Page 30 of Property of Scythe
“You okay, darlin’?” I ask, humored by her reaction.
She’s clutching my hand, glancing over her shoulder as we hear a chainsaw. It’s getting closer, and I know one of the actors will approach us soon, revving it as he swipes at the wagon rails. He won’t come close enough to harm anyone, but it should frighten everyone.
Lottie swallows as I tilt her face upward. I stare into her eyes, not intending to kiss her for the first time on this ride, but it happens. My mouth fuses to hers, and she tastes like cherry candy. I don’t know if it’s her lip gloss, but it’s delicious. I can’t help deepening the kiss before I reluctantly pull away.
Lottie appears dazed. She smiles with a faraway look in her eyes. But damn, that mouth of hers is tempting. I want to lean in again, but I hear the thud of heavy boots approaching.
Screams of terror burst from the group as an actor dressed like Leatherface runs up to us, cutting his chainsaw through the air. Lottie nearly climbs into my lap, and I wrap my arms around her, laughing as we pull away from the actor.
By the time we finish the hayride, Lottie has jumped several times, and she’s clinging to me. I can’t say I’m sorry she’s scared. It’s been too fucking fun.
I’m proud of our haunted hayride. It’s bigger and better than ever. As we pull to a stop and exit the wagon, I help Lottie down. “Ready for some hot chocolate?”
“Yes, please.”
We walk around and play a few carnival games before I leadher toward an empty bench. There’s not a lot of seating inside the Fear Farm. We’ve erected several spots with hay bales where people can rest, or kids can play, and there are sporadic benches, but the picnic tables are at the pavilion. It’s close to the corn maze and outside the main entrance. It’s a better idea to direct the crowds outward instead of trying to stuff everyone inside a crowded space.
That’s when I spot Art the Clown. He’s not interacting with anyone, just standing still, facing me and Lottie. I guess Phantom is trying to scare her, but something about him seems off. The more I stare at him, the more I notice he’s got something dark and wet splattered all over his clothes. It’s probably fake blood, but I don’t remember seeing it on his costume earlier.
The hair on the back of my neck rises, and I know something is wrong. I feel it. It’s a sudden tightness in my chest, followed by a feeling of nauseating evil. It’s intensified as I sit across from this costumed man, causing me to slip my arm around Lottie and draw her closer.
Art’s mouth curls into a snarl. Even from here, it’s clear that it’s not a fake emotion. He takes a step in our direction, rage distorting his features. I feel the sudden urge to hide Lottie from his sight.
Before I can, he suddenly turns, disappearing into the crowd.
My phone buzzes in my cut, and I pull it free, glancing at the screen. It’s Phantom.
“Pres,” he says in a shaky voice. “You need to come to the shack.”
The shack is what we call that old barn where all the employees meet up each night. “What is it?”
“Just come. Now.”
He hangs up, and I pop to my feet, undecided what to tell Lottie.
“Is everything okay?”
“I don’t know.”
“Well, I can wait here while you check.”
No. That’s a terrible fucking idea. What if Art the Clown returns? “I’d feel better if you came with me.”
“Okay.” She tosses her empty cup since she finished her hot cocoa. “I need to use the restroom.”
Shit. The porta-pot line is atrocious. It’ll take forever.
“You might stand in line a long time.”
“It’s okay. I’ll wait here for you once I’m through. Go ahead.” She’s walking away from me toward the women forming the line before I can talk her out of it.
I’m torn. I don’t want to leave her, but I also need to respond to Phantom and find out what’s going on.
She’s safe in this line. She has to be.
I rush toward the shack and find one of the prospects, ordering him to find Lottie and stay with her. He’s seen her a couple of times in town, so he knows who I’m talking about. I find Phantom waiting for me outside the shack.
“You need to see this,” he says in lieu of a greeting, leading me around the back.
