Chapter 29

"You may enter now."

Behind the staff, a curtain opened to the sides. A slight breeze blew from inside, lifting a corner of the curtain to reveal a pitch-black corridor. Shrill screams echoed intermittently. Winter swallowed, grabbed Miranda's hand, and shuffled forward. Miranda practically had to drag her. She found Winter's cowering hilarious.

"Maybe we shouldn't go in," she suggested.

"No, we're already here!" Winter retorted.

Miranda was speechless. Those words, she knew, would be Winter's downfall. Winter was clearly terrified but refused to admit it, forcing a brave face and pulling Miranda forward.

Suddenly, a horrifying puppet popped out. "Ah! Mimi, save me!"

Hansel whipped around, thinking he'd heard someone shout "Mimi." He looked around but didn't see the familiar face he sought, frowning. Ingrid hadn't noticed his distraction. With a fearful expression, she clung to his arm. "Hans, I'm scared. You have to protect me, okay?"

Hansel grunted noncommittally, returning to his senses. The path was completely dark except for red lights that flashed occasionally. Ingrid clung tightly to Hansel's arm the entire time, ducking behind him in fear, never daring to move forward alone.

Suddenly, an actress dressed as a female ghost appeared. Half her face was sloughed off, her skin dripping with blood. Frightened, Ingrid wailed, never leaving Hansel's side.

"I'm terrified. Hans, is that thing gone yet?" She buried her face in his chest, shivering.

Hansel patted her back casually. "You're all right now."

He found the actress's poorly done makeup and dirty costume laughable. He couldn't understand how anyone could be scared by it.

Miranda wouldn't…

+15 BONUS

When that name surfaced in his mind, his body tensed unconsciously. Why did she always pop into his head? He was the one who'd wanted to break up a long time ago!

"Hans?"

Ingrid raised her head. Seeing his eyes darken momentarily, she was confused. Hansel masked his emotions. "Didn't you want to continue? Let's go."

Ingrid wasn't the only one screaming. Before entering the haunted house, Winter had tried to toughen herself. However, the moment she saw the zombie in the coffin suddenly open its eyes, she was startled. Instantly covering her face, she fled into the darkness. Miranda tried to grab her, but Winter scurried away too quickly. At that speed, she should be running marathons.

Winter ran toward the exit, but it closed behind her. Miranda had no choice but to find an alternative route. As she walked, she caught someone's eye. The actor lying in the coffin blinked and flicked his tongue prop at her. It looked pathetic and even a bit funny.

Miranda was quiet for a couple of seconds, then stepped forward and pressed him back down.

"What a kind person," the actor thought.

There were three exits, but the dim lighting made it unsurprising that Miranda got lost. After roaming for ten minutes, she felt the place should be called a maze instead of a haunted house. After all, who would design three practically identical exit routes, one of which was a dead end? What if there was an emergency?

The next second, the fire alarm blared above her head. She was speechless. This was too much of a coincidence. Had she just jinxed herself?

As soon as the alarm sounded, everyone panicked and swarmed toward the exits.

+15 BONUS

Miranda was in a less crowded room, but everyone still rushed out. Not knowing where the exit was, she followed the crowd. The space around her became narrow and cramped. She frowned, finding it difficult to breathe. She could only slow her pace.