"Special meaning? What kind of special meaning?" Effie couldn''t help but ask.


    Lyman looked at her as if weighing his words, then swallowed them back. "Maybe I''ll tell you next time, if we get another chance."


    She wanted to press him-why not just say it now?-but the question died on her lips.


    Maybe everyone has secrets they''d rather keep to themselves.


    Just then, the amusement park manager approached Lyman. "Mr. Etheridge, the park''s been reserved for a private party tonight. Only someone named Effie is allowed in."


    Effie stepped forward. "That''s me. Do you need to see my ID?"


    The manager''s mouth twitched as he nced between Effie and Lyman, his mind racing. Was he about to witness some messy love triangle drama? This could be even more of a disaster than the haunted house attraction his boss insisted on keeping!


    Lyman asked, "Want to check?"


    "Oh, no need!" The manager waved his hands, flustered. "Boss''s friends wouldn''t lie."


    It was odd, really. After buying the park, the owner only insisted on keeping the haunted house. Everything else could be upgraded or changed. You''d think he was attached to the ce, but he never showed up again.


    The staff figured he''d forgotten about them. Everyone just muddled along, collecting paychecks and not expecting much-well aware the park might go under again and force them all to find new jobs.


    But now...


    The boss was finally here!


    The manager could barely contain his excitement. He couldn''t wait to spread the


    news.


    Hand in hand, Lyman and Effie walked to the entrance of the haunted house. Suddenly, Effie turned to him. "Are you scared?"


    He replied, "What about you? Are you?"


    She shook her head. "Not at all."


    A faint smile tugged at the corners of Lyman''s mouth. In his mind, a memory flickered: a brave, expressionless face that now ovepped perfectly with Effie''s. "Let''s go, then."


    They stepped inside. It was exactly


    as she remembered-same props, sameyout. Only now, the air conditioning was cranked up to freezing, and the asional gust from a fan,bined with the dim lighting and spooky music, sent chills crawling up your spine.


    Effie walked coolly ahead, as if she were just browsing at the farmer''s market.


    Suddenly, she stopped and said, "In a moment, a bloody head drops from above right here."


    No sooner had she spoken than a gruesome, blood-soaked head fell from the ceiling, eyes and mouth twitching eerily.


    Anyone faint of heart would have screamed or bolted on the spot.


    But Effie didn''t flinch. Lyman was equally unruffled.


    Effie nced at Lyman. For some reason, he looked strangely familiar.


    "You..."


    Lyman looked at her with a hint of anticipation, as if waiting for her to remember something.


    But Effie shook her head. No way. If she''d met Lyman before-someone this devastatingly


    handsome-there''s no chance she''d forget. She must be imagining things.


    "Come on," she said.


    They continued on, passing all


    manner of ghouls and monsters


    Neither of them reacted, calm


    ever Soon, they were nearly at the end-and still no sign of Mitchell.


    Did she have the wrong ce? Maybe Mitchell hadn''t meant this haunted house after all.


    Just then, they heard footsteps. Mitchell, hearing them approach, peeked out from


    a corner. As soon as he saw them, he rushed out.


    "Effie!"