Monster (part one)

Next was Ezekiel "Zeke" Washington, the oldest at age 12 and our natural born leader. He was the fastest runner and best baseball player in the neighborhood. His father was the chief of police and his mother was the high school math teacher. I would always hear my older sister

Melody say that Zeke was going to be a "really cute guy when he got older". It must've been true, because on Valentine's Day he got the most cards and candy.

Finally there was myself, Franklin Peyton, a name I would learn to dread once I got older and in high school, but that is another story. I was blessed with the ironic honor of being the smartest kid in school, but not the most athletic. My big brother William was blessed with my father's handsome looks and U.S Marine physique, while my twin sisters Melody and Melanie were the exact replicas of my mother's beauty, grace, and supreme intellect. Somewhere along the line I got the left overs from my parent's genetic stew. Which lead to me being labeled a "geek" or "nerd" in school. If it weren't for the friends I had grown up with, I'd probably would've grown up with no friends.

"Are we just gonna stand here, or are we gonna go in?" asked

April, stuffing her fist deep into the pockets of her overalls. "It's getting close to closing time."

I looked up into the sky to notice the sun slowly drifting below the western horizon. Once nightfall befell us it would be time for us to head to our respective homes. "She's right, we better head in."

We all seemingly took in a deep breath, holding it for a quick moment and then exhaling, all at the same time. Had we been exhaling cigar smoke, we no doubtedly would've produced a deep fog that would've engulfed the fair grounds.

At the tent entrance stood Dr. Winston himself, draped in a black cloak, a ragged top hat, and the all too familiar long black and grey beard that hung from his face. Issac was the most frightened of us all, he said that Dr. Winston reminded him of the undertaker that buried his dear beloved Aunt Harriet a year earlier. For assurance and comfort

April tightly held his hand within hers.

Dr. Doom looked down on us with a stone gaze that sent chills down our already rattling bones. His eyes were cold and empty, without the faintest hint of emotion, almost inhuman. "Speak before entering my sanctuary!" his gravel laced voice boomed down on us. I cringed and gritted my teeth, even the usually ultra-brave Zeke took a cautionary step back.

I raised my hand toward him, handing him our tickets to enter.

"Permission to enter, sir." He grabbed the tickets with a quick swipe of his hand and pointed to the darkness within the tent.

Before we could take a step in he spoke, "Know this young ones, you enter at your own risk. What you see beyond this entrance are things that will forever haunt your dreams, after tonight you will never enjoy another restful night."

With that we were allowed to enter. The insides were dimly lit, and it took awhile until our eyes adjusted to the darkness. Once our vision had become adjusted we were treated to a sight unlike we had ever seen before. Issac immediately screamed with a frightful shrill.