When the clowns placed Mindy, Liv, and Sam inside the RV, they proceeded to separate them. Mindy was handcuffed to the back, Liv was handcuffed in the middle, and the main clown led Sam to the front/stairwell to handcuff her.

As the clown handcuffed Sam, a sense of dread settled within her. The clown's grip tightened as she used both hands to grab Sam's face, drawing her attention with an ominous message. "The Carnival Master will be released at sunrise, and this whole damn place is gonna burn down!" the clown declared with a chilling laugh. Sam's heart raced with fear and confusion as she struggled to comprehend the gravity of the situation. To her horror, the clown's unsettling behavior escalated as she leaned in, licking Sam's face with a disturbing gesture that sent a shiver down her spine.

"Get the FUCK off me!" Sam exclaimed, her voice filled with a mixture of anger and fear as she tried to kick the clown away. However, the clown effortlessly evaded her attempts, skipping away with an unsettling chuckle. 

"Is everybody okay?" Sam asked, her voice filled with concern as she looked toward Mindy and Liv, who were also scanning the RV for any possible means of escape. 

"Yeah, we're handcuffed to an RV with nothing to get out with, we're screwed Sam," Mindy stated with a sense of resignation, acknowledging the seemingly dire situation they found themselves in. Sam, however, chose not to dwell on the negativity, determined to find a solution. She ignored Mindy's comment and instead continued to scan the interior of the RV, searching for anything that could potentially aid in their escape. 

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"We have to help them out somehow, we have to distract them," Chad asserted, his voice filled with determination and concern for his friends, particularly his sister.

"How?" Ethan questioned, his voice tinged with a hint of skepticism. He couldn't see a clear path towards saving their friends or extricating themselves from the precarious situation atop the Ferris wheel.

"All right, you little SHITS! Get over here!" the clown's voice echoed through the air, a mixture of anger and frustration evident in its tone. The urgency in their voice indicated their determination to locate the remaining members of the group. 

"Well, we have to distract them somehow," Chad stated, clutching Blanche tightly in his hand, ready to use it as a potential distraction. However, Ethan attempted to intervene, trying to prevent Chad from throwing the stuffed animal. The two friends engaged in a brief struggle, each holding their ground with conflicting ideas on how to proceed. Chad couldn't understand why Ethan was opposed to using Blanche, while Ethan questioned why Chad couldn't opt for the newspaper instead. The dispute escalated until, in a twist of fate, the stuffed animal slipped from their grasp, flying out of their hands and landing right in front of the approaching clowns. 

"Oh, I got a gift! It's a pony!" the clown exclaimed, their laughter taking on a sinister tone. The two watched in horror as the clown's manic laughter filled the air, fully aware that their attempt at distraction had backfired. Ethan's despair was palpable as he buried his face in his hands, realizing the dire circumstances they were facing. Clowns armed with weapons like bats posed a significant threat, and their chances of escaping unscathed seemed bleak. 

"Let them down now!" the clown bellowed, their command echoing through the air. Ethan's eyes widened in response, snapping out of his momentary despair. 

"Chad, that's us. We're screwed," Ethan uttered, his voice filled with a sense of defeat and resignation. The weight of the situation bore heavily upon him, eroding the hope he had previously held. 

"Don't lose hope, we've got Hobbs and Shaw," Chad proclaimed, his voice filled with determination as he tried to muster a sense of bravery. He aimed to project strength and instill confidence. However, Ethan couldn't find solace or hope in Chad's words. 

"As much as I love Hobbs and Shaw, well, they're cool, but still, as much as your big, strong muscles can beat up probably anyone, they're clowns with weapons. Anybody with a weapon, Or who is a-" Ethan's words were abruptly cut off as the Ferris Wheel suddenly began to descend, moving closer to the menacing clown below. 

"I want to taste you!" the clown's unsettling words echoed through the air, causing both Ethan and Chad to cringe.

"No thanks," Ethan replied.

"I'm not into whatever you're into. Like good for you though," Chad stated, his voice tinged with a mixture of indifference and mild disdain. His response displayed a clear boundary between himself and the clown's twisted desires, asserting that he had no interest in engaging with such disturbing inclinations. Ethan glanced at Chad, his expression a blend of confusion and mild judgment, silently questioning his friend's choice of words. Chad simply shrugged in response, offering a nonchalant "What?" and "I don't know" expression, suggesting that he was simply going with the flow in the face of the surreal and unpredictable situation they found themselves in.

As they made their way down from the Ferris Wheel, Ethan and Chad decided to stall for time, using a deliberate slowness to their advantage. This strategic approach allowed them to buy a few precious moments while Calliope, appearing seemingly out of nowhere, intervened. Armed with a crowbar, she swiftly and skillfully attacked the clown, delivering calculated blows to its legs, stomach, and back. The savage assault temporarily incapacitated the clown, providing Ethan and Chad with an opportunity to escape. They cheered in relief and excitement as they exited the ride.

As the small group sprinted towards a nearby striped tent, their hearts pounding with adrenaline, they found temporary sanctuary within its confines. They quickly closed the flap behind them. Gratitude and relief washed over them as they turned to Calliope, expressing their thanks repeatedly for her heroic intervention. Calliope, visibly catching her breath. 

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Liv asks, "Do you guys have numbers on your lock?"

"Yeah, I need four numbers. What about you, Sam?" Mindy inquired, her gaze shifting towards the lock on her own handcuffs.

"I don't have numbers on mine," Sam stated.

"I have numbers. Do you have, like, a key or something?" Mindy asked Sam. She nodded in response to the mention of a key. 

"Wait, I see a note, guys," Sam exclaimed, her eyes lighting up with a glimmer of hope. She maneuvered her leg skillfully, reaching for the note that was tantalizingly out of reach. With a determined effort, she managed to dislodge the note, causing it to fall into her lap.

Realizing that her hands were occupied and unable to read the note herself, Sam devised a clever solution. Using her shoes, she carefully passed the note to Liv, who had offered to read it aloud to the group. Liv, eager to contribute and support her friends, took hold of the note and began examining its contents. 

Liv reads out the code for Lock One which is "October, Soda, Smoke" and for Lock Two which is "Milk, Life, Delicates."

"October is the calendar, which is 13! Soda is soda cans, and I have 6 around me, so 6! And Smoke... What is Smoke like? Cigarettes?" Liv pondered.

"No! Obviously, the candles beside the soda can," Mindy interjected, her voice filled with certainty as she pointed out the connection. Liv hesitated, torn between her initial assumption and Mindy's suggestion. She didn't want to listen to Mindy, she wanted to do it herself.

"Wait, Liv, you might be right. I see some cigarettes up here, there are 7," Sam exclaimed, directing her words specifically to Liv. But Liv's lock remained stubbornly resistant. It was Mindy who, upon hearing Sam's revelation, decided to give it a try. As she inserted the combination into her lock, a wave of relief washed over her as it clicked open, setting her free.

"Holy crap, it was mine," Mindy exclaimed, a mix of disbelief and relief evident in her voice. 

"Okay, Liv, tell me again what we need for the second lock," Mindy demanded, her determination shining through. Liv complied, reading the note once more, reminding Mindy of the clues they had to decipher: Milk, Life, and Delicates.

In detective mode, Mindy entered the refrigerator in search of milk. To her satisfaction, she found three bottles of milk inside. She relayed this information to the group, indicating that the first number in the combination was "3." With the first clue successfully deciphered.

Mindy's gaze swept across the room, searching for anything related to "Life." Her eyes landed on a peculiar clown magazine, displaying the number "17." Intrigued, she shared her discovery with the group, deducing that the second number of the combination was "17."

With two numbers unveiled, Mindy turned her attention to the final clue, "Delicates." As a woman, she was no stranger to delicate clothing items. She rummaged through the surroundings until her eyes fell upon a pile of underwear nearby. 

Mindy's suggestion to try "2" as the final number in the combination lock filled the group with hope. However, as Liv turned the dial to "2" and attempted to unlock her handcuffs once more, the lock remained stubbornly sealed. 

"It has to be panties, right? There is nothing else delicate in here," Mindy says, but an idea pops into Liv's head.

"Wait, Mindy, look around for some more. You're basically a lady tracker so you have to find it" Liv says, which makes Mindy turn to her with a 'Are you serious' look.

"You mean a lesbian?" Mindy questions her.

"Yeah, aren't those the same?" Liv says, which makes Mindy give her a disappointed look.

"You'll probably die before all of us," Mindy says before looking for some more women's underwear. Liv has an offended look on her face, clearly hurt. "What did I do?" Liv asks in confusion.

Mindy looks around everywhere in her area before opening a cabinet that reveals more panties. "I found more, guys!" Mindy says, putting the panties together with the others.

"How many more did you find?" Liv asks, trying to see how many panties Mindy had found.

"I found 3 more, so the number is 5," Mindy says. Liv tries to input the number, and "CLICK!" she hears the lock open. Liv excitedly exits her seat and tries to high-five Mindy, who ignores it. Liv puts her hand down, feeling a bit disappointed.

"Yeah, guys, I appreciate the happy moment, but I still need some help over here," Sam says, grabbing their attention and emphasizing the need for assistance to save Sam.

"Okay, how do we free you exactly?" Liv asks.

"I don't know, just look around the RV," Sam says as the two girls follow her instructions, searching for something that could help her escape.

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The clowns were now gathered around the other group who were still stuck in the arcade.

"What the heck is going on?" Anika asks as the group walks around, trying to process what just happened.

"Like, his mom literally just got thrown off a building," Quinn says, pointing to Mortimer, who is stressing out on the couch.

"Yeah, Are you okay, dude?" Wes asks Mortimer

"They got you, friends," Mortimer says, trying to deflect the question.

"But what about your mom?" Amber says, which makes Mortimer pause, rethinking what just happened to his mom.

"I mean, my mom was a fighter. She wouldn't want me to give up on whatever is going on," Mortimer says, standing up and trying to put on a tough act.

"But this thing is one of the carnival master's artifacts. I didn't realize it until you opened it, but ... he's been using this to corrupt this town, I mean, for years. My mom always pretended it wasn't happening," Mortimer explains while holding the jack-in-the-box before putting it back down in its original place.

"Do you know how to save our friends? I need to save my sister," Tara asks, her mind filled with prayers for Sam's safety and well-being, but she knows they can't rely on that forever without taking action.

"Well, this is the clowns' hangout," Mortimer says, observing the surroundings.

"Well then, let's look for something to help the others, and probably ourselves," Amber says. The group quickly agrees and begins searching the area for any helpful items.

While looking around, Quinn finds a box with the letters R, B, G, and Y on it, clearly indicating red, blue, green, and yellow.

"Guys! Over here," Quinn says, waving the group over to analyze the box right in front of her. It didn't have anything else on it that stood out.

Tara presents a proposal to the group, suggesting that they should locate an object that bears semblance to the box in question. This item could potentially prove to be beneficial in their endeavors.

The group spreads out, searching for something that matches the box. Some try playing games, hoping a clue will emerge. Others investigate potential hiding spots for clues. Meanwhile, Tara discovers a pinball machine with the exact same letters on it.

"I found the letters again, but I don't know how to start this thing," Tara says, pointing to the pinball machine.

"Guys, it says on this piece of paper that scores get erased at the end of the day. What does that mean?" Anika says, examining a piece of paper pinned to the corkboard.

"Uh, we can erase the scoreboards, and something will pop up," Wes points out. Amber crouches down to the scoreboard and begins erasing it. As she does, she notices there's a word still left on it.

"They is a word on here that isn't going away," Amber says standing back up

"That's probably a clue. Let's try erasing the other scoreboards," Tara suggests.

Each person in the group takes turns erasing the scoreboards, revealing words that, when put together, read 'Tap six times on the glass.' Tara follows the instructions and taps the glass six times. As she does, the pinball machine turns on and lights up.

When the pinball machine turned on, each person took turns trying to hit a letter. With persistence and Amber's impressive accuracy, they successfully managed to hit all the letters, causing them to fall into the box. It took some time, but they achieved their goal.

As they finish hitting all the letters, they hear a click and quickly rush over to the box. They eagerly open it, revealing a letter adorned with words and pictures. The message reads, "To restore the Jack-is-Dead-In-the-Box, its evil parts must be replaced. They're not easily found, but once exchanged, the clowns will laugh no more."

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While looking back at the newspaper and reading it, Ethan notices that there are Joker hats repeatedly appearing throughout the pages—four of them, to be precise.

"Maybe we have to find four Joker hats that are hidden around this tent," Ethan suggests.

As they search around the tent, rummaging through boxes and cabinets, they only find random items scattered about. Until Chad, in his search, is about to rip a pillow apart in his eagerness to find the hat.

Ethan quickly stops Chad, noticing the Joker hat resting on top of the pillow instead of being hidden inside it. "Chad, turn the pillow around," Ethan instructs, and Chad obediently follows, revealing the Joker hat that was cleverly placed on the backside of the pillow.

"Oh, wait, so they're hidden on objects, not in objects," Chad realizes, setting the pillow down.

Ethan nods in agreement, and both he and Chad continue their search. Eventually, Ethan stumbles upon a pinata adorned with the symbol they were seeking. He carefully sets it down, and just as he does, Calliope hands him a bat.

"Ethan, it's time to use your muscles, bud. Smash. That. Pinata," Chad says, giving Ethan a playful pat on the shoulders. Chad then positions himself next to Calliope.

Ethan smiles back at Chad, feeling a boost of confidence, and begins swinging the bat at the pinata. With each strike, he puts his strength into it, determined to break it open. Meanwhile, Chad watches in admiration, impressed by Ethan's surprising strength and skill. Both Chad and Calliope cheer Ethan on, encouraging him to keep going.

With one final powerful swing, Ethan delivers a decisive blow to the pinata before dropping the bat. He swiftly tears the pinata apart, causing the candy to scatter across the ground. Amidst the colorful sweets, Ethan's keen eyes spot a small wooden piece protruding from the candy pile. Curious, he picks it up, realizing it is a significant clue.

Ethan quickly retrieves the pillow that Chad had previously examined and tosses it to him. "You were right, the clue is inside there," Ethan acknowledges. Chad wastes no time and opens the pillow immediately, causing a second wooden piece to fall to the ground. He picks it up, discarding the ripped-apart pillow aside.

"The pieces, the mirror!" Calliope exclaims, pointing to the wooden pieces they were holding and the mirror with missing sections that perfectly matched the ones Ethan and Chad had found.

Excitedly, they rush over to the mirror and place the two wooden pieces they have found onto the corresponding spots. Two lights out of the four on the mirror light up, indicating progress. Realizing they need two more pieces, Ethan swiftly runs off to search the tent once again, while Chad examines the mirror for any additional clues before joining Ethan in the search.

Chad's keen eyes spot another Joker hat sitting atop a box. He opens the box, revealing the third wooden piece. Excitedly, he rushes over to the mirror and places the piece in its designated spot. As he does, a third light illuminates the mirror, indicating their progress. Chad then decides to go back and assist Ethan in searching for the final piece.

As the two search diligently, frustration and anger start to creep in as they are unable to locate the final piece. They wonder where else it could be hidden.

"Where else could it be?" Chad exclaims in frustration, venting his anger by throwing a random box onto the ground. 

"Where else haven't we checked yet? Have we really searched everywhere?" Ethan questions.

"Well, not everywhere..." Chad says, capturing Ethan's intrigue as he tilts his head, curious about Chad's answer.

"Where else could it be?" Ethan repeats, contemplating the possibilities. Chad's eyes settle on an old, neglected toilet, suggesting a potential hiding spot. As Ethan begins to comprehend Chad's implication, a look of disgust crosses his face, but he gathers his resolve and walks over to the toilet, determined to check inside.

Ethan musters his courage and opens the toilet, only to be met with a sight that nearly makes him gag. The stench and repulsiveness overwhelm him and Chad as they quickly retreat, attempting to hold back the urge to vomit.

"That's incredibly gross," Chad manages to say, struggling to maintain his composure and prevent himself from becoming sick.

"I'll keep watch," Calliope volunteers, causing the boys to groan in response. "Oh, now she wants to keep watch," Ethan remarks, expressing his frustration. Ethan and Chad exchange glances, realizing that one of them will have to muster the courage to search for the next clue in that repulsive toilet.

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After a lengthy period of time, Mindy and Liv manage to decipher that combining all the numbers revealed the code to open the box containing the key to free Sam. They walk over to Sam and skillfully unlock her from the handcuffs, offering a helping hand to help her up.

As they assist Sam to her feet, their attention is drawn to a journal covered in scribbled words, emanating a threatening aura. Curiosity piqued, Sam reaches out and takes hold of the journal, proceeding to read its contents aloud. "When the sun rises, my summoning ritual will be complete. And the sacrifices I have made will have been worth it. The corrupted artifacts have given me the power I needed to transform the people of this town into vessels worthy of being consumed by the cursed god," Sam reads. After reciting the words, she sets the journal down, allowing the weight of the ominous message to settle among the group.

"That's what the weird lady meant when she was talking about the Jack-in-the-box," Liv points out, a wave of realization washing over the group. 

"Maybe if we gather the remaining artifacts and the Jack-in-the-box, we can find a way to stop this from happening," Sam puts together.

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"So, we have to replace the spring, the turning mechanism, the small keys, and possibly even the figurine or 'Jack' inside the box," Amber recaps, summarizing the components they need to restore the Jack-in-the-box. Amber and Tara hold up the items they have found so far, visualizing the pieces needed for the restoration process.

"So, it means we have to leave this arcade, and perhaps we can help free the others in the process," Tara suggests, placing the pieces down on a table. She looks back at the group, realizing that they are not fond of the idea, despite it being their only option.

"That is our only option," Quinn states.

"Well then, just hold onto this," Mortimer says, handing the note to Tara, "and I'll hold onto the box." Tara hesitates, not fully trusting Mortimer yet, despite the tragic loss of his mother. She is uncertain about his motives and the level of trust they can place in him.

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Chad and Ethan reluctantly agree that both of them should search inside the disgusting mess for the missing piece. They cautiously reach into the gooey mess, trying to avoid direct contact, but the repulsive texture and smell make them gag with each touch. Despite their best efforts, finding the piece becomes a challenging and unpleasant task. Calliope watching in disgust on the side lucky she didn't have to do that.

After a persistent search, Chad's fingers come across a hard texture within the mess. He carefully retrieves it, revealing the missing piece. Excitedly, he starts to make his way toward the mirror, but in his haste, he unintentionally smears some of the gooey substance onto Ethan's outfit. Realizing what happened, Chad mutters a few curse words under his breath while hurriedly attempting to remove the mess from Ethan's clothing.

"Chad just gets the piece on the mirror before I murder you in this tent," Ethan mutters through clenched teeth. Chad, understanding the urgency, swiftly places the last piece on the mirror, causing the final light to illuminate. Suddenly, a cabinet opens, revealing a note and a key inside.

Chad pulls out the note and key before putting it down on the mirror table so he can find something he and Ethan can clean their hands off with.

Chad carefully retrieves the note and key from the open cabinet. Recognizing the need to clean their hands, he places the items down on the mirror table and begins searching the area for something he and Ethan can use to clean themselves. 

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Sam tightly grips the bat in her hand, prepared for a fight, while Liv stands by the RV door, ready to open it. It seems that Sam's plan is to confront the clowns head-on and attempt to make their escape. 

Although everyone seemed hesitant, they decided to give the plan a shot. Liv counted down from three before opening the door. The clown almost grabbed her, but Sam swiftly hit the clown to protect her. Sam instructed Liv and Mindy to try to escape the RV, but unfortunately, they were caught along with Sam.

The group inside the arcade is startled by the sound of screams coming from outside. Anika rushes to the window to take a peek, and her eyes widen as she sees Sam, Mindy, and Liv.

"Guys it's Sam, Mindy, and Liv," Anika says before letting go of the window.

"Are you serious!?" Amber asks.

"We have to do this, guys. We have to save them. It's now or never," Tara declares, her voice filled with determination. 

With one last exchange of glances, the group unites in a shared determination. They swiftly make their way toward the door and run out, accompanied by Mortimer. However, unbeknownst to them, the clowns lie in wait, strategically positioning themselves to catch the group off guard. Unfortunately, their plan is unsuccessful, and the clowns manage to capture each member of the group, leaving only Mortimer unaccounted and not around. The unexpected turn of events leaves them all in a state of shock and uncertainty.

The clowns efficiently tie up both groups, securing them to the Carousel. Ethan and Chad, having successfully cleaned their hands, emerge from the tent only to be met with the sight of the menacing clowns. Filled with fear and panic, they quickly turn and run, their hearts pounding in their chests. Meanwhile, one of the clowns ruthlessly beats up Calliope, adding to the distress and horror unfolding before their eyes. 

Despite their best efforts, Ethan and Chad's attempts to run and hide prove futile as the clowns swiftly capture them. Helpless, they too are tied to the Carousel, joining the rest of the group in their restrained state. The clowns taunt and laugh mockingly, reveling in the despair of the captured group, who can do nothing but watch, their hope dwindling with each passing moment.

"We want our box back, you filthy cretin," the clown says, directed specifically at Samantha.

"Well, we don't have it," Samantha defended herself.

"You stole it from us!" The clown explains.

"Which one of you has the box?" Samantha inquires, attempting to face the group. She searches every member, looking for any indication of the elusive box. However, some members inform her that Mortimer has taken it with him.

"We're going to roll our dice of death, and whoever's number comes up, I'll gut them. I'll gut them right here in front of your friends!" the clown shouts, her voice laced with sadistic delight, as she points menacingly at the group with her knife. 

"Unless, unless Luke rolls a 12. And then I'll let one of you go," the clown declares, motioning towards another clown who holds the dice. 

"You feeling lucky?" the clown taunts, a sinister grin on their face. Without warning, they press a button, causing the carousel to start moving, intensifying the screams and panic of the captive group. The clown rolls the dice, and as they come to a stop, the number 8 is revealed. 

As the clown points and walks closer to Tara, she finds herself consumed by overwhelming fear and despair, her screams and tears echoing in the air while she shook her head no. The pleas from her friends intensify, with Sam desperately pleading for Tara's life to be spared. The clowns inch closer and closer, their menacing presence creating a chilling atmosphere. Tara closes her eyes, bracing herself for what she believes to be her imminent death. Then....a body falls to the ground which makes the group scream.

(Author Note: I actually like this chapter more than the last one, not because of the Chethan moments only. But did Tara drop dead to the ground or was it somebody else....)