4

“It’s gotta be a trick,” said Sienna.

“Yeah,” said Theo, his mouth full of corndog, “like a trap door or something.” He held out his half-eaten corndog. “Want some?”

We were sitting at a picnic table several booths away from the dunk tank. I shook my head at Theo. My stomach hadn’t stopped twisting and turning since the tank. I plopped both elbows on the table and rubbed my head.

“It’s a trick, Josh,” Sienna repeated.

“Even if it is,” I said, “how do you explain the fact that Bozo is the exact same clown from Circus Pizza?”

Sienna and Theo exchanged glances. I knew that look. They thought I was out of my mind. Sure enough, Theo let out a huge sigh. “Because they’re not the same,” he said.

“Bozo’s hair was definitely different. More red than orange,” Sienna said.

“I think he’s following me,” I said quietly.

“Don’t be silly,” Sienna told me. “It’s just your imagination running wild.”

I wasn’t so sure. Bozo definitely looked like the clown from the pizza place.

“Come on,” Sienna said, standing up and chucking her trash into the garbage can. “Let’s forget about it and do something fun.”

“What about the House of Horrors?” Theo said, pointing ahead. At the very end of the paved street was what looked like an old, abandoned mansion, with uneven turrets and spooky, cracked windows. A sign out front read Prepare for a Scare! Enter the House of Horrors If You Dare!

“Let’s go!” I said. This would be a good distraction. I’d been to a lot of haunted houses, so I knew what to expect—ghosts that leap out at you in the dark and wicked laughter coming from all directions.

We got in line for tickets. At the entrance, Sienna paused and looked at the attendant, who was dressed like Dracula, fangs and all.

“Are there any clowns in here?” Sienna asked. I dug my elbow into her ribs, but she ignored me.

“None,” said Dracula, eyeing her. “None at all.”

“Thanks a lot,” I muttered to Sienna as we stepped inside.

Sienna shrugged. “Just making sure.”

The House of Horrors was like I expected. Glowing ghosts popped out of dark corners. A pile of bones assembled itself into a full, standing skeleton and screamed at us. A coffin opened and revealed a mummy inside. Sienna clutched my arm as we walked past.

“Scared?” I said.

“No,” she lied. “I just tripped.”

“Yeah, right,” cackled a familiar voice behind us.

“Hey, McBain,” I said, turning around.

Trevor sneered at me, his teeth glowing in the flickering sconces that lined the walls of the hallway.

“I’ll give you something to really be scared about,” he said. “I just heard some breaking news. That kidnapper clown escaped his jail cell, leaving nothing behind except . . .” Trevor moved closer and lowered his voice. “. . . a deflated balloon!”

A chill snaked up my spine.

“You’re making that up,” Theo accused.

“Totally,” Sienna agreed, turning her back on Trevor. “Let’s keep moving.”

She let go of my arm as we moved into the next room. The room was pitch black. I couldn’t see anything. I stood, waiting patiently for something haunted house-like to happen. I thought maybe a glowing phantom would emerge from behind a dark curtain, or a creepy voice would echo from above. But nothing happened. I got the feeling we’d made a wrong turn.

I put my arms out to feel for my friends. “Hey, guys,” I said.

No answer.

“Sienna? Theo? Where’d you guys go?” I called.

Not a sound.

I took a couple steps forward, feeling around in the dark for the wall or a door. All I felt was empty air. I stepped forward again, arms outstretched. Suddenly, my hands touched something warm and soft.

“Looking for me?” a voice hissed.

A flashlight snapped on, lighting the clown’s face from below. He stood so close I felt his breath on my face. For a full second, I stood frozen in place. He grinned at me with glowing eyes. Then he laughed, revealing a set of sharp teeth dripping with blood. “You found me!” he cackled.

I screamed, and the flashlight snapped off. Darkness enveloped the room. I stumbled backward and grasped at the air, trying to feel my way out.

My fingers brushed against a doorknob. I twisted it, pushing and pulling on the door. But it wouldn’t move. I could hear the clown breathing behind me in the pitch dark.

I was trapped.