Carnival World Boxed Set (Episodes 1-3) by Tawny Stokes, Michael J Lee

up. “What’s going on?”
    “Nothing. I just have to go with Darien to make sure the others are okay.” She glared at Nicole again. “You better watch him.”
    “I will. What do you take me for?”
    Summer could have given her a long list, but she didn’t have time. She really didn’t want to leave Sam with Nicole. Summer couldn’t think of a worst person to take care of her brother, but there was no other choice. She didn’t want to take him into a possibly dangerous situation.
    Summer quickly hugged him. “Stay close to Nicole.”
    Then she hurried after Darien.
    ––––––––
    D arien and Summer ran hard. Darien’s heart pumped faster and harder. Excitement surged through him, just like before a game. The adrenaline kicked in. Fear melted away along with hunger and thirst. The world narrowed to just a few thoughts.
    Run fast.
    Kick ass.
    This was what Darien lived for. That moment when he could just run and throw and forget everything. He could forget how his dad was a colossal jackwad. He could forget his doubts about his future. Whatever was in his way didn’t stand a chance right now.
    Then they came to the carousel, Darien halted in his tracks and most of the bravado leaked out of his pores.
    He saw Maddie stumble between the merry-go-round horses, and the dog behind her. But it wasn’t a dog. It was a monster. It was like nothing he’d seen back home. Darien froze. He felt sick inside. The burst of adrenaline had completely vanished.
    The ugly, mutated thing growled and slowly advanced on the poor girl.
    Summer caught up with him and she gaped as well.
    “Look at that thing.” For a moment, he couldn’t act. It was all true. They had fallen through a warp or down the rabbit hole or something. They were nowhere near home. There was no help coming for them. Ryan had been right all along.
    The dog snapped at Maddie. She screamed and backed away. “Help me!”
    “It’s okay, Maddie,” Summer yelled.
    The urge to turn around and run ate away at Darien’s nerve. His hands shook. It was the adrenaline, but he couldn’t deny it was also fear that coursed through him.
    No cops were coming to save them. There was no help just around the corner. Not unless they helped each other.
    Darien took two steps forward. The dog barked at him. Its teeth gleamed like knives. He halted but he didn’t back down. He couldn’t. Not now. He remembered the sticks back at the pavilion. He had left them behind because he hadn’t found any that would make decent weapons. Now Darien wished he had brought something. Anything in his hands would have made him feel better.
    He heard shouting just as Ryan and Justin ran into view.
    “Maddie!” Justin screamed.
    He rushed to his twin but Ryan pulled him back right before the dog could turn and bite his head off. It turned back to the terrified Maddie.
    “We have to work together,” Summer said.
    “Have to distract it first,” Ryan yelled. “Grab torches!”
    Darien saw the fire nearby. Jumping into action pushed the fear away and the excitement of the moment kicked in. It was time to get down to it.
    The dog continued to stalk Maddie. It was toying with her. Darien would swear it was grinning as it crept closer to her, snapping its steel-like jaws.
    Darien and Summer each grabbed a torch. Ryan had his iron bar ready to use. Justin moved behind his sister, ready to grab her. Ryan nodded to Darien. This brought Darien back to playing on the football field. They were adjusting as a team. Working together for a common goal. Instead of scoring touchdowns, though, they were trying to save a life.
    “We got this. Go!” said Darien.
    Ryan darted to the side, trying to get behind the creature.
    Darien took a deep breath. He had never been this scared in his life. The intensity of the situation rivaled anything he’d experienced before, more than any game he’d ever played. He and Summer charged forward with their torches.
    “Hey! Over here!” Darien