Girl Get Rid Of That Jerk by Melissa Johns

The maze was shrouded in shadows, the faint red glow mixing with creepy music that made your skin crawl.

Allison and Joshua walked together, side by side. At first, Allison was just a little nervous-nothing over the top like Brian's antics earlier.

They kept moving forward. Out of nowhere, a "ghost bride" dropped down from above. Her crimson wedding dress was tattered, hair wild and messy, streaks of blood-red tears on her pale face. She hovered there, staring right at Allison.

Allison screamed. Before she could even think, she spun around and dove straight into Joshua's arms.

Joshua swatted the ghost prop away and wrapped his arms around her, his voice low and soothing. "It's okay, Allie. It's just a prop, not real."

It wasn't even someone in costume-it was all just part of the setup.

Allison was still shaking, pressed tight against Joshua's chest.

He gently patted her back, calming her like you would a scared child. "Hey, it's alright. I'm right here. Nothing's going to hurt you."

It took a minute before Allison finally calmed down. She pulled away, her face a little flushed. "Sorry... I got scared. It just happened."

Joshua gave her a reassuring smile. "Don't worry about it. Are you okay? If you want, we can leave."

Allison shook her head, her voice soft. "No, I'm okay. It just caught me off guard..."

see how spooked she was, so he didn't say anything

palm was warm against hers, and

didn't

her hand as they kept walking deeper into the

even more nervous. Every step, she looked around carefully,

noticed. He stayed alert, watching their surroundings, ready

shot out from the darkness,

ulling her back intel

arms.

to.

another ghost floated out—a woman in a

saw rollerblades

don't look," he murmured, gently covering the back of her

sure he could hear it. "Excuse me, could we get by?" Joshua said politely to

surprise. In three years of jumping out at people, no one had ever spoken to her

supposed to circle them three times, moaning "Give

Joshua asked