The Forensic Fright Show

Chris glanced at his phone and couldn't help but smirk as he read the message from Hayden.

"They're coming over right now?" Chris muttered to himself. He wasn't exactly concerned. Hayden's group of forensic science students didn't strike him as much of a threat.

"I'm giving you a heads-up. The seniors plan to shoot a funny video in your haunted house to impress some girl. Don't hold it against them; there are only seven girls across all five of our classes, and the one you scared the other day happens to be the campus queen. Stay safe, man!" Hayden's voice was hushed as if he didn't want anyone nearby to hear. The call cut off right after he finished.

Chris stared at his phone for a moment, then chuckled. "A funny video? In my haunted house?" His smile widened. "Forensics students are tough, huh? This will be a perfect test for my new setup. I just hope they'll still be laughing by the end."

Lunch break was over, and Chris made his way downstairs to the haunted house's entrance. As he pushed open the barrier, a crowd of eager visitors surged forward. Many had come after watching Chris's short videos or livestreams, some had been recommended by friends and family, and others were simply drawn by curiosity—after all, the long line suggested there was something worth seeing.

"Tickets are twenty each. For the best experience, no more than three people at a time," Chris called out, maintaining order with the help of Wendy, his assistant. Together, they were swamped, trying to keep things running smoothly.

Time passed quickly, and around 3 PM, a group of seven fashionably dressed young people strolled into the amusement park. They moved with purpose, heading straight for the haunted house. Their quiet demeanor and the serious air around them created a noticeable shift in the atmosphere as they joined the queue.

After about ten minutes, as the previous group of visitors emerged—some trembling, others laughing—the tallest of the new arrivals stepped forward. He towered over Chris, his voice deep and measured. "Six tickets, please."

Chris glanced at the group, then raised an eyebrow. "You're not all together?"

"The seventh one's just a guide." The tall guy gestured casually at Hayden, pushing him forward.

Hayden shot Chris a pleading look. "I'm not going in this time, boss. I've had enough."

"Nonsense. You're here now, so no backing out," Chris said with a grin, handing them seven tickets. "Don't worry about it. You guys are from Hanjiang Forensics, right? I'll be counting on you in the future." His friendly tone left the students slightly embarrassed, unused to such casual warmth outside of their academic bubble.

"Hayden, the boss is giving you a free ticket. Don't be rude." The tall guy distributed the tickets among the group, and what happened next caught the attention of other visitors.

Instead of entering right away, the seven gathered near the entrance, forming small teams.

"Hayden and I will take point. Monkey and Zack, you're together. Luke, Hannah, and Silvia, you're the last group. Did you all memorize the tips from the online forums?" the tall guy asked, his voice taking on the tone of a military leader briefing his squad.

"Yeah, we got them down," Zack nodded, looking confident.

"Hayden already mapped out the place. We know all the tricks and traps. Just remember, don't show fear. We're from Hanjiang Forensics—act like it!"

The others nodded in agreement.

"All right, now, psych yourselves up! Deep breaths, faster heart rate—pretend you're about to go skydiving or bungee jumping! Get those adrenaline levels up!" The tall guy's enthusiasm was infectious, and the others followed his lead.

"Right! Channel your inner demon! Be the scariest thing in there—make those ghosts fear you!" Zack added, throwing his arms up for emphasis.

"And don't forget our oath," the tall guy reminded them, his voice dropping to a more solemn tone.

In unison, the group repeated: "A just heart, a steady hand."

"Forensic scientists of Hanjiang, speak for the dead, protect the living!"

The surrounding crowd couldn't help but applaud their energy, while Chris nodded appreciatively. These kids were good—ideal fodder for his latest creation.

The barrier lifted, and Hayden, along with the tall guy, led the group forward. "We'll go in first, then share our experience when we come out."

The two of them approached Chris with an air of confidence. "Just you two?"

"Didn't you say a max of three at a time?"

"Oh, that rule's only for the less intense themes. Don't worry about it—you can all go in together. Saves time." Chris waved them inside, leading them through the entrance. "Sign these waivers first. Standard stuff—if anything happens in the haunted house, we're not liable."

"There weren't any waivers last time," Hayden grumbled as he signed the paper.

"That's because no one had fainted before your last visit." Chris's grin widened, making the students shift uncomfortably. "I assume Hayden told you the background of this place, so I won't bore you with the details again. Just remember to keep your wits about you."

His tone grew more serious as he took out his phone and pulled up a news article from that morning. "The infamous Westside Apartment massacre from five years ago was finally solved… but one suspect is still at large. Now, this has nothing to do with you, of course. But when I got to work this morning, I found the haunted house door was open—looked like someone had snuck inside. Westside Apartments and this park are both in the west part of the city, so… let's hope I'm just overthinking things."

Chris's nonchalant delivery planted seeds of doubt in the minds of the students. He didn't need them to believe him fully—just enough to set their imaginations running. Reality, no matter how mundane, could be more terrifying than any fabricated horror.

Once the waivers were signed, Chris led them up to the third floor, where the entrance to his newest theme, Midnight Slaughter, awaited. He pushed the door open slowly, and a chilling gust of wind swept through the narrow hallways. Dimly lit corridors stretched into darkness, with half-open doors creaking on their hinges. The sound of something—someone—lurking just out of sight sent shivers down their spines. The walls bore the marks of violence—deep gashes, as if made by claws or knives—and the charred remnants of what had once been a roof only added to the ominous atmosphere.

The students' initial bravado faltered.

Each one stood frozen, exchanging uneasy glances. All eyes eventually settled on Hayden, who looked like he was ready to bolt.

"Where's the courtyard we were promised?" Monkey muttered.

"This… this doesn't seem right," Hannah whispered. "I spent all night practicing lifting heavy things for this?"

The others shot Hayden questioning glares, almost ready to throw him under the bus. He turned to Chris, desperate for help, but the man merely smiled, offering no salvation. "This theme is called Midnight Slaughter. Please refrain from taking photos or videos. Violation will result in... consequences. The exit is hidden within the scenario. You have twenty minutes. If you get too scared, just scream for help, and I'll come to rescue you."

Chris watched them step hesitantly into the corridor. As the door closed behind them, sealing them inside, he added with a playful grin, "Good luck. I hope you have a great time."

The chilling air of the haunted house swallowed their nervous laughter, and as Chris watched the cameras, he couldn't wait to see how long their bravado would last.