The scent of caramel apples and fried butter filled the air. You could almost feel the excitement as people from everywhere, all ages lined up to see the fair’s newest addition: The Circus Act: A Place of Wonders and Curiosity. But that’s not why I was here. My friend, Mae, had told me about a fortune telling machine. I’d never seen one of those before, so I just had to go to see it.

I walked around as the coins in the back of my jean pocket clattered, adding on to the ruckus of the fair. I walked around aimlessly for about ten more minutes before I came across the fortune machine that Mae had mentioned. A tan skinned machine genie with black slicked back rubber hair sat inside an old-looking maroon box with a painted on gold frame that was chipping off.

I pulled out a coin from my pocket and placed it inside the coin slot. The machine came alive as the genie opened his dark green eyes.

“Came for a fortune, I see.” The genie’s voice cracked as he spoke.

“Yeah, how’d you know?” I asked sarcastically as I rolled my eyes slightly.

“Because, I’ve been expecting you.” Replied the genie. Now, _that _had suprised me. But, it was just a machine, it couldn’t hear me, r_ight_?

“Here is your fortune,” the genie began, “You will receive an offer you cannot refuse. But, it may just cause you to loseeeeee—“ the genie’s voice deepened and slowed down before it came to a stop. Stupid cheap machinery.

I let out a long sigh and walked away, that was a waste of a quarter. Most of the rides have closed by now, so the only thing left to do was to watch the circus.

The sound of elephants stomping, trumpets blaring, people laughing, and lions roaring filled my ears as I walked inside handing the person behind the counter my ticket.

I sat next to a mother in daughter who where enjoying watching the tight rope walkers swing from one rope to another. As the show continued on, a young man carrying a small sack of— what was that?— Coins? Sat next to me.

“Hello,” he said with a smile.

“Hi.”

“I couldn’t help but notice that lovely watch your wearing. It’s quite stunning, really.”

“Thanks.” What did this guy want? My watch? Was he a pickpocket?

“I have an absolutely lovely idea that’s just occurred to me.”

“Awesome.”

“Your watch for my sack of magical beans.”

_Magical beans? This guys mental. _

“That sounds nice and all, but I’m fine with this watch.”

“Yes, like a said lovely watch,” his eyes stayed focused on the watch as he added, “but the beans will grow into a magical bean stalk, where all your dreams can come true.”

“Sure they will…”

This time, the young man looked into my eyes. “I _said trade me that watch. Now.” _

Everything was a blur, but by the time I remembered what had happened the young man was gone and in my left pocket layed a sack of ‘magical beans’. Mom would be furious. She’d been saving money for years just to afford that watch.

I ran out of the fair as fast as my legs whould carry me. I wasn’t too keen on the idea of going home, but after whatever had just happened, I didn’t want to be anywhere near that place.

As I turned down the black that led home, I began to drag my legs, terrified of what awaited me there.

About twelve minutes of stalling, I approached the door to my home. Before I even had time to knock— I forgot the house keys at home— my mother opened the door.

“Where have you been? You where susposed to be home over an _hour _ago!” She complained as her bright blue eyes settled on the spot of my wrist where my watch usually was.

“Keely,” mother asked with a hint of sourness creeping into her voice, “where is your watch?!”

I looked down at my feet, fearing to look anywhere else. “I-I-it-boy-he-gone-beans.” I stumbled on my words as my mother sighed.

“What’s wrong? Cat got your tounge! Spit it out, girl!”

I began to cry. “There was a boy and he wanted to trade my watch for beans he said where magical and then he—“ Before I could tell my mother the rest, she cut me off.

“YOU TRADED YOUR WATCH FOR WHAT A STRANGER SAID WHERE MAGICAL BEANS!” Her face turned redder that a tomato. “You’d have to be an absolute fool to believe that!”

“I’m sorry, mum, I didn’t mean to…” my voice dragged out, there was no point in arguing.

“Strait to your room with no supper!” My mother commanded.

I drageged my feet up the stairs feeling slightly sorry for myself, but mostly sorry that I let down my mother and lost her trust. _Stupid beans. Stupid boy. _

__

Once I reached my bedroom, I opened the window and threw the useless beans out.

“Goodbye, beans. Oh, and thanks for ruining my life.” I muttered under my breath as I got under the sheets of my bed.

As I closed my eyes to get some sleep, a faint humming sound came from outside. The humming turned into a pound buzzing sound before it became silent. Then, a bright green light flashed from just out side my window.