_This is it. This is how I’m gonna die. _

My hand slips from the safety of the seat, flinging out through sharp, cool midnight air as we storm down the highway. My scream feels shrill through the air amidst the screech of tires against the road.

I squeeze my eyes shut, waiting for the moment until my body hits the asphalt with a final _thud_.

Until he grabs my hand.

“You sure love to be dramatic.” Owen grins, hauling me back up onto the seat. The leather of his gloves are warm against my skin, which must be coated in goosebumps at this rate.

I clear my throat, both trying and failing to avoid his gaze. “I was about to die.”

“You’re always ‘about to die.’” He laughs, leaning down to give me quick peck on the cheek. My heart jams against my ribs with heat as I shove him away with a small smile.

Mom had been prominent on keeping me away from him this past summer. She’d even been wary about letting me ride with him at night. It’d taken days of convincing to finally get a hesitant yes out of her.

“He gives me a bad feeling,” She’d explained once, finger-combing her hair as she always did when she was anxious. “You need to stay away from him, Josie.”

_That’s ridiculous. _I’d trust Owen with my own life.

I wrap my arms around his back, pressing my cheek against his jacket as we round down the interstate. The same sensation of warmth and belonging comes at his touch. _I’m safe here. _

“Where are we going?” I ask.

“A little sanctuary of mine.” He reaches backward to stroke my hair. “We’ll be able to see the fireworks from there.”

My eyes widen as we begin to stray away from the bustling highways and roads, and into a small clearing, empty save for a small, abandoned radio tower.

There had been stories circulating around town about it. _Fifty years ago, all the tower’s workers were found beheaded and skinned alive at midnight. Even now, they’re still in the dark about who did it. _

I laugh, trying to mask my shock. “This place looks haunted, Owen.”

He parks the motorbike alongside the gates, letting out a small chuckle. “You need to stop watching those podcasts.” I sigh as he takes my hand, leading us towards the steps leading up to the tower. “Life isn’t a Friday the 13th movie, Jo.”

Just as we begin to tread up, I nearly ignore the sign.

**CAUTION: YOU ARE NOW ENTERING DANGEROUS GROUNDS**

**PROCEED AT YOUR OWN RISK **

…………

_“Police have received reports at 1:05 a.m. of a female minor, Josie Kingston found dead near abandoned radio tower in Milwaukee. According to city officials, she was found beheaded, skinned alive, and alone.” _