The carousel music echoes nostalgically around the silent buildings overlooking the square.
Stranded in their apartments, people stare out remembering a different time, whilst in doorways and alleyways the hooded jackals congregate, staring with bleak eyes at the gaudy flashing lights.
One by one they venture out, climbing onto the painted horses until every one is taken.
These jackals will not pay Jean-Paul for their ride.
He knows that; his reward lies elsewhere.
Only the sharp-eyed amongst the curfewed onlookers notice that as each ride ends, a small but steadily increasing number of horses are now riderless.
Montpelier is being reclaimed.
Many thanks to Rochelle, the leader of the Friday Fictioneers, for her continued efforts on behalf of all of us. Most appreciated, Rochelle.
castelsarrasin 
Wonderfully sinister, Sandra
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Thanks for reading, Neil.
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A dystopian look during the pandemic — you set the scene and tone as only a master can, makes the rest flow so well.
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Aww thank you. And thanks for reading.
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Dear Sandra,
Merry-go-rounds and amusement parks work so well for a macabre story, don’t they? You’ve set the stage and tone well enough to leave my spine with a chill. Well done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Yes, nothing spookier than a fairground in my view. 🙂 Thanks for reading.
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An intriguing and omnious story. I enjoyed that, well done.
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That was… shudder… excellent.
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Thanks for reading, glad you liked it.
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I’m trying to decide whether Jean-Paul is a saviour or a sinner. I suppose it depends which side you’re on… Beautifully created and deliciously sinister, Sandra.
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In my book he’s a saviour. But then I travelled through quite a few French cities that made me distinctly uneasy. So much so that now we catch the ferry to Spain to avoid them. 😦
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Oooooh, creepy! Te best kind of creepy 🙂
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Many thanks for reading, Linda.
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Wonderfully chilling.
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Thanks for reading Liz.
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Hey at least he gets the last laugh
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Thanks for reading.
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A bit of a grin with both eyebrows raised. Great story, Sandra.
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😉 Thanks Bill.
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Sandra,
Have to give “them” credit for their creative reclamation: beware the carousel one and all!
pax,
dora
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Some things are not what they seem. 🙂 Thanks for reading.
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What a sinister tale. What will happen when Jean-Paul runs out of jackals? I love the way you’ve made your text feel French.
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Thanks for reading Penny.
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On the eve of something wicked this way comes – a very foreboding ambiance set – well done; just enough flavour to let us wonder, guess, what is happening, what next. 🙂
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Many thanks for reading.
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This was delicious. Sandra. I shall no ponder on just what happens to the jackals once they dismount…
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Thanks for reading, Dale. 🙂
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Sandra, I’ve been away from FF’s for a while (formerly Waiting For a Name), but it’s so good to be back and to discover you’re as gracefully sinister as ever!
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‘gracefully sinister’ I like that. 🙂 Thanks for reading and good to see you back.
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A lot of planning has gone behind this.
Onlookers will never want to ever ride a carousel after seeing such fate!
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Thanks for reading.
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So much for clasping that elusive brass ring . . . I agree, fair grounds = creepscapes!
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Spooky for sure.
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Sandra the hooded shadows remind me of “the infected” in the old movie, “Omega Man.” Dystopia and fighting back against it are wonderful themes to explore at ground level. You did a great job manifesting both.
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Thanks for reading, Lisa. Glad you enjoyed it.
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You’re very welcome.
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p.s. great title too!
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🙂
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Very well done, scary story! Great.
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Thanks, Trish.
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That’s such a great story, Sandra. I can read it on several levels and I think Camus would want to shake you by the hand. I echo what Ain says – the hand of the master. Brilliant.
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Aww thanks. Glad you enjoyed it. Perhaps we will all, one day, reach the stage of ‘contented acceptance’. Maybe a lot of us have.
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What goes around, comes around…
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Indeed it does.
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Wonderfully sinister and excellent writing, Sandra. I love the title as well.
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Thanks Brenda, and for a lovely photo which seems to have inspired many.
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Ah, and what goes around, comes around … 😉
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Thanks for reading
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🙂 You’re welcome, Sandra! It was fab.
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after a long isolation, one has to step out only to be taken for a ride. sad.
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Them’s the breaks. 🙂
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Thanks to Jean-Paul, the good folk of Montpelier will soon be able to leave their apartments again. A great take Sandra.
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Yikes, as so many have said, sinister and creepy!
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