Page 51 of Haunted Prey

Terrified, I whirled around and bolted down the steps, not daring to look back.

I rushed past the second floor. When I got to the ground level, I panicked again, seeing my phantom by the door. There was another level leading down to the basement, one me and Lena had yet to explore. It said “The Labyrinth” with an arrow pointing down.

I flew down without a thought.

It was just as dark below as it was upstairs, with red and orange light casting a dim glow overhead. What I found was a series of rooms, each connected to the next, much like the layout above. Narrow passages ran between some of them, lined with two-way mirrors that allowed those walking by to see inside.

I wandered through the rooms blindly. A few were occupied by couples, while others stood empty. Each room had its own theme—different colors, designs, and setups. Some featuredchairs or couches, others had poles, mannequins, or nothing at all.

I entered a dark green room with taxidermy on the walls, then started for the next door leading into a passage and froze.

Out of the darkness, he appeared, my phantom with his now black and red skull-face, blocking my way.

I was too afraid to move as he stopped a few feet from me.

“Eve,” he whispered. And for some reason, it almost made my knees buckle. It was so real. His voice sounded different somehow, so raw, so desperate. Not taunting like usual.

I couldn’t move. Even as he drew close to me. How could he be here? I was so sure I’d be safe if I wasn’t alone.

But now I was alone with him.

“Baby, it’s okay,” he said softly. “It’s okay.” He reached out for me. His gloved hand brushed a lock of hair out of my face, making me flinch away, shocking me at how real it felt. He put up his hand as if to show it was safe. “It’s all right, sweetheart, I’m not going to hurt you.” He sounded so sincere, and a part of me wanted to let go again, let myself go to him.

I blinked away tears, my body shaking uncontrollably, as he stood an inch from me and lifted his hands to cup my face, his thumbs brushing along each side. My eyes fluttered shut at his touch.

Why did it have to feel so real?

I parted my lips, wanting to sink into him.

I opened my eyes, staring at his skull-face.

And dread overtook me.

Real men were still looking for me. And this had to be a trick. My mind was truly breaking, making me see him clearer than ever. Making me feel him. Why now? Why was he doing this?

No, I had to get away. I couldn’t give in, not now.

His thumb brushed over my chin and across my lips.

A trick…

It was a trick.

He couldn’t be real.

He wasn’t real.

Run, Evee. Run.

I heard voices coming from behind, startling me.

“You’re not real,” I whispered.

The phantom stiffened, his hands stilling.

“I am,” he said firmly. “I’m right here, Eve.”

I shook my head.

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