It was already late evening before we realized it. The sky had turned shades of soft lavender and orange, and the sun was slipping behind the horizon. After a late lunch together, we wandered through the park, riding the carousel like kids half our age. The golden lights and whimsical music made everything feel dreamlike.
But for me, the real escape—the real release from all the pressure of the world I came from—was just ahead.
The arcade.
Neon lights flickered above the entrance, and the familiar mix of electronic beeps, clinking tokens, and excited shouts pulled me in like a magnet.
"Let's gamble," Lucas said, already sliding into one of the driver's seats of a Street Racer machine. "Winner gets one wish from the loser. No take-backs."
He looked confident. Smug, even.
I raised an eyebrow. "Anything?"
"Anything," he confirmed with a grin.
I shrugged and dropped into the seat next to him. "Sure, why not."
He cracked his knuckles theatrically. "Time for my revenge, Mia Isabella."
This guy was so annoying.
We slipped our tokens into the slot. The machine whirred to life, bathing us in the glow of the starting screen. A lineup of flashy cars appeared. I picked a sleek red coupé—fast, agile, built for finesse. Lucas, obviously, went for the loudest, bulkiest muscle car the game offered. Typical.
The countdown started:
3… 2… 1… GO!
Engines roared. Tires squealed. We were off.
The first lap blurred past in a frenzy of tight turns and split-second dodges. Lucas played dirty, pushing other cars aside with his heavy vehicle, grinning like a maniac every time he blocked me.
"Too slow!" he yelled over the pulsing game soundtrack, eyes focused, a bead of sweat trailing down his temple.
Oh, it was on now.
This wasn't just about a stupid wish anymore. It was personal. It was about pride, honor… and not letting this smug idiot win.
I gritted my teeth, scanning the virtual track ahead. And then—I saw it.
A shortcut.
I took it without hesitation, swerving off the main path and bursting through a secret tunnel I remembered from ages ago. I rejoined the race several seconds ahead, my red coupé flying.
I glanced sideways. Lucas noticed. His jaw tightened.
He fought back with a sharp drift around the next curve, cutting dangerously close to me. We were neck and neck, the sound of the arcade fading into nothing but adrenaline and determination.
Final lap.
My palms were sweaty, my whole body tense. Our cars were practically fused together on the screen, flashing red and blue blurs racing toward the checkered flag.
I hit my final turbo.
The world distorted for a second as my car surged forward—but Lucas wasn't done. He swerved last-minute, trying to edge me out.
It was so close.
And then—
"WINNER!
The word flashed across the screen in blinding gold.
Below it, in bold block letters: LUCAS
He threw his hands up in triumph. "HAHAHA! Got you!"
I sat frozen, my fingers still gripping the wheel. A beat passed, then I groaned and leaned back, eyes wide with exaggerated disbelief.
"No way!"
"Face it, loser," he said, grinning from ear to ear. "You're not backing out of our deal, are you?"
I glared at him, the loss stinging more than I'd expected. "You had to have cheated at that last corner."
He just smirked.
"Fine, fine." I sighed dramatically, waving my hand. "A bet's a bet. What's your royal wish, oh mighty Street Racer?"
Lucas tapped his chin, pretending to think hard. "Hmm. Okay. I want you to cook for me."
"Cook?" I repeated slowly.
"Yep. Five meals. No—make that ten. And don't even think about buying them or faking it. I want homemade food. Delivered to my company. Personally."
"Ten?!" I gawked. "Are you serious?!"
He gave me the most irritatingly innocent look. "Did I stutter? You heard me just fine, Mia. Don't pretend to be hard of hearing now."
"You do realize I could poison you."
"Then I'll drag you to the afterlife with me as my ghost bride."
I coughed. "Excuse me? Who wants to be your bride? I'd rather marry a street cat."
"Your words, not mine. But sure, bring on the poison. I'll keep some stomach meds ready—just in case."
I scowled, folding my arms. "Fine. Ten meals it is. But don't complain when they don't suit your taste bud"
"I'll survive," he said with a wink. "Barely."
"Ugh. I hate you."
He stood, stretching with that same victorious smirk still plastered across his face. "Hate me all you want, as long as you remember our deal."
I stuck my tongue out at him and stomped away—though deep down, I was already planning how to make the blandest, most aggressively mediocre lunch boxes in history.
This wasn't over.
***
"Mia, look what I got for you," Caspian said, stepping in front of me with a playful smile.
In his hand was an adorable cat plushie, round and soft, with big embroidered eyes and tiny paws. My heart melted instantly.
"Oh my gosh, it's so cute! Where did you get this?" I took the plushie and gave it a gentle squeeze. It was squishy and velvety.
"From the claw machine, just over there," he pointed, looking a little proud.
My eyes widened. "Wait… is this really for me?"
"Of course," he said with a smirk. "Took me way too many coins to win it, too."
"Aww, thank you, Caspian. You're so sweet!" I smiled warmly and hugged the plushie tightly to my chest.
Before I could say more, I looked around. "Hey, where's Alex?" I hadn't seen him since before I started the racing game with Lucas. Caspian and Alex had disappeared earlier—but now only Caspian was back.
"I saw him step outside to answer a call. Not sure why he's taking so long," Caspian said casually.
"Let's go find him."
We walked outside together, Caspian close by my side, subtly shielding me from the crowd. Lucas trailed a few steps behind, scrolling through his phone like he didn't care.
Night had fallen completely. The sky was dark and starless, the moon hidden behind a thick curtain of clouds. The air felt heavier now—like rain might fall any moment.
Ahead of us, we spotted Alex pacing slightly, phone pressed to his ear.
"Alex!" I called out.
He turned immediately, quickly ending the call and walking toward us.
"Mia, you done with your race?" he asked, slipping the phone into his pocket.
"Yeah. Who were you talking to? You looked serious."
"It–-It was Mike. He was just checking when we'll be back. Probably worried about you," he explained, glancing briefly at Caspian.
"Oh, Mike. We should head back soon anyway, it's getting late. But before that…" I turned and pointed up.
The three of them followed my finger to a massive structure blinking in the distance—bright, colorful lights outlining a giant Ferris wheel.
"One last ride?" I said with a grin.
Alex groaned. "Mia, seriously? What now?"
Lucas blinked at the Ferris wheel and made a face. "Not interested."
But Caspian laughed. "I'm in."
***
"Four tickets, please," I told the attendant at the entrance.
He glanced at us—four fully grown adults lining up for a ride meant more for children and couples. But he didn't say a word, only nodded and handed over our passes.
"Please be cautious and balance your seating according to your weight," he reminded us politely.
"Got it," I said cheerfully.
We entered the slowly moving gondola. I sat beside Caspian while Alex took the seat directly across from us. Lucas was the last to step in, flopping down beside Alex with a loud sigh.
"This already feels unbalanced," Lucas muttered, eyeing the floor.
"That's because you're too fat," I shot back playfully.
"Pfft, whatever. I'm not wasting energy arguing with you," he said, turning his gaze to the glass window beside him.
I smirked in victory and turned to admire the view outside. "So beautiful."
"Yeah… beautiful," Caspian said beside me.
I glanced at him—he was already looking away, toward the skyline. But I saw it.
Had he meant the view… or me?
Just as the gondola reached the highest point, offering a breathtaking panorama of the glowing amusement park and city lights beyond, a loud metallic groan echoed through the ride.
Then—jerk.
The gondola shook violently, coming to an abrupt halt. The lights flickered once... twice... then extinguished completely, plunging us into total darkness.