Affinity

Chapter 18: Control

After the clown incident, the rest of the haunted house walk-through was more thrilling than scary as the characters jumped out anytime you made a wrong turn, redirecting you to the correct path. None of the costumed workers dared to do more than that, keeping their distance from the violent teens. They finally made it outside through the back screen door, unamused by the cannibalistic butcher's dream in the kitchen.

Nastia inhaled the night air and was assaulted by the smell of cigarette smoke and popcorn. It looked like this was a rest point before the entrance to the corn maze; where the paying guests could look at enclosures of goats and ponies, buy treats, or use the bathroom. Fake fog curled around her booted ankles and spooky music played over some speakers as various groups were either in line for the farm shed that was converted into a snack shack or for the row of rental porta-potties.

"I want my money back," Anastasia joked to Pam. "Where is that manager?"

"Don't lie! You had fun. I hope that clown is alright. I think AJ made him spit out a kidney," Pam tittered then started hopping around like a bunny on Adderall. "Oh, I gotta go. BRB."

Both her and Austin's friend, who still hadn't been properly introduced to everyone, had disappeared into separate porta-potties. Nastia crinkled her nose at the disgusting stalls invented for weak human bladders, proud of the fact she has never had to use one.

"Looks like everyone is taking a break. Nastia, Savannah and me are gonna get something from the snack stand. Want anything?" Ryan asked. "I'm buying."

Eating something and actually tasting it was now a long-lost dream. Watching others enjoy their treats would be masochistic torture. She sighed and said, "I'm not eating anything out of a farm shed. But thanks, Ryan."

"Babe, I want some cotton candy," Reina said to her boyfriend.

"The hell you want me to do about it?"

"Well, duh. Buy it for me."

"Woman, I ain't your bank. Let the short guy pay. He's offering." Austin's obnoxious voice traveled across the field causing a few heads to turn.

"God. You're such a dick," Reina groaned matching his volume.

She stomped away towards the shed with a sympathetic Savannah and Ryan in tow while her boyfriend shouted after her. "Yeah, just walk away when you know I'm right! Psh, not my fault you forgot your wallet."

Jason, AJ, and Ivy had grouped off talking by the entrance to the maze. Nastia regretted not heading their way while waiting for Pam when Austin started walking over to her like the thug he wishes he was. She'd rather feel the fiery throb of bloodlust than talk to him.

"Hey, Anastasia," he said drawing her name out in a way that instantly put her on edge. He placed a cigarette between his lips. "How you been?"

"Fine. But stand down wind, I can smell your latest buzz."

"Dang. Reina said you were a snob."

"Oh, did she?"

"Yeah, I'm sure you know how she is, bitching all the time. She is always on my case about something. Anyways, she didn't say you were funny though."

She wasn't surprised by his words. Reina has called her a snob to her face before, which she much preferred. The human girl was snarky and rude, yes, but not two-faced. Why her boyfriend felt the need to roll his eyes and complain to one of her friends about her? Nastia could only think of one of two reasons, but both reasons boiled down to this irrefutable fact: Austin was just a stupid bastard. His curious eyes traveling down her body drew Nastia to the same conclusion.