Chapter 9
When the black cloak of night fell, the carnival was in full swing. Crowds of people milled about the side shows, trying their luck at the Duck Hunt or the Laughing Clowns. Screams from the Octopus Ride drowned out the sound of the calliope and warm smells filled the air. A group of teenagers, smoking and swigging beer from brown bottles, pushed their way through the crowd, drawing looks of annoyance and angry comments.
Nathan clutched the box of oversized matches he’d pilfered from the kitchen as he skirted around the edges of the carnival. He didn’t want to draw attention to himself, for when it came time to confront the police, he’d deny everything. The small red bag with the gold string was tucked safely into his back pocket. He prayed it would do all that Esme said it woul
