Page 17 of Forbidden Harvest

“So, tell me about your trip,” I say, changing the subject. “What are you and Liam planning to do in Florida?”

Mom’s face lights up. “Oh, we’ve got so much planned! There’s this little beachside restaurant your dad’s been raving about...”

As she chatters about their itinerary, I watch the familiar streets of our town roll by, decorated with pumpkins and fake cobwebs. The carnival lights appear in the distance, and my excitement builds.

Mom pulls up to the entrance, the car idling. “Are you sure you don’t want me to pick you up later?”

I shake my head. “Lisa’s giving me a ride home. You guys need to rest before your early flight.”

She nods, pulling me into a tight hug. “Happy birthday, Aria. I love you so much.”

“Love you too, Mom,” I murmur.

She calls as I exit the car, “Remember, we’re leaving at two AM. We’ll try not to wake you!”

“Have a great trip!” I wave as she drives away, then turn to face the carnival, my heart pounding with anticipation for the night ahead.

Laughter and music drift toward me, beckoning me toward the entrance.

“Aria! Over here!” Lisa’s voice rings out, drawing my attention to her and her mermaid costume shimmering under the neon glow of the carnival lights. Kevin stands by her side, dressed as a vampire.

“Hey guys!” I hug them both. “Can you believe this is our last Halloween as high schoolers!”

Lisa sighs. “I know, it’s bittersweet.”

"And you're the first of us to become an adult!" Kevin points out.

"Yeah, how does it feel turned eighteen?" Lisa asks.

I laugh. "No different than when I turned seventeen."

Lisa claps her hands. "Well, let's make this night one to remember." She loops her arm through mine. "Let's go and get some cotton candy before the lines are too long."

A giggle escapes me as I allow Lisa to pull me forward, Kevin trailing behind. The aroma of fried dough and caramel wafts through the air along with the shreiking laughter of kids and clinking of game booths.

Once we’ve all gotten our cotton candy, the flickering lights of the haunted house entrance beckon us closer, the ominous façade promising a real scare.

Lisa is vibrating with excitement. “We’ve got to go in! I heard they went all out with the scares.”

A shiver runs down my spine, but I can’t pinpoint why I’m uneasy. Haunted houses have never been my thing—I’ve always been too jumpy for them.

“I don’t know...” I hesitate, chewing my lip. “What if it’s too scary?”

Kevin rolls his eyes. “Don’t be such a scaredy-cat.” He flashes me a crooked grin. “I’ll protect you from the big, bad ghosts.”

Lisa loops her other arm through his, bouncing on the balls of her feet. “Yes! We’ll be the bravest monster hunters this haunted house has ever seen.”

Peering up at the staged manor, with its boarded windows and peeling paint, I can’t shake the feeling that something isn’t quite right. A shiver snakes down my spine, and I instinctively wrap my arms around myself.

But Lisa’s pleading gaze and Kevin’s teasing smirk win me over. “Okay, fine. Let’s go be monster hunters.”

“That’s the spirit!” Lisa drags me toward the entrance.

The line moves quickly. Before I know it, we’re being ushered into the dimly lit foyer. Cobwebs drape from every corner, and the floorboards creak ominously underfoot. Despite the cheesy decorations, I can’t calm my racing pulse.

I link arms with my friends as we venture deeper into the shadows. Eerie sounds bombard us from every direction—ghostly whispers, rattling chains, the distant wail of something inhuman.

I jump at every sudden noise, tightening my grip on Kevin’s arm. He chuckles, unfazed by the theatrics.

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