Sparks Beneath the Surface.

ＥＩＧＨＴ- These Hallowed Halls.

The first place on the schedule for our group hangouts was a haunted house/ escape room type thing in Pennsylvania. Orion found it, and he thought it'd be fitting since Halloween is just right around the corner. Ivy suggested it'd be fun if we all got dressed up, so I'm dressed as Sam from the show 'Totally Spies!' because she looks like me and because she was my favorite, anyway. I run a hand through my hair as I stand outside the haunted mansion. It's huge, clearly aged with vines going up the sides. The crows that fly overhead only amplify the spookiness of the atmosphere. Feels like a house you'd see the Addams family live in or something you'd see in the movie 'Hocus Pocus'. The streetlight throws a tired neon glow across my face and, for a second, just like, a split second, I froze. Fucking creepy.

Benji, Zade, and Kiyo are the first to arrive, "Heyy!" I greet.

"Heyy! Oh my God, Sam from Totally Spies?" Kiyo grins.

I do a small spin, "You betcha! And you and Zade are Wanda and Vision?"

"Your assessment is correct," Zade replies in playful British accent.

"And I'm Quicksilver, but the Evan Peters version." Benji says as he shows off his costume, "So, did Orion say how he even found this place?"

I shrug, "I thought he told you guys?"

"Hm, I guess we'll find out when he shows up. This place looks like the fucking Creel house." Zade says.

"Yeah," Kiyo shudders, "It's giving me the creeps."

"Let's just hope the inside matches the outside." I sigh.

"Yeah? What if this place is actually haunted?" Benji asks.

"You still believe in ghosts?" Kami asks from behind us, startling me and Benji, "Holy shit. My bad!"

"Hey, K! Who're you dressed as?" Kiyo asks.

"Shank from 'Ralph Breaks the Internet. I always thought she was pretty badass." Kami shrugs, crossing her arms over her chest.

I snicker, "Isn't that a kids movie?" Kami throws me a glare, and I throw my hands up to say 'Sorry!'

"Anyways, there's no such thing as ghosts, so there's no reason to be afraid." Kami continues.

"Eh, I dunno man. With all the shit we deal with, you don't think ghosts exist?" Zade asks.

"Spirits are definitely real, but not the kind from movies that look like floating sheets."

"Yeah, well, of course THOSE ones aren't real. But a Samara type? Those are real for sure." Kiyo says.

"Whatever. There's no way this place would still be up and running if it was actually haunted, and that's all I'm saying."

Clarke and Delilah show up. At first, I can barely recognize them because both their costumes are so detailed. Delilah waves her wand around, "Bellatrix Lestrange reporting for duty!"

"Holy shit, Lils! You look amazing! How long did this take you?" I ask.

"$4,000. But totally worth it, I mean, look! I will be rewearing this to the Bureau Costume party, and I intend to win." Delilah replies, smiling smugly.

"May the best dressed win, and I intend to." Clarke smirks, dressed as a very convincing Cyborg from Teen Titans/ the Justice League, depending on whichever you prefer, "And just to be clear, I'm the cool Cyborg from 'Doom Patrol!" 

"Thanks for reminding me to finish watching it. You look great, man!" Zade gives him a fist bump.

"Thank you, thank you! Anyways, Clarke points to the mansion, "This place is creepy. How much did Orion pay to get us in?"