Page 10 of House of Horrors

“Thank you.” I smile at the blond man, and he gives me another flirty wink.

“Anything for you, babe.”

The cap is already off. He’s a gentleman. Jason could learn some manners from him. I watch Nicky walk back over to Jason as I take a massive sip. The liquid is cold and refreshing, and I sigh, licking my lips. It’s just what I needed.

Five

Daisy

The garage door slams and I glance up to see Nicky’s hand on the handle. I frown, looking around the almost empty room. Jason must have just left. Fuck, was he trying to leave me here? I’ve been so lost in my own thoughts, enjoying the way my skin is buzzing, that I haven’t been paying attention.

“Come on, pretty lady. It’s time to go.”

I rush to my feet and place the bottle on the ground before it topples. “Shit.” I quickly pick it up, settling it upright before running out to meet the boys.

I step outside, the air cold against my skin. My heart rate rises while I frantically look around. “They left me.”

But then I spot them ahead, already walking down the street.

Jason and Nicky walk faster, and I hurry after them. My boots make it hard to keep up with their fast pace, but I push myself anyway.

“Jason, wait for me!” I call out. He doesn’t turn around, but his head tilts just enough to show he’s heard me. Yet he keeps walking anyway. My teeth grind together. He’s being such an asshole.

I race to catch up, a spike of adrenaline driving me forward as the distance between us widens.

The further I walk down the street, houses on either side of the road, the busier it gets with costumed kids and laughing adults, making it harder to follow Jason and Nicky.

I catch a flash of his dark hair before Jason walks around a corner and vanishes. A sharp wave of dread seizes control of me, and I freeze. The sound of my breath echoes loudly in my ears. It’s dark and I’m alone in an unfamiliar neighborhood. I don’t know Grimwood well enough to be comfortable walking the streets without a guide.

A dog nearby howls, sending shivers down my spine. My skin crawls with the sense that I’m being watched.

I glance around. Everyone is a stranger. Ominous shadows stretch and shift beneath the dim streetlights, masking potential threats. A voice within me warns that danger is lurking. Their unseen but heavy gaze makes me want to run home and scrub my flesh until it’s red and peeling. My heart skips a beat, and I tug at the bottom of my dress, feeling too exposed.

As I step off the sidewalk, my ankle twists, foot hitting the asphalt wrong.

“Shit,” I cry out softly.

I recover quickly, but it’s just one more thing going wrong. I take a deep breath, fighting back tears, and try to keep moving, even though my heart pounds so hard I can barely catch my breath.

Jason and Nicky are nowhere to be seen.

I almost can’t believe they left me, but I shouldn’t be surprised.

Everyone—my mom, my deadbeat dad, even my grandma—leaves me.

Adult trick-or-treaters wearing masks pass by and stare at me, their heads twisting at unnatural angles. I don’t trust them. There’s something debauched swimming in their eyes. They’ll hurt me if given the chance.

I take a step back, unable to look away. They’re evil men, a voice whispers in my ear, distorting my view of reality and spreading mistrust through my thoughts like wildfire. The masked figures continue to stare. Darkness obscures their features while I imagine the crimes they’d commit against me. My body shakes, disgust welling in my throat, and I force myself to hurry toward where I last saw Jason. Desperation guides my steps as I weave through the crowds.

The sun has nearly disappeared, but streetlights and neon signs illuminate my way to the haunted house. Everything unsettles me now—the giant skeletons with glowing pumpkin heads in neighbors’ yards, the fake corpses hanging from trees. I shiver, yet my skin burns. Halloween is usually fun, but now my heart is pounding uncontrollably and I’m worried it’s about to explode. I think I’m going to be sick…or die.

I stop to steady myself near a kissing booth where a zombie groans behind the stand to attract visitors. Usually, it might be funny, but now I only see flies crawling from the zombie’s rotting, bubbling skin. Each breath further quickens my pulse, making me dizzy and nauseated. My eyes flutter shut, sweat beading on my forehead. I want to hide and go home. A soft whimper escapes as my body shakes violently, hands clenched beside me.

“Daisy?” Jason’s voice sounds far away.

“Go away,” I mumble, still sheltering behind my closed eyes. Panicking wasn’t part of the plan to show him how great I can be, and I don’t want to hear Jason say, ‘I told you so.’ My heart sinks. So far, my operation is a massive bust.

Jason grips my hand, his touch sending warmth rippling up my arm. It’s like he’s throwing a blanket around me, bundling me up in safety. For a moment, I can pretend everything will be all right and that I’m not having a panic attack.