Page 117 of Haunted Spurs

She's holding a heavy flashlight under her chin, casting grotesque, diabolical shadows that distort her features, highlighting her dark lipstick and smudged makeup. Her smile is a masterpiece of theatrical sadism.

Cade and Cole jump.

"You only die once, Cole," the showrunner whispers, her voice low, drawling, and loaded with doom.

Cole and Cade recoil in unison against the back of the couch, their shoulders slamming into the wall, their faces pale from the jump scare.

"Jesus Christ, Tina!" Cade exclaims, clapping a hand over his heart.

Aunt Tina snaps the flashlight off with a sharp click.

The screen fades to black, leaving only the echo of her wicked cackle ringing in the viewers' ears.

34

What if...?

Selene

"What are you going to do next? That's my question of the day."

We're all gathered here, sitting on the moth-eaten couches, waiting for a "very important event," or at least that's what the megaphone I absolutely loathe screamed at us.

Apparently, it's so important that we've been waiting for twenty minutes.

I look around: almost everyone is here, except Indya and Carolina.

I bring my attention back to the man sitting glued to my side.

"You mean... after Haunted Spurs?" I ask.

His hand is resting on my thigh. His fingers lightly grip the denim of my jeans, a distracted, rhythmic pressure that sends tiny electric jolts all the way up my leg.

I already asked my question of the day. His favorite holiday is Christmas. Should've guessed.

"Yeah..." Ron tilts his head, his blue eyes studying me with an intensity I can't quite decipher. "Are you going to stick around?"

"I-I... well." I lick my lips, suddenly nervous. His thumb stops on my thigh. "Elm Hollow is a loud, nosy town, and the people here are completely unhinged... but it’s my hometown. When I moved back, I didn't do it with a clearly defined long-term plan, but... I think I might extend the lease on my apartment. Or maybe even... look for a permanent house to buy."

"Seriously?"

His smile explodes. It is a smile so massive, so bright and genuine, that it could easily power the town's electrical grid for a month.

"Y-yeah." I swallow hard, the lump in my throat growing tighter. Why are my hands suddenly sweating? I fold my fingers in my lap, trying to gather some composure. "When I came back here, some people went really hard on me with the online comments. They wrote that I was washed up, that I was coming home with my tail between my legs... but to hell with them, it's my own business whether I want to live here or in a big city. With my job, I can write from anywhere. And... I'm not a failure just because I chose to live in the place where I was born."

"Let them talk, Selly."

His grip on my leg grows a little firmer, an emotional anchor keeping me from sinking into my own paranoias. "People are always going to do that anyway. Elm Hollow loves you, you can spot it from a mile away. And... if you're happy being here, you only need to listen to your heart." He gives me a slow, gorgeous wink that sets my stomach on fire.

I shoot him a half-smile.

The silence between us lasts a few seconds. The group around us chats away.

"Selly?" he calls me softly, his voice raspy.

"Mhm?"

"I'm really happy you're staying."