Page 92 of Camera Stays On

Asher

“THIS PLACE IS soundproof. You’re good to speak now.” My voice seemed to boom when I stopped whispering. I cleared my throat, slightly embarrassed as we went down the stairs. I flicked the lights on as we went, revealing dry, cold, stone walls and little else.

“Really? They won’t hear us in the grates or anything?” Andi looked up at the ceiling, nervously.

“No, this level was built as another custom build.” I took her hand when we reached the landing and flicked a set of switches that illuminated the entire basement.

“Why is this the first time I’m hearing of the basement?” she asked.

I paused. That was a good question.

“I guess it didn’t cross my mind until now. I figured if we could just get through the movie, Sawyer would let us go, get arrested, and we could move on.”

“There’s no real moving on, now, Ash.”

I swallowed, the images of Lux’s ashen face covered in vomit and Gavin with his brains scattered around the dinner table made my stomach drop. No, I suppose there wasn’t. We reached the cement floor, and she stopped.

“Whoa.” She looked around the large room, filled with boxes and props that hadn’t fit upstairs. “How do you have more stuff?”

The tension that’d been growing in my shoulders and stomach melted away in an instant.

“I’ve been collecting for a long time. Storing stuff in friends’ barns, storage units, anywhere really. After—” I bit down, the sinking feeling returning. The plan had been to move all this stuff into its rightful place once the movie wrapped, but despite what Sawyer kept saying, we were no longer making one. Hell, we’d hardly started. We got two scenes in before he murdered someone point-blank. I’d be lucky if the police let me back inside—if we made it that far.

I shook the dark thoughts out of my head. We were going to make it out, but I wasn’t so sure about the others. Juliet’s abrupt turn on Mick was a clear sign that it was everyone for themselves now. We could only wish them luck.

Or that they were slower than us.

“Come on, there’s a bedroom in the back.” I took her hand and led her through the covered props. Her skirt brushed one, tugging it off as she walked. She spun around, letting out a sharp gasp as she stood toe to toe with a large scary clown.

“Jesus, Ash! Cover it back up!” She recoiled. I laughed and bent down, retrieving the sheet.

“See, I get more scared not knowing what’s under the sheet than having them uncovered—but that’s just me.” I tossed the sheet over the prop, and we continued our trek.

“Are you still wanting to do the haunt thing, after all of this?” she asked quietly. I considered it.

“Yes.” I shrugged. “Although, I don’t know who would come out to a haunt owned by a murderer’s brother. Not to mention, I helped dispose of a body.” I brushed my hair back and looked up at the ceiling as my eyes welled up. I didn’t feel right about what I’d participated in with Lux. We’d been given little options—no phones, no vehicles, and a madman with a gun. We were just trying to survive. But would the public see it like that?

“This is such a small town. Word will travel far and fast. Once we get out of here, I may just be run out of town,” I added, sighing deeply. There were a whole lot of ifs.

“Welcome to the club.” She snickered. “At least you won’t be alone.”

Guilt pooled in my stomach, twisting my insides.

“I’m sorry for what I did.” The words felt hollow. I was apologetic, yes. But not for breaking the two of them up. “I went about things the wrong way.”

She didn’t say anything, letting my weak apology hang in the air between us. Finally, we made it to the other side of the room, where another locked door lay. I quickly unlocked it and let her in, flicking the light on.

“Oh my God,” she gasped as she went inside.

“I know right. Crazy, they never even used it.”

The bedroom was simple but rather nice. It had lush brown carpet and yellow wallpaper. It was frozen in time—the furniture, the decor. And it was all brand new. The mattress was still against the wall in its original plastic, along with the blanket set that was meant to go on it.

“What do you think? A perfect hideout.” I went deeper inside, pushing a door open to reveal a stand-up shower and toilet.

“It’s great,” she added. “Does Sawyer know about this room?”

That was a good question. I never took him down here, so if he was aware of its existence, that meant he’d gone exploring when I wasn’t here. The very thought annoyed me to my core.