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“Oh good, your mom can come with us!” Nanci squealed.
“Who’s going to cook snacks?” Meadow made one last try.
“There are food stands,” Nanci retorted, and I laughed as Meadow set her chin.
“Fine,” Meadow said sharply.
Chill walked over and put his arm around her. “Hey, it’s okay.”
“No, it’s not. Why should we be forced into something for one person? I don’t like mazes or jump scares because they remind me of my ex. But hey, as long as Nanci is happy, who gives a toss about my PTSD?!” Meadow snapped.
Nanci stiffened. “Meadow—”
“No. I tried to be graceful, begging off. Now my shit is out there. I hope you’re fuckin’ satisfied!” Without another word, Meadow stomped off, dragging Chill behind her. “Let’s get this shitshow over.”
Nanci’s bottom lip trembled, and this time I knew she was genuinely upset. But the damage was done, and the mood soured.
“Hey, come on. I’ll catch them up. We’re all going, okay?” Inglorious whispered, hugging her.
“I was a bully,” Nanci stated.
“When aren’t you?” Vortex asked and laughed. “Learn to bend,” he said, hooking an arm around me and smiling as he looked down. “Ready?”
“I hate mazes and clowns.”
“Gorgeous, I don’t think any of us like clowns.”
Without another word, we all filtered out and headed to the maze. Nanci clearly felt guilty about Meadow blowing up. I felt bad for them both. As we reached the entrance, we saw Meadow storming out again. “That fuckin’ idiot took off at the first sight of a clown, so I’m done.”
Oh boy. Chill was terrified of clowns. “I’ll take you back,” Inglorious offered.
“No, I can manage.” Meadow stormed off.
“I’ve never seen Meadow like that. Is she okay?” I asked, worried.
Vortex shook his head. “No idea. She’s usually so mellow, but she’s being a total bitch tonight.”
“Come on. Try to stick together,” Inglorious ordered. He might as well have been speaking to the deaf. The moment they got inside and were faced with three paths, they split up. Vortex hauled me along behind Inglorious and Nanci, who’d finally perked up.
“So much for listening to you,” I said, giving Inglorious a superior glance.
He shook his head and glowered at me, but then ruined it as he smirked. “Listen!”
We fell quiet, and then we heard what was making Inglorious chuckle. Chill’s screams filled the air.
“Oh no, tell me you didn’t do…” I broke off as Chill became very high-pitched.
“There’s a Pennywise.” Nanci grinned.
“I’m gonna cap your ass!” Chill howled and then shrieked. Laughter rose around the maze as his brothers listened.
Then, Riot, I think it was, yelled, “Spiders.”
Inglorious gave Nanci a stern glare. “Did you pump everyone for their fears?”
Nanci ignored him and pranced off in the lead.
“Fuck!” Inglorious snapped as another brother screamed.
