Since the Winter Wonderland Carnival opened, there had been a section all the way in the back that remained blocked from view by wooden fences and blue tarps. Every now and then, sounds would be heard of an almost construction like nature but any questions were met with staff just telling passersby that it would be opening soon and to thank them for patience.

What in the world had not been ready in time for the opening?

Now, the fences are gone and the tarps removed allowing guests to see for the first time, the Winter Carnival’s pride and joy: An Ice Maze!

Eight Foot ice walls shoot up into the sky marking the entrance before returning to a mere seven foot the rest of the way through. Scattered throughout the maze are iced carvings ranging from the abstract to animal and human figures. Yet at the center was the true treasure: the figure of a woman made of pure ice resides in the middle looking out at all those who enter her maze with wonder. She appears as if she could almost step off her pedestal and speak with the people around. Even the small fairy like creatures carved around her appear to have their wings flutter in the glow of the twinkle lights hung above the maze center. There is something strangely alluring about her, and once you find her you may find yourself so captivated by her appearance that the rest of the world seems to disappear around you and you lose track of time. Thankfully, there are enough people that someone is bound to shake you out of your stupor...eventually.

Making it through the ice maze rewards you with a small little ice fairy sculpture, a souvenir and reminder for the evening. Each person is given one but if you ask nicely, they might just give you one or two more to take home as gifts. After all, who doesn’t want their own 12” tall dancing fairy made of crystal? After you exit the maze with your prize, you may find yourself dreaming of the beautiful icy woman in the center of the maze, watching you with her cool smile and cold eyes.


Dria had been working her quietly through the Carnival. She had finally lost her flock of happy woodland creatures and had somehow made it out of those creepy whispery woods. She was thinking about going home; and not getting stuck in anymore crazy Christmas magic. It was then that she noticed something; it seemed oddly quiet out here. What in the world was missing? Oh, now she knew, all those loud construction noises in the back. Hmm. There was suddenly a loud announcement. “Attention Carnival-goers, we have a special announcement. As you may have noticed, the back of the Carnival has been sectioned off for construction. We are pleased to announce that the Ice Maze is now OPEN! We repeat the Ice Maze is now open. All who make it through successfully, will receive a small keepsake to take home with you. If you want to know what it is, completed the Maze! Thank you. Happy Holidays.”
Dria’s ears perked. An Ice Maze? Awesome! And a keepsake if you make it through. Sounded good to her. She made her way to the back just as they finished taking down the tarps and fences. Brr! There was an ice from all the ice. She looked up. The Entrance was marked by eight-foot ice walls. Further in they seemed to go down to seven-foot. Impatiently, she waited in line for her ticket and hurriedly paid for it when it was her turn. She started at a brisk run, but slowed to a jog, when the muscles in her leg became sore due to her recent injury.
She came to a dead end. There was an abstract Ice Craving. She retraced her steps. When she got back to the right or left fork, there was a fairy animal carving (an animal with fairy wings). She went to the left this time. The next fork had a human fairy. The right path was correct this time. In time she found that dead ends were marked by Abstract Ice Cravings. At a fork, if the correct path was left, then there was a Fairy Animal Ice Carving. If the correct path was right, then there was a Humanoid Fairy Ice Carving. She made several mistakes before finally getting the pattern.
But at last she made it through to the center where fairy creatures surrounded a Fairy Woman who could almost step off the block she stood on and walk up to you. The fairy-like creatures around her seemed to flutter their wings and twinkle their lights. Dria stood transfixed looking at the ice woman’s beauty for quite some time, along with her cold eyes and cool smile. Someone jostled into Dria and broke her trance. She wandered over to the exit and was handed a box. The box contained a 12’’ dancing fairy of crystal, her keepsake. But all Dria could do was dream; dream of that beautiful woman. That beautiful woman watching her with those cold eyes and cool smile. Watching, watching, watching her.

Word Count: 500