Oh yeah, and during lunch, gym, and their free period. “Oh what a day that was.” The curly haired girl beamed with a smile that took up her whole face.

“Ok so didn’t need to know my sister’s sexual experiences.” Kyla said trying to block the images from entering her head.

“I’m right there with you Kyla.” Jessi said shaking her head attempting to clear it of bad thoughts and also of the bad feelings she was getting about their upcoming night.

Forty minutes later the group of seven found themselves face to face with a behemoth of a two story building. Red brick and gothic style architecture; gargoyles and all, made up the structure. Three bell towers, shooting high into the sky; the shorter two, were situated so one was on each end of the building; and the tallest, sitting high above the entrance; posed a silent but ominous threat.

The sun that had begun to set started creating eerie shadows within the building and as an unexpected breeze brushed past the group, Spencer reflexively grabbed for Ashley’s hand as a shiver passed through all their bodies.

Ashley turned to Spencer and whispered into her ear.

“Don’t worry baby, I won’t let anything happen to you.”

Spencer turned to her with an uneasy smile and pecked her on the lips.

“I love you Ash.”

“Love you too Spencey poo.” Ashley giggled.

“Nerd.” Jessi muttered after she heard the pet name Ashley had just used.

“You’re one to talk miss ‘I’m obsessed with The Magic Bullet infomercial.’” Ashley mocked.

“Hey now! What do you have against Mick and Mimi? What, you been sippin on some Haterade?!” Jessi questioned the younger girl.

“Ok, the fact you know their names is just sad.”

“Nuh uh!”

“Yeah huh!”

“Nuh uh!” Jessi reiterated closing the distance between herself and her cousin.

“Yeah huh!”

“Play nice children.” Spencer interjected, stepping in between the two girls as the preschool exchange was quite old.

“Geez you two act more like sisters than Ashley and Kyla do.” Madison said.

“It happens.” Ashley replied as she turned to look at her actual sister. “Don’t worry Ky, we’ll be having exchanges like that in no time.”

Kyla grinned and sarcastically returned, “Oh goody!”

“Oh please, you know you want to. It’s too fun and childish to not enjoy. And with the more you do, the better they get.” Jessi said throwing an arm around Ashley’s shoulders.

“By better I’m guessing you mean more immature?” Spencer quipped light heartedly.

“Thata girl! See, I knew I liked you Spencer. You’re quick on the uptake. Better not let her get away Ash, I’m serious.”

Ashley looked directly into Spencer’s ocean blue eyes, smiled, and said, “Never. She’s stuck with me for life.”

“Damn!” Spencer retorted with a big grin.

“Right, so anyways. When are we gonna get this thing going cause it’s getting dark.” Aiden inquired.

Glancing at her phone for the time Jessi stepped in front of the group.

“Ok guys, it’s time. The instructions said to go to the ‘safe house’ at 6.”

“LET’S HIT IT!” Glen yelled as he took Madison’s hand and practically dragged her to the shelter.

Everyone grabbed their gear and followed his lead. Jessi accidentally dropped her cell phone and as she looked up from picking it up she took one last look at the spooky building in the fading daylight. Something in a second story window caught her eye.

"Jess what are you looking at?" Ashley asked running back over to the girl

She looked at her cousin and then did a double take back to the window.

"Uh, nothing. Let’s go." She replied shaking her head.

Whatever was there, if there was anything, was already gone. The girls caught up with the rest of the group in the safe house.

“Ok, now what?” Aiden asked as he plopped himself in an empty chair.

Jessi situated herself at the laptop that was set up on the desk and clicked on the button that was labeled ‘Begin’.

The screen changed into what seemed to be a computer game.

“Guys, come here. You need to watch this.” She said.

The group gathered around as a voice started to speak.

“Welcome to St. Augustine’s, we hope you enjoy your stay, for you may never leave once you enter. Your salvation is in your hands and your hands alone. The only way to make it out…is to face your fear.”