The Haunted House | Thrill Seeker

Melitta was holding a small stuffed MiniMoo she had won in one of the carnival games, grasping on it like it would jump out of her arms the moment she loosened her grip on it. Walking beside her was her neighbor Enzo, hot dog in hand while holding one of the specialty drinks the fair had to offer. Ever the social butterfly to her introvert, she walked closely by him to avoid being bumped or spilling anything in her plush.

“So, I was working on my bike this week and a new muffler came in, Melitta you should hear it roar with it on!” Enzo gestured loudly, excited on top of his upgrade on his bike while enjoying the sights of the fair. He took a bite of his food, swallowed before tossing the paper container it came in to be served. “So, what brings you here? I wouldn't have thought this would be your scene, you know?” He nudged her arm with his elbow, knowing he was one of the few he Melitta trusted.

“Especially with the Tunnel of Love, you and Toro would-” he added suggestively, her face turning a bright red and digging it into the plush hide of her prize. “I uh, chickened out about asking him here. I was!” She interjected before Enzo could say anything, seeing his smirk. “But I saw there was a Tunnel of Love and I didn't want him to think that I wanted that kind of relationship built on-!” Enzo stopped her rambling as stares were on them.

“I was messing around Melitta, it's okay.” He patted her shoulder as they continued to walk, “but you should tell him you like him sooner or later.” As they walked, they talked about what was happening in their neighborhood and how they spent last month. With the sun setting, Enzo finished his drink, tossing it in the trash can.

Due to Melitta not wanting to have an adrenaline rush with the roller coaster, ferris wheel, or any ride involving being stuck in a piece of machinery, they had mostly walked until they came upon a cheesy graveyard scene. Here was a chance to be in control of the situation! Deciding to be brave and at least let Enzo have some fun, Melitta gestured to the haunted house attraction. “Hey, Enzo,” she asked as he swung his head to focus on her, “do you want to try to do the haunted house? It doesn't look so scary.”

It looked like a maze, but she knew from watching MooTube videos, there always were guides with flashlights to show you where to go. And she had Enzo! Surely no Moo wouldn't think twice about laying hands on them with him around… right?

—----

They had bought their tickets and sound machines of groans and chains rattling echoed in the queue as they waited. “Are you sure about this? We can pull out now.” Enzo gestured with his horns towards the entrance to the curtain that separated them from the attraction with the lights flashing.

“I'm sure! After all, it's just smoke machines and animatronics! We'll be fine!” She said, trying to put on a flash bravado. “I mean, we're almost there.” Cradling the plush in her arms, her nails digging in tightly as they gave their tickets to volunteer and entered… As soon as they crossed the threshold, shriek scaring them both as a hagrid looking Moo went back into their hiding place.

“Hehe, bad taste in scaring us as soon as we come in, we got this.” Chuckling nervously, Enzo pulled Melitta behind him in an effort to be valiant. “Ye-Yeah it's just a cheesy haunted house.” She agreed as they walked past a graveyard scene, clutching his arm every time someone got close to her without touching Melitta. Becoming a target for the scare actors.

Her heart was racing by the time they got to the final scene of a laboratory filled with animatronics and actors, begging the Moos walking by to save them. Enzo was slightly on edge when he felt something brush by his arm. It felt like rubber. It wasn’t his little neighbor and they were the only ones in this room. Just as he was about to ask if she touched his other arm, the room lit up in a bright, white light. There was a maniacal laughter as an actor dressed as a mad scientist stood in front of them. “You two will make a fine experiment!” The scare actor cackled before Enzo threw a punch, missing the guy in his frightened state and knocking one of the lab table props over.

It was eerily quiet as the scare actor realized it could have been bad. Melitta gently pulled Enzo along, muttering an apology as she pulled him outside of the attraction, “um… You okay Enzo? I think you scared the actor in there. But, uh, let’s go home before someone reports us. I'll buy you a funnel cake before we leave.” She waved some Moonie as she guided him through the fair and did purchase the said confectionery product. With her stuffed plush under her arm, they took turns eating the fried dessert until they were outside their respective houses.

“Hey, sorry about what happened in the haunted house. It was a flight or fight response! And I wasn’t aiming for him! It was just not expecting him to actually touch me!” Enzo started while Melitta threw the plastic plate that held their funnel cake in her trash, “It’s okay! I thought it was really brave for you to try and defend yourself, but! You didn’t hit him! That’s a plus!” She told him cheerfully as she picked up her plush from the ground. “Just wanted to get out of there before someone fined us for knocking over some props.”

She comforted him, patting his shoulder, “you're braver than me anyway and I admire that. You also gave me an idea about asking Toro to the fair.” Muttering that last part as her cheeks darkened. He chuckled and ruffled her hair, feeling a bit better. “Glad I could be of help! But I think I am going to call it a night and relax. Thanks for going to the fair with me!” He waved at her as they both went into their respective homes.