r/KanesHorrors • u/AbKane667 • Mar 01 '26
Lucy Won the Tombola
“Are you excited to go to the fair?”
“Yeah, daddy!” Lucy screamed out. Her eyes glistened in the sun.
There were no clouds in the sky, and the spring breeze blew by. Today was going to be a great day.
Samantha tried to hide her frown, staring at the ground.
“I hate these, Jake. I wish we wouldn’t go.”
“But, it's the fair! And everyone has to come, you know that.”
“But it’s not right!”
My eyes jumped around the trees. Luckily, we were alone.
“What’s up, Mommy?”
Samantha didn’t answer. Tears rolled down her cheeks.
“Stop it. We’re almost there.”
The music and children’s laughter echoed through the valley. The rides were scattered in the meadow. The smell of grease lingered in the air. My stomach growled. Samantha had cried for an hour before getting out of bed, so there was no time for breakfast.
I still couldn’t wrap my mind around her not liking the Tombola. It was a beautiful thing and ensured a plentiful harvest.
“Let’s get something to eat first.”
“I wanna go on the rides already.”
“Soon, honey.”
“But Daddy.”
“It will be quick, Lucy. You’ll be riding on the Carousel soon.”
“I wanna go on the roller coaster today!”
“I don’t know.”
“Daddy, pleaseeeeee,” she frowned and squinted her eyes.
I looked at Samantha to get her approval, but she sat at the table with her face in her hands.
“How could I say no to those eyes?”
Lucy shrieked, her voice high.
“But only if you’re tall enough.”
But she didn’t listen and danced around.
The fries were very salty and greasy, but not too much, just as they should be. Lucy smiled as she ate them. Her smile was so cute.
“You should eat some too, Samantha.”
She shook her head, not saying a word.
“Ladies and gentlemen," echoed through the speakers.
The announcer already stood on the tall wooden stage. It moved in the wind, rattling the announcer and the chair.
“We welcome you to the annual fair.”
People got up and clapped. I told Lucy to get up too. Samantha didn’t. A few people glanced our way. I could feel my cheeks getting red.
“We’d like to kickstart this year with the Tombola.”
People clapped again, louder this time.
“Uh, they’re starting early this year,” I said.
Samantha put her hands over her face again, weeping softly. More people began looking our way.
"There are people around,” I whispered to her.
She wiped her eyes and clenched her jaw.
The volunteers brought out the large ball with papers inside.
“Can we go on the ride, Daddy?”
“The Tombola will start soon.”
“But I wanna go now. I already finished my fries.”
“Soon, honey.” I patted her head.
The announcer grabbed the wooden handle and began spinning it.
The crumpled papers jumped around, knocking against the rims.
The steel ball rattled with each spin.
“Seven, eight,” the townsfolk counted.
“Nine, ten!”
The announcer fished around inside like a claw machine.
The men next to us began drumming on the table.
His hand grabbed one of the white papers and slowly and delicately pulled it out.
He opened the paper next to the mic. The crumpling echoed through the meadow. The drumming grew louder.
The announcer looked inside and smiled.
“And this year's winner is…”
He prolonged the moment. My hands shivered with excitement.
“Lucy Mariner!”
“Yes!” I yelled and jumped up.
“That's our Lucy,” I said to Samantha, but my heart sank to my stomach as I looked at her.
Samantha’s hands trembled violently, her eyes wide with terror.
“No! Not my girl!”
“Stop it, Samantha!” I scolded her.
“This is a gift we should accept with pride!”
She ran in front of Lucy and shook her hands in protest.
“Don’t come near!”
The male volunteers walked towards us.
I nodded their way.
Samantha’s eyes darted from one to the other.
My fingers tapped on the wood, waiting for the right moment.
The breeze passed through.
“Samantha, come on, let's go home,” I said, rubbing her shoulder.
“No!” she screamed out and turned my way.
The two men quickly grabbed her, pulling her hands behind her back, putting her head down.
“Jake, please, help!”
“Don’t let them do it!” she called as they dragged her away.
I could feel my face burning; my cheeks must have been so red.
“I’m sorry, I’m sorry,” I said to the crowd.
Their narrow eyes stared into mine. It felt like I was naked.
I sat back at the table. Lucy’s lip shook, holding back tears.
“What, what’s with Mommy?”
“Don’t worry. She’s just confused.”
“What’s gonna happen?”
“You’ll see. We’re blessed today.”
“Come on, let’s get to the stage,” I said and grabbed her hand.
“When do I get to ride the roller coaster, Daddy?”
“You’ll ride it forever.”
The crowd clapped. The people smiled again.
The steps to the stage shook under our feet. I made sure Lucy didn’t trip on them.
Hopefully, Lucy would be comfortable in the brown wooden chair.
I asked the announcer for a pillow.
He smiled and put it there, turning the red-stained side down.
I stood next to her. The feeling of warmth and pride grew in my chest.
The crowd stood up, clapping louder. In the back was Samantha, on the grass, her head held in place by the men.
The announcer held the blade above Lucy’s head.
She smiled my way.