Almost exactly two minutes later, Damon set me on my feet, and I gazed up when I saw a large, haunted house attraction in front of me.
The moment I saw the carousel picture and the giant, angry clown figure at the entrance, I looked back at Damon. “Clowns?”
He smiled. “Are you uneasy?”
I shook my head.
“Do you not like clowns?” he asked me then.
“I never said that,” I responded. “It was just a question.”
He smiled over at me. “Yes, clowns.”
I looked back at the building. “Cool.”
Damon just lightly pushed my back, making me stumble forward. “You’re going in alone. I’ll see you when you’re done.”
I stared at him for a moment. “What?”
“Scared?” he said then.
“N—no.”
“Then go.” He nodded to the mansion.
I just swallowed something hard and stepped forward, seeing the person in front nod at me and I walked in.
The moment I stepped through the doors, the scent of cotton candy filled me, and I glanced around nervously when I saw ribbon-like walls as well as funky mirrors distorting my image.
I swallowed something hard and continued walking.
The moment I entered the next room, a clown jumped out from the wall, almost tackling me.
I screamed and jumped out of the way, heart pounding hard against my chest.
He just giggled and scrambled off on all fours.
I breathed uneasily as I continued forward.
I was now in some kind of carnival-like room.
There were those odd rubber duck-like pictures that moved up and down—ones that you were supposed to shoot to win a prize…
But they were covered in blood.
Fake blood.
Probably.
I continued walking, breathing shakily.
A figure jumped out on my right, screaming at me.
I yelped and hit a wall, but he just laughed and walked away.
The familiar buzz from adrenaline rushed through me, and I stared into the carnival-like room.
I was gasping, the blood roaring through my ears, and I swallowed something hard.
I was scared.
Or excited, I couldn’t tell.
I stood up then, regaining my strength, and I continued forward.
But a set of hands fell on my shoulders. “Hello.”
I screamed, flipping around and about to hit them.
Damon just caught my arm before it hit his face, laughing.
“Asshole!” I yelled then. “I could’ve killed you!”
He just snickered. “Yeah, sure.”
I pulled my arm back, glaring at him. “I thought you were going to meet me at the end.”
He just smiled kindly. “I changed my mind.”
“Jerk,” I muttered, going back forward.
He just caught my arm, pulling me back to face him.
I glanced back at him, brows drawing together.
“Now,” he said then, lashes lowering, “I’m going to test your trust in me.”
I stared for a moment. “Huh?”
“You heard me.”
“But I thought we already established this,” was my response. “I trust you. You are obligated to be my protector… until it is time for my death.”
He just smiled. “I want to see if you’re lying.”
I blinked, and then my lashes lowered. “Fine.”
He beamed in satisfaction.
“What do I do?” I demanded.
He just looked at me now, seeming so amused it was almost… predatory. “Close your eyes,” he instructed, “and let me guide you until the end. You cannot open them no matter what you hear, smell, or feel.”
I let my lashes shut immediately.
I then felt his hand slip through mine.
He pulled me forward then, and I followed after him.
When we walked through another room, the scent of cotton candy overwhelmed me, and I could hear loud searing buzzes from the walls and speakers… not only that, but I could feel the air thicken.
But I didn’t dare open my eyes.
“RAH!” a clown yelled, clearly jumping out at Damon.
But for some reason… I didn’t react.
We continued forward, and I could feel him glancing back at me to make sure my eyes were still shut.
I parted my lips when we entered another space, and the scent of cotton candy replaced with popcorn and caramel corn.
I breathed slowly now, somehow unafraid.
I didn’t speak, didn’t ask him if we were close to the end because I knew he wouldn’t let me get hurt.
I heard another clown come out and scream, clearly trying to scare someone in front of us.
But… after a minute, I felt us go through another entrance… and suddenly a cold bite of wind burned my skin.
Damon slowed his walking, and I slowed with him.
He just caught both of my hands. “You can open them now.”
I parted my lashes, gazing up at him as he smiled down at me.
We were outside now, standing at the exit of the haunted house.
I glanced around then, blinking before I gazed up at him.
He just smiled and lifted me by my hips, making me blink when I hovered over him.
“You didn’t wince once,” he said then.
“You are literally contractually obligated to protect me,” I stated then. “Why would I need to be afraid?”
He looked very pleased with himself. “I think I should praise you.”
“Do not,” I said then.
“Good girl,” he said then.
“Great,” I said then, rolling my eyes, “now I’m going to kill you.”
He just smiled up at me.
I gazed down at him, face hovering inches over his.
I then stared down at his lips, something hot consuming me.
He pressed his finger to mine, making me blink and gaze up.
His eyes glowed in amusement. “Patience is a virtue.”
I then looked away, slightly annoyed.
Damon just set me down, and I exhaled a breath, blowing out a large puff into the cold night.
“Come to the forest with me,” he said then, holding out his hand.
I stared down at his hand. “Why?”
“I want to show you something,” he told me.
I took his hand then, and he turned, pulling me with him.
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