Page 1 of Theirs to Chase

CHAPTER 1

Eveline

Present day. Devil’s night

“Come on, come on,to the park for us all. Take a step inside, dare wander and seek, where shadows play and some may never be freed.”

The sinister crackle of the voice echoes through the chilly atmosphere, like a ghostly figure of a forgotten memory.

Screams and giggles pierce the crisp, autumn night as people scurry away from dressed-up scare actors lingering outside the amusement park, having the misfortune of merely passing by. The sound blends with the eerie circus music drifting from old speakers outside the park, the symphony of an organ and violin.

My colleagues at the newspaper—Nadia, Max, and Elias—walk in front of me, taking in the Halloween-decorated park with puppy-like enthusiasm. Our boss invited us to this event, requiring us to write an article to help boost the park’s publicity.

At least this is better than closing the paper for the day.

“What do you think we’ll see in there?” Nadia, my best and only friend, asks and turns to me.

After my parents died, I lost all the friends I’d made. Apparently, it’s not socially acceptable to shut everyone out while grieving.

“Probably what you see in scary movies—plastic skeletons and cobwebs, scare actors. And don’t forget the overpriced candy,” I reply as she rolls her eyes.

I’ve always loved all things dark and gothic, but Halloween stirs up mixed emotions for me. It’s the anniversary of myfamily’s death by a car crash a few years back…and the day whenhe—the pumpkin man—chased me through that cornfield last year. He made me feel more alive than I’ve ever felt, but then he disappeared, as if he were never even there.

I shake off the thoughts, determined to enjoy tonight and not be brought back to the past.

That shaved driver deserves to die.

Shocked by my own train of thoughts, I smile at Nadia and hook my elbow through hers as we stand in the queue to enter the premiere of this amusement park’s Halloween theme. It’s never been open during a holiday before, so this is a big deal for a town like ours.

“Shit, that’s disgusting,” Elias remarks, and I follow his gaze.

The entrance to the park is everything but inviting, with large spider webs hanging in drifts at the gates where a host lets a group of influencers enter the park. A shiver crawls down my spine—I’m ready for the adrenaline-filled night.

Above the large gates is a giant skeleton stretching across, looking out at everyone with a malevolent gaze. Around the skull is a large pumpkin, with eyes and a mouth carved narrowly, giving an evil appearance.

My stomach clenches at the sight of the orange pumpkin, and my teeth sink into my lip hard enough to draw blood. That night, a year ago, at the pumpkin field, still haunts me like a vengeful spirit. The stranger had seen right through me, his darkness matching mine, giving me the best orgasm of my life.

Noticing I’m lost in thought, Nadia shoves my shoulder playfully. “You really need to get laid,” she says teasingly.

“Yeah, yeah. Whatever,” I mumble, trailing behind them to the host who’s dressed in a clown suit with blood around her mouth.

“I volunteer as tribute,” Elias remarks, winking at me.

He’s cute in a boy-next-door kind of way with brown curls andglasses, but he’s too soft. I need someone who’s not afraid to take what’s his, to claim me in ways I’ve never been claimed…whose darkness matches mine.

It was a mistake telling Nadia about that night. She hasn’t stopped bugging me about it ever since, telling me to “quit” sulking after a man that will never return. Truth is, I’ve had multiple one-night stands since then, but none of them scratched the annoying itchfor something dangerous and depraved quite like the mysterious man did. They were all too soft, and I threw them out the door before I made myself come with my vibrator on the highest setting.

“Holy shit, that costume is creepy,” Nadia exclaims to the host, who merely stares at her.

“I’ll hold your hand if you cry,” Max teases, and she rolls her eyes.

The two of them have been an item on and off for years since working at the paper, but they like to keep it low-key.

“We’re here to write an article, not flirt,” she retorts.

“Invitation?” the host asks in a flat, feminine voice, her clown costume barely concealing her disinterest as she eyes us.

I show her the email we got, sent directly from the amusement park. She nods, letting us enter the park.

---