[ IP ] Welcome to Funland !

Jeff Jr.'s foot slipped into a puddle filled with liquid human dread. He shook off his sandal, the fluid giving off a muted, tormented moan as it soared towards the ground. 
 
 `` Dad, this vacation is bullshit.'' He said, swinging his arms around. 
 
 Jeff Sr. did n't listen to him, but tromped on, beaming under his bushy, grey beard. He took off his bucket hat and waved it in front of his face. 
 
 `` Now, Junior., we're already here and I paid a lot of money for us to even *be* here, so -- for me -- buck up, kid.'' 
 
 Jeff Jr. muttered something about fascism as they moved towards the gates. A few of the letters swung back and forth, giving a pitiful *creak, creak*, the sound limping along. The roller coasters were almost in sight, something that would never change. At the Charon Carnival, everything was always almost in view. A fog like static covered the whole park, which was odd, being in Southern Florida. The mist stopped almost immediately at the border of the park grounds, a clear divide between it and the clear summer day. 
 
 Jeff Sr. peered over the admissions desk, looking for an attendant. He rang the bell more times than was necessary, the movement disturbing the dust which gave off the hint of a scent of sulfur. 
 
 `` Funny, the damn place is understaffed. With the amount of money I paid...'' 
 
 `` Fuck, dad, just let me go to the beach or something. You can wait here for some faggy roller coaster.'' 
 
 Jeff Sr.'s forehead began to itch from embarrassment for himself. The beginnings of a tear began to form on his eyelid when he heard a voice from the booth. 
 
 `` Welcome, sir. Do you have a ticket present?'' He said, a forked tongue probing around his lips. 
 
 `` Yes, I do!'' He nudged Jeff Jr. in the ribs a few times before he walked a few steps away. The clerk rubbed his hands together. 
 
 `` Now we will need a small *deposit*, for security's sake.'' 
 
 `` Oh yeah, sounds fair. What do you want? I got my watch, my phone's a bit worthless...'' 
 
 `` I'll only need your soul.'' 
 
 The air grew colder around him, his blood felt like it was running faster and slower at the same time, causing turbulence in his veins. His eyes were locked, trapped on the clerk's eyes. In them there was no light, but rather darkness visible. He could feel him in his mind, rummaging around. Oh god. Oh dear god his eyes were a bottomless pit in which -- 
 
 `` Jesus, dad, just pay the guy. Fuckin' bored out here.'' 
 
 He cleared his throat and wiped his eyes. 
 
 `` Umm, yeah. Um, here you go, sir. How do we...'' 
 
 The clerk's lips bent upwards. 
 
 `` I already have what I need. Please come in.'' 
 
 Jeff Jr. stumbled in, his mind a fog. His son walked behind him, head buried in his phone. 
 
 The wind picked up, and the fog rolled away. The sun shone on a field that had always been empty.
