The night began with drinks. Diana had come prepared, flashing a mischievous grin as she pulled out a slim silver flask from her bag. "To hot witches' night out," she declared, holding it aloft. The others laughed and clinked their plastic soda cups against it, Chloe already giggling from the buzz of the carnival atmosphere around them. The flask passed between them, burning sweetly down their throats, loosening nerves and heightening excitement.

Then came the rides. They started with the ...