Quietly... TOO Quietly.

The pair of friends spent the day at the local amusement pier, riding the rides, playing games and having fun. Billy arrived to join them after his shift was over.

“You know that offer is still on the table...” he joked to Shauna

“I wouldn’t mind.” Patty said with a laugh.

“Okay, now this is getting awkward...” Shauna said “I...”

“OOH...” Billy said pointing to the one ride Patty and Shauna hadn’t done “lines short on the old tunnel of love...”

Billy started pulling Patty towards the boat ride.

“The sign says ‘the old mill”

“What the sign says and what we use it for are two different things.”

The two boys climbed into the small boats and were set off into the ride.

“So what makes this a ‘tunnel of love?” Patty said as the boat made a turn into the dark.

“This.” He heard Billy say before he felt their lips touch.

“Been waiting to do that all day.”

“Well, let’s make this worthwhile.” Patty said.

Outside the ride, Shauna had bought a soda and was waiting for the two lovebirds to come out again when she saw someone familiar.

“Jessie?” Shauna called out “Jessie? Where have you been?”

Jessie didn’t respond. Shauna wasn’t sure if it was because of the noise of the crowd or what, but Jessie just walked away.

“Damn, what the hell is wrong with her?” Shauna said. She looked where Jessie had just come from, it looked like a corner of the pier between the rides.

Then, a smell crossed her nose. It’s one of those smells all people recognize.

“FIRE!!!” Someone screamed.

Shauna looked over at the ride... part of the roof was already burning.