The person who rushed in froze on the spot. Their scream was less like a ghost trying to alarm others and more like a non-player character (NPC) terrified by the sudden appearance of a severed head.
Charlotte took it a step further by letting her hair hang in front of her face and disappearing into the doorway after dropping the severed head.
The corridor light flickered, casting a faint white beam that painted her slightly pale face with an even whiter hue.
The mournful wails of the NPC became more pitiful, causing a figure in a zombie mask to peek out from a crack in the wall to see what was happening.
While others came to the haunted house to be frightened by ghosts, Charlotte came to frighten the ghosts.
After waiting for a while and receiving no response from Justin Battleson, Charlotte looked back at him with a puzzled expression in her eyes.
Justin’s face was devoid of any smile, and his gaze towards her was somewhat embarrassed.
"You’re brave," he commented.
Seeing Charlotte hesitate, Justin let out a light sigh, gave her a gentle pat on the back, and said nonchalantly, "Let’s keep going."
An idea flashed in Charlotte’s mind on how to please him.
The next second, she changed her behavior completely. Charlotte deliberately moved closer to him, rubbing lightly against his chest like a cat.
"You lead the way, I’m scared," she said.
Her plotting paid off. Justin’s tone became more confident compared to before, "Follow me."
Without words, Charlotte felt the warmth his hand conveyed when he tightly held hers.
The walls of the corridor were illuminated by dim yellow candle-shaped lights, providing them with just enough visibility to see the path ahead.
The moment both of Charlotte’s feet touched a stone slab, two hallway lamps went out simultaneously, plunging the hallway into darkness.
Taking advantage of the darkness, she took a big step forward, leaning against his back, and whispered fearfully, "It’s so dark, I’m scared."
Her distressed words had already depleted Justin’s resistance. He stopped, held her in his arms and said, "Don’t worry, we’ll wait until the lights come back on before we continue."
They stood facing a small house with an open door. Instead of rushing to find new clues, they chose to cling tightly to each other in the silent darkness.
Feeling a cold sensation on her ankle, she looked down to find a skeletal hand gripping it.
A screech from a female ghost erupted from behind her. Charlotte was unable to dodge and was pulled backward into a pair of arms.
Upon hearing her call, Justin rushed forward, prying the arms that were holding Charlotte.
Charlotte, who had previously been scaring the ghosts, was now trembling like a frightened rabbit.
Her teary eyes met his, her every move invoking a protective instinct in him.
"I’m here, it’s okay now."
He pulled the shaking girl into his arms, patting her back gently to comfort her.
Charlotte didn’t say much, but her mewing was enough to let him know she was terrified.
"It’s okay. As long as I’m here, no one else is allowed to hold you."
In an instant, the arms around her let go. Before she could react, Justin was facing her, gently cupping her face in his hand.
His breath was getting closer to her. Charlotte closed her eyes and took in his scent.
Justin’s lips made gentle contact with hers, leaving a trace of wetness.
The zombie that had been pulling her earlier suddenly stopped. For a moment, the clamor in the corridor went quiet.
The two candle lights in the corridor lit up this time, casting a uniquely romantic atmosphere in the eerie darkness.
"Even as ghosts, we’re third-wheeling," a NPC muttered under its breath, heard by Charlotte.