Page 4 of In The Dark
“Kinky. I didn’t think I was your type.”
“You wish you were my type.”
“I wish for a lot of things, J.” I toss her a lopsided grin and slide my mask in place. “But, fine. I’ll stay put only because I love you and you knew me back when I had a terrible haircut. I can’t have you showing evidence of my early twenties to anyone.”
“Seems like yesterday we were working in attractions and getting paid minimum wage. Look at us now: scare actor of the year for the last three years and me, the lucky asshole who gets to deal with you five nights a week.” She pinches my cheek and we walk toward the soundstage where the haunted house is set up. “It’s going to be mayhem tonight. The event is sold out.”
“Doesn’t surprise me. First day of October. The fall girlies are drinking their pumpkin spice lattes. Halloween is creeping up. Are you and Mila taking Bailey trick-or-treating?”
“We are.” Janey smiles at the mention of her wife and daughter. “I won’t be here that night, so you better be on your best behavior. No fighting allowed.”
“Hey. That douchebag swung at me first,” I say, bringing up the guest who decided to deck me in the face last week.
I did my job, popping out from behind a corner like I’m paid to do, and he threw a punch at me. My retaliation was self-defense.
I also really fucking hated his polo and khakis, so it might’ve been alittlepersonal.
“I know he did, and so do the police. He’s banned from the park for life.”
My heart warms in my chest. Janey always takes care of me, and she has for years; escorting away a group of girls who started to grope me when I tried to exit the haunted house for a break. Keeping idiots out of the line so they don’t try to fight the actors. Feeding me after my mom died so I didn’t wither away. Cleaning the wounds on my hands after I paid my abusive dad a visit.
Intervening when my nose gushed blood last week was one of her finer moments. I wouldn’t still be working here if it wasn’t for her.
“I’ll be good when you’re gone, and I’m glad you get the night off. You don’t want to miss out on those memories with Bailey,” I say.
“I can’t believe she’s seven. It makes me feel ancient.”
“Because we are ancient.” I smile as she holds the door to the soundstage open for me. The people waiting in line erupt in cheers when they spot me, and I give them all a wave. “My knees cracked when I got out of bed this morning, and I had to stretch for twenty minutes before I ate lunch.”
“You’re taking care of yourself, right?”
“C’mon, J. What’s the phrase? God gives his toughest battles to his strongest soldiers? I’m fucking Hercules.”
“And I’m suffering from religious trauma.” She clasps my shoulder. “Time to get in there. They’re all here for you, Hunt.”
“No pressure or anything.” I take off the robe wrapped around my body to hide my costume and hand it her way. “See you on break.”
“Be good,” Janey warns.
“Where’s the fun in that?”
“Dude. That first shift was wild.”Leo yanks off his mask, throwing it on the couch in the breakroom. He downs half a bottle of water and wipes his mouth. “Enthusiastic guests make this job so fun.”
“It’s a good crowd tonight.” I run my hand through my dark hair, dragging my fingers across my scalp. The strands are wetwith sweat, and I wipe my palm on my jumpsuit. “Seems like we have a lot of first timers.”
“I love the virgins.”
“I’ve lived with you for years, Leo. I unfortunately know everything you like.”
“Because you’re a lucky bastard.” He pops a chip in his mouth, taking full advantage of our forty-five minutes away from the crowd. I’m wondering if I can sneak a quick nap in. “Life is good, isn’t it? The weather is cooler than it was back in August. It gets darker earlier. Itfeelsscary, you know?”
“I’m only mildly uncomfortable in my costume, not bordering on a heat stroke.” I yawn and take a seat on one of the long couches, stretching out my legs with a groan. At six-four, I barely fit, but it’s better than standing. “Want to switch positions after our next break? I’m bored.”
“Please. The cops at the exit won’t shut the fuck up. They’re obnoxious as shit, so good luck. They told me I got too close to someone but didn’t do anything when the dude in the ugly ass boat shoes kicked me in the shins.”
“Fuckers,” I grumble, knowing it’s a battle every year with the security team they put outside the house. They like to ignore us when an actor is being harassed but have no problem calling our supervisors when they think we’re the ones being unruly. “I’ll have some fun with them later. I love pissing dickbags off.”
“This is why we work so well together.” He throws a bottle of water my way. I catch it against my chest and yawn again. “Some of the guys are going out after we finish for the night. Want to join?”
