Chris Edwards stared at the old mansion, its dilapidated facade shrouded in a thick, unsettling fog. The sign that once boasted the "most thrilling haunted house experience" now hung limply, barely visible through the mist. In the fading light of dusk, the place looked more tragic than terrifying. He sighed deeply, feeling the weight of his recent decisions.
"I've seen scarier things in my backyard," said a young woman in a nurse's outfit, her face painted with the white and green of a zombie. Her name was Wendy Xu, one of the temporary actors hired to play the part of the undead. She had stormed out of the haunted house, frustration written across her face.
Chris, who had taken over the haunted mansion from his missing parents, watched as a group of students left on their shared bikes, clearly unimpressed. It was a recurring scene: the haunted house that Chris had poured his heart into was barely making a dent in the local entertainment scene.
"Another failed attempt at scaring the pants off people," Chris muttered to himself. He remembered the days when his parents ran a successful traveling haunted house, moving from city to city and scaring the life out of anyone brave enough to enter. But now, the thrill seemed to have faded, leaving him with mounting bills and a dwindling number of visitors.
Wendy approached him, her eyes flashing with indignation. "Those guys back there were trying to take advantage of me. Can you believe that?"
Chris's expression softened. "I'm sorry to hear that, Wendy. I'll have a word with the park management about the situation. Maybe we can review the security footage."
"Don't bother," Wendy said, clenching her fists. "I took care of it myself. Gave them a little lesson in manners." She flicked the bloodstained edge of her nurse costume. "This isn't fake blood, by the way."
Chris raised an eyebrow. "Good for you. It's important to stand up for yourself. Anyway, it's getting late, and I doubt we'll have more visitors tonight. Let the others know they can head home early."
Wendy nodded, her anger dissipating. "Alright. I'll go clean up."
As Wendy walked away, Chris pulled out a cigarette and took a deep drag, his thoughts clouded by worry. Since his parents had disappeared six months ago, leaving only the haunted mansion behind, he had devoted himself to keeping it running. But the reality of managing a haunted attraction in a rapidly changing market was more challenging than he had anticipated.
The haunted house industry was competitive and niche, with many establishments thriving by constantly reinventing themselves or moving to new locations. Chris's static location struggled to keep up, and his current income barely covered utility bills. The fear factor, once so effective, now seemed to elicit more laughter than screams.
"I wonder how much longer I can keep this up," Chris thought, extinguishing his cigarette.
As he turned to head back into the mansion, a man in a park staff uniform approached him. Chris felt a pang of dread. This was Mr. Harris, a middle-aged park manager known for his no-nonsense attitude.
"Chris!" Harris said, grabbing Chris's shoulder firmly. "We need to talk. You're two months behind on your utility and rent payments. I'm getting a lot of pressure from above, and it's starting to affect my job."
Chris's face fell. "Mr. Harris, I'm aware of the situation. The business has been struggling, but I'm doing everything I can. Just give me one more month, and I'll have the funds."
"You said the same thing last month," Harris replied, his tone stern.
"I promise this will be the last month," Chris said earnestly, his hand on his chest in a gesture of sincerity.
Harris sighed, looking at the envelope Chris held. "This industry is tough right now. If you can't attract visitors, maybe it's time to consider moving on. You're young; there are other opportunities."
Chris shook his head. "I appreciate your concern, Mr. Harris, but this haunted house means more to me than just a business. It's a connection to my parents and their legacy. I need to keep it going."
Harris's expression softened. "I understand. I'll do what I can to give you a bit more time. Just make sure you're doing everything possible to improve things."
"Thank you, Mr. Harris! I really appreciate it," Chris said gratefully.
"Just focus on increasing your ticket sales," Harris advised before walking away.
Back inside the mansion, Chris continued his routine: checking equipment, maintaining props, and tidying up. His responsibilities included ensuring everything was in top shape, even if the financial situation was dire.
"Looks like we're out of fake blood," Chris muttered, rummaging through the supply room. "I need to restock soon."
As he entered the dusty attic filled with old equipment, memories of his childhood came flooding back. This was where his parents had kept their props, many of which were now outdated. Chris glanced at a rough fabric doll and an old, black cellphone—the last remnants of his parents' time running the haunted house.
"Seems like just yesterday," Chris thought, picking up the doll. The cellphone, found at an abandoned hospital, was a mystery. No one knew why his parents had been there late at night.
His hands trembled slightly as he set the doll aside and picked up the phone. "Let's see if it works now," he said, swiping the screen.
To his surprise, the screen lit up with a faint glow. An app icon featuring the haunted house's front entrance appeared. Chris's curiosity piqued, he tapped the icon. A message in blood-red text appeared: "Do you believe in ghosts?"
Chris, a logical person by nature, hesitated before selecting "Yes." The screen changed to reveal a new message: "Your choice is the answer. From this moment, you will officially become the new owner of the haunted house. This is not a joyous occasion. As a final piece of advice, remember: suicide is the most cowardly act. Live and fight on!"
Chris blinked in disbelief. "This sounds a lot like my dad's way of talking," he murmured. He opened the app again, revealing a new interface:
Haunted Mansion Status: Near Closure
Visitor Rating: None
Today's Visitors: 4
Monthly Visitors: 10
My Team: None
Prop Inventory: None
Unlockable Scary Scenes:
Midnight Slasher: A dangerous lunatic roams the halls of a dilapidated apartment, brandishing scissors and a hammer. Scare Index: 1 star.
Ward 3: An abandoned hospital makes eerie noises at night. As a reporter, you must investigate. Scare Index: 3 stars.
Death Car: A haunted hearse is on the move. If you don't escape within an hour, you'll be trapped forever. Scare Index: 2 stars.
Daily Tasks: Complete tasks to receive rewards and unlock new scenes.
Haunted House Expansion Conditions: Exceed 100 visitors this month, with a rating above 60% to upgrade to the "Chilling Maze."
Terror Roulette: Spin the wheel using the fear generated by visitors. It can yield life-extending fruits or vengeful spirits.
Other Features: Locked.
Chris stared at the screen, processing the new information. The haunted house was on the brink of failure, and he had been thrust into a strange and unsettling role. The stakes were higher than ever, but Chris knew he had no choice but to keep going. The haunted house was his connection to his parents and their legacy, and he was determined to make it work, no matter what.