CHAPTER 19


In the kingdom of dreams, where the snores of productivity echoed faintly, Aadaya lay wrapped in her blanket cocoon. The chores and schoolwork had conspired to transform her into a sleep-deprived zombie, granting her rare moments of respite in the afternoon sun. But alas, even the sweetest dreams have a shelf life.

Amidst the symphony of her snores, a disturbance rumbled through the air. The door, apparently tired of its stationary existence, decided to creak open, introducing a new player into the tale. A foot, devoid of sympathy, delivered a swift kick, and Aadaya, the unsuspecting victim, found herself on the floor, tangled in her blanket like a clumsy burrito.

Above her, the villainous trio of Saddie, Desmond, and Chris giggled like mischievous imps. Saddie, with her usual flair for the dramatic, barked, "Rise and shine, oh sleepy sloth!" Her voice had all the charm of a wake-up call from a caffeinated rooster.

In the midst of this chaos, Chris was offering snacks to Desmond, who, in his natural state of perpetual amazement, questioned Aadaya's snack hospitality. "She lets you keep snacks here?" Desmond inquired, eyebrows reaching for the heavens in sheer disbelief.

Chris, munching away, replied with the confidence of someone who knew the snack rules in the house. "Nope, she doesn't," he declared, crumbs flying like rebellious confetti.

With a well-timed glare, Aadaya silenced Chris, a curse passing her lips for him, who shuffled out, dragging Desmond along, both still munching on forbidden snacks.

Aadaya's morning ambitions crumbled as her gaze shifted back to her inviting bed. Her daydreams of extended slumber were promptly interrupted by a cloth being tossed onto her face. She removed it to find her jacket and glanced back at Saddie, who emerged from the closet with an armful of clothes, resembling a particularly disgruntled fashion magician.

Saddie, in a rare display of motherly concern (or just annoyance at Aadaya's perpetual sleepiness), chided, "Come on, Sleeping Beauty, the fair's started, and you're still in your cocoon. Time to join the land of the living!"

Aadaya groaned in theatrical protest, but beneath it all, a smile tugged at her lips. Even in the midst of morning chaos, there was a peculiar comfort in the routine of their shared antics. With a sigh that mixed reluctance and amusement, Aadaya embraced the day, ready to face it with a sprinkle of humor and a dash of sleepy charm.

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Amidst the lively chaos of the fair, Aadaya distanced herself from her energetic friends, attempting to appear entirely unrelated to their sugar-induced antics. Meanwhile, Chris, Desmond, and Marcus bounced around like hyperactive kids, exploring every nook and cranny of the fairgrounds. Their unbridled enthusiasm was palpable.

Just as they settled on their first adventure—a rollercoaster ride that sent shivers down even the bravest spines—Saddie and Desmond wisely decided to make a swift exit. But Aadaya, with a devilish glint in her eye, seized her chance for revenge. Grabbing Saddie's hand, she dragged her towards the ominous queue of the rollercoaster, much to Saddie's dismay.

"You vile creature, this is payback for the ice cream incident, isn't it?" Saddie wailed, her eyes welling up with crocodile tears, her attempts to reason falling on deaf ears. Aadaya, fueled by her mischievous side, pulled Saddie along despite her dramatic attempts to resist. Nearby, Desmond, under Chris's spell, followed like a programmed robot, unable to break free.

The spectacle they created was nothing short of a carnival sideshow. Onlookers gawked as these seemingly alien beings from another planet reveled in their chaos. Saddie's cries grew louder as they approached the dreaded "death ride," a title that did nothing to ease her panic.

In a last-ditch effort to escape, Saddie pleaded, "Aadaya, I beg you! I'll do your office work for an entire year!" She clasped her hands together in desperation. But Aadaya, her mischievous horns firmly in place, paid no heed, signaling the ride attendant to strap her in, holding Saddie's hands in a firm grip.

"A little bravery won't hurt, dear," Aadaya chided, echoing Saddie's own iconic words. Strapped in and ready for the adventure, Aadaya pulled out her phone, but Saddie's panicked plea for no recordings fell on deaf ears. As the ride jolted into motion, Saddie clung to the safety straps with a grip of death, her colorful vocabulary streaming out like a waterfall of fury.

Desmond, not faring any better, had already passed out, his tongue lolling comically. As the ride approached its final, heart-stopping drop, Chris called out, "Guys, look at Almond!" pointing at the slumbering Desmond. Aadaya and Saddie turned, only to find Marcus recording the scene, his laughter infectious.

The ride plummeted, and as Saddie caught sight of her unconscious brother, she screamed, desperately trying to escape her seat belts. "I want off, or I'll end up like him!" she gibbered frantically. Aadaya watched, torn between laughter and concern, as Saddie's attempts to escape were thwarted by the inevitable plunge.

Such were the legendary Satvana cousins—powerful and brave, yet reduced to terrified kittens in the face of amusement park rides. Even the Lord of the Satvana Clan, it seemed, couldn't escape the universal dread of rollercoasters. Truly, fear was the great equalizer, even among the mightiest of vampires.

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In the midst of Saddie's expletive-laden tirade, Chris, ever the protective friend, swiftly covered Marcus's ears, shielding him from the colorful barrage of curses. He winced, caught between amusement and sympathy, watching Saddie's theatrical fury unfold. One friend attempted to stifle her smile, appreciating the spectacle, while the other, not holding back, cursed with a fervor that could make a pirate blush. The air practically vibrated with her imaginative insults.

Glancing to his right, Chris spotted their other friend, the unfortunate Desmond, still sprawled on the ground like a colossal beached whale, mouth wide open, saliva dribbling out ungracefully. He appeared utterly lifeless, his tongue hanging out as if in desperate search of cooler air. Passersby gawked, their faces etched with confusion at this peculiar sight.

With a mix of concern and curiosity, Chris dared to nudge Desmond's body with his foot, the universal gesture of checking if someone was still among the living or had decided to join the realm of the dearly departed. Little did he know that his light prodding would be met with a startling awakening.

Suddenly, Desmond's eyes snapped open, revealing a soulless void that sent shivers down Chris's spine. He lurched to his feet, arms outstretched, embodying the very essence of a classic zombie rise. A guttural groan escaped Desmond's lips, echoing eerily in the fairground ambiance. Chris, caught off guard by this unexpected revival, found himself retreating a few steps, his eyes wide with a mixture of fear and disbelief.

Thus, amidst the chaos of curses, laughter, and zombie-like awakenings, the fair witnessed a spectacle worthy of the grandest carnival attractions. Little did anyone know, this bizarre day out would be etched in their memories as the day the Satvana cousins faced their fears, both real and imaginary, in the most unexpected of ways.

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Aadaya, ever the mischief-maker, attempted to console Saddie as they walked side by side. Unable to contain her laughter, she played the rollercoaster video, each viewing eliciting fresh bouts of hilarity. "Haha, look at this," Aadaya chuckled, seemingly immune to Saddie's lethal glare. Marcus, perched on Aadaya's shoulder, giggled along, his cherubic face flushed with amusement. His infectious laughter echoed through the fairgrounds, a melody of pure joy.

In the midst of their laughter, Marcus, eager to share the amusement, gently turned Aadaya's head to focus on the screen. However, their revelry was interrupted by Desmond's enthusiastic scream as he darted toward a peculiar caterpillar-shaped ride, his post-nap sugar high propelling him forward.

Upon seeing Desmond's excitement, Marcus, now fully caught up in the frenzy, bounced on Aadaya's shoulder. Sensing the impending kid's ride adventure, Aadaya reluctantly put him down, her thoughts already plagued by the imminent loss of her dignity. Saddie, sharing Aadaya's sentiments, moved forward but soon stopped in her tracks, voicing her objections to the childlike ride.

Determined to escape this embarrassment, Aadaya executed a swift U-turn and hid behind a nearby tent, cunningly avoiding the impending kiddie ride. Saddie, obliviously striding ahead, approached her brother, steadfastly refusing the idea of the ride. "Guys, no, I don't think that would be a good idea... Are you all children? Look at that thing," she implored, trying to reason with her companions.

Chris, under the influence of some mischievous magic, took control of Saddie's actions, forcing her towards the ride despite her vehement protests. Saddie's curses echoed through the fairgrounds, her words dripping with frustration. "You fucktard, leave me, asshole," she yelled, her cries ringing out into the distance. In her desperation, she looked back for Aadaya, finding her conspicuously absent.

From her hiding spot, Aadaya winced at Saddie's curses, feeling a pang of guilt for abandoning her friend to her fate. "Sorry, Saddie," she whispered under her breath, her regret a fleeting moment amidst the chaos. Her screams easily heard from the far position Aadaya hide from them, "Aadayaaaaaa, fuckerrrrrrr.....", as she winces from her position.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky in hues of orange and red, the fairground came alive with vibrant lights and the sounds of people enjoying their evening. The stalls, games, and eateries bustled with activity, the air filled with the aroma of various delicacies. The crowd swelled, each passing moment bringing in more people, all eager to experience the enchantment of the fair under the night sky.

A gentle breeze danced through the fairground, caressing the laughter of families enjoying their weekend. Children giggled, and parents shared warm moments, creating an atmosphere of joy and excitement. Unknowingly, a smile graced Aadaya's lips as she observed the happy scene.

The wind playfully tugged at the tent flap where she stood, drawing her attention to a sign that read "MIRROR MAZE." Intrigued, she stepped inside, expecting to find someone managing the attraction. To her surprise, the tent seemed deserted, as if it were an abandoned territory, untouched and silent.

A chill crept over her, making her shiver. Aadaya realized she had given her jacket to Marcus earlier, leaving her Ikanir tattoos exposed to the public eye. A groan of frustration escaped her lips as she scolded herself for the oversight. Ignoring the prying gazes around her, she ventured deeper into the tent, searching for something to dispel her boredom.

The interior grew colder and eerily silent as she turned a corner absentmindedly, only to find herself face-to-face with her own reflection in a mirror. Confusion clouded her features until she comprehended the situation. "Damn, this is a mirror maze," she muttered, frustration evident in her voice. Everywhere she looked, mirrors surrounded her, reflecting her image from different angles and sizes.

Aadaya, realizing she was trapped, tried to call for help, her voice echoing through the maze. "Hello?! Is anyone there? I'm stuck in this mirror maze... please, help me!" Her cries were drowned out by the growing cacophony of the fair.

Desperate, she dialed Saddie's number, hoping to find rescue. Saddie's voice erupted in anger from the other side, barely audible over the noise. "Hey, you fucker! Where are you? You shithead ditched me!" Saddie's frustration added to Aadaya's growing panic.

Aadaya attempted to explain her predicament, but the crowd's noise drowned out her words. Saddie, unable to comprehend her friend's plight, promised to find a quieter place to talk before abruptly ending the call.

Amidst her panic, a distant voice echoed through the maze. "Come on, guys, this will be fun..." Aadaya's heart leaped with hope. "Hey, anyone there? I'm stuck here!" she called out, her voice reverberating in the maze.

As she shouted, her eyes widened in disbelief. There, just ahead of her, Damien stood, his eyes mirroring her shock. He stared directly at her, recognition dawning. Aadaya, her face covered, couldn't hide the glowing Ikanir tattoos that gave away her identity.

Panic seized her as she turned to run, only to collide with a mirror, eliciting a sharp cry of pain. She crumpled to the ground, her head throbbing from the impact, her escape thwarted.

Aadaya's heart raced, and her senses screamed in panic as Damien's voice echoed in her ears, pleading for a chance. He calls her, "Mate, please give me a chance...", making her wolf realise what is happening. The connection with her wolf intensified, its fear mirroring her own. Trembling uncontrollably, she clutched her ears, desperately trying to shut out his words.

In a surge of frantic energy, she sprinted forward, her breaths shallow and rapid. Without thinking, she smashed her fist into the nearest mirror, shattering it into a thousand shards. Adrenaline pumping through her veins, she saw the exit and ran towards it, her hands now covered in blood from the glass fragments.

Behind her, Damien, realizing he had lost her, whispered a desperate plea, "No... Wait..." Ignoring the pleas of his friends, he hurled himself through the broken mirror screens, uncaring of the shards that sliced through his skin.

Aadaya burst out of the tent, her fists crimson with blood. The night enveloped her in its ink-black embrace, devoid of stars, while the fairground lights illuminated the surroundings, casting eerie shadows. Unaware of her own tears mixing with the blood on her cheeks, she sprinted through the dense crowd. Suspicious eyes followed her, but she paid no heed.

The night sky exploded with colorful bursts of fireworks, captivating the onlookers with their brilliance. Under the canopy of exploding lights, Aadaya stood, her heart torn open, shattered into a thousand pieces. The vivid hues of the fireworks painted the sky, but failed to dispel the darkness that consumed her soul.

...to be continued.

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