Page 31 of Spooked
Seeing myself through Ash's lens, helped me realize I'd been haunting my own life long before I created this manor of monsters.
Outside, the crowds mill about the grounds, couples clinging to one another throughout the hedge maze while kids dart through legs to grab candy from the haunted snack cart. There’s a pumpkin carving contest and an apple-bobbing station. It’s remarkable how much we’ve already expanded with plans for even more.
"BOSS!" Howie comes careening around the corner, his warlock cape flapping behind him. "The werewolf just made someone pee themselves! Like, actually pee! It was glorious!"
"Please tell me you're cleaning that up," Dev says, appearing behind him with their tablet in hand. They're dressed as a Victorian undertaker tonight, somehow making it the pinnacle of fashion. "We can't have bodily fluids ruining the vibe."
"Already on it," Ghost materializes from the shadows. He's wearing his usual all-black ensemble, but has added a white bowtie and vampire fangs for the occasion. "Lee's got the mop and the enzyme cleaner."
"I knew that wolf was too realistic," Lee grumbles as he passes, mop and bucket in hand. Despite his complaints, I know he loves it. He’s become something of a legend himself, with guests swearing he's actually a ghost who's haunted the property for generations.
"Meeting in the library in twenty," Dev announces, checking their tablet. "We need to discuss the Thanksgiving horror dinner theater proposal."
"Thanksgiving horror?" Ash perks up. "Please tell me there will be zombie turkeys."
"I can make that happen," Howie says immediately, already pulling out his phone to make notes. "Oh! What if the turkey comes back to life and attacks the Pilgrims? We could have gravy that looks like blood and?—"
"Twenty minutes," Dev interrupts firmly, and Howie sighs.
As my team disperses back to their stations, Ash tugs on my hand. "Come on, I want to show you something before the meeting."
She leads me through the manor, past rooms filled with happy screams and theatrical scares. In the Portrait Gallery, we pause to watch two young girls jump and scurry away as the paintings' eyes follow their movement.
“Remember when the fire lock system trapped us?” Ash asks softly.
“How could I forget?” I pull her against my side. "You saw my face for the first time."
“And you saw me here,” she counters, laying a hand over her chest.
It's true. Ash had been fearless in a way that had nothing to do with my scars and everything to do with her heart. She'd seen past every defense I'd built, every mask I'd worn, straight to the man underneath who was desperate to be loved, but terrified to hope for it.
"Where are we going?" I ask as she leads me up the grand staircase.
"You'll see."
We end up in the main turret, which we've converted into a photography gallery. Ash's work covers the walls showcasing her stunning pictures of the manor in all seasons, behind-the-scenes shots of the crew, and artistic portraits of our various monsters and ghouls.
But the newest addition stops me in my tracks.
There, in the center of the main wall, hangs a photo I've never seen before.
It's us…on our wedding day, three months ago. But it’s not one of the formal shots our photographer took. This one is different.
In the image, I'm lifting Ash into my arms outside the manor, her white dress flowing around us like mist. My face is turned toward hers, completely unmasked, and I'm smiling—really smiling. Ash has her arms wrapped around my neck, laughing at something I'd whispered. The sunset behind us covers everything in a gold and rose hue, making the manor look less like a house of horrors and more like something from a fairy tale.
“When did you—” My voice catches.
“Willa took it,” Ash explains, coming to stand beside me. “Right after the ceremony, when you were carrying me to the reception. She just happened to capture it.”
I stare at the photo, seeing what anyone looking at it would see: a man in love. Not a monster, not a beast, not a collection of scars. Just a man holding his whole world in his arms.
"It's perfection," I manage.
"I thought so too. And I’m totally jealous that an amateur got that one. Lucky duck." She wraps her arms around my waist, smiling. "I wanted to hang it before tonight. Our first Halloween as a married couple deserved something special."
I turn to face her, holding her face in my hands. "You're what's special. You changed everything, Ash. This place, this life…none of it means anything without you."
"Smooth talker," she teases, but her eyes are glistening. "Keep that up and I might let you carry me to bed later."
