3

Sienna popped a kernel of popcorn into her mouth. “What next?” she said. We’d already gone on every ride: the Ferris wheel, the Tilt-a-Whirl, the Mixer, the miniature roller coaster (which Theo called “boring”), the bumper cars, and the carousel. We were out of ride options, and I was starting to feel a little dizzy.

“Let’s try some games,” I said. I was being brave. I knew that clowns might be lurking in Game Alley, twisting balloons into shapes for little kids or calling for people to try some games. But what could happen in bright sunlight, with my two friends with me? Besides, I’d left the creepiest clown behind, back at that pizza place.

By mid-morning, I was starting to forget all about clowns. I won the ring toss twice and gave my prizes (a stuffed bear and a stuffed pig) to Theo and Sienna.

“Hey, look,” Theo said, pointing down the midway. “A dunk tank! Let’s give it a try.”

I turned in the direction Theo was pointing.

A clown was sitting on the chair that hovered over the dunk tank. One Ticket to Dunk Bozo! read the sign above him.

I didn’t want to take one step closer to the clown, but I also didn’t want my friends to know I was afraid. I took off toward the dunk tank. “I’ll get you,” I muttered.

Sienna and Theo hurried to keep up. “This is your chance, Josh! Pretend he’s the kidnapper,” Sienna said.

“Get him good,” Theo added.

I handed tickets to the attendant. He gave me three squishy balls filled with beans and explained the rules. I stared at him as he spoke, trying to avoid looking at the clown. “You have three tries,” the attendant said. “Aim for that circle. If you hit it, the chair drops, and Bozo plunges into the water.”

I nodded and moved in front of the dunk tank. A crowd was gathering to watch.

“Give me all you got, big boy!” jeered Bozo. “Na-na na-na-na!”

I swallowed and looked up, ready to take a good look at the clown, and a good aim too. What I saw stopped my heart.

It was the clown from the pizza place. Same gray striped suit. Same curly hair. Same evil stare. “You!” he snarled.

I threw with all my might.

DING DING DING DING DING!

I hit the target on the first try. The seat collapsed, and the clown splashed into the water.

I felt an amazing sense of relief.

The crowd cheered and laughed. A few kids patted me on the back. After a few minutes, people started moving away, on to other attractions, but I remained rooted to the spot.

The clown still hadn’t emerged from the water.

I began to worry. He must have hit his head. He could be drowning! I ran to the other side of the dunk tank to get the attendant. But he wasn’t there anymore. I scanned the crowd but didn’t see him.

When I turned back to the dunk tank, Sienna and Theo were leaning over the tank, peering into the water.

Sienna straightened. “Nothing,” she whispered. “Just an empty tank.”

I inched toward the dunk tank. I didn’t want to look, but I had to.

I peeked over the edge. Sienna was right. The clown was gone.