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Yes. That must be it.
I take off, searching every inch of the Halloween Festival. I randomly stop people, showing them his photo on my phone.
No one has seen him.
I wait outside the forest where they are chasing people. The actors are committed to their roles, so I had to pull their masks off to make sure none of them were him in a different costume.
No Roman.
Security arrives and bans me from the forest.
Stupid idiots.
I join the haunted hayride and talk to the guy dressed like a scarecrow driving the tractor. I show him Roman’s picture. He has no idea who I’m talking about.
Before I head to Greycourt to join my friends and sister, I walk down the street, showing his picture to everyone around. Women. Men. Volunteers. Actors. One guy dressed like a zombie who stayed completely in character and only groaned at me.
No one has seen him.
One of the male actors tells me no one who looks like Roman works for any of the attractions. Then he tries to hit on me.
I roll my eyes and turn, about to march away. But the dickhead has the audacity to grab my arm. He pulls me against him, like he thinks he has the right to touch me. I knee him in the balls and leave him lying on the ground.
Then I head to Greycourt for the annual Halloween party.
Maybe he’s there.
By the time I arrive, the place is packed.
I get some punch, then roam around, searching for him. I approach anyone wearing a mask that hides their face. “Roman?”
A few guys claim they are him, but as soon as I hear their voice, I know they’re lying.
I spot Ivy, Sebastian, Violet, and Drew standing around talking. I approach them, my heart heavy with disappointment.
“Hey, bitches.” I sling an arm around Ivy and Violet. “Sebastian. Poison Ivy.”
Drew scowls. “Would you stop calling me—”
“Rake victim.”
“One time.” His white ears bounce as he points at me. “I got drunk one damn time and stepped on a rake.”
“It slapped you in the face like something from the Three Stooges.” I start laughing, picturing it. I downloaded that video footage to my phone. Whenever I need a laugh or get bored, I watch it.
“Not funny, Callie.”
Sebastian chokes on his drink and turns away. Drew glares at him.
“You know, your outburst drew a lot of attention.” I release Ivy and Violet and gesture around us. “Now more people are gonna call you rake victim.”
Ivy’s shoulders are shaking beneath her Red Riding Hood cape as she turns away. I’m pretty sure she’s wheezing.
“Can you be nice to Drew?” Violet glares at me. “He’s angry enough that I made him dress like Roger Rabbit.”
“Sorry, Drew.” I snap his red suspenders. “You look great.”
My gaze moves to my sister. “As do you, Jessica Rabbit.” I whistle, give her a once-over, and admire the red dress she’s wearing. “Drew, you’re a lucky man.”
