Overlooked(2)(73)

When I get home, I stagger up the stairs and flop into my bed, not even bothering to take my dress off. I close my eyes and sleep.





Victim of Changes (Steel)

The carnival opened an hour ago. I slept for an hour after Emily left, but I’m a walking zombie. Even though I’ve chucked endless coffees down my throat, the noise of this place is the only thing keeping me awake. That and the memory of her. I don’t know what she did to me, making me cum in my fucking pants like that. It freaks the shit out of me.

Already I’m missing her, for fuck’s sake. I’ve never missed anyone before, ever. Not even my mother.

I’m going to need a good sleep since I plan to stay up all night again with her tonight. Hopefully Papa Smurf doesn’t send me off to the next town until Tuesday, giving me tomorrow night with her as well.

Another hour passes, and another. My feet are dragging something awful. I’m a bigger zombie than Zombie.

We’re supposed to start ripping apart the rides right after close. I’m going to need energy. For that and Emily.

“Razor, keep an eye on things for me, I need some shut-eye.”

He nods. At least I think he does.

There are not many choices of places to sleep in peace in the middle of a carnival in full swing. Going back to my bunkhouse isn’t an option. The best place I can think of is the back of Cess’ basket toss game. I may get hit with the odd softball, but I’m so tired, I doubt I’ll notice. I’ll be too busy dreaming of Emily screaming my name.

I slip in the back of it and lie down.

“You lazy son of a bitch, do you know you cost me today?” Papa Smurf screams.

“Huh?” I say, disoriented with sleep.

“That useless-piece-of-shit Whiskey fucked up on the tickets and cost me big. Because you weren’t doing your job.”

Rubbing my eyes, I try to digest his words.

“Sorry, boss.” I sit, hoping he’ll go away and let me lie back down.

“Fucking sorry don’t mean shit. If you want to stay up all night fucking some local pussy, that’s your business, but make sure you’re here and ready to work when it’s time to work.”

“I’ll work, right now.” I still don’t make any move to stand. Papa Smurf is famous for interpreting anything as being aggressive.

“The twenty-four hour man is leaving now, and you’re going with him.”

“Fuck that. Since when do I go with the twenty-four hour man? You need me here to break down the rides.”

“You’re too fucking tired to be any use to me here. Go help him put up signs in the next town. It’s about all you’re good for today.”

“No, I ain’t going.”

“Get your sorry ass in his truck now, before I bust it open so bad you won’t be able to sit for a year.”

Papa Smurf is a mammoth mountain of a man with a passion for beating the shit out of his employees.

“Maybe I want to stay in this town.”

“One night with some local pussy and you’re ready to screw the carnival? Then what would you do? Show up at her doorstep and be welcomed in with open arms? Dream the fuck on. Now get in the truck. This is your last warning.” He hoofs me something fierce in the thigh and I stand.

This thing with Emily was only ever going to be a weekend fling. Tonight and maybe tomorrow, depending on when the carnival leaves.

I’m only losing one night. Though one night with her was already better than all the others I’ve spent with other women combined.

There’s no doubt in my mind I could floor Papa Smurf, but he’s probably right. As much as I’d love to go knocking on Emily’s door, I don’t expect a good girl townie like her would let me move in. Plus her father would shoot me.

“Fine,” I say, walking away to my bunk.

I grab my backpack. I fill it with a change of clothes and my toothbrush and get into the carnival’s advanced advertising truck. I can’t believe Papa Smurf’s sending me to staple signs to lamp posts.

The twenty-four hour man pulls the truck away from the carnival. As we leave the town, I can’t help thinking what a stupid mistake I’m making.





Alone (Emily)

“Emily Grace Williamson, how dare you disgrace our family!”

The roar of my father’s voice startles me from my sleep. Disoriented, my heart thumps in my chest at being awoken so abruptly.

I sit up and blink to clear the sleepiness from my eyes. A glance at the clock shows the time is five pm. I vaguely panic that I should be getting ready and going to find Steel.

“What kind of whore are you?” my father screams. He moves to the side of the bed and towers over me, his eyes burning into my skin. My mother stands behind him, looking worried.