Kingdom Keepers: Once Upon a Dream

Chapter 17

A/N: I'm so sorry in advance for the things this chapter will bring. Enjoy!

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About twenty minutes later, the would-be Keepers had reached the end of the line for The Haunted Mansion, and were entering the pre-show stretching room. The wait on line had been interesting to say the least. Willa and Dell let out a piece of ride trivia practically every thirty seconds-Dell about the technology, Willa about the ride's history. It started out as good-natured fun, but eventually evolved into a constant attempt to one-up the other, causing the others to look at them with confusion and fear.

Terry had made multiple remarks about how he didn't like haunted houses...until Charlie had started teasing him about being scared, at which time he shut up rather quickly. Still, every time they'd come across one of the queue's special effects, he'd startle, before attempting to act as "macho" as possible, and Charlie would turn away to hide a fit of giggling.

Jess was in awe of everything she saw, having never been into the park past the castle, and kept her amazement as no secret. Where Terry would jump at the line's toys and tricks, Jess would gasp, then laugh as her eyes widened and her jaw fell to the floor, before walking up to each element to test it herself. She was like an eight year old on their first trip to the Kingdom, appropriately, since she'd nearly knocked down a pack of actual eight year olds several times. Amanda said nothing, and kept a straight face, but every time Jess would squeal about a music-playing wall, or a screaming-tombstone, Finn would see the stars light up in Amanda's eyes-stars she was so desperately trying to hide-and he couldn't stop watching her.

Now, filing into the pre-show room, Finn looked around as he grew closer and closer to being packed like a sardine. The scene was typical: groups of teenagers-clearly Disney fans-packed together and cheering for the cult-favorite scene; kids crying, or clutching tightly to their parents; first timers looking around with awe. He felt a slight tremor go through him; he'd always been a little creeped out by this ride, though he'd never admit it. Now, with what was at stake, the fear seemed more realized, and somehow that scared him more than the ride itself. He felt something grab his arm, and he jumped, about to scream, before he looked over and saw Amanda holding on to him. Breathing a sigh of relief, he leaned in to whisper to her.

"It's okay you know," he said, teasing slightly. "You don't have to be scared."

Amanda jumped, as if she wasn't expecting to see him next to her. Finn laughed, but Amanda furrowed her brow.

"I'm not scared," she insisted.

"You grabbed my hand!"

"I thought you were Jess!"

"Well then why did you grab Jess' hand?" Finn asked, smiling smugly. Amanda rolled her eyes.

"It's a crowded room, and I wanted to make sure we all stayed together," she said with a huff. "That's all."

Finn said nothing, but she could see in his smile how he didn't believe her, how he was dying to say something, to make fun of her. She let go of him and crossed her arms.

"You know what?" she started, annoyed, but then, not having heard the commencing of the ride's pre-show monologue, she startled as the room went suddenly off, and a scream alerted guests' attention to the silhouette of a limp body hanging from a noose on the ceiling.

Her fear taking control over her rationality, she let out a yelp, and, being that he was the closest person to her, clutched tightly to Finn's arm. With that, he looked over to her and his eyes widened.

"Just trying to stay with the group, huh?" he teased.

He chuckled and flashed her a smirk, and she blushed, pulling away from him.