by Roni Stinger
Greta’s hair brushed against her lower back as she looked up for Johnny. His sneakered feet dangled from the Ferris wheel above as the scent of fried treats filled the air. His laughter rang out over the tinkling music. It was the first time she’d heard her brother laugh since their mother died. Standing beside the exit gate, her mouth salivated. The ride had stopped.
The ground rumbled, and the seats rocked back and forth. Childrens’ laughter turned to screams.
Carnies ran from a trailer with ladders and harnesses. Greta knew she shouldn’t have brought Johnny here. He stirred up as much trouble as their mother. But he’d begged to visit the carnival earlier that morning.
“Please, Greta, pleeeease.” He licked marshmallow off his hot cocoa and swallowed.
Their mom had forbidden sugar, saying it would rot his teeth. Greta gave him all the sugar he wanted. How could she resist the opportunity to feed him elephant ears and funnel cakes, especially when he asked so sweetly?
A tap on her shoulder pulled her attention back to the present. Greta turned, looking into the eyes of their mother. She wore the exact dress they’d buried her in.
No, that witch was dead. Greta had made sure of it. She blinked, and the woman came into focus. Not their mother at all.
“Is that your boy, ma’am?” The woman pointed at Johnny, now climbing over the fence.
“Sorry, he’s a mischievous one.” Greta pulled him down.
Johnny yanked away from her when she set him on the ground.
“Ah, I’m having fun,” he said.
“Well, you’ll have to have fun at home. We’re going.”
The sooner Greta fattened him up, the better. His flesh would bestow upon her the power she’d failed to inherit from Mother.
RONI STINGER lives in the Pacific Northwest, USA. When not writing strange dark fictions, she’s often wandering the forests, beaches, and streets in search of shiny objects and creative sparks. Her work has been published in Hypnos Magazine, Through Other Eyes anthology by All Worlds Wayfarer, and The Molotov Cocktail. You can find her online at www.ronistinger.com.