Chapter 13 – Lana
I turn around after a while. Kai is gone. That makes me panic more. I have to stop somewhere and catch my breath. I’m breathing heavy and my ribs hurt. I quickly duck into another attraction. A haunted house, I think. I kneel by the entrance and catch my breath. Fuck.
I wasn’t anticipating seeing Kai again. How did he know it was me? I changed my hair style and color. I guess red wasn’t the most inconspicuous color to choose but I thought for sure I wouldn’t be noticed. Who knows?
I push my bangs out of my face and focus on regulating my heartbeat before I throw myself into the trenches of this haunted house.
I may be a horror actress but I am a huge scaredy cat when it comes to cheap jump scares and stuff. I tend to get anxiety of the unknown, I guess uncanny valley plays a part in that. I didn’t see Kai anywhere when I came in, so hopefully he doesn’t know I’m here.
I rub my hands on my shorts and start walking further into the house. The atmosphere is really spooky and well done. It’s kind of cold in here. The fog machines are constricting my vision. I brace myself for the first scare. I know it’s coming but it’s a lot better than Kai catching me.
I take a deep breath and continue. This area is really dark. A flash of light, like lightning, startles me. I jump back, expecting something to be there that isn’t. I laugh a little. Get a grip, Lana. It’s NOT real.
I get to a picture frame at the end of the hall. I try to cut the corner not to get spooked but all it does is make it worse when the person behind the black photo drop screams bloody murder. I scream back and run.
Oof. The air gets knocked out of my lungs as I run into someone. I step back quickly, not knowing what it was I hit because of how dark it is. Another flash of light flashes and I scream because it was a giant clown animatronic. I hate clowns. Why do people like them?
I sidestep it quickly. I continue on. There’s a narrow hallway up ahead. I know there’s probably another jump scare actor waiting for me at the end. I try to keep my head on straight as I head into this narrow dark ass hallway.
Immediately hands start grabbing at me. I scream and try to turn sideways to avoid getting grabbed any more than I have to. I get through the hallway as fast as humanly possible. I’m so irritated at myself for coming into this house of horrors.
Before I go any further I have to take some deep breaths.
I don’t understand how anyone likes being scared for fun.
Having anxiety is NOT fun. Once I catch my breath, I continue forward more cautiously.
I take maybe 5 steps before I feel something wrap around my ankle.
The wind gets knocked out of me as I fall forward.
I look back and see Kai standing there with a scythe.
He fucking tripped me with the scythe. “I found you.” He says.
I get up as quickly as I can. I can outrun him, I’ve already made it this far.
Before I even get a chance to take off, he wraps a muscled arm around my waist. Fuck, Lana, why did you hesitate?
Before I can even think he’s hoisting me up over his shoulder. Ugh. This is quite the predicament I’m in now. You weren’t supposed to let him catch you. I sigh. “Give up already?” Kai says, clearly amused. God, why is he so cocky? He thinks he’s won, but the war isn’t over.
Kai carries me over his shoulder and walks around with the scythe in his hand. He kicks a door open and walks out with me in tow. I don’t have enough energy to fight right now. I’ve been running all over the damn place.
People are pointing and talking. I start to squirm. I’ve never liked the attention on me. Kai spanks my ass. I squeak. Everyone thinks this is part of the show. Typical.
“Give a few screams, you’re part of this act now, Lana.” Kai says. “Over my dead body.” I say. Kai spanks me harder. I yelp in pain. Fine. He wants a show? I’ll give him one. I start kicking harder and screaming for people to help me.
“Lana?” A familiar voice asks. I stop abruptly and look up. Liam? What the fuck is he doing here? Why is he dressed up? Kai slaps my ass again. “ Don’t stop.” He says with gritted teeth.
Okay, that was kind of hot. Liam walks over. “Kai, what the fuck are you doing?” Liam asks. “Oh, you know, spicing up the job. Lana is an actress, I just wanted a little fun. Excite the guests a little bit.” He says.
Wait. He knows Liam? Do they work together? “You know we’re not supposed to grab guests. It’s against our contract Kai.” Liam says. “Who says Lana is a guest? She’s my girlfriend.” He says. I start to object but Kai spanks my ass again and pretends to trip.
“Sorry about that, baby. Tripped on a rock.” Kai says with a smirk in his tone. I seethe. Motherfucker. “Whatever Kai, just don’t get in trouble.” Liam says and then runs off to scare someone in the hedge maze.
“We are NOT together, Kai.” I say. “That’s what you think, baby.” He says back. Who does he think he is? I feel a flutter in my stomach. Nuh uh. I did not just get a warm feeling because Kai Jameson called me baby twice.
We reach the back of the park where the actor trailers are. Kai sets the scythe against his trailer and unlocks it. He walks in and picks up some extra rope from his costume next to the vanity. He sits me down on his chair in front of his vanity.
Before I can do anything he wraps the rope around me and the chair. “What the fuck, Kai?” I ask. He quietly finishes tying me to the chair. He turns the chair around. “You’re not going anywhere until my shift is over.” He says, nonchalantly.
I stare at him in disbelief. “The fuck I am.” I say. “You’re not leaving, Lana.” He says. “So what? You’re kidnapping me?” I ask. “If I have to, baby. ” He says.
I laugh. “You’re fucking crazy Kai, you know that?” I say. He leans close. “Yeah. Crazy about you.” He touches my cheek and then kisses me.
I moan and close my eyes. Fuck. He kisses me like he used to. With passion. Like I will slip away if he doesn’t keep an eye on me. Maybe I will. Or maybe I’ll fall back down that rabbit hole I promised myself I wouldn’t fall back into.
Kai Jameson is like an addiction. He’s cocky. He’s witty. A smart ass but boy does he know how to take care of someone. Damn it. I open my mouth and feel his tongue slip in.
Don’t fall for it, Lana. Remember what he did to you. I open my eyes and bite down on his lip. “Fuck.” He pulls back. He runs his thumb against his lip and blood smears onto it. “After all this time, you still underestimate me.” I say.
He smirks. “I missed you. I’ll be back after my shift. It shouldn’t be too much longer.” He says. He slips his hood back on over his shaggy hair and slips out the door.
Motherfucker. What time is it anyway? Like ten p.m.? The park doesn’t close til midnight. This is ridiculous. I’m tied up to a chair in his trailer and he’s got at least two hours left of his shift. I look around to find a way out of this chair.
It’s pretty moody in here. He’s got horror posters up and it seems edgy. Nirvana memorabilia. I don’t remember Kai telling me he liked Nirvana.
I keep looking. I need to find a way out of here. Maybe I can find something on his vanity. I crane my neck behind me to see if I can find something remotely sharp to cut the rope. Nothing.
I crane my neck to the other side. Again nothing. Of course he fucking thought of everything. After what feels like a long time I fall asleep.