Page 34 of When Darkness Calls

“I mean, after, ya know, last year. You guys are okay, right? Like nothing has changed between you guys?”

“No, Dee. Of course not. What made you think that?”

“I—” I swallow. “I thought the reason Grayson has been avoiding me so much was because he was angry at me for causing issues with you two.”

Cade wipes his hand down his face huffing, “Jesus Christ.” He looks at me blankly. “Really? That’s what you thought?”

“Yeah…”

“No, Dani. Nothing is going on. We’re good. Maybe you oughta talk to him about this.”

“Yeah, maybe.”

If I hadn’t caused any problems in the bromance, then he’s just had a stick up his ass. So, I guess I just have to see if he’s finally over it. Whatever it was.

Left over pizza, the rest of the rented movies, the tub of strawberry ice cream, and a fuzzy blanket. Tonight’s going to get wild.

For the first time in a while, I’m not really freaking out being here alone while Cade is gone. I’m actually kind of excited.

Outside rain falls in muffled patters against the roof. The TV screen casts dancing shadows across the floor and over my face. I’m comfortable. I don’t feel the tingle of cold eyes on my back. I’m not riddled with a million questions or anxiety. I’m just…at peace, happy. And damn if it doesn’t feel good.

I’m watching a new movie that has been filmed in Pinehaven—the town just outside Graves Hollow. It’s become a bit of an indie horror filmmaker's dream.

There was a stint back in the eighties where all these D-list scary movies were made there one summer. Over the years the films gained a huge cult following, spurred on by all the rumors about the weird shit that happened during filming and the town’s history. The random group of horror fanatics would pass through every now and then, but mostly for a long time Pinehaven went on as if nothing had happened.

Then, about fifteen years ago, a fresh-out-of-university director made his debut psychological horror thriller and became an overnight success. Since then, there have been dozens of films made in what I like to call the Salem, Mass. of Appalachia, including the one I’m currently watching.

It’s a found footage about some friends doing a seance in the middle of the woods to try contacting their friend that had died the previous year. It’s good. The camera is pretty decent quality while still maintaining the grainy, shaky style of the genre. I’ve been captivated since the intro began.

My heart has been racing, my stomach rolling with the movement of the camera and the awkward angles it has been filmed on. The last time I reacted this way to a movie was in middle school. I know I’m grinning. Just a little bit. The corners of my lips tugging upward as my heartbeat speeds, goosebumps rising on my arms. I snuggle deeper into the soft blanket, pulling it higher to my chin as the music starts to crescendo. I know it’s coming. It’s a classic move. And I’m falling right into it.

The off-putting beats increase, volume rising with each clouded breath the characters breathe into the chilly air. They are joining hands over a board, a fire crackles behind them, hissing like tumultuous snakes. They are chanting, murmuring words in an unknown language, and the sound builds. And builds, builds, builds.

My gut sinks, thighs clenching beneath the cover. I’m transfixed on the screen.

The chants stop. The music ceased.

Any second.

The characters look around, peering into the woods behind the treeline encasing them.

The camera pans the area, but nothing.

“What the hell? It didn’t—” The board lifts off the leaf covered ground, flying through the air to slam into a tree.

I jump at the heightened noise as it shatters against the trunk.

My breath stalls. And I begin to giggle to myself.

I rub my thighs together, gasping at the dull ache that has settled between them.

Shit.

I shift again feeling the slick wetness pooling at my center. I sigh, sitting back, trailing one hand up my inner thigh, eyes on the movie.

Feeling aroused, sexy, turned on? It’s not been on my radar for months. Too much has happened and continues to happen for it to occupy any thoughts in my brain. But tonight, after having such a great few days, I suppose my mind has settled enough. That, or it’s the fact this movie is fucking good.

This is the kind of fear I love. Heart pounding, breathtaking, hot fear. Like riding roller coasters or standing too close to the edge of a cliff.