The Puppeteer’s Carnival

The carnival had engulfed Iris in darkness. Yet, a flame of defiance burned within her, small but fierce. She couldn’t remain a puppet forever. She wouldn’t allow others to be trapped in this twisted fate. Each night as she performed under the puppeteer’s watchful eyes, she searched, hoping for any clue, any sign of weakness. […]

It was a foggy autumn evening when the carnival rolled into town. Dark clouds hung heavy in the sky, casting an eerie glow over the small village that had been quiet for years. Brightly painted wagons, faded with age, lined the main street. Strung lights swayed in the cold wind, flickering and sputtering. The scent