Page 44 of One Killer Night

Goldie’s spun around and pulled through the doors into the maze of mirrors, leaving me standing by myself.

“Fuck,” I rush out, snapping my face to the guy at the door who’s holding his arm in front. “Let me in.”

“Sorry, man, only a few at a time. You and your friend have to wait.”

I look behind me at Chase, who’s too busy staring down at his phone to pay attention.

“Come on,” I press. “I was having a moment with a girl. Don’t do me dirty.”

The guy looks behind me at Chase. “Hey, you good going with the next group so your friend can find his true love?”

I don’t even get to hear what that smart-ass says because the minute the dude lifts his arm, I tear inside.

Which is decidedly the wrong move because I almost run directly into a mirror and break my nose.

“Shit,” I snap, jerking back to save my face and waiting for a moment to gain my bearings.

My head whips side to side, but everywhere I look, there’s me. Over and over with nothing but darkness surrounding me. Goldie’s laugh in the distance makes me smile as I extend my arms, letting my hands feel out the space.

I feel one mirror, then two, before I find the right pocket so I can slip into the next spot.

“Killer, where you at?” I yell, hearing her laugh again.

I’m slowly making my way through the space, feeling around so I don’t maim myself, chuckling as I do. Chase is excommunicated for thinking this up.

I turn into a new clearing before circling around to get my bearings, but see myself for miles until, bam, I spot her.

I spin, thinking she’s behind me, but she’s gone. So, I spin again, and she’s there.

“What the hell?” I whisper.

She smiles, but it’s not at me. It’s not at anyone.

My head whips around, trying to figure out how I’m seeing her, but just like that, she’s gone again.

“Hey,” I laugh, stepping forward too quickly and hitting the wall.Shit. I’ll be unconscious before I ever get her answer.

I’m reaching out, feeling my way slowly, as something in my periphery grabs my attention, so I turn my head, expecting my girlfriend, but as I do, my face drops.

Because I see Goldie, but I also see ...wait... I blink hard, giving my head a small shake because what I thought I saw isn’t there anymore. It’s just Goldie.

What the fuck? I swear to god, I saw ...Get your head together, Noah. This is because of the cameras and shit. You’re spooked.

My mouth’s slightly agape as I try and gain my bearings again, feeling my way through the maze of mirrors. But my heart keeps speeding up. It won’t stop, gaining speed each time I get a wisp of her before she disappears again.

Chill, Noah.

The hair on the back of my neck starts standing on end, pricked up around goose bumps. My eyes land on her with each twist and turn I make.

She’s there, and then she isn’t.

There. And not.

My head whips right.What was that?

I’m not sure if I said that out loud as I swallow, rubbing my jaw, as a streak of her snatches my attention left. I reach out instinctively, catching a sliver of dark shadow off to the side.

But then it’s gone.