“Zombies,” he said in a menacing voice. “Also, half of the proceeds are going to Farmingdale’s no-kill animal shelter.”

Victoria turned to John, her eyes shining. “Isn’t that nice?”

He rolled his eyes and said nothing.

“Can you please explain to my friend the basic rules of your haunted warehouse?” she asked the bloody butcher.

The man dropped his menacing voice and switched to a thick Chicago accent. “Sure. It’s advised that pregnant women, folks who suffer from epilepsy, or those who have pacemakers not participate in the walk-through. If that doesn’t apply to you, just follow the marked path and you won’t get lost. If you have a hard time seeing in front of you, you’re allowed to use your cellphone, but we don’t allow photography. It kinda ruins the surprise for future guests. Lastly, the zombies are instructed not to touch participants. Don’t worry, sir, an actor is not going to reach out and grab you.”

“See? That’s all there is to it,” Victoria said with an encouraging tone.

“Hardly,” John said under his breath.

“Oh, come on,” she said, pulling his arm. “You’re going to have fun.”

“At best, I’m going to look very wimpy in front of you. At worst? I might throw up in front of you.”

“You’re not going to throw up,” she said as they stood at the precipice of a darkened entrance. From somewhere inside there was a loud crash, followed by terrified screams that pierced the evening air. His heart thudded in his chest.

“Before we go in there,” John said, gripping her hand. “Tell me why you’re attracted to this.”

Victoria looked at him, eyes wide with anticipation and a broad grin. Her perky nose and the cute dimple on her left cheek eased his fear, just slightly. If John could remember this face, he might make it through this horrifying walk. “Because none of this is real,” she said. “It’s all pretend. I never take chances in the real world, because it could all go wrong. But here, where the zombies are actors, I can feel the exhilaration of danger and come out safe on the other side.” She squeezed his sweaty palm. “And you will too.”

He nodded. “Okay.”

John let her lead him, all the while hoping to make it to other side sooner than later.

Her laughter should have annoyed John, but he found himself joining in on the roasting that she was determined to give him. Victoria sat at his kitchen island drinking wine, while he chopped tomatoes for pasta sauce. “The way you used me as a human shield to get through that abandoned bus,” she cackled, tears already forming in her eyes. “But then that girl zombie jumped out from behind you...”