Break Camp

They felt a tangle of invisible branches and leaves brushing past their legs, through their hair and across their arms. The giant chicken roared at them, pounding the ground as it bulldozed towards them, but it was too late. They were gone. 

Ben, Mark, and Holly stood blinking in the sunlight, momentarily blinded by the bright light, the sound of the thousands of people attending the Fair drowning them in noise. Slowly, like waking up from a dream, the boys let go of Holly's hands. The smell of malted popcorn, cotton candy, grass, and hot dogs roasting all mixed with the heat. An roar, faint and far away, seemed to echo in their ears. A little boy cast an admiring glance at their armor, tugging on his mother's arm. "Look at that spear, mom! Let's find where they sell those. It's so cool!"

Despite the heat, the siblings starting shivering uncontrollably, then shaking, and then laughing. They collapsed on the ground together, howls of laughter causing the crowd to give them a wide berth. Finally, after what seemed like eternity, their uncontrollable giggling gradually subsided into fits and bursts.

"That was a pretty cool shop." Ben remarked to no one in particular. 

"Yes." Holly looked back behind them. The tent had disappeared, leaving only trampled grass in its wake. She stroked the armor she was wearing. "I hope that man got out alright."

"Dwarf." Mark corrected. "6 foot dwarf."

"20 foot tall chicken."

Ben suddenly surged to his feet. "Crap guys, we're gonna be late to the booth! We were supposed to help out, right?"

Mark looked at him incredulously. "After what just happened, you're thinking of that?"

"Well, yeah. they'll be wondering where we're at. We could get in trouble if we don't show."

Holly stood up too, grimacing. "Ben, you didn't even want to go in the first place." She was feeling cranky and tired. 

Ben was quiet for a moment. "Look, I'm not trying to avoid that what just happened was- well. But we need some time to think about it. That's what coach always says, you gotta take some time to analyze the situation. And I think that getting back to normal for a little while, just until we can catch our breath, might be a good idea." 

Mark struggled to his feet, nodding his head. "He's right Holly. And we don't tell anybody for awhile. Not even mom and dad."

"Yeah." Holly agreed, and after a moments hesitation, Ben joined in.