Merry-go-round

Tim always hated the Costal Park. Back in those days, his mother would tell him several times that the monster has been inactive for over a hundred years and that there's nothing to be scared of, he would still insist that they go home sooner and not wake it up. He wasn't always lucky, because his siblings loved the playground. Mary, especially, would spend hours on the merry-go-round if she could. She used to say it made her feel like she was riding in the sky. That’s was another reason Tim hated it there. The heights always gave him the creeps. Even on their family trip to Ohio that summer, he wouldn't get in the amusement park because he was afraid that they would force him to ride the roller-coasters with them, and their dad had to sit this day out and return to their motel room. He didn't talk to Tim that day, and Tim didn't nag about not watching cartoons instead of grown-up movies.

For all these reasons, he was very hesitant to pay that old place a visit. But there he was, on the edge where the monsters eye sockets supposedly were, leaning against it and staring at the merry-go-round.

"You know old guy," he said, patting the surface, "For what it's worth, I'm glad you didn't wake up."

He smiled, and started walking away. He looked back just enough to catch a glimpse of the silhouette, not even once contemplating the identity of the creature that had created a foundation for the park to be built on.

Many years ago, a starving polar bear looked back to catch a glimpse of what was left of the world, and closed his eyes.