The Twisted Obsession
Chapter 115: Family

Chapter 115: Family

Abby and Remo made their way back to where Charles and Martha were, Abby still clutching the plush teddy bear she had won.

They found them near a booth where a skilled artist was painting intricate designs on people’s faces. Martha’s eyes lit up as she caught sight of them approaching.

"Abby, Remo, you’re just in time!" Martha exclaimed, gesturing towards the booth. "I thought it would be fun for Charles to have his face painted. It’ll look great in pictures!"

Charles, who was seated on a nearby bench, looked up with a bemused expression. "I’m not sure about this, Martha," he said, though there was a hint of amusement in his voice.

Martha simply waved off his protests with a grin. "Nonsense, Charles! It’ll be a fun souvenir from our day at the carnival."

Abby laughed at her father’s skeptical expression, stepping closer to examine the designs on offer. "Come on, Dad, it’ll be a hoot! You can choose whatever design you like."

Charles sighed good-naturedly, giving in to Martha’s insistence. "Alright, alright," he relented, a smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "But nothing too outrageous, okay?"

The artist, a young woman with a vibrant personality, greeted them warmly as they approached. "Welcome, folks! What can I do for you today?"

Martha eagerly explained their plan, and the artist nodded in understanding, her brush poised and ready. "Of course! Sit right down, and we’ll get started."

As Charles settled into the chair, Abby and Remo watched with amusement as Martha hovered nearby, offering suggestions for the design. After a few moments of discussion, they settled on a simple yet elegant design—a striking butterfly with intricate patterns adorning its wings.

The artist worked quickly and skillfully, her brush gliding effortlessly over Charles’s face as she brought the design to life. Abby and Remo watched in fascination as the butterfly took shape, its vibrant colors contrasting beautifully against Charles’s skin.

When the artist finally finished, she stepped back to admire her handiwork, a satisfied smile on her face. "There you go! What do you think?"

Charles blinked in surprise as he caught sight of his reflection in a nearby mirror. His face lit up with a grin as he examined the butterfly design, a sense of childlike wonder sparkling in his eyes.

"It’s... it’s perfect," he exclaimed, unable to hide his delight. "Thank you!"

Martha beamed at his reaction, snapping a few pictures with her phone to capture the moment. "You look fantastic, Charles!" she exclaimed, her eyes shining with pride.

Abby and Remo couldn’t help but join in the chorus of praise, their hearts warmed by the sight of Charles’s joyful expression. Abby took pictures on her phone as they posed for a few pictures together.

Martha clapped her hands excitedly. "Now that Charles is all painted up, let’s commemorate the moment with some photos! There’s a photo booth just around the corner. What do you say?"

Abby and Remo exchanged a look, both smiling at Martha’s infectious enthusiasm. "Sounds like a great idea!" Abby exclaimed, her eyes lighting up with excitement.

Charles nodded in agreement, his face still adorned with the colorful butterfly design. "I’m game! Lead the way, Martha."

With Martha leading the charge, they made their way to the photo booth, which was adorned with colorful streamers and twinkling lights. The booth itself was decorated with quirky props and accessories, inviting them to unleash their creativity.

Abby’s heart fluttered with excitement as they stepped inside, the scent of nostalgia and anticipation filling the air. Remo pulled her close, wrapping his arm around her waist as they prepared for their impromptu photo session.

Inside the booth, they found an array of props—oversized sunglasses, feather boas, silly hats, and cardboard speech bubbles adorned with playful phrases. Martha wasted no time in grabbing a feather boa, draping it around her neck with a flourish.

"Alright, everyone, let’s get silly!" Martha exclaimed, her eyes sparkling with mischief.

Abby giggled as she slipped on a pair of oversized sunglasses, striking a pose as she glanced over at Remo. He grinned back at her, his own pair of sunglasses perched on his nose, adding to his already charming demeanor.

Charles joined in the fun, donning a colorful hat and flashing a peace sign at the camera. His butterfly face paint added an extra touch of whimsy to the photos, eliciting laughter from everyone in the booth.

As the camera flashed and captured each moment, Abby felt a surge of happiness wash over her.

Here they were, her makeshift family, enjoying each other’s company and making memories together. It was moments like these that she cherished the most.

After several rounds of laughter and countless photos, they emerged from the booth, each clutching a strip of pictures filled with silly poses and joyful smiles. Abby couldn’t wait to look back on these memories in the years to come, a reminder of the love and laughter they shared on this special day at the carnival.

Abby and Remo stepped into the photo booth together afterwards, their hearts racing with anticipation. As they settled into the small space, Remo pulled Abby close, his arms wrapping around her waist as they prepared for their romantic picture pose.

With a soft smile, Abby leaned into Remo’s embrace, her head resting against his chest as they gazed into the camera with a look of pure love and affection. The flash of the camera captured the moment perfectly, freezing their love in time for eternity.

Meanwhile, Charles and Martha shared a playful glance before striking their own pose. With Martha’s arm draped around Charles’ shoulder and his hand placed affectionately on her waist, they grinned at the camera, their eyes twinkling with joy.

Next, it was Abby’s turn to take a picture with her father. As they stood side by side, Abby looped her arm through Charles’, their bond evident in the warmth of their smiles and the twinkle in their eyes. The camera clicked, capturing the love and connection between father and daughter.

Finally, Martha joined Abby and Charles for a group picture, her infectious laughter filling the air as they posed together. With their arms around each other, they smiled for the camera, their faces glowing with happiness and love.

As they exited the photo booth, each holding onto their precious memories captured on film, Abby couldn’t help but feel grateful for the love and laughter shared among them.

Their joyous laughter was abruptly shattered by the sudden sound of a gunshot echoing through the air. Panic rippled through the crowd like a shockwave, sending people scrambling in all directions, screams piercing the once lively atmosphere of the carnival.