Shattered Asylum

Chapter 49

I'm carpooling to Nora's cabin with Kristina and Ethan. Ethan mentioned earlier that Grayson had some things to take care of and would be arriving later.

The bath I took earlier helped ease the knots in my back and neck, but I'm still a little stiff.

As we pull to the cabin, the yard comes into view, transformed into a foggy graveyard complete with skeletons, tombstones, and an eerie glow.

Faint laughter and music drift through the chilly air, growing louder as we approach.

Inside, the place is a whirlwind of costumes, ghosts, witches, superheroes, and everything in between. Each person seems to be competing for the title of best dressed.

The living room is unrecognizable, transformed into a haunted mansion. Cobwebs drape over the furniture, fake spiders crawl along the wall and staircase, and carved jack-o-lanterns flicker with an ominous glow. The hair hums with excitement of the night ahead.

Kristina and Ethan follow me through the crowd as we make our way to the kitchen. The room buzzes with chatter and laughter as old friends catch up and new connections form.

I grab drinks from the fridge, beers for me and Kristina, and a water for Ethan since he's our designated driver.

Peering through the fog and dancing bodies, I try to spot my twin, but after a few minutes of searching, I give up. She's probably off with Vinnie somewhere.

"What are you guys supposed to be anyway?" I ask Kristina, eyeing her yellow onesie and Ethan's orange-ish red one.

"Timon and Pumbaa," she says, turning to show off her tail.

I raise an eyebrow, nodding slowly. "You look like ketchup and mustard."

Kristina smirks. "And you look like a creepy assassin. your point?"

I pull off my mask and take a sip of my twisted tea, watching as two girls stumble over each other, laughing and barely managing to stay upright.

"Aven, is that you? Rad costume!" I turn to see Brooklyn strutting toward me.

"Thanks. What are you supposed to be?" I ask, glancing at his bare chest and ridiculously short shorts.

"I'm a cowgirl, or buckle bunny, I guess. Someone spilled on my shirt," he says, lifting his cup to take a sip.

I chuckle, trying to process his choice of attire.

"I thought I saw you dirty dancing with Vinnie earlier. Isn't he dating Nora?" He asks, scratching his forehead.

"Yeah, we dressed the same." I reply, stepping aside to let someone pass.

He forms his mouth into an exaggerated O as the dots connect. "Good, now I don't have to call you out," he says with a laugh, looking down at me.

Then, as if suddenly remembering, he gives me a squinty, overly serious look. "So... we never went on that date," he says, attempting a smolder. Unfortunately, it comes across more like he's having trouble seeing in the dark.

I bite back a laugh as he flips his short hair to the side dramatically. "Yeah, I've been busy lately," I say, clasping my hands in front of me.

"Too busy for the buckle bunny?" He teases.

Brooklyn tries to casually lean against the counter, but misjudges the distance and bumps his hip into it with a solid thud.

I lift my drink to my mouth to hide the grin tugging at my lips. Whatever he's trying to do, it's failing spectacularly.