Page 15 of Fright Night (Twisted Holidays #3)

FOURTEEN

OAKLEY

“Thanks for everything and happy Halloween!” I wave goodbye to the last set of volunteers before returning to the food trucks and carts that are nearly finished breaking down their set-ups, to ensure they’re good to get going soon.

The vendors are packed up to leave, clearing out most of the event.

The tents, House of Mirrors, and hay barrel maze remain to be broken down by a crew on November first, after Halloween, in case anyone around town tomorrow wants some quick holiday fun to kill off the afternoon of waiting for dusk and trick or treating.

Once the last of the vendors leave so can I.

Thank god, because my feet are killing me.

Pulling the fairy wings off my back, I wait until the last of the people leave me alone in the empty park, with only the generator left to kill. The wiring also remains, since it’s too much work to remove quickly, and the team will be along tomorrow to undo it all.

With a sated but contented sigh, I turn for the maze where the generator is set up behind it. One more task and then off to home where I’ll kick off my shoes, put up my hair, and drown myself in a hot bubble bath.

Tomorrow’s a day off, so until dusk falls when it’s time to hand out candy, my plans consist of a couch, a few Halloween movies, coffee in the morning and wine in the afternoon.

And one bank transfer.

I shiver, irritated by Julian’s interruption.

Since our breakup, this is maybe the third time we’ve been face-to-face; his one-sided texts are my only form of communication with him.

He’s never shown up to harass me before, but chose to tonight, probably aware I was in charge of the event.

And being drunk or stoned or both, he decided throwing me off kilter would be his own form of holiday entertainment.

I hate the power he stole from me, but what I actually hate more is being blackmailed to protect Henry. A man who gave my work a brief compliment before launching into his own plans for my future.

Maybe Julian needs to win next month. By not paying him, he’ll release his blackmail. The initial blow will be hard, but then more drama will eventually hit the family and this will become yesterday’s news.

Maybe. I’ll spend the month thinking on it.

Regardless, seeing Julian rattled me in the ways he intended to, and having Knox defend me made me feel less alone than I’ve been for years.

Dealing with Julian month after month leaves a sour taste in my mouth, with the weight of guilt and embarrassment pushing on my shoulders.

Even though Knox didn’t know what he was defending me from, it felt really nice to have him on my side.

Pushing Julian from my head—because there’s a creepy enough feeling already in the park without thoughts of my ex —my pace increases.

This place, especially with only the couple small tents, the much larger House of Mirrors one, and the maze, leaves the park eerie.

It’ll be worse after the power gets cut.

The park, the few strobe lights set up, suddenly go dark, bathing the area in darkness.

Um. I’m the only one in the park.

Aren’t I?

I’m also the only one with the key to turn off the generator, and that key is safe in my bra. Me, and the electrical team, but one of them wouldn’t be behind this—I hope.

I retrieve my phone and tap the flashlight button to create an immediate glow around me.

“Hello?” I call out, feeling like a moron for talking to the air. Whyever the power flicked, I’m close enough to the main entrance that I turn for it, ready to leave this suddenly ominous park.

I’m three steps into my journey to the exit when something on the ground crunches behind me. Leaves, I think, being stepped on by someone else.

“Trick time, Trickster.”

His whisper is almost poetic, seductive along the nape out of my neck—despite making me leap out of my skin. How he snuck up behind me so silently is a mystery I don’t really care about, and spin around to catch him.

“Knox.” My tone is practically a growl. At this point, it’ll be a signature sound I save all for him.

Behind me remains empty. My eyes scour the park, the nearby trees, searching through the dark for the glowing telltale mask, but it all seems empty.

How the fuck…? Imagining his voice might have been possible, but unlikely, given how clear it was. My hand touches the spot on my neck tingling from his whisper. It’s proof enough. No, he was here. I know it.

“This isn’t funny!”

My phone vibrates at that same time, the sender presumed even without glancing down.

Knox

Trick or treat, Trickster. Play my tricks and you might end up with a treat. You in?

Me

No.

Knox

I’m hiding somewhere in the park. Escape and go home. Don’t let me find you beforehand.

“I’m trying to! I’m not playing your sick games.”

While I have no doubt he’s within listening range, I type the same thing:

Me

Going home is literally all I want. I’m too tired to deal with you.

Knox

Too bad.

There’s something so final in that text. Something ominous that has me locking the phone after five long seconds of staring at it, hoping he’ll send more, but also guessing he won’t.

“Play your own fucking games, dick.”

My pace quickens towards the exit, my phone’s flashlight leading my path. Knowing he’s watching, hiding somewhere, is creepy enough.

I’m passing the pile of tied-up garbage bags from post-event clean-up when a figure comes out from behind a nearby tree, the orange glow of his mask stricken against the black background. He steps into my path, ensuring I’ll barrel into him if my pace continues.

Keeping my back rigid, I double my speed to blow by him and make the point I refuse to play this game.

He doesn’t move, remaining a statue the closer my approach.

Five feet…

“Go away.”

When I’m within passing distance, he slides directly in front of me, blocking my path. He cups my hips to render me immobile, but as they slide up and over my dress, they feel wrong. Too gentle and not how Knox touches me.

He bends at the waist, the mask tilting to the side. “I’m not Knox, little girl. But he’s looking for you. Might I suggest another direction?”

Not Knox…

He releases my waist as I stumble backwards, realization hitting me hard . Knox wouldn’t play fair; that’s not in his rulebook. No, he’d have a friend helping him out. Probably the one he’s staying with.

I try to recall who he used to hang out with in school, but our circles were so different, they weren’t even on the same planet, so I draw a blank.

“Shit.”

“Get going, Oakley.” There’s a smile in his tone.

And he knows my name. Which makes sense, I guess, but it makes this so personal.

Fuck—no. I shake my head. No, this doesn’t change anything. I’m still leaving. We’re about two dozen feet from the entrance, and I reangle myself to go around him, more determined than before. Whoever Knox has joining in on his games can go fuck themselves.

His arm, covered in a black hoodie identical to Knox’s, shoots out to the side to block my path. “Nuh, uh. Try the other exit. This one’s shut down for maintenance.”

The other exit is clear across the park by the maze. It was the one I was going to use after flicking off the generator. Stupid fenced-in park…

He must see my horror, but only tilts his head in the same direction before taking a single threatening step towards me. Even though I know he won’t actually hurt me, panic has me taking off.

Actual fear over what is happening because, for once, Knox’s plans remain a mystery. I don’t know who’s involved. What is involved.

The light from my phone swings wildly as I run, praying there aren’t any streamers or balloons that were missed during clean-up that’d trip me. Falling on my ass will make things worse.

The park is wide open, save for the few structures and trees. There’s no way Knox can hide for long, especially with his glowing mask. He’s too obvious. Yet, as my eyes scan the area, all remains empty.

My costume’s skirt picks up, the flap bouncing against my upper thighs. The air is chillier than even minutes ago—though that might be nerves. Maybe this is his trick. To freak me out while watching from afar, laughing, with no intentions of stepping in.

Even so, when I round the House of Mirror’s tent, I slam into a body. Same hoodie, same mask.

“Knox,” I breathe, oddly relieved this can end.

The figure’s glowing mask comes closer, until plastic brushes against my cheek as he leans down to whisper, “Try again.”

How many fucking friends does he have working for him?

Without replying, I take off, running faster. I’m a few dozen feet away from the maze, and behind it, the exit. I can do this…

A body slides out from behind another tree, cutting in front of me, his imposing form taking two steps before I’m forced to double back. Same clothing, same mask, and I don’t wait around to check if it’s Knox or not because chances are, it’s not.

Blood rushing, I’m forced to retreat and go around the tent, cutting far away from the other guy. As I pass the entrance, my phone buzzes, and although reading a text is the last thing that’ll help, curiosity makes me check.

Knox

Getting closer, Trickster. Keep going.

Oh, I plan on it.

I take off towards the maze.