Horrorstör

by Grady Hendrix

Rather than follow everyone and walk right past Basil, Amy decided to go the long way. Defying the intentions of an entire think tank of retail psychologists, she walked backward through Orsk, starting at the rear (the checkout registers) and moving clockwise through its entire digestive tract toward its mouth (the Showroom entrance at the top of the escalator). Orsk was designed to move customers counterclockwise, keeping them in a state of retail hypnosis. Going the opposite way felt like walking through a carnival spookhouse with all the lights turned on: the effect was ruined.

“And now,” Matt said, digging into his bag. “I told you there’d be no unsanitary hand-holding.” He pulled out his solution with a flourish. “Oh, no, Matt,” Ruth Anne said. “No way. Uh-uh.” “Are you kidding?” Amy asked. Like a magician fanning out a deck of cards, Matt revealed five pairs of silver handcuffs and flashed an evil grin. “It ensures that no one breaks the circle,” Trinity said. “And that no one reaches under the table and fakes spirit activity.” “And it looks amazing on camera,” Matt said.

This will not go well

Basil looked pained. He closed his eyes. “I told you to go,” he said. “When have I ever done what you told me?” Amy said.