Page 62 of Haunted Spurs

The Rules of Horror

Ron

I stare at the dark wood of the door, a suffocating sense of anxiety gripping my throat. The thought of Selene stepping out of this safe haven to follow me is driving me insane. I want to lock her in here, swallow the key, and tell her not to move an inch until I come back with that psycho tied up and gagged. But I know she'd hate me for it. And... either way, the thought of leaving her here alone drives me just as insane.

"Ready?" I whisper.

She nods. She grips Ollie's leash with one hand, the other balled into a fist at her side.

The clack of the lock sounds deafening.

I throw the door wide open, slipping out into the hallway first. I scan the path ahead.

The hallway is a deserted tunnel.

No moving shadows. No raspy breathing.

"Okay," I murmur, gesturing for her to come out. "I think the first thing we need to do is call the cops. Do you have your phone on you?"

Selene shakes her head.

Dammit.

"Let's see if the coast is clear to get to our room," I decide, lowering my voice. "Our phones are still in there."

We move flush against the wall, advancing in total silence. Ollie trots beside us, strangely obedient, as if he senses the gravity of the situation.

We reach the door to the master bedroom. We slip inside, closing it behind us. I head straight for the nightstands. My breathing suddenly gets heavier.

I search everywhere. Under the pillows, on the mattress, even on the floor.

Nothing.

The phones aren't here. They're gone.

Anxiety rises in my chest, turning into a burning anger. I drag my hands violently over my face, pacing in circles in the space between the bed and the window. I'm losing my cool. I'm losing my fucking cool.

Selene takes a step toward me; she is incredibly calm, on the other hand. She doesn't touch me, but just her proximity—the heat she radiates, the scent of orchids that soothes my frantic senses—works like a sedative.

"Okay, stay calm. We need a plan," she says, her voice low, pragmatic.

I let out a long, shaky sigh, dropping my head. "Sorry. I don't know why I'm losing my mind."

Actually, yes I do. I know exactly why. I don't want anything to happen to her. Selene and Ollie are in this fucking room with me, and I have to get them out of here safe and sound, if it's the last thing I do.

"You don't need to apologize..." she murmurs, tilting her head. "It's normal."

I shake my head vigorously. No. It's not normal. There is nothing fucking normal about feeling this terrified for someone else.

"Listen..." Selene starts again. She runs a hand through her hair, pushing it out of her face in a tired gesture, then lets out a heavy exhale. "I think the first thing we need to do is look for... a weapon." She brings a hand to her face. "God, that feels so absurd to say."

I look around, desperately searching for something, anything that could help us.

Blankets. Laptops. Suitcases. Just clothes.

There is absolutely nothing in here that can be used to defend ourselves against a man armed with an axe.

"Should we try to make it to the kitchen?"