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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.
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.
After the whole debacle with getting lost in the woods, Sinead was not in any hurry to return to the carnival. Hadn't she done enough by even simply attending?
Apparently not, as the very next day, it was almost the same as the day before. Getting up and ready to start the day, enjoying a nice warm breakfast... then both aunty Karin and Farrah bundling her up and all but shoving her out the door. “ But I went yesterday. Wasn't that enough? It isn't even all that impressive or fun.' She pouted. But neither sister nor aunt were moved by her words.
'Maybe you should just give it another chance.'
'I heard they finally opened the crowning achievement. The ice labyrinth is supposed to be absolutely stunning. And they say if you manage to reach the center and make your way back out, they give you some sort of prize... doesn't that just sound fun.'
And after such a ringing endorsement... how could she not go. At least for the labyrinth. She would solve it, get whatever this prize they were offering and return home. She wouldn't have to be gone all day, this time, and really, it was just an ice maze. What could possibly go wrong?
… And really, one should never, ever tempt fate by asking what could go wrong. Because when one does... well, anything that can go wrong does. First there was the group she was let into the maze with. There were parents with screaming babies, a teen who wanted to see if he could melt a hole into the wall and try to cheat... there were patches of ice on the ground that one couldn't see until they were right on top of them, or indeed, after they had fallen victim to them. There was the semi-sprained ankle, getting lost like a bajillion times...
But that was all wiped away when she finally reached the center of the labyrinth. The lady of ice... well, she was worth all the trouble it took to reach her and then some. Sinead admired her, simply standing there looking. She was lovely, and perfect, and those lines... she just begged to be drawn... Luckily the sketchbook and pencils hadn't fallen victim to any of her misfortunes on the way there.
After getting her just right... It was time to leave the labyrinth. Now just which way did she come into the center from? And would her ankle, now throbbing, remain well enough to make it out? She wanted to be able to do this on her own. She didn't want to have to ask for help out, and she could take care of herself later... Ah. That branch. It would make a nice cane, so she wouldn't have to put too much weight on the foot.
But she didn't recognise where she was. Had she made a wrong turn somewhere? How was she ever going to get out of here...
Several false starts, and too many wrong turns to even think about mentioning later, she reached the exit. She had done it!
The fairy she was handed as her prize was absolutely precious. It was so well made. Why, it almost looked real! She asked quite nicely if she could get two more... as gifts, you see. Her aunt and sister would love these, and she wasn't one who could just give up something she had earned. And earn her fairy she did... 'Oh, and perhaps you could call my aunt for me? I don't thin I'll be able to make it home on my own. I think I might hurt my foot rather badly in the labyrinth...'
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