Chapter 95 - Amusement Park (3)

After getting their fill of different poses and pictures, the two of them went back to join their group who had already started eating without them. The girls were not happy that they disappeared and not even Liam's excuse could appease them.

Aki could barely care for their reaction though when he was giddy himself. He did not know that you could get high on this warm and fuzzy feeling that he got just from taking some pictures. Even if eighty percent of this whole amusement park thing sucked, he was still happy in the end.

Until one of the girls dropped the bomb.

"We can't go home until we try the haunted house!" Anna said.

Aki paused, his hand halfway to his mouth, glancing at his companions as if to make sure he heard the right thing. Everyone was talking animatedly, looking forward to the attraction. He slowly turned his head to Liam's side and saw the other paled at the mention of the house even though he was still trying hard to mask it with a faint smile. Aki felt annoyed. But whether it was because of the suggestion or of Liam, he could not tell.

"You guys should enjoy it. We'll just stay here," he gripped at Liam's arm, hoping that the other guy got his signal.

As expected, the girls groaned in response. "No way. You've been sitting out a lot today already."

Rina frowned at him as well, as if her brother had grown a second head. "You can't be serious Aki. Don't you like anything horror? And why are you dragging Liam with you?"

"Of course, I'll be bored waiting so I need someone with me." He would love to pinch his sister so hard for saying something unnecessary.

"Liam has to come!" Anna and Grace said in unison.

The corner of Aki's mouth twitched. Their hidden agenda was plain as day. And as if Aki would let them. If they only knew that their target would be far more afraid than them, they would be disillusioned.

'Wow. Look at me being petty and competitive for something like this.'

He ground his teeth, thinking for another excuse to throw at them when he felt Liam tapped at the hand gripping at Liam's arm.

"We'll go," Liam gave them a strained smile which earned him cheers.

Aki leaned in to whisper. "Are you sure about this?"

"You're with me. I'll be fine," Liam said, giving Aki a playful wink.

He. Winked.

Aki's breath was caught in his throat as hundreds and thousands of arrows shot through his heart. He was rooted in his spot, blinking up at Liam, thinking that he might have imagined the whole thing.

The curl of Liam's mouth told Aki that he was not seeing things as he let the other guy steered him to the haunted house.

Their group formed a line with Rina and Noah at the front, Grace and Anna in the middle, and Aki and Liam at the back of the group.

His chest pounded as they waited for the signal to enter, his eyes constantly drifting to Liam. The moment they entered, the cold air and darkness welcomed them. Aki's hand immediately reached out for Liam's. His roommate stilled for a moment before he relaxed, even adjusting their hands until their fingers were interlaced. For once, Aki was thankful for the darkness that enveloped them.

They had to pass through in what seemed like a corridor, a long unadorned passage. There was nothing in it but a doll at the end, near the door to the next room. The background music seemed like something from a music box that he would usually enjoy. Instead, the hairs rose at the back of his head. It was as if something would jump out of this long passageway.

Aki leaned into Liam. "You can just close your eyes. I'll guide you." Liam held Aki's hand tighter in response but Aki could tell that he was too sensitive by the ambiance with every flinch Liam made as they walk. His mind raced as he thought of things that might distract Liam from his fear.

They were getting closer to the doll and Aki's instinct told him that there would be a catch here. Without thinking twice about what he was about to do, he tugged at Liam's hand, pulling the other closer to him. "Close your eyes. Now. Focus on this instead." Aki pressed his lips in what he hoped was Liam's cheeks.

Right at that moment, the doll's head turned to them and a hair-raising shriek sounded above.