Page 19 of Welcome to Carnage

Luna turns at Nyx’s voice. “Nyx, you stood Avina up!” Her face drops when she sees his Ghostface mask. “Damn, that mask is creepy.”

“Good, it’s meant to be. It’s Halloween, after all.” He tilts his head. “And I’m here, aren’t I?”

Luna laughs. “I thought you were too chicken. Scared Avina’s stalker might murder you.”

If only she knew the irony in what she was saying. I keep my eyes locked on Nyx, trying to figure out his game.

Nyx shrugs at Luna’s comment, and I wish I could see his face. “I’m not easily scared, Luna.” Even with his mask, I feel his gaze slide to me. “Especially not by stalkers.”

I swallow hard, trying to maintain my composure.

“Anyway, let’s keep going. There’s so much more to see,” Luna interrupts, oblivious to the tension. She tugs my arm, and I allow myself to be steered away, but not before throwing one last glance at Nyx. He’s still standing there, watching me.

As we move further into the crowd, Luna babbles about the different games and food stalls. I nod along, but my mind is still back there with Nyx.

Suddenly, Luna gasps, pointing ahead. “Avina, look! They have a haunted house!” She looks at me, excitement gleaming in her eyes.

“I don’t know, Luna,” I stall, hoping to avoid more encounters with Nyx. “Haunted houses aren’t my thing.”

“Oh, come on, where’s your sense of adventure?” She pouts, tugging on my arm.

Before I can respond, a new voice joins the conversation. “She’s right. Where’s your sense of adventure?” Nyx’s asks.

I turn to face him. “Must have lost it after my date got murdered the other night,” I snap, my patience wearing thin.

“How are you doing after that?” he asks.

I grind my teeth. “What do you care how I’m doing?” He’s asking me how I’m doing afterhemurdered the guy. He has a screw loose, that’s for sure.

“I care more than you think,” he replies.

I hate myself when butterflies take flight in my stomach at his words.

“Let’s do it,” Luna nudges me.

Before I can object, I’m dragged toward the haunted house with Luna and Nyx by my side. Our other friends and my brother trail behind. All I can do is brace myself for what’s to come. Going in there with the monster by my side is a terrible idea.

NYX

Ahaunted house is the perfect place to give my little hellion a taste of what’s to come.

“Hey, wait up, you guys!” Pierce’s voice behind us makes me tense.

The last thing I need is him cockblocking me.

Luna turns to face him. “I told you to stay away from me.” She narrows her eyes. “I don’t want people thinking we’re here together.”

Those two are fucking idiots. It’s clear they’re meant for each other, but both of them have resisted it since high school. Maybe it’s because Luna is Avina’s best friend.

“Whatever.” His brow furrows as he glances at me. “Who’s this?”

I chuckle. “Don’t recognize your best friend?”

“Shit! Sorry, man.” He claps me on the shoulder, making me tense. “All these masks! I don’t know who anyone is!”

I shrug it off. “You coming into the haunted house too?” I ask.

Pierce nods. “You bet.”

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