Page 129 of Deviant

“Come on, Roe. Let’s see what all the fuss is about this time.”

Grumbling, I follow his lead, hating that once again he got away without giving me that kiss.

However, as we rush to meet up with the rest of the group, we find ourselves stepping out of the dense forest and into a large open clearing, save for the mansion that sits at its very center surrounded by an iron gate. Every fiber of my being screams that we should have stayed hidden among the trees, where no one could see us, because now… I fear it might be too late to turn back.

The mansion stands like a decayed giant, its walls weathered and worn by centuries of neglect. Its towering facade, once grand and regal, now seems to leer down at us with a cold, lifeless gaze. The rows of dark, empty windows, like hollow eyes, peer out into the overgrown courtyard, daring us to approach. Crumbling stone arches at the base hint at hidden passagewaysbeneath the building, as if the earth itself is trying to swallow the estate whole. Twin towers rise at either end of the structure, their spires crooked and sharp against what was once a promising sunny morning.

I swallow dryly imagining faceless figures standing in those windows, watching, waiting, lurking just beyond sight. Shadows cling to every corner of the mansion, thick and heavy, suggesting that whatever haunts this place has no intention of ever leaving. The mansion itself looks alive, as if the air it breathes into its lungs is filled with forgotten tragedies and unspeakable secrets, eager to add more to its long list of devastations.

We all stand there and gawk at the sinister sight, imagining the worst. I don’t know why I do it, but I slide my hand in Elias’s, needing some form of human connection to purge this chill that has fallen over me. Thankfully, he doesn’t push my hand away and instead holds it tighter, as if needing to keep me close to him too.

David breaks away from the pack by taking two steps closer to the monstrosity in front of us, before turning around to face us again, with an evil smirk playing on his lips.

“Looks like playtime is over, children. Now is when the real fun begins.”

Chapter 24

Rowen

Thick tension hangs in the air as we walk toward the decaying mansion. Everything about it makes my skin crawl and yet, my feet continue to walk toward it, like it’s calling my name.

“I don’t like this, I don’t like this one bit,” Chris says nervously, voicing aloud what we are all thinking and feeling.

“What’s not to like? Just because this is the place where we’ve been sent to die, doesn’t mean it’s not a good holiday spot?” Andy jokes halfheartedly, as he wraps a protective arm around Harper.

“I’m scared,” I hear Lucy whisper to Lucas.

“I know, babe. We all are,” he whispers back, unable to comfort her, coaxing Elias’s jaw to clench so loudly that even I hear it tick.

We all stop at the base of the stairs, fear starting to get the better of us.

“We’ve come this far. It’s not like someone is going to come out with a red carpet for you idiots,” David jokes, the only one that seems pleased to have finally arrived at their destination.

“Hold up,” Elias orders before David has a chance to place his foot on the first step. “Just hold the fuck up.”

He runs his fingers through his hair, pausing momentarily to ensure he has our undivided attention.

“This better be good, Larsen. Time’s ticking,” David says, pointing at a now faceless watch just to be a dick.

Elias shows him his middle finger and then looks each and every one of us in the eye.

“I know you all are scared. Even shit-for-brains over there is shitting his pants. He’s just better at hiding it. But we have to pull our shit together. Yes, we have no idea what lies behind those walls, except for the fact that whatever it is, is sure to kill eleven of us.”

“Not the pep talk we were hoping to hear,” Andy says, doing a cutting sign with his hand to indicate Elias should keep all the death talk to a minimum.

“Right. What I meant to say was… fuck these assholes!” Elias blurts out. “Just because our town made sure to send us gift wrapped to them, that doesn’t mean we have to go out like chumps. I say fuck whoever is waiting for us behind those double doors. I say fuck ‘em all. If this is the way we go down, I say we go down swinging.”

“Yeah! Fuck ‘em.” Andy shouts, throwing his middle fingers in the air directed at the mansion.

“If my man says fuck them, then I say, let’s do it.” Harper joins in, throwing her middle finger up high for all to see.

“Fuck them in the ass,” Chris chimes in.

“Without lube!” Big Mike piles on.

“Fine. Why the fuck not,” Ruby mumbles, throwing her own middle fingers in the air.

Even young Abbie, who I haven’t heard curse in all the time I’ve known her, flicks up her two middle fingers.

---