Prize, by Belinda Brady

He scans the crowd, cursing to himself as he watches carnival-goers passing by his isolated game of skill. 

It’d been a slow summer and he was worried. 

“Is that the biggest prize you’ve got?” a young blonde asks, interrupting his thoughts. She’s pointing at the big fluffy bear hanging from the roof.

“No, ma’am. I have something bigger inside. Wanna see?” he smiles, looking around the near empty grounds.

“Sure!” she beams.

She giggles as she follows him inside the tent.

He’s quick with his knife as the nearby rollercoaster drowns out her screams.

He’s claimed his prize at last.

Belinda is passionate about stories and after years of procrastinating, has finally turned her hand to writing them, with a preference for supernatural/thriller themes; both often competing for her attention. She has had several stories published in a variety of publications, both online and in anthologies. Belinda lives in Australia with her family and has been known to enjoy the company of cats over people.