The sun was just beginning to set when Cyrus and his sister Luci finally began the brief walk downhill to the fairgrounds. Every summer the usually desolate area began a beehive of activity, the kind of social event that Cyrus could never understand and would usually avoid. Luci made it very hard for him to do so, however. She always enjoyed the bright lights of the Ferris Wheel and Tilt-a-whirl, but because none of her friends wanted to get near him with so much as a ten-foot pole it became his duty as her brother and sole guardian to drive her there.
“I think you’re old enough to go by yourself now,” he stated, his voice joining the cacophony of others making their way down to the main gates. Though he had complied, it did not mean he would not complain.
“Yea, but mom would kill you,” answered the pale haired youth beside him, “Besides, I can’t drive yet.” She added as an afterthought.
Slightly annoyed by the way the night the way was already going Cyrus rolled his brown eyes and looked down at his sister. “Well once you learn you can count me out as a tagalong for when you meet your friends.”
More and more people were beginning to pass them, or maybe they were beginning to enter the crowded area. That was more likely the case as some of the day-time carnival goers had started to leave and were passing them in an opposite direction, some pushing strollers in front of them. None seemed to notice when the petite girl punched a punk teen in the shoulder with the friendliness of sibling rivalry.
“Ow,” came the simple statement from Cyrus, mocking his little sister’s strength.
“Big brothers are supposed to look out for their little sisters,” she answered in explanation, looking pleased with herself even if she had done no harm.
Cyrus simply shook his head and joined the line of those waiting for their tickets. Though he wanted to reply he kept back an answer, telling himself mentally that his parents could not help it if they were too busy with their own problems to think about his sister. Looking up he noticed the gates, above which hung a tacky banner, the bright yellow letters stamped on it telling all who were entering that they were entering the Summer Festival. The need to keep conversation going to distract him from the miserable attempt at cheer prompted him to reply.
“Who said I wasn’t protecting you? I just don’t like your friends.”
Thanks to the quick work of the employee in the booth Luci and Cyrus made it to the booth quickly, and as Cyrus set down the money and showed he wanted to tickets Luci’s next question came.
“Why not?” her pure voice rang.
Grabbing the tickets he moved to reply, but as they entered the gates was interrupted by a piercing shriek that could come only from a pre-teenage girl.
“Luci!”
Annoyed Cyrus looked at his sister and gave her what would be her ticket for the night.
“That’s why,” he mumbled, his deep voice making it clear even over the sounds of enjoyment from all around them.
Moving his gaze to the group that had called for his sister he saw the well-dressed tweens of society, the brand names of their clothing forever reminding him that all he was able to scrape together was enough for a few meager meals. Running over Luci still managed to fit in with them in her simple white dress, her brown hair a stark contrast to their blonde heads. Sometimes he was embarrassed at the fact that he could not provide what the higher-class girls could, but then he remembered that he did the best he could and that was enough. Unsure of what his sister’s plans for the evening were he followed her over to the group already well into pleasantries and was met with several unfriendly glances.
“Oh. You brought your brother, how great,” sneered one of the clones, though Cyrus was fairly certain she was the closest to his sister. Trying to remember he found himself dazed, losing himself in thought.
“He was just leaving…” Luci had replied, then, realizing her brother was daydreaming again elbowed him in the ribs, “Right?”
Returning to the real world Cyrus blinked, coming out of his daze. Seeing the glowers and the expectant gaze of his sister he realized he had been dismissed. Shaking his head some he turned to go, missing it as the same friend that had sneered at him, Amy was her name, tapped Luci on the shoulder to remind her of something.
“Wait…”
Stopping he looked back at her from the crowd, his black clothes as stark contrast to the brightly colored lights and clothing of the fair.
“Would it be alright if I stayed at Amy’s tonight?”
Sighing Cyrus turned and began to leave again, his voice carrying his answer over to her even as he did so.
“Yeah. Just call me when you need a ride,” he called.
Having paid for the ticket he decided to use it and wandered around the fair, most people avoiding him with disdain or distrust. Passing a game booth he paused, looking at the couple standing at it. The man the woman was with was clearly athletic as he won the game, the bottles crashing from his accurate toss of a baseball. Seeing them embrace he simply shook his head and turned away. Love was great, he just wished someone would show it for him someday. Someone like the girl he dreamed about.
In his wanderings he eventually found himself moving towards the rollercoaster, though he had no desire to ride it whatsoever. The rush downwards into the unknown always frightened him too much. Hearing the screams only reminded him of that fear, but it also reminded him of the same subject that continued to plague his mind even in his sleep. Love. Couples always rode together on the rollercoaster to support one another, even if it was in mockery. Just like that couple that had won a nearly impossible game because of their loving support… Angered at remembering the subject he closed his eyes and shook his head. Looking back at the rollercoaster he did not see the same wooden beams as before.
Standing with a gentle defiance was a girl in a white tunic; the only adornments to the simple outfit were a set of silver bangles at both her wrists and ankles. It almost made her seemed chained, but her bare feet defied that same idea. Though it would seem strange to any other person, Cyrus rushed forward not because he was afraid she would fall but because he wanted to be up there with her. This was the girl that always came to him in dreams, and she was only a safety rail away.
“Looking for answers?” a humoresque voice questioned, forcing Cyrus to turn and look.
Seeing a man clad in the gaudy black robe and adorned with rings of all shapes and sizes he realized it was just a fortune teller trying to lure him in. Though it seemed like a strange place for a fortune teller to be, as this area was completely desolate, the exit to the roller coaster having been placed close to the entrance and diverting traffic that might have come by in a different direction. There also seemed to be something off about the man, and it was not the hood that obscured the senses from gleaning any hint of identity.
“You want one correct?”
“If I am you aren’t the one to give them to me,” he replied, turning his attention back to the roller coasters wooden frame, and was not surprised to see that the girl had vanished. Lately he was getting puller farther and farther into his dreams and moving farther and farther away from reality.
“And maybe you’re too afraid to hear what they are.”
Angrily looking back at the persistent fortune teller, Cyrus saw a vague smile being offered to him. Somehow it made him think that perhaps the man really wanted to help. He had been afraid, afraid that perhaps he would be told he was crazy by a complete stranger. Accepting the offer to enter a tent emblazoned with the psychic eye, however, he was willing to humor someone that was probably a phony.  As the teller entered after him an event could be seen to those viewing the scene from outside, those who would be exiting the roller coaster and passing by if the exit had not been moved. The event was a mysterious as the maiden, the golden eye of the tent gleaming and glittering as it sealed the two away from reality for a short amount of time.