Bright could remember the first time they dragged Frederick on one of their nighttime urban explorations. They had been sixteen, freshly licensed. They drove up to his house and sent him a text. It had woken the sleeping Fred, but he had snuck out of his second story bedroom window still wearing the sweatpants and Tshirt he had fallen asleep in.
He handled the music as Bright drove them to a twenty four hour diner. He shared pancakes with them as they drank a cup of coffee. They split the bill before packing back up into Bright's mom's car.
The exploration destination was a mall that had been abandoned eleven years ago after a shooting killed twenty three people. Fred had been unsure and nervous but Bright goaded and taunted him until he sighed and clasped his hand in their own. Bright had pulled him carefully through the shattered glass front door.
It was so quiet within the cracked linoleum walkways, leaves and garbage gathered in the corners as moonlight spilled through the skylights above. Fred's grip had tightened on their hand, but Bright had just felt a thrill of excitement even as a wonderful chill ran down their spine. It had felt like a playground and haunted at the same time. A forbidden fruit.
They spent hours exploring within that mall, seeking every hidden hallway, empty storefront, and nook and cranny. Fred had to remind them that school started in two hours so they would leave the abandoned treasure behind.
That was what had started the habit.
They brought Fred along, thinking the risks were only light injury and maybe a fine for trespassing if they were caught.
They never guessed they would be lying on the ground of an amusement park that was widely thought to be haunted and occupied by unnatural creatures. Not while their body grew cold from blood loss and their best friend somewhere out of view facing the same plight, just as alone. It was supposed to be a fun night.
