As the night deepened, the atmosphere in Hollow Manor grew heavy with an unsettling tension. Shadows danced along the walls, flickering in and out of existence as if playing tricks on the mind. Inside the dimly lit hallway, Chris stood frozen, staring at the figure before him.
"Don't panic; I'm just joking," said Ethan, a mischievous glint in his eyes. Yet beneath his playful tone lay a subtle disappointment. He had hoped to share a moment of understanding with Chris, who possessed a rare determination that intrigued him.
Chris had faced the terrors of Hollow Manor head-on, holding his ground against the mysterious entity that lurked in the mirrors, his resolve unyielding even in the face of the unknown. Ethan admired that about him; he wished they could be friends, tackling the supernatural together, perhaps even confronting the malevolent presence behind the glass.
But Chris seemed oblivious to the underlying meaning of Ethan's words. "No one else can help; I have to rely on myself," he replied, determination etched across his face.
With a click, Ethan locked the door to the midnight horror show behind them. As they made their way downstairs, a sudden vibration from Ethan's phone startled him. He fumbled to retrieve it, half-expecting bad news.
"Visitor count exceeds one hundred this month! Positive reviews above sixty percent! Conditions met for expansion!" The message flashed across the screen, brightening his mood momentarily.
"Note: Each expansion grants a mysterious reward. After three expansions, the haunted house will transform into a Thrill Maze!"
"Already?" Ethan mused. Expanding was beneficial, but right now, the priority was to deal with the sinister being in the mirrors.
Stepping outside, the sunlight bathed the steps of Hollow Manor, revealing a scene that would haunt any onlooker. Students from the nearby forensic school sprawled at the entrance—some cradling their heads, others hugging their knees, their faces pale and streaked with tears. The horror they had witnessed only forty minutes prior had utterly transformed them.
History had repeated itself, and this time, it was worse than before. A group of eager adventurers had entered, but they emerged barely able to function, the weight of their experience etched into their expressions.
"Is this how a haunted house should be?" Ethan thought, tossing Chris next to the others, forming an eerie tableau of fright.
"Hey, Ethan! Come here!" A voice broke through the murmur of bystanders. It was Uncle Ben, his expression a mix of annoyance and concern. "What happened this time? Last week, you scared one person unconscious; now it's seven? Are you trying to get us on the front page?"
Ethan averted his gaze, clearing his throat awkwardly. "They came to visit. I was just providing them with the best service. I can assure you, there was no physical contact; you can check the surveillance footage. I followed all the haunted house protocols."
"Don't play dumb; an ordinary scare doesn't lead to that," Uncle Ben replied, gesturing subtly to a student whose head was bandaged.
"Honestly, I can't help it! They were chasing me, and I hid in the cabinet. She followed me in, and I just stood still. She shined a flashlight in my eyes and bumped her head. What can I do?" Ethan recounted the incident, hoping to lighten the gravity of the situation.
"So you're saying you were the victim here?" Uncle Ben raised an eyebrow, skeptical.
"Just a little, I guess," Ethan mumbled.
"Look, this can't keep happening. You need to be more careful. If someone gets seriously hurt, we could be shut down for good," Uncle Ben said, his voice grave. "And it wouldn't hurt to avoid any more media attention, either."
"I get it. Anything else you want to say?" Ethan's words were laced with a hint of frustration, but he held back, not wanting to escalate things further.
"I shouldn't have to tell you this, but your parents aren't around. I have to look out for you," Uncle Ben continued, softening his tone.
"Alright, I'm listening," Ethan replied, sensing the seriousness of their conversation.
"I heard from Wendy that you went on TV recently, providing crucial information about that five-year-old murder case. You shouldn't be risking yourself like that!"
"Yeah, I did." Ethan's voice was steady, but inside, he felt a mix of pride and anxiety.
"Do you have any idea how dangerous that is? Those people are killers!" Uncle Ben pressed on, not giving Ethan a chance to respond. "If you need money, I can help cover your rent and utilities. You're young, don't take the wrong path."
"I appreciate it, but I'm fine," Ethan reassured him.
"Just make sure you are," Uncle Ben sighed, glancing back at the crowd. "And you need to handle this situation quickly. Get these people moving; they can't just lie around like this."
"Easier said than done," Ethan muttered under his breath. "Uncle Ben, I really need your help with something else."
"What is it?" Uncle Ben paused, curiosity piqued.
"Can you lend me five thousand? I want to install cameras all around the haunted house. I need to know what's happening. Once the reward comes in, I'll pay you back."
"Investing more in the haunted house? Are you serious?" Uncle Ben's eyes widened.
"Yes! The blind spots are too many. After what happened with Hayden and Chris, I need to make sure we're covered," Ethan insisted.
"Look, I can give you the money, but you need to understand the risks," Uncle Ben warned, stepping closer. "Our theme park is struggling. Traditional attractions are losing popularity, and tech-savvy, interactive experiences are on the rise. We're teetering on the edge of obsolescence. If you invest and it flops, you could lose everything."
"I know this is a risk," Ethan acknowledged, determination hardening in his voice. "But I believe in this haunted house. I'm not ready to give up yet."
Uncle Ben exhaled, conflicted but willing to help. "Alright, let's do this. But promise me you'll be careful."
"I promise," Ethan said, relief flooding through him.
As they stepped back into the shadows of Hollow Manor, Ethan couldn't shake the feeling that something darker was brewing. The mirrors whispered secrets he was determined to uncover, and with Chris by his side, they would face the unknown together.