Page 21 of Harvest Maze

Despite my penchant for creativity, I was not the right girl for the job.

A group of half-naked actors danced around a faux fire ring in the next outcropping. Carmela stumbled into their midst, causing them to turn their deer skull masks on our group. Those costumes were by far my favorite. But instead of joining their pagan ritual, I was tugged along with the screaming gaggle to the far side where we disappeared into the maze once more.

Time to make this interesting.

Sara hadn’t screamed once. She ran alongside me, but she was a studious expert, watching and observing the social dynamics of the group rather than falling prey to the experience. I wanted to change that. To prove to her that she was human, not just an author taking notes. I waited until the group thumped and bumped along the dark. When they came to a fork in the path, I veered off, peering down a seemingly empty path. I could always run to catch back up. Plus, there was another group behind us. It wouldn’t be long until they closed ranks.

For a moment, it seemed like I was alone with nothing but acres of clacking corn. My plan was simple. Jump out and grab Sara. The moon hung fat and swollen in the sky, beaming down at me. I wandered forward, drawn by the delicious feeling of being lost.

I didn’t get very far. Maybe ten feet down the path. I could still hear the others where the corn separated us. Taking my time, I picked a spot to dash through the corn. Sara hadn’t screamed yet, and I plotted to make her squeal.

Just as I moved to rejoin my group, someone stepped into the empty path. Covered in black from head to toe, the beast painted a dark picture as he blocked the exit.

Terror rushed through me at the sight. It would be easy to turn and flee.

I’m not a scaredy cat.

He took a step forward.

I’m not!

I planted my feet in the ground and let the monster approach.

Moonlight dappled his costume with inky splotches. A balaclava covered everything but his eyes. My heart finally began to race. He wasn’t pretending to be a monster. He was a monster.

When he stopped in front of me, I tipped my head back to search his gaze.

Something pungent sizzled in the air.

The tip of his gloved finger reached out—and brushed against my cheek.

The first true shiver of fear seized me. This actor broke character. They could jump out, chase us, but they weren’t supposed to touch us.

I scrambled back. The corn stalks wavered against my spine, and I nearly fell on my ass.

“Where are you going, Ivry?” a rough voice asked.

A gasp stuck in my throat. Someone found me, but it was a good bet I was safe. This was Ravello territory, after all, and I was a Ravello. But an unholy fear gripped me.

I bolted.

He simply stood, arms crossed, and watched.

This was more than I bargained for, and all at once too much.

I took off, sprinting down the open path. There was no sound of heavy footfall behind me. No indication that he followed. When the path came to a dead end, I remembered the plan, and jumped into the corn, headed in the direction that would pop out near my friends.

Only, it never did.

I stumbled into another open area.

Where the same masked man was waiting.

“Lost?” He cocked his head.

Shadows slid over his body as the corn stalks danced. It was hard to say what his costume was. A long-sleeved black shirt and balaclava wasn’t very creative. And why was he out here alone? Why were there no other actors? We’d come upon groups of them every single time! I took off into the corn again, shoving stalks aside and trying to breathe around my galloping heart. Another opening caught my eye. I leapt into the path and began to fly down the maze.

Nothing.