Page 168 of Stay Scared

His mouth curves without humor. “That was unwise.”

“Go.”

Ash turns and disappears into the theater corridor. The founder key taps once against his chest before darkness takes him.

Cade exhales behind me. “You two are exhausting.”

“You are one to talk.”

“Fair enough.”

Owen keeps moving.

The observation gallery hides behind a rotting concession stand. He removes a narrow wall panel and shines the utility light inside.

Dust coats everything.

The old camera mount has rusted around its bolts, and the cable channel is packed with dead insects and scraps of black insulation.

Owen pushes his injured shoulder into the opening and starts clearing it by hand. The first roach shell falls onto his sleeve.

He flicks it away. “Charming.”

Cade uncoils the maintenance rope. “I’m glad this is your part.”

Owen drags the analog camera into position. “Your jealousy is making you sentimental.”

“Don’t confuse disgust with jealousy.”

“I rarely do.”

I leave them to it.

The one-way mirror is cold beneath my palm. Beyond it, the maze exists only in fragments whenever Owen’s light catches an edge: cracked mirror, black passage, another reflective wall turned at an angle that makes the darkness appear deeper than it is.

Owen threads the thick cable into the original chase.

The camera motor coughs once and stops.

He hits the housing with the heel of his hand.

It catches again.

A low mechanical hum starts behind the wall.

“Beautiful,” Cade mutters.

“It is running.”

“That was sarcasm.”

“Your tone gave it away.”

Cade carries the rope into the release corridor. The false exit waits several feet beyond the central chamber.

He stretches the rope low across the floor. His good hand pulls it tight.

The injured one shakes.