Donovan followed Raeleen as she navigated the crowded food court, scanning for an empty table.
People chattered and laughed around them, the air thick with the smell of funnel cakes, fried food, and buttered popcorn.
Finally, she found a half-empty picnic table near the main walkway.
She slid into one side, setting down the powdered-sugar-covered dessert between them.
Raeleen (grinning): "Alright, moment of truth. You ever had one of these before?"
Donovan, still feeling the lingering buzz of adrenaline from the ride, shrugged.
Donovan: "Yeah, a couple times. But I don't trust just any funnel cake."
Raeleen arched an eyebrow.
Raeleen: "Oh? You a food critic now?"
Donovan (grinning): "Only when it comes to fried dough."
She rolled her eyes but smirked, tearing off a piece.
As soon as Raeleen took a bite, her eyes widened.
Raeleen: "Oh damn. This slaps."
Donovan chuckled, grabbing a piece for himself.
Donovan (mock serious): "Told you. It's an art form."
Raeleen nudged the plate toward him.
Raeleen: "Since you're the 'expert,' you can have the next bite."
💭 Is she flirting?
Donovan took a piece, carefully avoiding the awkward mistake of touching hands.
They ate in comfortable silence for a moment, the energy between them relaxed but charged.
Raeleen took another bite, eyeing him slyly.
Raeleen: "So. Be honest. You really didn't scream?"
Donovan grinned, leaning back slightly.
Donovan: "Nope."
Raeleen raised an eyebrow.
Raeleen: "Not even a little?"
Donovan: "Nope."
Raeleen: "You just held your breath and suffered in silence?"
Donovan: "It's called strategy."
She laughed, shaking her head.
Raeleen: "Okay, okay. I'll admit-I was impressed. You really didn't scream. But still, that's some weird survival tactic."
Donovan (smirking): "Well, it worked. And now I got a funnel cake out of it."
Raeleen: "Yeah, yeah. Enjoy your victory, Carter."
Donovan grinned.
💭 She remembered my last name? Nice.
👀 Elona Crashes the Moment
Just as Donovan was about to keep the conversation going, a voice cut through the moment.
Elona (dramatic gasp): "OH. MY. GOD."
Donovan's stomach dropped.
💭 No. No no no no-
Elona (grinning, hands on her hips): "Are you on a DATE?!"
Donovan groaned, burying his face in his hands.
Donovan (muttering): "Kill me."
Raeleen, instead of looking annoyed, just smirked.
Raeleen: "Is this your little sister?"
Elona plopped down beside Donovan, grinning like a goblin.
Elona: "Oh, I'm more than his little sister. I'm his biggest fan. And biggest hater."
Raeleen laughed.
Raeleen: "I respect that."
Donovan sighed.
Donovan: "Ignore her. She thrives off my pain."
Elona snatched a piece of the funnel cake.
Elona (mouth full): "Mom and Dad said to come get you."
Donovan blinked.
Donovan: "They saw?"
Elona chewed dramatically, nodding.
Elona (smirking): "Yup. They're talking about grandkids now."
Donovan almost choked.
Raeleen (laughing): "Oh, they're fun."
Donovan reluctantly stood, grabbing what was left of the funnel cake.
As soon as he turned, there they were.
Marco and Aneesa, standing a few feet away, arms crossed, smirking.
Aneesa: "Look at our boy. All grown up."
Marco: "Took him long enough."
Donovan groaned.
Donovan: "Y'all are doing the most."
Raeleen, clearly entertained, leaned toward Elona.
Raeleen: "They like messing with him, huh?"
Elona grinned.
Elona: "Oh, it's my mom's favorite hobby."
Aneesa winked.
Aneesa: "We just wanna make sure our son has game."
Raeleen snorted, giving Donovan a side-eye.
Raeleen: "He's got some."
Donovan cleared his throat, trying not to combust.
Marco (chuckling, patting Donovan's shoulder): "Proud of you, son."
Donovan: "I hate all of you."
As they all turned to leave, Donovan glanced at Raeleen.
💭 Alright. Screw it. Full send.
Donovan: "Hey, uh... you wanna trade numbers?"
Raeleen arched an eyebrow, amused.
Raeleen: "For?"
Donovan: "Funnel cake rematch. Next time, I win."
Raeleen smirked but pulled out her phone.
Raeleen: "Alright. But don't take three days to reply."
She handed it back.
Donovan glanced at his screen.
New Contact Saved: Raeleen 💫
He tried not to grin too hard.
💭 Best. Day. Ever.
As they walked back toward the rides, Donovan was on cloud nine.
Elona, of course, was still making fun of him.
Elona (mock swooning): "Oh, Raeleen, I'll be your funnel cake champion!"
Donovan: "You're so annoying."
Aneesa (laughing): "We raised a smooth operator."
Marco: "More like she let him win."
Donovan (muttering): "I really do hate y'all."
The group moved through the winding pathways of Mount Everwind, heading toward the next ride.
The afternoon sun was warm, casting golden light over the park.
Excited chatter and laughter surrounded them, blending with the sound of distant roller coasters.
Street performers juggled flaming batons near the fountain plaza.
A live band played near a seafood stand, adding to the carefree atmosphere.
For Donovan, this was still the best day ever.
He had Raeleen's number.
His parents were laying off.
Even Elona was too busy devouring the rest of the funnel cake to annoy him-at least for now.
💭 Nothing could ruin this.
Then-a scream tore through the air.
It was the kind of scream that makes people stop mid-step.
Ahead of them, in the middle of the plaza near the massive central fountain, a man collapsed.
He hit the pavement hard, his body convulsing.
Nearby families gasped, stepping back in alarm.
A woman-his wife?-knelt beside him, panic in her voice.
Woman (frantic): "Help! Someone help him!"
For a second, no one moved.
Then, a ripple of motion-people turning, whispering, pulling out their phones.
💭 What the hell?
Donovan and his family slowed their pace, stopping near the edge of the growing crowd.
Elona (nervous): "What's wrong with him?"
Aneesa: "I don't know, baby."
Raeleen (frowning): "Heatstroke?"
It made sense. The guy looked overheated-sweaty, face pale.
But... something was off.
A group of park security officers pushed through the crowd, radios crackling.
Security Guard #1 (firmly): "Everyone, step back! Give him space!"
A second officer knelt beside the man, checking his pulse.
Security Guard #2 (to the woman): "Ma'am, was he feeling sick before this?"
Wife (shaking her head, panicked): "I-I don't know! He was just dizzy earlier, but now-now he's-"
The man's body jerked violently.
Someone in the crowd gasped.
Bystander (whispering): "Is he having a seizure?"
Donovan felt his stomach twist.
Something about the way the guy moved-his limbs stiff and unnatural-felt wrong.
While most people were just watching, Marco was analyzing.
His military instincts had kicked in.
His eyes scanned:
The man's unnatural twitching.
His strange, gurgling breaths.
The slight foam at the edge of his mouth.
Then Marco noticed something no one else had.
The guy's fingernails were cracked.
His lips were tinged blue.
His eyes... were slightly cloudy.
Marco's jaw tightened.
💭 This isn't just heatstroke.
Even Donovan, who wasn't nearly as observant as his dad, felt it.
💭 Something's not right.
He looked around at the other people in the plaza.
That's when he saw it-other guests were watching the scene nervously, but a few... looked sick.
A teen girl near a snack cart sneezed hard, rubbing her temples.
A dad sat on a bench, gripping his head like he had a migraine.
A little boy clung to his mom's leg, his face pale and sweaty.
Donovan's stomach twisted.
A security guard spoke into his radio.
Security Guard #1 (to radio): "We've got a medical emergency near the fountain plaza. EMTs en route."
Then, he turned to the crowd.
Security Guard #1 (firmly): "Alright folks, let's keep moving. Nothing to see here."
The tone was calm-but there was an edge to it.
Like they didn't want people watching too closely.
Raeleen exhaled, shaking her head.
Raeleen: "That was weird."
Aneesa placed a hand on Elona's shoulder.
Aneesa: "Come on. Let's not crowd them."
Marco lingered a second longer, then nodded.
Marco (quietly to Aneesa): "Let's keep an eye out."
As the group walked away, Donovan felt a weird tension in his chest.
Raeleen, sensing his mood, nudged him.
Raeleen (casually): "Hey. Don't let it mess up your day."
Donovan forced a smirk.
Donovan: "Yeah. You're right."
💭 I'm overthinking it.
But as they moved deeper into the park, he couldn't shake the feeling.
Something was coming.
Something they weren't ready for.
As they stepped further from the fountain plaza, Donovan let out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding.
The image of the convulsing man still clung to his mind, but the sound of the park-the music, the laughter, the rushing water of the rides-helped drown it out.
Raeleen nudged him with her elbow.
Raeleen: "You good? You look like you just saw a ghost."
Donovan forced a half-smile.
Donovan: "Nah. Just... weird vibes."
Raeleen nodded in agreement.
Raeleen: "Yeah, that was pretty messed up. But stuff like that happens in big crowds. People pass out, get overheated. It's just... life."
Donovan glanced at her, then at the crowd.
💭 Just life.
Maybe she was right.
Maybe he was overthinking.
They reached a large intersection of paths, where a massive digital park map displayed ride times.
Ride Wait Times:
Maelstrom (Launch Coaster) - 30 min
The Plunge (Water Ride) - 10 min
Blackout (Indoor Coaster) - 20 min
Elona (pointing dramatically): "MAELSTROM."
Aneesa (raising an eyebrow): "That line's kinda long."
Raeleen: "It's worth it."
Marco: "Alright. But stay together."
As they moved through the winding walkways, the energy of the park felt different.
It wasn't obvious-just small things.
A man in a staff uniform stood by a snack cart, head down, rubbing his temples.
A mother whispered to her husband, pulling their child closer.
A little girl clung to her dad's leg, looking pale, her nose running.
Donovan slowed slightly, his eyes scanning.
💭 It's nothing. Right?
A few feet ahead, a loud voice cut through the noise.
Angry Man: "What the hell, man?! You bit me?!"
People turned to look.
Near a food cart, two men stood face-to-face.
One, a park employee, was clutching his arm, his face twisted in anger.
The other, a guest, was breathing heavily-his shoulders trembling.
Park Worker: "Are you on something?! Who the hell bites someone?!"
The guest staggered slightly, gripping his head.
Guest (mumbling): "I-I don't feel right..."
A security guard rushed over.
Security (firmly): "Sir, step back. What happened?"
The guest wobbled.
His breathing was wrong.
Something about the way he swayed, the way his eyes unfocused, made Donovan's stomach twist.
💭 He looks sick. Really sick.
Then-the man collapsed.
Flat onto the pavement.
Before panic could spread, the park intercom system crackled to life.
🎙️ Park Announcement: "Attention guests: We are experiencing minor medical incidents throughout the park due to the heat. Please stay hydrated and visit designated cooling stations."
A security guard helped lift the collapsed man, guiding him toward a side entrance.
Raeleen (rolling her eyes): "See? Just heat exhaustion."
Donovan wasn't convinced.
Aneesa rubbed Marco's arm.
Aneesa (softly): "Come on. Let's not let this ruin the day."
Marco exhaled slowly, forcing himself to relax.
Marco: "...Alright. Let's go."
As they finally moved toward Maelstrom, Donovan couldn't shake the feeling.
The feeling that they should be paying attention.
That something wasn't right.
But no one else saw it.
No one else felt it.o
Then, they saw him.
A man sat slumped on a bench just off the main path, near a food cart.
At first glance, he looked like any exhausted tourist.
His head was low, his shoulders hunched.
A plastic cup of water sat beside him, untouched.
His park wristband was loose on his pale, sweaty skin.
But something about him was... wrong.
His chest rose and fell in uneven, jerky movements.
His fingers twitched slightly.
His neck was stiff, his skin unnaturally gray in patches.
Marco stopped walking.
His military instincts flared.
Marco (low voice): "Hold up."
Aneesa glanced back, confused.
Aneesa: "What is it?"
Marco didn't answer.
He was watching. Studying.
His eyes scanned the man-his breathing, his posture, his color.
His gut told him this wasn't normal.
Raeleen stopped beside Donovan, frowning.
Raeleen: "Yikes. He does not look okay."
Elona, standing on her tiptoes, squinted at the man.
Elona: "Maybe he's just asleep?"
Marco's jaw tightened.
Marco (low voice): "No. He's not."
Aneesa placed a gentle hand on Marco's arm.
Aneesa: "Babe, let's go. Park security is everywhere-if something's wrong, they'll handle it."
Marco didn't look convinced.
His hand subtly rested near his waist-an old habit from his military days.
But he exhaled slowly, forcing himself to let it go.
Marco (finally): "...Alright."
They turned and continued toward Maelstrom.
Donovan, now fully aware of the unease in his chest, stole one last glance at the man.
For a split second-he thought he saw the man's fingers twitch unnaturally.
Like... he was trying to move but couldn't.
A chill ran down Donovan's spine.
💭 I don't like this.
Raeleen, sensing his mood, nudged him lightly.
Raeleen (teasing): "Dude, if you keep looking for sick people, you're gonna ruin your day."
Donovan forced a chuckle.
Donovan: "Yeah. You're right."
But as they walked further away, that feeling didn't fade.
As they disappeared into the crowd...
The man on the bench made a sound.
A low, wet gurgling noise.
His fingers twitched again.
His head tilted slightly forward.
And for the first time in minutes-his lips parted... ever so slightly.
His breathing slowed.
Then-stopped.
The towering launch coaster loomed ahead, its track twisting into impossible loops.
• Screams of riders echoed overhead.
• The hum of excitement rippled through the crowd.
• Elona was practically bouncing in place, hyped beyond reason.
Elona (grinning): "We are SO riding in the front."
Donovan (mocking): "We?"
Raeleen (smirking): "Oh, you're definitely sitting next to me again. You still owe me a real reaction."
Donovan rolled his eyes but smiled.
Alright. Maybe today really will stay perfect.
Then-a loud shout cut through the air.
Just ahead, near a pretzel stand, a scene was unfolding.
A park employee a woman in a Mount Everwind uniform was on the ground, wrestling with a guest.
• The guest, a middle-aged man, was screaming.
• His arm was pinned beneath her.
• People around them gasped, confused.
Guest (panicked, yelling): "Get off me! What the hell is wrong with you?!"
The employee didn't respond.
She was shaking. Twitching.
And then her mouth clamped down on his forearm.
Screams erupted.
• People backed away, horrified.
• A woman covered her child's eyes.
Some took out their phones, filming.
Bystander (shouting): "Oh my God! She just bit him!"
The guest kicked wildly, trying to shove her off.
His face twisted in agony as blood seeped through his sleeve.
Guest (desperate): "SOMEBODY HELP!"
Two park security guards rushed in, shoving through the crowd.
Security Guard #1 (firmly): "Move back! MOVE BACK!"
One of them grabbed the employee, trying to yank her away.
But she wouldn't let go.
She was locked onto the man's arm-teeth buried deep.
Her body convulsed, like she was having some kind of seizure.
What the hell is wrong with her?
The second security guard pulled out a stun gun.
Security Guard #2 (warning): "Ma'am, let go NOW or we will use force!"
But she didn't even react.
Then she turned her head slightly.
Donovan caught a glimpse of her face.
Her eyes... weren't normal.
• The pupils were clouded.
• Her lips were cracked and dry.
• Her mouth, still smeared with blood, hung open unnaturally.
She looked... wrong.
Like she wasn't fully there.
Marco Recognizes the Danger
Marco grabbed Donovan's arm.
Marco (low voice): "We need to go."
Donovan blinked.
Donovan: "Wait, what?"
Marco (urgent): "Now. Move."
But just then the stun gun fired.
ZAP!
The employee jerked violently, collapsing.
The guest bleeding heavily-scrambled away, panting.
Park security rushed to secure the scene.
A bystander, still recording, muttered: "Yo... what the hell was that?"
Before anyone could process what happened, a Mount Everwind supervisor appeared, flanked by two more security guards.
Supervisor (loudly, to the crowd): "Alright, folks! Nothing to worry about! Just a medical emergency!"
Bystander (angry): "That wasn't a medical emergency! That lady BIT HIM!"
Supervisor (calmly, rehearsed): "We have trained professionals handling the situation. Please continue to enjoy your day."
Security guards formed a wall, blocking people from seeing the scene.
Another guest, whispering to her friend:
Guest (nervous): "Why aren't they calling the cops?"
Marco turned sharply.
Marco (firmly): "We're leaving."
Aneesa: "Babe, come on, it's just-"
Marco: "Not up for debate. We're moving."
His tone shut down the conversation.
Even Elona usually ready to argue-didn't say a word.
Raeleen, watching the whole thing, crossed her arms.
Raeleen (low voice to Donovan): "That was NOT normal."
Donovan swallowed hard.
No. It wasn't.
As they walked away, Donovan stole one last glance over his shoulder.
Security was still blocking the area.
The injured guest was being led away, his arm wrapped in a makeshift bandage.
Even Elona usually ready to argue-didn't say a word.
Raeleen, watching the whole thing, crossed her arms.
Raeleen (low voice to Donovan): "That was NOT normal."
Donovan swallowed hard.
No. It wasn't.
As they walked away, Donovan stole one last glance over his shoulder.
Security was still blocking the area.
The injured guest was being led away, his arm wrapped in a makeshift bandage.
The employee?
She wasn't moving.
At all.
Marco led the way, his posture tense, his head constantly on a swivel.
Aneesa followed, keeping a hand on Elona's shoulder.
Donovan stayed in step with Raeleen, glancing back over his shoulder at the scene they had just left.
The security guards were still blocking off the area near the pretzel stand.
The guest who had been bitten was being led away, clutching his bleeding arm.
The employee-the one who had attacked him-was still motionless on the ground.
For some reason, no one had checked her pulse.
💭 She's unconscious, right?
Donovan forced himself to look away and focus on keeping up with his family.
Aneesa caught up to Marco, her voice firm but calm.
Aneesa: "Babe. It's just one incident. We don't need to leave."
Marco (gritting his teeth): "That was NOT just one incident."
Aneesa: "Okay, but if we just up and leave now, what do we tell the kids? That we're scared of a fight?"
Marco stopped walking and turned to face her.
His eyes-sharp, calculating, serious.
Marco (low voice): "That wasn't a fight."
Aneesa sighed, glancing back at the kids.
Elona wasn't paying attention-too busy licking the last of the powdered sugar off her fingers.
But Donovan was watching them closely.
And so was Raeleen.
They weren't oblivious.
They had felt it too.
Raeleen (low voice to Donovan): "That was messed up, right?"
Donovan exhaled slowly.
Donovan: "Yeah. I mean... park fights happen, but that? That was different."
Raeleen bit her lip, glancing back over her shoulder.
The security team was now escorting the injured guest out of view.
People in the crowd were already moving on, chatting about rides, checking their maps, grabbing food.
The world was snapping back to normal.
Raeleen: "Guess we're the only ones still thinking about it."
Donovan nodded, but his stomach didn't settle.
💭 Why are they just brushing it off like nothing happened?
As they continued walking, Marco's unease deepened.
💭 Something is seriously wrong.
His eyes swept over the crowd, picking up details others didn't.
A woman standing near a souvenir shop, rubbing her temples like she had a massive migraine.
A teenage boy leaning against a railing, his breathing slow, his skin unnaturally pale.
A park janitor wiping at his nose, blood smeared across his fingers.
And then-the sound.
A low, wet cough.
Not just one.
Not just from one person.
From multiple people.
Marco's muscles tensed.
💭 It's spreading.
Then, the park intercom crackled to life.
Park Announcement
"Attention guests! Due to today's warm temperatures, we encourage everyone to stay hydrated and take breaks in our cooling zones! Complimentary water stations are available throughout the park. Stay safe and enjoy your day at Mount Everwind!"
Marco exhaled sharply.
Marco (muttering): "Bullshit."
Aneesa: "Babe-"
Marco (firmly): "They're covering it up."
Aneesa sighed.
Aneesa: "Even if they are, what do you want us to do? If something's really going on, wouldn't security be handling it?"
Marco wasn't convinced.
But he didn't argue.
Not yet.
Instead, he turned to Donovan.
Marco: "Stay close. If I say move, we move. No questions."
Donovan blinked, startled by the intensity in his father's voice.
Then, he nodded.
Donovan: "...Yeah. Got it."
Raeleen gave Donovan a look but didn't ask questions.
The group continued forward, blending into the crowd.
From the outside, they looked normal.
Just another family in an amusement park.
Just another group excited for the next ride.
But Marco knew better.
And so did Donovan.
Something was coming.
They just didn't know how bad it was going to get.