The haunted theme park
Chapter 7
They had reached the entrance of the huge tent by at which point China was out of breath-She wasn't used to doing all the running around. Valkyrie took a deep breath pulled back the flap and then pulled China inside. They couldn't have prepared themselves for what they saw: This tent was a lot bigger than Dora-Bella's and it was brighter, warmer and there was that circus music again. China gasped in awe neither of them had been to a circus before but in front of them was an actual circus with gymnasts, clowns and a ringmaster, a ringmaster wearing a pendant, Vaurien Scapegrace.
"Can we watch for a bit?" China asked.
"For a bit then we'll search for the pendant."
They both took a seat in the audience and joined in cheering for the acts.
Hang on Valkyrie thought I'm stupid. If all the staff is zombies then who are we sat with?
"China," Valkyrie whispered, "China look at the audience."
China stopped clapping and looked around the tent.
"Oh," China said looking scared again, "How could we not have noticed?"
All the people in the tent, apart from Valkyrie and China, were zombies. Unlike the woman outside these ones had black eyes, not red. At that moment they all cheered in unison making them both jump and Scapegraces' cold eyes met theirs.
"Outside." Valkyrie told China and they ran. Soon they were back outside the tent and China was panicking-again.
"We're never going to get home," said China.
"We will." Said Valkyrie whilst putting her arm around Chinas shoulders.
"No we won't!" Shouted China pushing Valkyries arm away, "I don't know if you noticed but if we'd tried to get the pendant we'd have to get through the audience, who of which are zombies and then the gymnasts and clowns who are also zombies. Then, and only if we survived that, find a way to take the pendant of Vaurien and then give it to that weird fortune-teller lady." China sat down on the grass.
"Well we need to get in there soon if we have any chance of getting home."
"We?" China looked up to Valkyrie, "It was your idea to come here in the first place."
"China I wouldn't have asked you to come if I knew you couldn't do it," Valkyrie sat down next to China, "China you are one of the most powerful sorcerers that know have ever lived, "China smiled, "and we can do this, I know we can."
"What if we get caught?"
"Then we'll ring Skulduggery."
"But he's in England he'll be busy."
"Oh believe me he'll come. As long as you're in trouble, China, he will come."
"My knight in shining armour," China laughed and Valkyrie laughed to.
"So," Valkyrie said getting to her feet, "Are you coming?"
"Of course," China joined her friend on her feet, "Hang on. How are we going to get in Scapegrace saw us last time he might be expecting us."
"China"
"Yes"
"Have you ever been to a fancy dress party?"
"No of course not Valkyrie, that would really ruin my image, and how is this helping? You're going completely of topic."
"No I'm not because this is my plan, listen this is what we're going to do."
"What?" China Sorrows was really confused. Valkyrie smiled this is the first time she had seen China confused.
"Follow me," Valkyrie ran around to the back of the tent China hot on her heels.