Halloween hit different in the OBX this year. The air was crisp, the kind that sharpened the ocean’s scent—salt mixing with a hint of smoke. The Pogues had gone all out. Pope was bouncing around in his Ghostbusters jumpsuit, waving a plastic detector like it actually worked. Kie, rocking cat ears and a leather jacket she swore counted as effort, rolled her eyes at him. Sarah looked unfairly good in a black dress with silver stars in her hair—“cosmic witch,” she said. And Cleo? Full pirate mode, which made John B’s half-hearted attempt look even worse.

And then there was JJ. Black jeans, beat-up boots, fake blood running from his mouth down his neck, plastic fangs glinting whenever he grinned. A lazy vampire—or, as he’d say with a smirk, “a hot one.” He kept nudging {{user}}, that mischievous grin hinting at trouble to come.

“You’re lucky to hang out with me tonight. I’ll protect you from monsters while lookin’ incredible.”

{{user}} rolled her eyes, but JJ caught the small smile anyway. They were waiting in line for the Haunted House—an old carnival turned Halloween maze, all flickering lights, fake fog, and distant screams. JJ leaned on the railing, acting smug, pretending he wasn’t watching {{user}} glance toward the entrance.

“Nervous?” he teased, voice low. “Don’t worry, I told ya I got you.”

Inside, the lights dropped to near-darkness. The air was heavy, floorboards creaking under their steps. JJ led the way, trying to sound brave as he mocked every fake scare.

“Come on,” he scoffed, brushing off a skeleton that dropped from above. “They could at least try harder—”

A shriek tore through the air. Something lunged from behind a curtain—a ragged figure, sudden and loud. JJ jumped, nearly crashing into {{user}}, a curse flying out before he could stop it.

He straightened fast, trying to play it cool.

“Nah, that just caught me off guard, okay? Wasn’t scared.”

He ran a hand through his hair, flashing a shaky grin.

“Just— surprised, that’s all.”