitted in a blue velvet top, she seems to be searching for something as she wanders through the alley. She keeps her arms by her side, as the atmosphere is very ominous. Music can be heard in the background. Specifically, the song "This Isn't Control" by MS MR is playing. She continues to walk through the alley, taking small and careful steps in her fashionable boots. Almost to the end of the alley, she stops in her steps. Turning around, Claire spots a dark figure in the shadows. She's suspicious of this person, preparing to dash at the sight of them lunging at her. Afraid to approach them, she yells from a distance.

Claire: "Hello? Who's there?"

The dark figure steps out from the shadows.

Vanessa stands at the opposite side of the alley, crossing her arms.

Vanessa: "So, you did get my message."

Claire sighs with relief as she turns around to see her best friend.

Claire: "Well, you wanted me to meet you here.

Claire seems to ponder for a moment. She then forms a puzzled look on her face.

Claire: "Why though?"

Vanessa: "I've been looking for you, Claire. Nice top, by the way."

Vanessa crudely compliments her. She hisses as she approaches Claire in the alley.

Vanessa: "Let's get straight to the point. When were you going to tell me, huh?"

Vanessa's eyes radiate with anger. Claire seems confused as Vanessa angrily approaches her in the alley.

Claire: "Tell you what?"

Vanessa: "Don't be ridiculous Claire. You know what I'm talking about."

Vanessa sneers at Claire as she approaches her in the alley.

Vanessa: "I'll have you know, that I have known for the past TWO years that my clothes have been disappearing. I've always thought it was daddy, secretly donating them to Goodwill or something. I honestly didn't mind because I have soft spot for the needy and deprived."

Vanessa looks disgusted as she looks at Claire.

Vanessa: "But never... in a million years did I think it was my best friend stealing from me."

Claire: "Vanessa I can explain. I-"

Vanessa: "Do you even know how expensive some of these clothes are? Very expensive. Is this all to get back at me? Are you trying to hurt me? Did you set up that little prank at my party to hurt me?"

Claire seems offended at Vanessa's accusation.

Claire: "Okay, I have no idea what prank you're talking about. I was never involved in one."

Vanessa scoffs at her.

Claire: "Listen, I know what I did was wrong. I'll admit I took some clothes from you, but I didn't think with all the clothes that you would-"

Vanessa forcefully slaps Claire right across the face. Claire yelps in surprise. She looks at Vanessa in surprise as she realizes her face is bleeding. Gasping, she attempts to speak to Vanessa. Vanessa stands dominantly over her.

Vanessa: "Save it, bitch. "

Claire is now trying to choke back her tears. Standing her ground, the tears run down her face, and she stares sternly right back at Vanessa.

Vanessa: "I have saved your sorry little ass so many times, and this is how you repay me?"

Vanessa points at Claire's top.

Vanessa: "You are nothing without me. You do realize that, right?"

Claire glares at Vanessa as tears run down her face.

Claire: "You have no idea who I am Vanessa. You've never really cared about me. People like me don't have as much you. And by people, I mean everyone else."

Vanessa growls like a dog at Claire. Sneering, she says-

Vanessa: "And you have no idea who I am either. I can RUIN you, Claire. Without me, you go back to being little loser Claire, and that's exactly what's going to happen. So, I suggest you start planning your funeral right now."

Claire looks disgustingly at Vanessa, her eyes filled with tears.

Claire: "You're a monster, a bully. You don't even care what happens to me. You just like controlling us like we, the entire town, are your puppets."

Vanessa looks at Claire in a pitiful way. The expression isn't honest however.

Vanessa: "Aww darling, this isn't control. I just know what I want and get what I want."

Vanessa smirks as she flips her hair and walks away on her Vanessa struts away on her red high heels. Seeing this, Claire is fueled with betrayal and anger. She clenches her fists, to the point where they begin to bleed.

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(11:45 P.M.)

The carnival is crowded with Attwater residents. Playing on loud speakers is "Celebrate" by Farmdale. Allison is playing on a claw machine, attempting to win a prize. Walking up to her is AJ, with a plate of funnel cake. He taps her shoulder.

AJ: "Bonjour Madame Prescott."

Allison, not expecting AJ, jumps back a bit in surprise. AJ smirks.

Allison: "Oh, hey there! Do you actually know..."

AJ: "Nah, I just wanted to seem impressive."

The two chuckle together.

AJ: "Want some?"

AJ extends his plate of funnel cake out to Allison.
Allison: "I'm fine. Thank you for the offer though."
AJ takes a bite into the funnel cake, amazed by the taste.

AJ: "Wow, you have no idea what you're missing out on though. So, you decided to come out to the carnival?"

Allison chuckles as she continues to play on the claw machine.

Allison: "Yeah, a few friendly faces encouraged me to go."

Allison looks back at Paige and and a darker skinned girl with braided hair named Cece, who are humorously riding on the carousel while taking selfies, smiling.

AJ: "Well, tonight's all about making some new friendly faces. I hope that-"

"Watch out!"

Tyler runs into AJ, knocking the funnel cake onto the ground. AJ grunts, and then sees the funnel cake laying in ruins. Devastation strikes.

AJ: "God, not the funnel cake!"

Tyler is panting, as if he had been sprinting for ages.

Tyler: "Sorry bout that AJ, but it's just funnel cake man..."

AJ sighs, knowing Tyler's intentions weren't to spill his deliciously good funnel cake.

AJ: "I suppose you're right. Hey, what's the matter Ty?"

Tyler is trying to catch his breath.

Tyler: "For reals, have ANY of you seen Vanessa anywhere?"

AJ: "Not a clue Tyler. Hey, why don't you just enjoy the carnival instead of chasing some girl? I could always use someone else besides the "it" crowd to hang out with."

Tyler: "I mean... I guess but..."

Tyler shrugs.

Tyler: "Whatever, its complicated."

Tyler runs off again. He yells to AJ as he leaves.

Tyler: "I'll pay you for the funnel cake some other time!"

AJ yells back, chuckling.

AJ: "You better!"

Allison: "Do you actually mean..."

AJ: "Oh yeah. I don't joke around when it comes to me and food."

Suddenly, the lights begin to dim, and the music dies down. The lights pan to a stage in the center of the carnival. A woman approaches the stage in high heels. Allison seems confused.

Allison: "What's going on?"

AJ seems just as confused as Allison.

AJ: "No idea... first time we've ever had an event like this."

On the stage is Emma, in a black and gold dress. Allison seems taken by surprise.

Allison: "Emma..."

She crosses her arms.

Allison: "And she said she couldn't come to the carnival..."

Emma takes ahold of a microphone in the center of the stage.

Emma: "Good evening everyone. If I could have your attention for a few moments... in a little bit, we're going to be hearing a very special speech from a very special person."

Allison speculates who the special person is.

Allison: "Vanessa?"

AJ: "Nah, probably her dad."

Emma: "Please join me in welcoming our very own town mayor, William Windemear!"

AJ: "Bingo."

The audience claps as Mayor Windemear approaches the stage and picks up the microphone in the center.

Mayor Windemear: "Greetings citizens of Attwater, I'm so proud to be the mayor of this town tonight. Look at us! The committee did a wonderful job putting this carnival together. I think of how this week marks a certain anniversary of an event that may or may have not taken place. Whether it was reality or not, it has brought us together. It has only strengthened our bond as a community. We are a town that has grown exponentially as each year passes by, and we will only continue to grow. I thank you, as your friend and mayor, because you have all contributed so dearly to this town. It truly is great to live in Attwater."

Suddenly confetti explodes all over the area. The enormous clock on top the stage strikes twelve. The crowd applauds.

(Saturday)
(September 9, 2017)

Mayor Windemear: "Now, without further ado, my lovely daughter, Vanessa, would like to share a few words."

The crowd applauds as Mayor Windemear exits the stage, stepping down a staircase. AJ nudges Allison's shoulder.

AJ: "Well, welcome to Attwater."

AJ smiles at Allison.

Suddenly-

*BANG!*

The stage goes pitch black.

Announcer: "Sorry folks, looks like we're having a few technical difficulties. If you would kindly wait..."

*AHHHH!!!*

Confusion arises in the vicinity. People scatter around the carnival with difficulty seeing without any light.

*THUD!*

About thirty seconds later, the lights come back on.
Shrieks and screeches fill the entire area as panic ensures. People run around frantically in horror, eyeing what appears on the stage. Everyone's attention is on the dead center of the stage. What Allison looks at is an unimaginable horror. Allison and AJ gasp in unison.

AJ: "HOLY CRAP..."

Allison: "Oh my god..."

Laying in the middle of the stage is a girl.

Her outfit covered in blood.

In each of her hands, she holds a heart, a red and bloody heart.

The still body of Vanessa Windemear lays on the stage.

Dead.

Vanessa Windemear is dead.

Hello readers! I'm hoping you're loving the book right now! Have a good day and thank you taking the time to read 😸 - Jack Ryan