Riley's POV
The carnival lights flickered against the darkening sky as we lined up for the haunted house attraction. Even though it was only mid-May, the seasonal horror experience had drawn quite a crowd after numerous requests from the townspeople. Our group formed a chain with Jace leading, followed by Mason, myself, Caleb, Zoey, and Silas bringing up the rear.
The first half of the attraction passed without major incident, though Jace's theatrical reactions to every minor scare transformed what should have been terrifying into something almost comedic. His exaggerated jumps and fake screams had us all stifling laughter despite the eerie atmosphere.
Caleb maintained a respectful distance behind me, allowing me to experience the thrills on my own terms while staying close enough to provide comfort if needed. The gesture warmed my heart even as artificial fog swirled around our ankles and recorded screams echoed from hidden speakers.
