Scarlett
‘I shouldn’t be here,’ I think to myself when confronted with the monstrosity that is Lincoln Hamilton’s home.
Aside from the howls of laughter coming from the party inside, the late governor’s mansion truly looks like a haunted house. There are fog machines and spooky music on loudspeakers that can be heard from all over the yard. Cobwebs, carved pumpkins, and skeletons decorate the fine lawn, but it’s the eerie darkness that awaits me inside that raises my hackles.
Why the hell did I let Easton bully me into coming tonight? And on a Saturday, no less.
I had to lie to Ruby, saying that I was feeling under the weather, to get out of working tonight. She was less than pleased since Halloween brings in a lot of clientele to the club, all of whom were expecting to be entertained tonight. He won’t be happy with my no show, either.
Sigh.
Not to mention that, if I had to use the few sick days I’m afforded, then I would have been perfectly content in spending it at home, soaking in the tub with a good book. But instead, here I am, dressed in a long-sleeved angel costume, doing Easton’s bidding while trying to not look too out of place.
On shaky knees, I take the last few steps through the entrance’s threshold, only to be met by the infamous Kennedy Ryland and the host of this ostentatious affair.
“Welcome to the Asheville horror house!” Kennedy greets with a tablet in her hand and a wide, intoxicating smile branded on her face. She’s dressed in a yellow Kill Bill jumpsuit while Lincoln is rocking a Thor costume at her side, with a hammer and all. “Before you step in and tempt your ghoulish fate, you must utter the secret password.”
“Huh?” I stutter since I have no idea what she’s talking about.
“Don’t mind Kennedy. She just means you have to give us your name so we can cross it off the list.”
“Oh, okay. It’s Scarlett,” I stammer softly.
“Scarlett Davis?” Lincoln questions curiously.
“Yes. That’s me.”
“So glad you could come. I know your date was anxious for your arrival.”
Thank God my Venetian mask covers the top part of my face, which is enough to hide the deep blush heating my cheeks with his remark.
“Is this Easton’s girl?” Kennedy questions Lincoln overexcitedly, jumping in place with glee. I’ve never met anyone with so much cheerful pep to their step. It’s kind of intimidating.
I kick the air at my feet, thankful she directed the question to her friend and not at me.
“I don’t know.” He sweetly lifts her chin toward him. “You’d have to ask her.”
I suddenly feel like a peeping Tom as she bites her lower lip while staring deep into Lincoln’s soft gaze, before remembering my close proximity, triggering her to snap her attention back to me. Her blue eyes continue to hold their sparkle as she takes me in from head to toe, the evident question burning on the tip of her tongue—if I’m Easton’s girlfriend or not. I decide to take matters into my own hands before she vocalizes her suspicion.
“We’re just friends. If Easton is even capable of having any,” I mumble the last part to myself.
“Ooh, this party just keeps getting better and better!” she shrieks happily, bringing yet another glowing smile to Lincoln’s face. “He’s going to flip when he sees your costume. Don’t you think, Linc?”
“He’s definitely going to get a kick out of it.”
“Well, don’t just stand there. Get your cute little behind inside. Your devil is somewhere around. I’m sure you can’t miss him.” She winks.
I furrow my brows in confusion but don’t say anything in return. Small talk is not my forte, so I decide to see what ghostly tricks this house has for me, rather than trying to pretend that I have a social bone in my body.
As I venture further inside, my anxiety piques with the number of people strolling around in the dark. I walk from room to room, hearing screams and giggles from the partying guests. It makes me feel even more inadequate since I’m having a hard time keeping my racing heart in check while everyone else is comfortable in their surroundings. A blood-curdling scream coming from upstairs chills me to the bone, and I curse Easton for making me come here.
You didn’t have to. You came because you wanted to.
I can almost hear him whisper the taunt in my ear.
I shake my head and continue with my perusal of the daunting home. After a few wrong turns, I find myself alone in a small, empty room at the end of a hallway. It’s extra terrifying since it seems the rowdy crowd is scattered everywhere throughout the house but here.
There are tables with drinks and Halloween treats pressed against the walls in every room, and this one is no different. Instead of the punch that must be ninety percent vodka, I opt for the sealed bottle of water, hoping it will quench my dry mouth. Maybe the spiked punch would have been a better choice to gain some bravery, but I’ve never had a drop of alcohol in my life. I’m not going to start now in a place so outside my comfort zone.
My stomach starts to churn when minutes pass by without seeing a living soul. From outside, I could tell this house was enormous, but considering the large number of people here, stumbling into such a secluded area felt unlikely. The music is also fainter in this part of the house.
Before I get too far away from everyone else and get lost completely, I decide to turn back and try to retrace my steps. But when I do, I feel a cold shiver run down my spine. I swallow dryly when I see, from the corner of my eye, what appears to be a shadowy figure staring at me.
It’s your imagination playing tricks on you, Scarlett. No one’s there.
“Hello?”
No answer.
I take another step, but the harrowing feeling of someone being in this corridor with me makes me trip over my feet, dropping my water bottle. I grab onto the wall at my side for balance with one hand, while the other plants itself on my drumming heartbeat.
“Hello? Is anyone there?” I ask again, albeit foolishly.
I know someone’s there.
I can feel their eyes on me.
“This isn’t funny!”
My panic starts to rise when a low, sinister chuckle bounces off the walls around me. The echo of the familiar peril claws at my throat, my traumatic fears wreaking havoc on my brutalized mind.
I begin to walk briskly, hoping my feet will lead me back to the safety that only light can offer me. I’d run if I didn’t think I would fall on my face because of my terrified state. My heart is racing a mile a minute as I take each turn, my terror increasing with the inability to find the safety of a crowd. The hair on the back of my neck stands on end when I hear someone’s raspy breathing behind me. My blood drains from my cold veins as hot tears prick my eyes. An anguished sob leaves my lips when I bump into a wall made of steel and arms encircle my back, caging me in.
With my hands pressed to a chest, I crane my neck back just enough to see gunmetal gray eyes focused on mine. My heart rate slows down as I inhale the mixed scent of cloves, smoke, and fine leather. I grab onto him with everything I’ve got, hoping his demons can crush my own.