What if the key to unlocking your true self lay hidden in a carnival that only appears at midnight?

In the quaint town of Willowbrook, where autumn leaves whisper secrets and shadows lengthen with unnatural persistence, a mysterious carnival materializes under the cover of darkness. This is no ordinary fairground, but a labyrinth of magic and self-discovery that appears only to those teetering on the edge of transformation.

Meet Raven Brume, a young woman shrouded in isolation and invisibility. Trapped in a life that feels increasingly hollow, Raven stumbles upon a gilded ticket that promises adventure but may demand more than she’s prepared to give. As she steps into the Midnight Carnival, she embarks on a journey that will force her to confront the very essence of who she is—and who she could become.

But the carnival’s glittering facade hides perilous truths. In the Hall of Mirrors, Raven faces distorted reflections of her deepest fears. The Maze of Shadows threatens to swallow her whole, while the enigmatic Ringmaster seems to know more about Raven than she knows about herself. With each attraction, the stakes grow higher, and the line between reality and illusion blurs. Will Raven find the courage to shatter the walls she’s built around her heart, or will she remain trapped in a prison of her own making?

Step right up to The Midnight Carnival, where every choice could be your last, and the person you become may be the one you’ve always feared to be.

If you loved the haunting allure of The Night Circus and the deep character exploration of Coraline, then The Midnight Carnival will enchant you with its dark whimsy and profound journey of self-discovery.

Will Raven embrace the transformative magic of the Midnight Carnival, or will she retreat into the safety of her familiar shadows? Click the PDF icon at the top to download this FREE short story and step into a world where dreams and nightmares dance on a knife’s edge.