The Fall of Candy Corn Read Online Free PDF Page A

stared at herself for a moment. Suddenly, the images of two men were reflected behind her, one on either side.
    â€œUmmm . . . tasty,” the taller of the two muttered.
    â€œMakes me want candy,” the other added in a voice that made Candace’s skin crawl.
    She turned to face the two men who both leered at her. “Who are you?” she demanded.
    â€œI’m Will. This here is Brandon,” the taller one said.
    â€œWe’re what you’d call professional Scare monsters,” Brandon added.
    Professional creeps is more like it. Candace glanced toward the dressing rooms and wondered when Janet would reappear.
    â€œThis is our tenth year working Scare,” Will said. “And you know why?”
    â€œNo,” Candace said, taking a step backward.
    â€œBecause we like it,” Brandon breathed, his hand descending on her shoulder.
    Candace swallowed her own fear and prepared to knee him in the groin like her father had taught her when she was younger. She took a deep breath, ready to shout for help first. Before she could, Josh appeared.
    â€œKnock it off, guys. Save your scare tactics for the players,” Josh said.
    Candace and the two men turned to look at him. Josh’s tone was carefree as usual. He sounded like surfer Josh. But something in the way he held himself, though, was distinctly different. He looked taller somehow, and Candace had never noticed before just how broad his shoulders were.
    Candace thought the white shirt of his vampire costume showed off the musculature of his upper body and made him seem more imposing than when he was wearing his normal tank top. It wasn’t his shirt, she realized finally. It was the fact that he actually seemed dangerous. She found herself believing that he could rip both Will and Brandon apart with his bare hands and never break a sweat.
    Brandon and Will must have felt it too. They beat a hasty retreat.
    â€œNo offense, miss,” Will said.
    â€œSorry, dude,” Brandon added.
    Then the two were gone, and Candace sagged in relief. Josh stood for a moment, his posture still tense. Finally, he relaxed and turned to her.
    â€œSorry about that. I met those guys last year. They can be a little enthusiastic when it comes to scaring people, sometimes inappropriately so.”
    â€œThey scared me,” she admitted. “I’m so glad you came when you did.”
    â€œJanet’s been working on my costume. She told me you were over here, so I came to show you what I’ve got so far. Pretty cool, huh?” he asked, spinning.
    â€œVery nice,” she said, her voice a little shaky. “I think you’re missing the cape and fangs, though.”
    â€œJanet’s still working on those.”
    â€œI don’t know. You look more handsome than scary.”
    â€œThat’s the idea,” he said, trying to look suave. “Seriously, thanks.”
    â€œNo problem,” she blushed slightly as she realized what she had said. “So, in which maze are the evil twins working? Not mine, I hope,” she said.
    â€œNah. Horrific History, I think.”
    â€œThat’s the one Kurt’s working.”
    â€œGood, he can keep an eye on him. Are you going to be okay?”
    She nodded. “I’m still rattled, but I’ll be okay.”
    â€œYou want me to talk to a supervisor and see if I can get them fired?”
    She wanted to say yes. Ultimately, though, that wouldn’t help her face the jerks. She shook her head. “No, it’ll be fine.”
    â€œOkay. By the way, love your costume.”
    She punched him in the arm.
    â€œWhat was that for?”
    â€œThis is a terrible costume. I feel like I’m being exploited,”
    she said, turning back to the mirror. “I can’t believe they’ve made a maze out of this. I can’t believe I’m starring in it.”
    â€œVery few people have had the impact on this park that you have,” Josh said.