Page 100 of Grave Possession

Well, that’s not Lennox…

I freeze in my tracks. Do I stay or do I go?

She’s at my back in seconds, but I can’t let her see melike this. “I’m sorry,” she pants, out of breath from racing after me. “Can we talk?”

Now? You want to talk NOW?! This is the worst possible time for a reconciliation. I look down at the blood saturating every inch of my costume. It drips from my mask, spreading through the lace on my chest. I want to turn around, grab her, and crush her in a long-overdue hug. Tell her I’m sorry, and I’ve missed her so fucking much. But I don’t.

“No,” I croak, leaving before she gets a chance to reply.

Chapter Sixty-one

Graves

The seconds drag on as I stand here like a putz, waiting for Mallory to return. I slide my mask back on, moving toward the ridiculously adorned chair in the centre of the stage. The crown lays abandoned on the seat, taunting me. It’s so fucking ridiculous, but I snatch it up and put it on. It’s what my uncle would’ve done, so I follow suit.

I turn toward the mass of swaying bodies, then sit. Leaning back and spreading my thighs comfortably. A woman close to the stage winks at me and I shake my head, dismissing her. The fucking audacity.

I cast my eyes to the right. The throng of people enjoying the rave-like environment set up in the mill bleed out through the doorway. Their bodies, covered in glow sticks and other illuminative jewelry, dance uninhibited everywhere, even as an angel is bent over the handrail, getting bucked into from behind by a Xenomorph.

Swinging my sight to the left, the horny wolfman packushers a group of women into the haunted hiking trail. Howling and thrusting against the four ladies, they disappear into the shadows, shrieks and laughter fading along with the sight of them.

Grey waves for my attention, probably wondering what the hell is taking me so long. He taps his finger against his wrist, then gestures something that conveys “let’s get on with it” with his motioning hands. I nod, then turn back to the mass of people before me. I guess Mallory is standing me up. I can’t blame her, this whole night is pushing her so far out of her comfort zone, I’m surprised she’s even lasted this long. But I can’t deny the aching stab of disappointment and abandonment I feel in her absence.

I look to the DJ, who cuts the music, and extends a microphone to me. I rise from the throne to retrieve it.Here goes nothing.I heave in a deep breath, centring myself before exhaling slowly. Clearing my throat, I wait for the attendees to quiet down.

“I’d like to thank you all for coming tonight,” I start with a shake in my voice. Looking to Greyson, who stands behind the towering speaker, he nods, encouraging me to continue. “I know it would’ve meant a great deal to my Uncle Oscar. The turn out is one that will go down in Crystal Creek’s history. The citizens of our small town worked many sleepless nights to bring this all together, and I hope all of you enjoy the many activities available.” I find my confidence the longer I talk, the words now flowing out of me as if they were always meant to. “As many of you know, my aunt and uncle, Deanna andOscar Graves, were the founders of the Henderson Haunt many years ago. They believed in balance, living a good life while also not denying yourself of the things you crave. But they also both agreed on the importance of moderation. Too much of a good thing all the time makes the soul yearn more and more. So, mixed with their love of Halloween, this month of chaos was born.” Emotion starts to clog my throat, knowing the waters I’m venturing into next. “After Deanna passed, Oscar kept the Haunt running. He said it’s what she would’ve wanted, and where he felt closest to her. I always thought he was crazy. How could an event as wild as this have you feeling anything other than horny?” Quiet laughter floats through the atmosphere, and it makes me smile. “But now, with my uncle passed on as well, and the torch being passed to me, I finally understand what he meant. Their spirits live on through the happiness of others revelling in what they created. I will never stop striving to fill the enormous shoes he left behind, and I can only hope to be half as good of a host, police captain, and man, as my uncle was.”

Greyson moves across the stage, coming to stand next to me for support. The entire party has quieted during my speech, almost all of the attendees have stopped whatever filth they were engaging in to listen to me. “You’re doing great, Captain,” he whispers to me. “Now wrap it up so I can kick your ass in beer pong.” I stifle a laugh and nod slightly as his competitive smirk glints in my periphery.

A bellowing scream pierces through the momentarysilence, immediately putting us both on alert. Every single person’s head swivels back and forth, the air tense with anticipation of another harrowing scream. Nothing comes so I break the tension in the only way I can think of. “Seems like someone is thoroughly enjoying tonight’s festivities,” I joke, forcing out a laugh. A wave of murmurs and laughs move through the party, dissolving the apprehension. “Thank you all for coming and have a wonderfully filthy fright,” I say in closing.

Handing the mic back to the DJ as he starts the music again,“People Are Strange - Festival Mix”livening the crowd almost immediately.

“That was weird, right?” Officer Smith asks, leaning close so I can hear him over the music.

“Yes. It was a little too guttural to be from someone having fun.”

“Should I go snoop around?”

“Maybe,” I reply.

Victoria flies by me in a flash of orange, crashing into Officer Smith’s chest. Immediately, the off-putting scream is forgotten by the both of us. He holds her tight to him as her body shakes violently with sobs I can barely hear over the music. He shoots me awhat the fucklook, and I return it with a clueless downturn of my lips while shrugging my shoulders. I have no idea what happened, but she could’ve been triggered by any number of things at the Haunt.

It was a last minute decision of hers to attend, after weeks of being steadfast in her decision not to go. It’s why she’s dressed up in a bloody orange convict jumpsuit. TheHalloween store was closed down for renovations, and this is all we could scrounge up from the station last minute.

Greyson leans down, listening intently to whatever Victoria is telling him. I turn my back to give them some privacy, wondering what the hell happened to Mallory, and if she got lost on the way back from the bathroom. Did she have anything to do with that scream? It was distinctly male, and very coincidental that it happened when she was out of my sight.

My phone vibrates in my pocket, but as I move to pull it out, Greyson sidles up beside me. “Where’s Mallory?” he snaps.

My hackles immediately rise, I’m defensive based on his tone alone. “She went to the bathroom. Why?” I yell over the thumping bass.

“Victoria finally went to talk to her, and she brushed her off.” I’m surprised, but at the same time…tit for tat.

“Is that why Victoria came tonight? To confront Mal?”

“No, she said it was to support us both, she didn’t mention Mallory at all to me.”

“This isn’t really the best place for a heart to heart, Grey.” He shrugs.

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