Chapter One - Ethan Hernandez & Jason Havelock
THE LIGHTS OF the carnival blurred against the crisp autumn evening. Colors kaleidoscoped as the motion of the Ferris wheel ascended. Leaning back in the rickety seat, Ethan Hernandez traced lines of the glow with his eyes. The cool breeze ruffled his wavy black hair as the Ferris wheel car neared its apex, the looming university bell tower was visible in the distance. He closed his eyes for a moment taking a mental picture.
“You okay? You’ve been kind of quiet tonight?” Jason said nudging him gently.
Ethan opened his eyes turning to meet Jason’s. In the flickering light of the carnival below, Jason’s auburn hair caught an angelic glow, freckles dotting his concerned face.
“I’m good,” Ethan replied. “Just a lot on my mind.”
Jason Havelock smiled weakly, “Don’t clam up on me now, you know I’m allergic to shellfish.”
Grabbing Ethan around his shoulder, Jason pulled him closer. He felt Ethan lean in towards him, the faint zest of his green apple shampoo roused Jason’s senses.
Ethan chuckled lightly, though the sound was anything but convincing. Something heavy settled in Ethan’s chest. “I know. Sorry to be a downer. I really am enjoying myself. The masked killer with the chainsaw in the corn maze must have given me the jitters.”
“You’re not a downer, I still have the heebie-jeebies from that corn maze,” Jason said tiling his head. His blue eyes narrowed slightly, “Besides you’re kind of my favorite person, even if you are a moody little hurricane.”
This time Ethan’s laugh was genuine, he nestled furthered into Jason’s shoulder. He took a breath and tried to relax. The Ferris wheel creaked as it came to a stop at the top giving them a clear view of the twinkling carnival lights below and the tree line of the campus beyond that. There was a scent of fried dough and caramel apples in the air, sounds of students laughing and music playing.
“Look at that,” Jason said gesturing at the sprawling lights. “Feels like midterms are months away.”
Ethan’s gaze followed, taking it all in. The heaviness in his chest eased slightly. “Yeah,” he murmured. “It does.”
Jason turned to him, his expression soft. “You know I —”
A loud metallic screech cut him off. The Ferris wheel rocked violently, the sudden motion nearly throwing them forward. Ethan grabbed for the edge of the seat as his heart pounded in his chest.Fear and adrenaline clawed through him cold and primal.
“What the hell?” Jason said, instinctively grabbing Ethan to steady him. The carnival lights below flickered as panicked voices rose from the ground.
Another violent shudder coursed through the Ferris wheel, jolting hard making Ethan’s stomach drop. Their seat tilted at a sickening angle, giving them an unobstructed view of the ground far below— too far below. The machine groaned in protest, its rusted gears grinding and shrieking sounding ready to snap. The gondola swayed wildly on its hinges, the metal creaking and groaning with each unnerving jerk of the Ferris wheel. The swing threatened to send Ethan and Jason tumbling out to the ground.
Ethan’s head swam as hot sticky oil erupted in his stomach. Then, a jolt of adrenaline sent a sharp spike of pain through his temples.“I— Jason, I don’t feel—” Ethan started, but words failed as a piercing migraine tore through his skull. A vice-like grip tightened around his brain sending waves of nauseating pain through him. He clutched his head, his legs became jelly.
“Ethan!” Jason’s voice cracked with urgency, he placed his hand on Ethan’s shoulder trying to steady him. “Look at me. Look at me, Ethan. Breathe. It’s going to be okay. We are going to get down from here.”
Ethan’s breathing shallowed, coming in quick jagged gasps. The migraine blossomed in his head sending exquisite pain through his entire body. He felt his nervous system light up with fire.
Again, the gondola of the Ferris wheel jerked violently as Ethan’s stomach lurched.
Tightening his hold, Jason whispered, “Ethan, focus on me. Just me. Breathe, okay? In and out. In and out. You’re safe.”
Ethan’s eyes fluttered open, meeting Jason’s steady gaze. The voices dulled slightly, as he focused on Jason’s voice. Ethan nodded tentatively, forcing himself to take a slow deep inhalation.
The carnival crew scrambled below working furiously to stop the ride. Their shouts were barely audible over the grinding metal. With a groan, the Ferris wheel slowed, and the jerky movement settled into an uneasy stasis.
Jason kept Ethan close as the wheel lurched back into motion, descending slowly. “We’re almost to the ground, just keep deep breathing.” His voice was soft but steady. “I’ve got you.”
Ethan nodded, breathing unevenly. As they reached the ground, his headache dulled to a hum yet the whispers of the pain ebbed at the edge of his mind.
They stepped off the Ferris wheel, and Jason pulled Ethan close, keeping a protective arm around him.
The ride operator ran towards them, “Are you okay?”
Jason shot him a dark look, saying nothing. Instead, he guided Ethan down the platform and past the growing crow of carnival goers. The crew swarmed around the ride as another attendant corralled the linger crowd to step back, a few of them with their phones out recording video.
Jason pulled Ethan through the commotion, his jaw tight with concern. “We’re going home,” he said.
Ethan didn’t protest as the noise of the carnival faded. He felt a flicker of gratitude for Jason’s steady presence. Yet something lingered inside of him. Something terrible had just happened. He could feel it.