June 21, 2034

"Step right up step right up and see the amazing Merlin the Magician!"

"Woah that looks amazing sweetheart. Should we go check it out!"

"Mom I'm not six anymore."

"Ok well then I guess you won't wanna see the acrobats then?"

"Acrobats!" I exclaimed in excitement. The emotion of distaste completely diminished at the mention of that which I admired.

"Oh why the sudden enthusiasm Jimin. I thought you weren't six anymore?" She mocked with a glint of mischief in her sparkly gunmetal grey eyes. She added air quotes to further emphasize her point.

"What game are you playing woman?" I smiled while playfully pointing my finger at her.

"I'm not playing games." she held her arms up in defence while heading to the popcorn stand.

"Are you positive?"

"Yes. But even if I was it's not like you would win anyway," she remarked in a cocky tone. She never fails to amaze me.

"Whatever mom let's go get seats cause I don't wanna miss anything else!" I grabbed her hand and rushed into the direction of the main tent at the Carnival.

It easily stood out because it was larger than every other and it was adorned with so many colourful lights.

"Sweetheart. Jimin slow down"

As soon as we entered the tent after getting out tickets they announced the arrival of the acrobats.

"We're just in time mom look,"

The crowd was filled with anticipation and buzzing with excitement.
It's just the thrill of seeing them flip so gracefully through the air, all eyes on them as they perform stunts you could only dream of. And to see all that taking place before your very eyes was breathtaking.

The music filled my ears and sent me into another world with my eyes trained on their flexible figures.

"That could be you one day," she said, trying to speak above the noise level of the scores of people inside the tent.

"You really think so?"

"Of course Jimin. I've also seen you dance and I'm impressed,"

"You're just saying that cause you're my mom."

"I'm saying it as an admirer and future manager. And if not I'm your number one fan" I placed my head on her shoulder and she ran her fingers through my hair.

"I love you mom"

"I love me too"

"What?"

"I'm just kidding Minnie. I love you too. You're the keeper of my heart"
With smiles etched into our faces and our fingers interwoven as we watched the rest of the performance. We joined the audience's applause after the performance came to an end then left for some fresh air and refreshments before the tightrope act.

"Hey mom look at this!" I squealed.

"Oh that's beautiful Jimin. Would you like me to purchase it?"

"Oh no mom it's too expensive"

"Oh hush. If that's what you want then that's what I'm getting you"

"Thank you mom"

____________

"Now ladies and gentlemen without further ado let us welcome Triggo and his amazing tightrope act!"

The applause rang throughout the tent as the announcer left, giving way for the tightrope walker to begin.

He was juggling multiple balls and balancing his weight on the rope. It was incredible to say the least. How he played with the laws of physics and gave us quite a show sure to leave us with burning questions during and after his act.

In the midst of all the excitement we never expected anything to go wrong as accidents were rare; in this case there should be no room for err with lives on the line. It just wasn't supposed to happen, but that didn't stop it from doing so.

In the middle of his performance he stopped juggling. One by one the colourful assortment of balls hit the concrete, bouncing away to wherever. Something just wasn't right. Most people would think it's part of the show, but It would take a sharp mind to discern the fact that the performer wasn't himself.
While staring through the small triangular shaped hole in the tent he deliberately jumped off the rope and landed on the concrete with his body in an awkward position, a pool of blood slowly surrounding his motionless figure.

He was dead

And right after countless others in the crowd faced the same fate in the same fashion.
Screams echoed through the tent as the fear clouded the air creating chaos while they rushed out of the tent away from the obtrusive sight.

My mother and I were among the first to leave, finding our way in the car and on the road back home.

"Mom this is crazy,"

"I know sweetheart I'm just as shaken up as you are, but we'll be fine," she voiced as she looked at me through the mirror.

"MOM LOOK OUT!" I screamed, but it was too late. We were already flipping through the air; the car getting severely dented and glass shattering without warning.

The ringing in my ears was almost deafening until I lost consciousness and the darkness consumed me.

Jolting from my rest I found myself in a house. The windows were closed and every place where the sunlight would touch was heavily covered.

"Hey hey calm down kid it's ok you're safe" I didn't know this person. I didn't even know where I was so safety was something far from my mind at this point.

"Where is my mother. What did you do to her?"

"I'm sorry kid, but you're mom didn't make it. She lost too much blood from her head wound. You were barely breathing when we found you. You're lucky Bonnie is a doctor"

My mom is... dead?

"No that can't be we were just at the Carnival and then she- we drove. Oh my god"

The bitter truth left a bad taste in my mouth and it was hard to swallow.

"She's gone,"