Distraction: The Distraction Trilogy #1 (17 page)

Isaac

I can’t believe I agreed to this.

Seriously, why did I agree to this?

As I stalk behind the latest group of unsuspecting people, I scrape my prop knife against the lockers, barely stifling my laughter when the lights flicker, showing them my form for only a brief second. The lights go off, plunging us into darkness. Not a single light can be seen and only their screams can be heard.

I stand beside one of the young girls in the group and tug on her hair. The lights flicker and, still screaming, they take off towards the next area and I quickly return to my original position to wait for the next group.

I have to admit, this job does have its perks.

The ear piece glued to the inside of my ear crackles before I hear my father’s gruff and quiet voice. “Be ready. Here they come.”

Luckily Eloise’s Dad was nice enough to lend us the equipment his personal team of builders use to communicate when on a larger job site. I’m grateful to have communication with at least one person throughout this evening.

The ear piece crackles again, but this time it’s another voice whispering into the device that controls each ear piece individually. “Mine and Hayley’s parents are in this group. Scare them good.”

“I’m on it,” I murmur to myself, smiling wickedly when I hear the doors creak open.

I’ve made a few fully grown men scream in the past hour, but these really take the cake. The women laugh out of fear as the men use them as shields. I’m not sure who is who in the dark, but I make sure to get as close to the men as possible after the lights go out and I wait until they flicker, forcing one of the men to stumble into the other in a bid to escape.

I have no idea how anybody does this kind of thing without laughing. I’m no actor and this is hilarious.

“The next group will be in soon. Are you ready?”

I shake my head and pull the mic clipped to my shirt closer to my mouth. “Give me a second,” I pant through my laughter and race back to my slot in the wall. “You should have seen that.”

“Miss Hart just told me my dad wants to go home.” Eloise giggles. “I can’t wait for him to step through that exit.” She pauses and clears her throat. “Your dad just sent the next group in.”

“I’m on it.”

Eloise

The walk through the school lasts about ten to fifteen minutes, depending on how fast the groups move, but everybody exits unharmed and looking as excited and as scared as I hoped they would.

I accept their appraisals of the event before throwing the walky-talky type device back to Mr Price Senior and going outside to check on the food sales. There are a few stalls set up where people can buy food, drinks and souvenirs. It’s actually really amazing. Not only are people getting an awesome scare, but they’re also able to sit and laugh about it with their friends with hot and cold drinks in hand.

Unfortunately I haven’t had a chance to truly appreciate the walk yet, not like the rest of the helpers have. I’m too busy keeping the event from falling apart.

The waiting line is massive, but it’s moving along quickly. More than half of the town have arrived already and are enjoying the creepy music blasting through the outdoor speakers. More and more arrive with their kids in costume and, by the size of their sweet bags, I’d say they’ve just been trick or treating.

“How’s it going?” I ask Crystal, who is serving food alongside a happy looking Judith. Even though she’s in a wheelchair, she’s having the time of her life wrapping the sandwiches and party favours she made.

“Excellent and, if my calculations prove to be correct, with food sales and ticket sales we’ve made enough to provide quality rooms on the children’s ward.” Crystal responds and Judith nods, smiling brightly.

“That definitely makes me feel good.” I beam along with them, feeling overwhelmed with emotion. “If it wasn’t for you, Crystal, this wouldn’t have been possible.”

Crystal waves me off and throws me a sandwich. “Take this to Mr Price. He’ll be getting peckish.”

“Will do. I need to go and wait for my parents to exit the scare school anyway.” My smile is wicked this time, especially when I prepare the camera that hangs around my neck. “This should be good.”

“Don’t forget about yourself.” Mrs Price chuckles and throws me an extra sandwich. “Eat, keep your energy up.”

“Thank you, Judith, I shall. Give me a shout if you need anything.”

“We will.”

I skip back inside, smoothing down my black tutu as I go. I decided this year to be a dark angel, complete with black feathered wings and black contacts that completely cover my eyeballs, save for a red ring around my pupil. My red hair is curled to my shoulders, with black ribbon twisted around random locks. To complete my look, I added fish net stockings and matching gloves that smooth over the curve of my elbow. I definitely look creepy, but sexy style of course.

I just wish I’d brought my leather jacket. It’s bloody freezing and I envy those with coats on.

“Here’s a gift from Crystal and your wife,” I tell Mr Price and throw him a sandwich.

He smiles and takes it eagerly. “Thank you, Elle. Is everything running smoothly?”

Another group bursts through the exit door, screaming and laughing. “It seems that way, but it is Halloween. I don’t doubt that something will happen sooner or later.”

“As long as nobody toilet papers the school while we’re not looking, I’m sure we’ll be fine.” He winks at me and turns back to the waiting group. After discretely talking into the device, he waves them through the entrance doors and waits until the screaming stops before sending the next group in.

“What about you?” I move behind the ticket sales booth where Hayley and Wesley take money in exchange for homemade tickets. She looks awesome as a dead jester, killed by a king long ago, ready to reap her bloody revenge on the world. “How are you getting on?”

“Brilliantly.” She nods to the janitor, who watches the three of us with eagle eyes. “Apparently we’re going to steal all of the money.”

I roll my eyes at the man dressed as himself and turn back to my friends. “Ignore him; he’s just a necessary precaution. He’s actually here to protect you guys.” I say this last part loudly and he only rolls his own eyes in return. “So other than eagle eyes over there, everything else is good?”

“It’s brilliant.” She smiles and counts the heads of the next group of people before charging them accordingly and handing them their tickets. “Honestly, I can’t wait to walk through it myself.”

“Me too.” Wesley pouts, looking longingly at the entrance. “When are the news guys coming? I thought they were sending someone to take pictures?”

I scan the crowd and lower my voice, just in case of listening ears. “They’re already here but want to remain inconspicuous. They said people will just get all up in the camera otherwise and this way they get the actual event on camera. I think they’ve already been through the scare school.”

“Oh my God, so I could have already been filmed?” Hayley looks mortified at the thought and pulls a pocket mirror from her bag before checking her face paint for any smudges. “Well, I still look good so I suppose that’s okay.”

“Get back to work.” I order playfully and move out of the booth. “Call me if you need me.”

“Your boobs look great tonight by the way.” She points to the lace up corset that pulls my ribs and chest in more than should be physically possible. My not too large and not too small breasts are definitely up there, I won’t deny.

“Keep the talk PG,” I laugh as a guy in Freddy Krueger get up gives me a creepy up and down twice over. I keep moving back towards the entrance, biting into my sandwich as I go. I’m not hungry, but it’s better to eat at this point than not get a chance later and have to starve myself. Plus the sandwich tastes brilliant, even though the bread has been dyed green and the egg mayo is dark red. A simple favourite, made awesome by someone’s creative mind.

Isaac

After three hours my legs are killing me and I’m losing the will to pretend kill. I’m hungry, tired and I definitely need to use the toilet soon. I knew I shouldn’t have drunk three cans of Redbull before tackling this job.

Luckily there is a break scheduled in only ten minutes where we actors get a ten minute break to touch up our makeup if we have any, use the loo and eat something. Then we work for a further two hours. I can do this. I’ll just moan internally during the whole event.

My break, when it finally comes, just doesn’t last long enough. I had to eat whilst peeing… nobody should ever have to eat whilst peeing. It’s disgusting and I still only just made it back to my section in time to have a one minute sit down to rest my aching legs.

This is getting lonely.

I can only imagine how the fictional Jason must have felt.

I didn’t even get to say hi to anyone during my break. We should have pushed for fifteen minutes.

There’s a crackle in my head piece only thirty seconds before I’m supposed to be working again and a female voice sounds, one I haven’t heard tonight. “Okay guys, it’s Hayley and I have the best, most evil plan that will rock a certain person’s fucking night so badly she’ll have nightmares for a week. Are you listening?”

Oh I listen and I smile wickedly the entire time. Suddenly my night just got less boring.

Eloise

“We have a problem,” Mr Price Senior tells me, looking disgruntled.

“But we’re so close to finishing,” I whine, looking around the empty hall and watching longingly as Crystal and a few students pack away the few scraps of leftover food.

“Miss Hart needs help with something…” He winces and scratches at the stubble on his chin. “It’s female and I’m not dealing with that.”

I blink as my mouth falls open. “And because I’m female I’m the best person for the job? Ask Mrs Carey or something!”

“I think she’s taken her earpiece out.”

“Oh bloody hell…” I blow out a breath and mentally put on my big girl knickers. “Okay, okay, I’m going, but tell them it’s me because if anyone jumps out at me I swear to God I will kill you all…”

“Duly noted.” Mr Price chuckles and graciously opens the door for me.

I’m facing a long hall, decorated in black with creepy bloody stains along the ground and cobwebs on the ceiling. Luckily the lights are on, so I’m not too freaked out.

“Mr Price?” I call down the empty hall. “It’s just me. I’m helping Miss…” The lights go out and I hear the door slam behind me.

That fucking arsehole!

I can’t see a thing and my heart hammers in my chest. I know it’s all fake, but it’s still scary. I hate the dark and I genuinely can’t even make out my hand in front of my face.

“Oh my God, don’t do this,” I moan, letting out a fake sob. “I swear it; I’ll never forgive you.”

The lights flicker but reveal nothing along the hallway. I turn around and tug on the door but it’s locked, as expected.

“I’m never talking to you again, Mr Price Senior… never!” I rattle the door again, but nobody responds. “And if you don’t escort me out of here safely, Price Junior, that goes for you too.”

No sounds can be heard, nothing but my own heavy inhales and exhales.

This is so creepy and I haven’t even taken my first step yet.

I don’t want to go through the scare school by myself!

“Okay, I can do this.” It’s the anticipation that is killing me, the not knowing when something is going to happen.

I take my first step, regretting the fact I wore three inch stilettos, because I can’t run in stilettos.

“Please, please don’t jump out at me.” I beg in a whisper, my hands feeling the air in front of me just in case I go in the wrong direction and bump into the wall instead.

The lights flicker on and off again and I scream just at the suddenness of it.

My palms begin to sweat when I hear the sound of metal scraping across the metal lockers. I don’t want to turn. I know he’s there, but instead I stand still, waiting for the lights to flicker again so I can at least try to make a break for the exit.

“Stop it,” I whine when the scratching noise gets louder and draws nearer.

Unfortunately it does stop and now I don’t have a clue where he is.

“I hate you for this, just so you know.”

The lights flicker, but I already know he’s close. You don’t need your sight to determine when somebody is standing directly beside you, their face only inches from yours.

I scream louder than I’ve ever screamed before when the lights flicker again and my worst thoughts are confirmed. I’m staring directly at a mask from one of the scariest slasher movies of all time.

The second I’m plunged back into darkness, I start running forward, expecting to collide into a solid chest, but instead find nothing but air. My ankles threaten to give way but I don’t care. I have to get out of here.

I should have known it would be a trap.

The lights flicker on and off and I hear heavy boots gaining on me. I scream and laugh at the same time as I race for the exit that leads to the next part of the tour. I hate this. I really,
really
hate this.

“You can all stop it now. I’m thoroughly scared, no more scaring necessary!” I plead to no avail when the hall goes pitch black once more. “Stop doing… Holy fuck, shit, don’t!” I stomp my foot when I feel the prop knife scrape across the back of my bare shoulders.

I spin and grab at the air, a clear attempt to grab Mr Price, but I fail. He can move way faster than I thought.

I huff and walk backwards, waiting for my wings to collide with the door that will lead me to the next room of horrors. The second it does, I spin and twist the handle, squealing again when that stupid knife drags across my back.

“Screw this, I’m out of here!” I kick off my shoes and throw one in the direction of where I imagine Isaac is, not stopping to see if it hits him or not.

I pull open the door and race through, letting out shouts of terror and curse words when Miss Hart lunges for me in the red lit room, her face covered in blood and masked by a thin transparent black veil. She shrieks and chases me with a hammer above her head.

It’s fake, it’s fake, it’s fake!

I keep chanting this in my mind as my feet carry me forward. By the time I make it to the next door I’m out of breath, but I keep going, dodging the hands that grab at me and yelling for everybody to bugger off.

I get through the final room and lunge for the exit.

“Freedom!” I push it open and almost collapse on the pavement in the cold air, only to be assaulted by the sound of laughter and cheers from a group of people.

“I so got that on camera,” Hayley giggles, doing a small victory dance.

“I hate you,” I tell her, scowling deeply. “I hate you and I’ll never forgive you.”

“You threw your shoe at me!” Mr Price Junior snaps, rubbing his shoulder with one hand and holding my pretty heels in the other. Well at least I know it hit him.

“You stalked me!” I argue, pinning him with a glare. “Okay, I’m going home and I’m hiding under my bed for a month. If you need me… call someone else.”

This only makes them laugh harder.

I snatch my heels back and slip them onto my aching feet.

“Oh come on, that was brilliant and you know it. I can’t wait to see the footage tomorrow.” She claps her hands, giggling like a child. “I can’t believe you told our teachers to fuck off, among other things.”

I only growl in response, still upset at having been tricked and still recovering.

“You’ll forgive me eventually.” She seems way too sure about that.

“So, where are the bin bags?” I ask curtly, looking at all of the litter that rests on the ground outside of the school. “If we get this done now, we can just lock up and do the inside tomorrow.”

“If it’s okay with the rest of you, I really need to be getting home to my wife,” Mr Price Senior says, looking ashamed of himself. “I don’t want to ask too much of Crystal.”

“It’s fine,” Isaac responds immediately and slaps his dad on the shoulder. “We’ve got this, right?”

Mr Diplock, Miss Hart and Mrs Carey, along with a few of the other actors, all groan in protest.

“But I’m exhausted…” Mrs Carey sighs. “I don’t think I can handle anymore and these kids need to be getting home; it’s late.”

“Maybe we should just do this tomorrow?” Miss Hart suggests, but I shake my head. “Nope, I’m going to get this done now. It’s a mess and by tomorrow it’ll have blown across town.”

“My feet can’t handle anymore,” Miss Hart insists. “And you’ve been working harder than any of us, in your condition…”

In my condition?

Mr Price interrupts her before she can finish. “I’ll stay. I’m still wide awake. Aching, but not tired. Simon?”

Mr Diplock shakes his head. “No. I’ll make it up to you all tomorrow by being here for the big clean, but I can’t do this shit tonight. I’m wiped.”

“Can you give me a ride?” Miss Hart asks as Mrs Carey makes a swift exit with her group of followers.

Hayley sighs and yawns loudly. “Well, I’m helping. I’m not going to leave you stranded. It’s not that bad anyway.”

It’s actually not as bad as I thought it would be, but it’s not great and it is freezing.

Isaac grabs the roll of rubbish bags from the box of supplies by the door and tears three off the roll. He hands me a litter picker and takes one for himself as Hayley rushes to my car to grab the spare shoes we packed for this reason.

“At least everything has been disassembled,” Isaac comments and I can’t help but nod my agreement. “Tired? I can handle this if…”

“Don’t, I’m fine. I just want to get this done.”

I shake the bag loose and start picking things from the ground with the thin and long metal grabber.

“Are you mad at me for scaring you?”

I shake my head, my eyes on my job. “Nope.”

“You’re mad.” He states with a deep laugh. “I should feel bad, but I don’t.”

“Remind me to pat you on the back for that.”

“Oooh, sarcasm is the lowest form of wit.”

I roll my eyes at him. “It’s a good thing I wasn’t trying to be witty then.”

He lets out another bark of laughter. “Nice response. I don’t think I have anything to say to that.”

I kick off my shoes when Hayley draws near and slide my Converse trainers onto my feet. That feels so good.

“What’s so funny? What did I miss?” Hayley asks, donning her own pair of trainers.

Isaac hands her a bag and litter picker.

“Nothing. He’s laughing at my expense.”

“You’re ginger, that’s nothing new.”

I gape at her with feigned insult and actual shock. “You didn’t just say that.”

Isaac seems to find Hayley’s remark even funnier than she does.

“I can’t believe you two. You’re a teacher; you can’t laugh at that. Besides, my hair isn’t ginger. It’s red. Ginger is orange and mine is red. Just saying.”

Isaac grabs at my hair with his litter pickers. “If I had a colour chart, could you prove it?”

Probably not. “I’m picking litter in silence. Without you two… over there where there’s nobody but myself and the ground. Got it?”

“Aww, don’t be grumpy.” Hayley chokes out through her cackling. “I’ll give you a free pass to insult me for the entire day on Monday when school starts.”

Hmm… I’m listening. “And you’ll still bring me coffee?”

“Yep.”

“Fine.”

“Deal?”

“I guess so.” We shake on it and get back to work.

“You two are strange.” Isaac comments.

“That’s the nicest thing you’ve ever said to me, Mr Price.” Hayley wipes a fake tear from under her eye.

“And dramatic.” He pins me with another glare. “I still can’t believe you threw an actual shoe at me.”

“I still can’t believe you haven’t gotten over that yet.” I do kind of feel bad about it now, but I’m not telling him that. “I’m actually kind of sad this night is over.”

“It was a roaring success,” Isaac agrees. “But I’m definitely glad it’s over. Never again will I agree to be Jason for that many hours straight.”

“You were amazing at it though. Yours was the one they all talked about at the end.” I smile softly at him, wanting him to see how much I genuinely appreciate all he did tonight.

He smiles back, equally as soft. “You weren’t so bad yourself. You kept everything running smoothly.”

“Where’s my praise? I was the best ticket saleswoman this side of the UK.” Hayley butts in, totally ruining a moment she didn’t realise existed.

I tear my eyes away from my teacher and let out a breath. I need to stop looking into it all so much. He’s my teacher and that’s final. I’m just setting myself up for a world of unnecessary pain.

“That you were; you rocked that booth.” We high five and again focus on work.

It doesn’t take us longer than thirty minutes, but by the time we’re done I’m exhausted and my entire body is frozen solid. We dump the bags inside the door and Isaac locks up behind us.

“Is the money safe?” I ask him around a yawn and wrap my arms around myself.

He nods, looking as chilled as I feel. At least the clothes he’s wearing cover his entire body. Why didn’t I wear a stupid jacket?

“We should go. It’s cold and I’m so tired I think I might pass out.”

“Are you okay to drive?” He asks, reminding me of the night he saved me from the side of the road.

Am I? I’m tempted to say no just so I can sit beside him in the car for a while.

“I’m fine.”

“Good, because we need to go. I need bed.” Hayley grabs my hand and pulls me towards my mum’s car.

I turn and wave at Isaac over my shoulder. “See you in school on Monday.”

“Drive safe, girls.” He calls back and heads to his own car.

It’s not until I’m halfway home that I remember the shoes I left by the steps. I curse, but don’t bother going back for them. It’s late and I don’t think I can handle it.