Chapter 15- Celebration

The police cruiser pulled up to the blockades and signaled everyone out, "Here is the celebration, Festival of The Dead." said the officer as everyone got out, they looked in amazement, there were street performers, food galore and everyone was dancing around.

"Cool." said Mikey jumping the blockade, he helped Caraan over, and he was followed by Sparky then Laura, Jared who was shaking and then Farah. "Wow this place is amazing." Little kids were setting off fireworks; they shot into the sky in a magnificent display.

Caraan walked up to a stand were an assortment of colorful sweets lay in front of her she smiled and looked, she saw fireworks in the reflection of the mirror. She turned around expecting to see another wonderful display but there were no fireworks, "Strange." thought Caraan picking up a slice of what looked like a coconut encrusted cake.

Mikey was at a water balloon toss, he laughed as the kids tried to help him win. "Calm down guys, I will get it." said Mikey, all the little kids waited patiently. He smiled and threw the balloon it hit the target and the kids cheered, Mikey high fived all of them.

Laura and Jared were looking at local merchants items, Laura picked up what appeared to be a rattle, she shook it, the beads inside sounded heavy, "Ah I see you have found something." said the shop keeper smiling at Laura.

"Well yeah what is this?" asked Laura, Jared was fiddling with it now. Jared tried to get it to sound but it wouldn't make a noise.

"It is a death rattle." said the shop keeper now amused with Jared trying to make it shake, "Your friend is very amusing."

"What do you mean death rattle?" asked Laura intrigued by the artifact. Suddenly the rattle began to shake and Laura covered her ears, "Knock it off Jared!" He put it back down onto the shag carpet were many other wears lay.

"It only sounds when death is near, I say you be weary child." said the shopkeeper as he fell asleep.

Sparky was at the drink table sipping a martini, he wanted to forget this horrible place, people were dieing, his friends were dieing, it was too much like the first time, "The first time?" Sparky thought, he remembered five years ago, the plane crashed he was the only one that got off, his friends burned as it crashed on an island, it was his fault. Farah was in the same mindset except she was standing in the shadows crying.

Meanwhile some rowdy kids snatched a firecracker from some guys pocket, they placed it in a muffin and watched it blow up, a small chunk hit a candle on a large cake glowing in the center, and the light glowed of the cobblestone street.

A strong wind blew through the air, Caraan had joined Mikey and they were watching some fireworks being set up near the cake, "This is going to be cool, Hey are the others?" asked Mikey looking around.

"Probably exploring somewhere." said Caraan, the candle tipped further. Laura was holding Jared's hand as she pulled him through the crowd to get to Caraan and Mikey, Laura then bumped into someone she shot him a nasty look.

It was Sparky he was drunk and wobbling on his own two feet, "Hey flies." said Sparky, "Pfft, flies I gots to write that down." He laughed, Jared grabbed his shoulder and began to tug him as Laura grabbed his other side and they pulled Sparky towards the center of the celebration.

Caraan and Mikey looked up at the sky the moon was now out and it shined on them. "This is perfect." said Caraan kissing Mikey, "Wow I just realized that we were having fun, death hasn't come for any of us yet."

"Amazing I know." said Mikey, Farah was on the other side of the street walking by, "Farah!" called Mikey, she looked up at them gloomily. Suddenly the candle fell and hit the table, flames began to coarse through the table and Caraan and Mikey darted for cover.

The fire on the table raged and some flame landed on the nearby fireworks, "Farah watch out!" screamed Caraan, Farah was unaware of what was going on, the fireworks light and a strong wind blew them over pointing straight at Farah, then the fireworks went off shooting right towards Farah who was so in shock she couldn't move.