Ania Schmidt

The sound of thunder rolled in the distance, coming in. This storm was supposed to be bad, especially since the last 2 weeks in the area was nothing but a heat wave. For this the carnival was closed to the public. The carnival employees had the night off. Most would just sleep, except for.....

"I fucking HATE pink. Why am I the one to wear pink?"

Ania had left her trailer, still bitching bout her shoes hours after she noticed them. The new uniform (as she thought of it) was much better than her old one, yet it was still a uniform. 5 minutes into her walk she realized her surroundings.

"What the...... fuck?"

Metal, everywhere... all the attractions... all the consesions, the rides, everything. "Metal? Nice look, but it seems too dark for Doc's taste. May be something I would've prefered, but Doc? I wonder if the others know bout this... I don't see... anyone." She wandered around some more.. not really looking for anyone, or anything... but the new look was curious. Yet, Ania noticed that 3 attractions were clearly the most visible anywhere on the grounds. Of course one was the big top, now an Ivory Tower. Another was the coaster that wound its way through the whole of the carnival. "I guess I'm going to have to get on that. Course, I rather just race it. Wonder if... " Her train of thought wandered to the third biggest attraction, the Labrynth.

The Labrynth had always been huge... but this was massive. "Jumpin' Jesus on a pogo stick." The Labrynth was made less of metal but more of wires. Lights pulsed everywhere... it even had that reving sound that a computer makes. It really didn't resemble a building at all. It looked like a dump yard for piles of wires, lights, and machine and computer parts. Yet there was something that resembled a door. The door didn't have a handle and it seemed to Ania that there was no other way in, and yet that no one could get through the only door there.

Out in front was the only one Ania thought knew anything bout the Labrynth. The one and only Clay. "That son-of-a-bitch... HOW COME HE DIDN'T GET AN OUTFIT LIKE THIS WITH PINK SHOES?!" It was true... Clay had his usual clothes on, but they were leather... in some parts... but really nothing changed. As she came closer, she noticed he just stared at it... smiling. She also noticed blood, coming out of his mouth, eyes, ears... anything that blood could come out of. His eyes were bloodshot. He looked like he went through the worst physical pain of his life. And there he stood smiling.

"Hey there big, bad, and sexy. Whatcha smiling at?"

He gave NO reply. He stood there smiling.

Then he looked like he was in exctacy. His fist clenched so hard that his nails dug into his skin, making it bleed. Ania, never seing this before, was taken back. She never thought that Clay could have that kind of feeling. "Okay, hon, you need to stop that... No really..."She lowered her voice to a whisper. "No really. It's not that I'm scared or anything.. it just makes my mind wander when you act like that. Hell I was already intrested, but you acting like this just increases the curiosity.... " Ania kept talking until he shot a look at her. It wasn't a look of if you don't back off I'm going to kill you it was more of a oh really? I think I'm going to remember that one.
He smiled and looked at the door.

"Welcome back, Mary." Clay's voice as he said it was scratchy and not even audible by human ears. Ania however wasn't human. She heard it clearly.

"Mary's back? Where I didn't...... see.............. her................. any..........."

Ania was cut off by Clay walking into the Labrynth. Ania couldn't quite tell how the door opened... it seemed like he just walked through it. Ania went up to the door, it was solid when she touched it.

She closed her eyes and lightly spoke, "You ain't the only one with tricks, Clay." She concentrated on someone's mind. "He welcomed her back, she must be here."

Then she saw what Mary saw, yet through Ania's own eyes not Mary's cause she could see Mary there. The carnival was the way as it had always been. She saw Clay try handing a balloon to Mary. This Clay was normal, his dress, no blood, how he had always been. She refused the balloon and walked off. She was smoking holding a cup of pop she picked up walking towards the shade. It was day and it was hot. Ania thought to herself I knew there was a reason I didn't miss the day. Ania saw Mary talk to Songflower, and then she saw Sunflower run off, papers in hand. Ania also saw something that disturbed her. She saw people flicker in and out, like bad reception. She heard people, yet it sounded like someone would cut out... like a cell phone. These sights didn't happen that often for people to noticed... but Ania did. It's like watching a bad movie here. Whatever Mary's dreaming about is just too funking weird.Then she saw Clay, exactly like how she saw him outside, bloody and smiling. Ania knew then that this wasn't a dream. How the hell did that mother fucker? He was walking through everything that should have blocked him... even the people, who didn't seem to see him. He was looking at Mary. And it seemed that he saw Ania cause he looked at her and winked.

Ania blacked out. She woke up to rain pouring down from the skies onto her face. Lightning cracked and the thunder boomed. Everytime the thunder would boom, Ania swore she could hear screams, not blood curdling.. more like.... eh.. who can describe it? Ania couldn't even tell if it was man or woman. Ania just knew that someone was having fun or getting hurt.

Ania retreated to her trailer.. her shoes no longer pink, but brown with mud.

She picked up her headless doll and began the story from the beginning.

"So there I was.... Looking hot.. except for pink shoes..."

clown...


night...


monster...


weak...


bitch...


pathetic...


Are you ready?

When Ania arrived at the next carnival site, the rides were set up. This made it very easy for her to get everything else up. And easy jobs meant that things would be done faster, no location problems, and more time for fun (though what Ania does for fun.... ah nevermind.).

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Fun, yes. All work an no play makes Ania a dull vamp, or a dull girl.....
or a bored girl... Ah, I forget how it goes. I wonder when the Molly-Mobile and her contents are going to be here? I didn't leave that much before them did I?
Ania saw one of the night help carting a crate on a dolly.
Oddly suspicious, that box says cotton candy and that is a pop corn stand. Oh, what a moron! NO! NO! NO! THAT GOES OVER THERE IN THAT TENT, DWEEB! Oh, hired help. At times I wonder how fast I can do it myself.
She waved to D setting up is stand and went off to yell at the people some more... and then she would..
CAN WE GET THIS DONE SO SOME OF US CAN GET SOME DINNER?!


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~End~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Skippy drove his Lumina home, I mean where else would he drive to right now!? Sleep, however, was too far off and away, so he called "her" up and made plans for the night. He was still grinning when he arrived at the date. She asked him what the big shit-eating grin was for. He was going to tell her of the great puzzle he solved, what the puzzle was and how he solved it. When he opened his mouth to tell her, the only words he spoke were, "I don't know." It seemed like a dream, that he accomplished all that he did. A dream now lost and forgotten by him simply being awake. After all, the only thing Skippy could think of was seeing her and telling her all that happened.. but mostly just seeing her. He was even going to tell Casey on AIM when he got on next. Casey would have thought of him as more crazy true.. but who cares? Skippy now remembered scattered images.. of an iron dragon, of people in top hats poofing out of thin air, of a big top. There they sat, Skippy and his date, and there was no where and nothing else.

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But Ania, what about you? you might ask! Don't worry bout me folks.. cause to tell ya the truth, though I dont know how the FUCK he got the deadbolt from INSIDE my coffin to release, I'm okay. Ya see, the Doc paid a visit to my trailer after the whole shit went down. He picked my body up off the floor (yes, my head too) and layed it all neatly inside the coffin. Everything had to be perfect. He also picked up my headless dollie and placed it in my arm. Now, at this point I know you are thinking But Ania, your head was chopped off.. YOUR DEAD!! At that point yes, but have you yet to be surprized by the power and magic of the carnival!? Doc took his glove off his left hand and held it about my lips.. a decent distance away.. but still above my lips (dont want to miss, ya know!). He balled his hand into the tightest fist he could... and the blood dripped (really just dripped... Like I needed that much.. His blood from last time was still lingered in me and it has been a fucking while!) After a few drops hit my lips and started to work its way to my throat... you could see it working. My neck was coming together and the hole in my heart was closing. Doc shut the lid as it was working. He was gone by the time I hit my head on my coffin lid.

"OW! FUCK!" I went to slide the deadbolt up.. but it already was.. which was weird but that wasnt my biggest concern. The fuck wasnt for the fact that I hit my head on the lid (again), it was cause I remembered what it taste like.. and I was tasting it now.. though the reason I know how he saved me was cause it was how I dreamed it as he was going through the steps. Still though.. ever since that one night, it freaks me out. I needed more than what the Doc had given me... I wasnt completely healed. It was time to hunt.

Now I know what you are saying Ania, I'm so glad you are back! What would the place be withoutcha!? I know this.. Now I have some food to get.. you just stay here and be good.

*Ania put her headless doll back in the coffin. That doll was one thing that Ania had that she felt was of personal value (And is another reason why she can't kick the talking out loud problem). Once Ania felt that everything was in the right place, she secured her chambers and went to stalk the night, which is really early right now.*

"Fucking Nightmares"

So I'm walking along my games, right... and I notice one by FUCKING one... they are disappearing. I mean vanishing gone. So I'm going to find out what is happening to my games... of course. I start walking along the carnival and notice, other than the fact that it looks dark and dreary in the place, one by one, the attractions are POOFING. Seriously... like "pooofffff" out like some kinda magic show poof. "Okay that is too fucking weird. And where the fuck is the Labyrinth? There's the wire-walker... but where is the big top.? Okay, this su....c....k....s....." My eyes are glued fixed to Dante's Gallery... lit up like the fuckin sky on the 4th of July. The other thing... it is in the center of the carnival...

Peeking inside I see Dante, yet not really Dante furiously painting like he does... Well, of course he spots me standing in the center of his doorway, so he smiles and turns the palatte towards me.... It was one of those pictures that showed one HUGE guy lookin like a brave knight holding his sword forward while he's slaughtering the people.... ONLY the people are carnival members... there are only a few on there... Doc aint on there, I aint on there, Wire-Dancer aint... Mr. James is... The Clown is... Ghost-Woman is... The face I've never seen before .. thoughts... Skippy?? Bloody Mary is... (that was weird seein her on there) Everyone but 3 is on there... So this psycho fuck opens his mouth to say something... only nothing comes out.. but I can hear it in my head... "I can't seem to get to you... I can't destroy it all if the few of you remain... But I can't seem to get to you..."

"Oh, ain't it sad for you.... None of us ever GET WHAT WE FUCKING WANT" and with that....
I lunged at him...
Hearing a scream...
went through him and hit the wall...

Wakin up... covered in sweat, again... only this time.. the lid bein shut, there is a flat mark on the lid... of blood.. I spose I bumped it...

I step out..... night.. yes... I dont know if everyone with the carnival is alright... or if they sometime get the feeling that Celestine is in their head talking to them... but in my head I hear his call... "The clown is gone... Come...."

"Yes Doc, Sir!" And I bolt... fastest speed, which is barely behind the clown's, but hey.. cant be perfect can we...

"No, it wasn't me this time. I was a good girl. I don't eat the good guests. It's the ones who deserve it... that.... I....."

(No one never thought that I spoke in my sleep as well as aloud. Not that anyone could hear me... pretty good coffin I got. Not even could my doll hear me.. it doesn't have a head, therfore it has no ears to hear me with. Not that what I say is ever really interesting or anything like that. It's my dreams that are the interestin thing. I think that my dreams are what makes me special, that makes me think I have some use in life... er unlife even. Though once I did dream that I could eat real food.... that would be nice, that is why it is called a dream.)

(This dream I'm having now is me getting into trouble, again. Only this time it wasn't my fault. It was the "Shadow Man". I watched him do it, horror in my eyes... unable to do a damned thing. No one believes me either. I'm one of the best at disposing bodies, and no one can find her. So they all look to me with a raised brow. The Clown is the only one though, who doesn't look at me in that way. That is weird, I thought he would be the first to suspect me and he would be after my head. That is what is keeping the others off of me. If the Clown ain't after me.. then there must be something they don't know.)

(It all of a sudden got dark... not night dark, but stormy dark. The rain started to fall. It came in HUGE drops. Kinda like the heavens dropping football sized water-balloons. I hate being wet. It wasn't the size of the rain that was the only odd thing, the rain was black. I'm talking as black as night itself. You couldn't see 8 ft in front of you. Everyone was gone, except for Doc, the Clown, a woman, and me. The Doc seem sad, depressed, as if something happened that he could stop in time... something that he shouldv'e stopped in time. The Clown, who was crouched in front of Doc, just smiled at me, winked, and pointed to the girl... his eyes never leaving the contact of mine. I can't really make out the girl... my vision going to black and white. Her head was bowed, her arms out from her, palms up, a red line along her wrists bleeding, and she was on her knees. And then the Darkness came... The only things visible to me was her... and the eyes of the "Shadow Man". With his hands begining to wrap around her... No matter how hard I ran to her, no matter how fast I tried to run [which is pretty fast], they were going farther and farther away. I could hear his laugh. I fell and for the first time I awoke covered in blood, and screaming at the top of my lungs. Panting hard even after the scream. I bet the whole carnival could hear my scream, even the Lady on the wire. The weirdest thing wasn't that I even screamed, it was what I screamed.....

I screamed her name... I don't even know her... but I know she is next... the "Shadow Man" is watching...

"Got ta remember, he wanted.... uh... was it roast beef?? Yeah. And rolls, can't forget the rolls. Gosh... been a while since I last got mortal food." I smacked my hand over my mouth remembering that I was just outside the Iron Horse Inn. I held the tickets in my hand. The smell of blood was everywhere... and I was very hungry. "No time for food, gotta hurry."

I walked into the inn. My luck, the only ones there were the one's I presumed to be Paul McQueen and his daughter Charlotte. Charlotte put on a grin and came to assist me. "Evening miss, you have arrived just on time... we were about to shut the doors for the night."

"Whew, good thing. I just have a small order, it's for a friend."

"Sure, what will it be?"

"Roast beef and rolls, please, and any dipping sauce is fine."

"Okay, it will be done in a moment." She went off to complete the food order.

"I think I got that right." Paul seemed to be cleaning up the bar, really giving no attention to me. I just threw a quick smile and tried to fight my hunger. I could see his veins and it made my "urges" tempting.

After a while Charlotte came back with the food. "Here you go. You enjoy your night."

"Thanks... uh..." I glanced at the tickets. "Actually there is one more thing."

"Oh?"

"Yeah, I have these tickets for you and your father. I was also told to deliver these to you."

"Oh," she gave a glance to her father who seemed more attentive to me now... "I think we will have to respectfully decli.."

"I'm afraid that wouldn't be... how can I put this? Actually, it seems to be the perfect night to go. We already have so many from town there and these tickets were reserved for you. It would be a shame if you didn't go. Who knows when the carnival will come back, especially when you are invited? Special passes for you and your father." I knew a little mind-to-mind trick being my, kind. Simply drawing out that urge that she actually desired to attend. She took the tickets.

"You know you have a point. It does seem like a good night for a carnival."

I gave a smile. "The boss should be happy..." I caught myself thinking aloud again. ".. that you shall be arriving. You just might be able to meet the great Dr. Celestine yourself." I smiled, picked up the food, and walked out the door.

I went back to the carnival, gave the Doc his food, then went to my games (which were open and having a decent amount of customers). Boss should be happy.

"DUH, ANIA!! DUH! May be things will be better now. Everything looks normal now. Everything is now running smoothly. May be everyone just put it aside and laughed at it by nooowwww.... shit... out loud again."

I awoke sooner than I usually did... You could still see some son light on the horizon, not much, but still just a bit. I did a little stretched in the middle of my car and caught something which made me raise an eyebrow. "Fuck me. Am I in a cartoon or is there a man shaped hole in my door? How did my skin see the sun? I don't remember getting going to bed late or waking up during the day. I haven't been this pink since my masocism days."

Then I realized the taste of the dried blood on my lips. Flashes of swamp and a man in my mouth's grasp flash through my head for brief seconds. The world spins for those few seconds and I realize I'm bout to fall on my ass. I grabbed my coffin for support. "Okay. What is going on here? I have pink skin, dry blood giving me LSD trips, a hole in my car, and I swore I was full by the time I went to bed. Why is there a hole in my car? How did I get sunburned through my coffin? Who's dry blood is this.. er was... or.. uh..." I don't take confusion too well. "LSD.. trips... talking to self again.. damn..."

I gave a quick thought as to who I could as for questions. No one came to mind so I went to the big top and stood there, waiting for someone to come up to me, like I always did when I had a question.

I sat in the corner of my booth, alone. For some reason, I didn't feel like participating in my duties, at all. Mr. James probably be upset, but until he comes to kick my ass into gear, I don't really care.

The back of my mind tingles with something, though I have no clue as to what it might be about. My thoughts whirl with possibilities. Did I forget something from the trip? Doubtful. Is it something about my nightmares that have faded? No.

For once I'm keeping my words in my head, good. Morning breaks, I can feel it. Time to rest. May be the slumber can ajar that tingling in the back of my head.

Outside of the carnival, walking his way in, he stays close to the swamps. He is unaware, now is the time to strike. I grab him from behind and bite in, all while dragging him deeper into the swamps. At first he struggles, of course, a surprise attack does that. Then the feeling of pleasure eases him. All the thoughts in my mind tell me that this blood is some of best blood I ever had, so I should take my fill.

Thump. Thump.

I can feel his heart's rapid beats.

Thump.... Thump.

Slower and slower as I take my fill of dinner.

Thump....

Almost done.

Thump....

I let go and the man drops onto his side, unconsious. I took a little more than I was supposed to. The almost lifeless body rolls onto its back and terror strikes my face.

"What have I done?" was, for once, all I could say. I fled the swamps, leaving the body behind, hoping no one would find it. Praying that no one would know what I have done. Wondering how well can I hide it?

One of the last to step off the train, I realized that it was late, much later than when I normaly rise. Everything was unloaded, and just about everything was set up. Most of the carnies were already asleep. I needed to feed. The hardest part about being with the carnival was the first night to find where I'm going to be eating.

I noticed that it was way to late to go out and find food now, so I decided to wander the carnival and just a little outside of it tonight. May be I'll find some swamp animal for a snack.

I could easily hear animals inside and outside of the carnival, but I'm sure that if I went for one of the carnival animals, I'd be in a lot of shit.
I heard the harsh accent of a man's voice that I didn't recongnize as one of the carnies. "I think I hear dinner," as I started my stalking routine. "Who is this guy? I don't think he's even with the carnival. In fact, he just might be an unwelcome guest. I don't know who he is, but he smells like a great meal."

"Eh, who's there?"

I did my best to hide. "Damn, out loud again," I whispered to myself.

He looked around a bit to see if anyone was around, saw no one, and then continued along his way. I continued to stalk. I was hungry and determined to eat. Just a little bit longer, and he's mine.

I did as I always did when I think... I stood in one place and stared ahead of me. This time it was right at the enterance of the big top. All of a sudden I realized everything. Everything bout my nightmares came to me at once.

"I totally took those things way too far out of my own thinking." Damn, out loud again.

All the reality of what happened then came into clarity. Now I knew better than to come too close to a mad clown. I then realized then the connection of reality and dreams. The lessons weren't for me, I wasn't the one to be playing the games, but to watch them. "I hate it when things roll together so perfectly. ARG! I have to stop thinking aloud."

I thought I heard someone speak to me as I stood there motionless and alone. Something told me it was the ticket taker, but I was coming to a realization, something that comes rarely. Then another realization...

"Wow! I just realized, I actually figured something out! Whoa, I have to tell someone bout this." I started to run off happy to have discovered something without help. Then...

a stop, a look in the hand, "What is this? Two cents?" placed in a pocket.. dart off to where I was going... a stop, "Where was I going off to? I knew it was something important. Oh well, couldn't have been that important."

As I stand in the darkness, I see faces surrounding me. All faces of those I know, whether I like them or not. I don't even know the names of some. The faces are those of Dr. Celestine, Lady Ambrosia, the ringmaster, my sire, Lillith, Caine, Violent Clay, Mr. James, even a few of my most recent victims (why I would remember those, I don't know). All of them speak at once, not in a whisper, not in a raised voice, but in a menacing yet soothing tone. I tried to catch a few words in the ranting jumble. The most I got was something bout a carnival, lessons to be learned, and something of games to be played.

The voices suddenly become louder. I clutch my ears to drown the noise, but to no avail. The volume continues to climb. Once more I felt pain, not only in my ears, but everywhere. I hate the feeling of pain, now more than ever. I scream only to find myself in my own bed, covered in my blood from sweating. "Fuck, will it end already," was all I managed to say when I heard a loud rumble from outside.

The decision came quickly to me. "I have done nothing but learn my job here. I have met no one, stayed in one place like fucking usual, so now I'm getting bored, plus these fucking nightmares are pissing me off, and I'm talking to myself again! Damn, I have got to stop that."

I decide to get my lazy ass out of bed, for there is much to do. Tonight, I will end these nightmares, learn the carnival better, and those in it. It starts with my new boss, Dr. Celestine. I head off to the only place I figure he would be, his trailer.

"I'm tellin' ya, everthing is changing as of tonight. Talking to myself, again. Damn."