Total pages in book: 105
Estimated words: 101168 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 506(@200wpm)___ 405(@250wpm)___ 337(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 101168 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 506(@200wpm)___ 405(@250wpm)___ 337(@300wpm)
Veronica was at the front of the pack as they got to the vortex tunnel that would deliver them into the fourth and final act of the haunt. The tunnel was white, and she shaded her eyes. A quick glance showed her no way to the doorway before them but to cross an openwork metal bridge. She stepped onto it, blinking against the brightness.
Suddenly, the tunnel was engulfed in darkness and then transformed to give the illusion that the space they were walking through was spinning 360 degrees.
“Wow,” Edgar said.
It was a truly mind-blowing effect. The second the view changed, Veronica grabbed for the metal handrails. Even though she had seen the bridge before, she couldn’t keep her balance.
Carys, Greta, and Helen followed Veronica across the bridge, each of them walking the exaggerated, heavy staggers of the drunk, all clutching at the handrails to drag themselves forward as if the gravity had shifted as well as their footing.
Poe stepped onto the bridge, paused for a moment, then walked forward as easily as usual.
“What the…? How’d he do that?” Edgar asked.
“He might have closed his eyes. The bridge isn’t really moving, and people who can’t see the projection can walk fine. Spoilsport,” they added.
“I didn’t realize how many elements of the haunt weren’t scary,” Edgar mused.
“Yeah, a lot of it is about maximizing people’s emotional or sensory states. It makes their minds play tricks on them. And the mind is the most potent source of fear.” Jamie tapped the next monitor. “Speaking of, the transition here is cool.”
Through the nucleus of the vortex lay a blank and empty hallway, one that was wider than others, allowing more guests to enter together. As they staggered out of the vortex tunnel, the group struggled to find their footing on this new, solid ground. After two or three steps though, they stood tall again.
And just as they thought they were on solid ground, they all stumbled. The floor gave way with no warning, suddenly tipping them off their feet. Then the light began to strobe.
“What?” Edgar leaned forward and peered at the monitor.
“It’s a layer of sand over the floor, covered with layers of thick rubber, so for just a moment, it feels like you suddenly fell through the floor. And then—”
The lights strobed on, that moment of illumination revealing a horrifying figure. Then the lights went off again. When they strobed on again, the figure was closer to the group than before.
“Oh my god, that’s so scary,” Edgar said worshipfully.
Then, strobe and the figure was between Greta and Carys. Then disorienting darkness. Strobe and the figure was gone, leaving their friends grabbing for one another and Poe running for the exit.
Edgar grabbed Jamie and manhandled them around. He looked deep into Jamie’s eyes and spoke with utter conviction. “Thank fucking god you didn’t let me go in there!”
Jamie laughed and wrapped their arms around Edgar, breathing in his scent. He was here. Even though he could see actual fucking ghosts, he was here, watching a haunted house through a video monitor in order to better appreciate Jamie. Poe and Greta and Carys and Helen and Veronica—all of them had accepted Edgar’s invitation because they wanted to support Jamie. Even without Emma and their parents here, they had all the support they needed.
They held each other tightly.
“I’ve got you, babe,” Jamie said.
28
Edgar
It was the last week of October, and the Crescent City was ajangle with Halloween spirit. Krewe of Boo, the Zombie Run, and dozens of other Halloween-related events were taking place all over town. Artfully arranged gourds and corn plants had appeared on the steps of hotels and historical buildings. Balconies dripped with spiderwebs, glittering skulls adorned porch steps, and the occupants were even more likely to be in costume than they were on an ordinary day.
For most of his adult life, Edgar had spent October searching the decorations for threats that could lurch from behind the scarecrows or burst out of the caskets. He was leery of Christmas trees and Mardi Gras floats for the same reason. Over the years, he’d developed a habit of only leaving his apartment when absolutely necessary during those seasons.
But this year, everything was different. This year, Allie had a new baby, Poe was back in town, Edgar had seen Carys, Greta, Helen, and Veronica multiple times socially, and, most amazing of all, Edgar had a boyfriend who enjoyed doing things like leaving the house.
Of course, they weren’t getting to do much of that, since their work schedules were out of sync now that the haunt had opened: Jamie left for work at 2 p.m. and didn’t get home until ten, while Edgar usually began work at the cat café at 9 a.m. and finished delivering for Lagniappe Lemonade around five. It had left them with little time over the last few weeks for anything but sleepy late-night cuddles, Jamie letting themself into Edgar’s apartment with the key he’d given them and crawling into Edgar’s bed, the smell of smoke machine juice clinging to them even after a shower.