Page 50 of Don't Scare Me, My Love

Out of nowhere, the entire building vibrated as the door was hit with full force. “Open up, open up, open up,” Alex yelled so loud that it sounded like he was already inside.

Nicholas pulled his head in, his quick breaths warming my hand. I wanted to tell him it would be over soon, but with the finale only a minute away, I pressed my lips together.

“Open up, open up, open?—”

A red and blue flash lit up the room and stopped the hammering.

Everything went so quiet that Nicholas’ panting seemed as loud as the knocking had been a second before.

Footsteps announced that the person on the other side was leaving.

Nicholas’ eyes were red. He released his grip on my hand as he turned to look outside.

I cautiously rose to my knees and lifted my eyes over the windowsill to catch a glimpse of the spectacle that was about to unfold.

Alex limped as he made his way to the old police car. He raised his empty hands to the night sky. The headlights put him in the spotlight. His wrinkles appeared deep but natural. The white hair waved in the wind, making me wonder if it was real human hair they had used to make the mask.

The driver’s door flew open. “Stop where you are.”

Alex followed, stopping in the middle of the parking lot. “Oh, thank God you’re here. I’m so scared. It’s not one, but two guys. They’re in the cabin. They tried to kill me.”

“What the hell is he doing?” Nicholas whispered. “Is he blaming it on us?”

Dany got out of his car, the lower part of his face hidden behind the door. He wore a police cap to hide his hair and had a fake mustache glued over his shaved face. I could only hope that the costume, the accent, and the darkness would fool Nicholas for a few more minutes.

Dany ducked behind the door, grabbed the speaker, and said something into the intercom as he scanned the place.

Alex clasped his hands together in prayer. “Please, officer, save me.”

“Get behind the car, sir,” Dany motioned for him to come over. He looked at the building, pulled out a gun that looked damn real, and pointed it at the cabin.

“What are you doing?” Nicholas yelled as if the fake officer could hear us. “He’s the one you’re supposed to be arresting!” His eyes popped open, full of fear.

My heart skipped a beat.

Nicholas believed it all. This wasn’t acting. He feared for his life.

Alex walked around the car, and just as he was behind Dany, he pulled out his fake knife, swung it in the air for us to see, and plunged it into Dany’s chest.

“No!” Nicholas crumpled. He leaned his back against the wooden wall, his knees bent. His head sank deep into his chest as he shook it from left to right. “No, no, no.”

I put my hand on his shoulder, which only made him whimper.

“I’m so sorry, Jason…” A sob rippled through the room. “How the hell did this happen? Oh, my god... Jack... that officer... and you...” Tears streamed down his face. “I wanted to make tonight special. Crazy. A story we could tell for years, and people would think we’re nuts. We should have just gone to the bonfire.”

He grabbed my hands and held them as tightly as he could. “I wanted to ask you if you wanted to spend eternity with me—not just this life. I wanted us to be together forever, to scare each other until we can’t move anymore, to be buried side by side, and to haunt others when we become ghosts. I love you, Jason… so damn much and… now…” His sobs drowned out his words.

That was enough.

“Nicholas,” I said. “Look at me.”

I wanted to scare him, not make him cry.

I grabbed his chin and pulled his head up. His cheeks were soaked. His lips curled as he tried to pull himself together for me.

“I love you, too, and I’m sorry.” My own eyes watered. “I should have listened to Jack. This has gotten way out of hand.” My vision was blurred from the tears. “It’s not real. So please, don’t cry, my love.” I stood up and pushed open the window we were hiding under.

“What are you doing?” Nicholas grabbed my arms to stop me, but the window was already open enough for me to stick my head through. “Guys!” I yelled at Alex, who was still pretending to stab Dany. “Show’s over.”

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