Page 29 of The Masks She Wore

?Outthink them.

?I didn’t have any sort of delusions that I would survive a horror movie, but I knew what to do. It wasn’t just about that though, it was about being able to keep a rational head while being hunted like prey. That’s where things went wrong.

?Maybe that’s why I got such a thrill watching horror movies. What I could remember of my life had always been so sheltered. So…boring. I know it was crass of me to complain about having everything and being well-off, but fuck. I wanted adventure, excitement. A thrill. The kind of high that I got being terrified, I needed that.

?I had even looked at a motorcycle two days ago. I had no idea how to ride it, but the idea of it? Fuck, it made me shiver.

?The longer I walked, the more my exhaustion and nerves convinced me that maybe I was in a horror movie. Moaning and shuffling, the smell, the lights. Each room kept getting worse.

?A graveyard covered in dead bodies, a hospital with screaming patients, a burned down orphanage with actual kids covered inburns that looked so real, I fought the urge to scream for help as they cried out for parents that would never come.

?My heart hadn’t slowed since leaving that last haunted house, and my nerves were shot. I was jumping at every sound, and after an hour of going through this tent, my emotions were drained. All but anger.

?I had never been this exhausted.

?Fuck Viv for just leaving like that. Did she even get out?

?Fuck Max for being such an asshole. Why was he even here? Because I left my phone in the car and wasn’t answering his messages? How did he guess I’d be here tonight of all nights?

?My anger grew with each and every little sound that made me jump.

?I was shocked Max hadn’t caught up with me at this point, it wasn’t like I was running, and I knew he was. Not only was he a pussy, but he was probably irritated that he hadn’t found me yet.

?I glanced down at the bat, the nails sparkling at the end. The fact that they allowed me to keep it was still shocking, but I was glad now. The next person who touched me was getting this to their face. Fuck the lawsuit. I hoped Max fucking grabbed me. I hoped he wasn’t quick enough to dodge my swing.

?I balanced it on my shoulder, flexing my left hand, the stickiness getting to me. My inner thighs would berawtomorrow. With the fishnets and the sticky blood, I was surprised I hadn’t started feeling the pain of them rubbing together by now.

?Maybe the irritation and exhaustion were hiding that too.

?Fuck!Where was the exit?

?I walked into yet another room and slowed when I found it completely empty.

?It was an abandoned torture chamber. Blood splattered on the walls, all over the ground, chains hanging from the ceiling, shackles on the walls, bones in one corner.

?Some of the chains were still moving, telling me that they must have just left, but I strained my hearing and found nothing.

?No moaning or groaning. Not even heavy breathing.

?My heart picked up and I looked back the way I had come. Was the park closing? If Viv wasn’t waiting for me at the end of this, I was going to kill her.

?But if the park was closing, then maybe Viv and I had been the last ones they had allowed through, which meant Max might not be behind me.

?Maybe he gave up and went home.

?My shoulders fell an inch at the thought, and I walked over to one of the moving chains. They had to have just left if this was still moving.

?I touched it softly, running my fingers over the cool metal, a shiver running down my spine. What would it be like to be chained to the wall, unable to get away? Left to the captors will.

?I chewed on my lip and took a step back, my thighs clenchingtogether, a slight pain shooting up them. There it was, the soreness I had been expecting.

?I was frustrated, annoyed, exhausted, and in pain. It was time to get home.

8

Jack

October 29th, 2019

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