Page 8 of Shattered Souls

“Fuck,” I groan, gripping my chest. “You guys go ahead. I need fresh air before I do that again. No, if I do that again.” They laugh with me.

“You sure?”

“Yeah, maybe I’ll check out that maze. Plus, I have my phone if we get split up for too long.” They look at each other skeptically before reluctantly nodding.

“Don’t have too much fun.” Allie teases. “Maybe you’ll see Hyde and Seek again.” She wriggles her brows before spinning and following the other two.

3

Rayvn

Afew girls run past me as two clowns run after them with chainsaws roaring in the air. I tuck my arms into myself and try to shy away from the crowd. I spin and look at the exit for the manor, and a few men run out with terrified smiles on their faces. Just after them comes the same man that holds the syringe, only now, he stares at me.

I swallow audibly before backing up a few steps.

“Curiosity never did anyone any good.” He calls out to me.

I open my mouth to respond, but the words are sucked from my mouth when a firm hand slaps over my shoulder. My body stiffens and my blood runs cold.

“All alone, little scarecrow?” A thick voice purrs into my ear. I don’t move a muscle, my mind forgoing the fact that I’m supposed to be scared here. No, my mind is sucked back into Kissimmee and that little trailer.

You’re out, Rayvn, you’re not there anymore.

A heavy arm reaches over my body and the machete from earlier comes within inches from my thumping pulse. His companion, the muzzled one, comes in front of me and eyes me up and down—as if I’m his next meal.

“Your friends shouldn’t have left you out here for us to play with.” I dare to look away from the muzzled predator in front of me, and look down to the fake blade at my throat.

A lamppost next to us catches the edge of the blade, and I’m suddenly second guessing if it is, in fact, fake. The one in front of me makes a few motions with his hands to the one still pressed to my back.

“Hmm,” His growl vibrates my bones. “Are you in the mood to, Hyde,” He points the tip of his weapon to the muzzled one. “Or to Seek?”

“I need to go find my friends.” I almost trip over my words as they spill past my lips. I should fear the blade that’s so close to ending my life, but I’m more scared of the way the man in front of me watches me.

“That wasn’t an option, little scarecrow.” Seek growls. Hyde lifts his meat hook and drags the back of it along the edge of my jaw. I have to close my eyes and inhale deeply to hold back the whimper of fear.

“Neither.” When I open my eyes again, I’m suddenly aware of the prying eyes all around us. Men and women have stopped in their tracks to watch as the men do the one thing scare actors aren’t supposed to—touch me.

“One more chance. Or else I’ll pick for you.”

“Hyde. I want to hide.” I blurt out, not wanting to be the center of attention anymore.

“Good girl.” He steps away from me and I can finally inhale. “He’ll give you a five minute head start in the maze. But be warned—he will find you.” A few girls around us whisper something that sounds just short of jealousy.

“I’ll run from you, mister!” A short blonde girl squeals from the crowd. Neither of the masked men turn their attention to her, their eyes remain on me.

Taking advantage of the space now between us, I back up a few steps. When neither immediately follows me, I turn and walk away. I can either turn and head towards the exit—or the terror maze that Hyde will supposedly try and find me in.

Something in me pushes me towards the mouth of the maze. Maybe it’s the sick feeling I got low in my belly when Seek laughed against my back. Or, maybe it's knowing that they can’t actually hurt me in here. Right?

The archway of the maze looms over my head, taunting me. I look over my shoulder and see the duo staring my way. They both scream power, their muscles tight on their torsos, glistening in the lamp posts from the blood or sweat. Hyde taps his wrist, letting me know my time is slowly expiring.

I step in, and immediately I’m greeted with going straight, left, or right. I take a left and almost immediately follow it up with a right. The ground is partially lit up with small spotlights, though they hardly help. I can only see five steps ahead of me at a time.

I hear jogging footsteps coming from behind me and I spin around. There’s no way my five minutes are up already. My chest tightens, my breath caught in my throat, as I wait for this muzzled face to round the corner and grab me.

“Hey!” A younger looking man runs up to me, panting slightly. My lungs thank me for finally exhaling my trapped breath. “Man, you’re faster than you look.”

“Thanks?” I give him a strange look and resume my fast paced walk. I take another right and trail my hand along the leaves to try and ground myself.