Malcolm's Carousel.

I used to like merry-go-rounds. I loved how whimsically the horses move up and down and all around me while I laughed to the goofy carnival music playing from the audio speakers. High in the sky, the thoughts of my parents quarrelling and school bullies would slowly gallop away as I pretend-play with my little horsey. "How are you today Bullseye? Giddy up! Giddy up! Alright, alright cowboy Malcolm. Yeeee haw! Giddy up horsey! Look out! Here we come all you bad guys!" I would tell Bullseye about my day and what was troubling me and he would reply in a very deep hoarse voice: "Neighhhh….That's too bad. I can't help you Cowpoke. I am just a horse." Yes, he was just a horse. A horse devoid of human emotion and I was just a child. Even though my liking for carousels has withered away, I would always head down to the amusement park after my shift to sit on one of them. The moment I sit on the saddle, the horses and the machine will jolt to life. I get immersed in the sounds of horses neighing and country music as my body endures the cyclical toss and turns. You can't get off in the middle of the ride as you are "floating'' 10 metres above the ground. Yes, the ride doesn't just move in circles. It moves vertically and that's the scariest part. There isn't any emergency button for you to press should you feel queasy or have the urge to throw up. On top of this, the screeching sounds of old mules panting and loopy Texan music continue to drill into your ears and they will drive you nuts. You get so fed up till your mind just completely shuts off and sooner or later, you become the horse on this endless ride in hell. You are the dark horse that gets thrown into the centre pole of the carousel, hidden from the public's eye, unable to stand up and cry for help. Nobody sees or hears you as their eyes are focused on the beautiful wooden stallions prancing in circles. Their ears are accustomed to listen to the whimsical sounds of carnival music, and not to the faint sound of nails scratching on blood-stained wood.