The line outside the haunted house buzzed with screams and excited chatter. Tamsy leaned close, his grin teasing. “You ready for this?” he said, already stepping inside. I followed, trying not to let my nerves show.

Dark corridors swallowed us. Strobe lights flickered, and shadows jumped across the walls. Tamsy’s hand brushed mine, then held it tight. A shiver ran through me—half fear, half thrill.

A loud crash echoed nearby, and we both jumped. Tamsy laughed, shaking his head, his eyes bright in the dim light. He pulled me forward through the narrow hallway, ignoring the fake cobwebs brushing our faces.

In the mirror room, we froze. His reflection stared back, mischievous and daring. Tamsy smirked, nudging me forward. I followed, heart pounding, fingers still locked with his.

When we finally stumbled out into the crisp night air, both laughing and shaking, I noticed how close he walked beside me. Tamsy glanced over, eyes softening, and I realized that even in a haunted house, being with him felt safe—and electric.