Page 60 of Sven

“Aww, that’s nice,” said Alice.

The door opened, and in walked Murphy. He was quite a bit younger than the other player’s here. He was closer to Natalie’s age. But his baby face made him appear younger.

“We’re all here,” Alice said to the attendant.

As they were getting walked back, the front door opened.

“Room for one more?” a familiar voice said.

No. He was not here.

But as she turned, she saw Sven with a cocky grin on his face.

“Sven,” said Alice in surprise. “I didn’t know you were coming.”

“Surprise. Happy Birthday, man,” he said, giving Taylor a pat on the back.

“Oh, thanks,” Taylor said, looking between Alice and Sven.

“Are you ready?” asked the attendant again.

“Yep, the more the merrier,” said Alice as they followed the attendant back into the room.

Natalie held back until she and Sven were the last two walking down the hallway.

“What are you doing here?” she said in a harsh whisper.

“Mad I’m crashing your date?”

His cocky smirk was pissing her off. She had the urge to knock it right off.

“It’s not a date, you lunatic.”

“Are you guys coming?” Alice asked from inside the room.

“Yep,” said Sven, making his way into the room.

Alice grumbled and followed.

This was not good. She was about to be trapped in a room with Sven and Murphy, and she had a feeling it wasn’t going to end well.

“Where is Winnie?” she asked Sven.

“Conner and Sasha are babysitting.”

“Are you ready?” asked the attendant.

“We’re ready,” Sven said with a smirk that made her want to scream.

They entered a carnival-themed room, but it looked to be an abandoned carnival with vibrant colors and creepy clowns. This was quickly turning into her own personal hell. Clowns and an entirely too attractive, maddening hockey player.

Natalie could only manage half attention while the attendant’s spiel with the feel of Sven’s gaze. Strike that... the feel of Murphy’s and Sven’s gazes. This was going to be an interesting escape room.

“Get out before the timer ticks down, or you’ll be stuck with Bonko the Clown,” the attendant said as she shut the door and dramatically locked it behind him.

The clock on the TV started counting down from an hour.

“Alright, let’s do this,” Evie said as she clapped her hands and rubbed them together.

---