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‘I hope so, but I’m not chasing her this time,’ I say quietly.

Jett studies me for a moment, then he nods, something like respect in the movement.

‘Good.’

Another scream echoes through the maze. I push off the wall. ‘Let’s get back to work.’

Jett disappears into the fog first, melting into the shadows. I take the opposite corridor, my boots quiet against the floor as the next group creeps inside. They move slowly, clutching each other and whispering nervously. I stay perfectly still as the strobe light flashes across my body when they pass me. The moment they notice me, they scream. I stare them down for a long moment before slowly strolling after them, sending them squealing toward the exit. One by one, they disappear around the corner until the last couple steps through the entrance, and that’s when I notice him.

Ryan. I recognise him immediately. He’s got his arm slung casually around a girl I’ve never seen before, leaning close to say something in her ear. She laughs. She’s clinging to him already, clearly nervous about the maze. My head tilts slightly. Interesting.

It makes me laugh to remember he asked Bryn out, thinking he had a chance with her. Some people spend their lives looking for the one person meant for them. I found mine a long time ago.

He’s here. In my maze. On a date.

A slow grin spreads across my face beneath the mask. I slip silently into the hallway ahead of them, positioning myself where the light is lowest. The maze music pulses through the walls, low and distorted. Their voices drift closer.

‘See?’ Ryan says confidently. ‘It’s not even that scary.’

The girl laughs nervously. ‘Yeah, it’s not as bad as I expected.’ They round the corner. Ryan walks straight into me. I step forward slowly, letting the overhead light catch the mask. He freezes. For half a second he doesn’t move. Then the girl screams and jumps behind him. I tilt my head slowly, locking my eyes with his. Ryan clears his throat, trying to recover.

‘Yeah, okay,’ he mutters to her, side-eyeing me as he steps around. ‘That one got me a little.’

I follow them, dragging my fingers down the wall beside us. The screeching sound echoes through the corridor. Ryan flinches. I step closer, close enough that the girl presses fully into Ryan’s back now, her eyes widening as real fear takes over.

‘You’re supposed to scare us,’ Ryan says, trying to sound amused, clearly attempting to show off in front of this girl. ‘Not breathe down our necks.’

I lean in slightly, enough that the mask fills his vision. Then I step aside without a word, letting him think that’s it. They move past quickly. Ryan glances back with a smirk like he’s achieved something. The girl clings to him.

Jett glances at me and I signal him, gesturing to the couple. I slip around another corner and wait, right where they’ll have to pass me again. The girl is talking quickly now, her adrenaline high.

‘Oh my God, I hated that one. The way he just stared was super creepy.’

They turn the corner, and Jett drops down from a beam overhead, landing with a loud bang. The girl shrieks. Ryan jumps so hard he nearly collides with the wall. I step out from the opposite side at the same time. Now they’re trapped between us. Ryan’s eyes widen.

‘Oh, come on,’ he mutters, glancing between us and beginning to look nervous.

Jett lets out a low chuckle.

‘Run,’ I say calmly, wishing I could mess him up a little, but also very aware I’d lose my job if I touched him.

Ryan practically drags the girl down the next corridor. Jett watches them disappear, shaking his head.

‘That guy almost pissed himself.’

‘I know,’ I scoff. ‘Deserved it. He asked Bryn out. Danced with her right in front of me.’

Jett turns his masked face toward me. ‘Oh. Should have fucked with him a bit more.’

I laugh, adjusting my mask. Another group enters the maze, unaware of us waiting in the shadows. Jett cracks his knuckles.

‘You want the next one?’

I glance toward the exit through which Ryan just fled. A quiet satisfaction settles in my chest.

‘Yeah,’ I say, slipping back into the darkness. ‘I think I’m in a mood tonight.’

‘Let’s scare some fuckers.’ He grins, and we both disappear into the darkness.