Page 43 of Shattered Souls

If I said something distasteful to him, would he lose himself and act on impulse?

The thoughts brew in my mind as I apply the scarecrow makeup to my face. Scare actors hustle and bustle around me, now becoming used to my appearance in the dressing rooms.

“Stick by my side tonight.” Seek says as he tightens his porcelain mask to his face. “If you can do that, then you get the book.” I spin and face him.

“The deal was I cleaned your lip to get the book.”

“Plans changed.” He leans down until his mouth is right by the shell of my ear. “You gonna play nice, or not?”

“Aw, look at the happy couple.” Maverick pops up out of nowhere, a brotherly hand splayed across Seek’s back.

My cheeks heat as I try to put as much distance between me and the disfigured mask. Seek’s face is unreadable behind the mask, but his eyes are pinning me to my seat.

“Well,” Maverick starts, obviously uncomfortable with the long stretch of silence. “I hope to see more of you tonight, Rayvn. Maybe we could work in one of the houses together.”

With his mask tucked under his arm, I can take in his features better. His black hair is slicked back with gel so the mask can slip on better, but I still see the evidence of a grown out haircut. His eyes are so dark they’re almost black, though the black paint around his eyes isn't helping much.

He catches me studying him and his mouth curls into a smile that reveals a row of teeth that are fighting to take front. I offer a tight smile back and move my eyes to the predator that’s still drinking me in.

“Let’s go,” Seek grabs my arms and pulls me from the chair. Maverick watches me with a glint of mischief in his eye as we leave the dressing room and venture into the already crowded scare park.

14

Rayvn

“Welcome!” Maverick’s voice bounces off the walls of the manor while Seek leads me around like some sort of victim. How ironic.

We’ve spent the last hour in pure, uncomfortable silence. Him pacing around, hunting patrons that innocently wander around. And me, following behind him trying to force myself to participate.

I’ve jumped out at a few different people, but my scares lack the enthusiasm that the actual actors have. I’ve gotten slight jumps, but most are followed up by giggles or eye rolls, the latter from men.

“You’re not going to get that fucking book at this point.” Seek grinds out through clinched teeth.

“Yeah,” My voice is small and bored. “I guessed that.”

He grunts and grips my arm with so much force I have to bite my lip until a metallic taste spreads across my tongue to keep from whimpering. He drags me through a small alley between haunted houses until the light from the streetlamp is nothing but a mere memory.

“I’m ten seconds from taking you back into that fucking room,” He swipes the mask off of his face and my chest tightens. Beads of sweat have clung to the black paint around his eyes and drag the color down his cheeks in tragic tears.

“I haven’t even done anything.” I cross my arms over my chest to cover the evidence his gaze has on me.

“I’m aware.” Our eyes lock, hard, his anger dissolving on his tongue. “You not doing anything is drawing attention to yourself.” His voice is softer, almost forgiving.

“I’m just out of it.” I admit.

A sea of emotions are churning in my mind. The fear towards Hayze after building something that resembles trust. The confusion of finding Seek attractive while actively sleeping with his brother. His brother. Every time those words echo in my mind, nausea brews in my stomach.

“Look,” He rubs a hand down his face. “Let’s just go back. You can have your little pity party with Hyde.” I have to steel myself from physically recoiling at Hayze’s name.

I think of my apartment—one that probably smells of dust and mildew by now. About the shitty car that’s waiting in the parking lot for me. It took me almost six months of work and selling Dad’s old truck just to buy the car that breaks down every other week, but it’s mine.

I think about the group of girls that just wanted to befriend me. They went out of their way to invite me here, and now they probably think I’ve abandoned them all—before any real friendship could form.

“I just want to go home.” The words claw at my throat as they come up. I know freedom is a thing of the past, shit, if I ever really even had any. I spent twenty-three years as a prisoner in my own home. Then I was a prisoner to my guilt and fear—and now, now I’m a literal prisoner once more.

Seek straightens himself.

“Okay.” His tone is void of any emotion. “Then go. Leave.”