Roselyn adjusted the strap of her bag nervously as she waited outside the building. She had spent hours debating what kind of "first date" would feel normal, fun, or even slightly romantic—but Rowan had insisted on something… unconventional.
From the shadows, a sleek black car rolled up. Rowan stepped out, casual but confident, holding two tickets.
"You ready?" he asked, smirking. "Or are you going to chicken out?"
Roselyn raised an eyebrow. "You did say we were doing something fun… not terrifying. And don't even think about saying this is 'fun.'"
Rowan grinned, offering his hand. "You'll thank me later."
She hesitated, then took it. "Fine. But if I scream, you carry me out."
The Horror House
The night air was thick with fog as they entered the horror house. Dim lights flickered, and eerie sounds echoed from hidden speakers. Skeletons, fake cobwebs, and shadowy figures jumped out at random intervals.
Roselyn yelped at the first scare, but Rowan's hand held hers tightly, grounding her. "See? You're fine. Totally fine."
"Fine? That thing just lunged at me!" she protested, laughing despite herself.
Rowan leaned close, voice low and teasing. "Your scream is kind of… adorable."
Roselyn pushed him lightly, blushing. "Shut up. And you—you jumped too!"
Rowan chuckled. "I did, yes. But it's not me you should be worried about—watch your back."
As they navigated through the maze of terror, Roselyn felt something she hadn't in years: lightness. Laughter mixed with adrenaline, and Rowan's calm presence made the fear almost fun. Almost.
The Escape Room
Next, they entered an escape room—a high-tech setup full of puzzles, laser triggers, and timed challenges. Roselyn's eyes lit up.
"This… I like this. We have to work together, or we fail," she said, her analytical mind kicking in.
Rowan smirked. "Sounds like our kind of teamwork."
They moved through the room, solving riddles and avoiding laser traps. Roselyn noticed Rowan's careful attention to her movements, the way he subtly guided her away from danger.
"Teamwork, huh?" she teased. "You mean you're just making sure I don't die?"
Rowan leaned closer, voice soft. "I could never let that happen. Not with you."
Her heartbeat quickened. She glanced at him, and for a brief second, the room, the puzzles, and even the lingering shadows outside faded.
They cracked the final code together, triggering the door to open. Both cheered, laughing and bumping into each other. Rowan spun her around in a playful gesture, and Roselyn couldn't stop smiling.
The Watchful Eyes
Unbeknownst to them, a discreet screen in the agency's surveillance room displayed live footage of the pair. A soft beep indicated that both Rowan and Roselyn were confirmed to be together, interacting normally.
Agent Clarke, monitoring, muttered, "Looks like the new couple is finally… bonding."
Another agent added, "Unique choice for a first date—horror house and escape room. But they seem… compatible."
A soft chuckle spread through the control room. "As long as they don't get themselves killed before the romantic part," Clarke said.
The Night Ends
Rowan walked Roselyn back to her apartment, her hand resting lightly in his.
"So… first date verdict?" he asked.
Roselyn smiled, a blush rising. "Terrifying. Exciting. And somehow… perfect."
Rowan leaned down slightly, brushing a strand of hair from her face. "Good. Because there's a lot more where that came from."
Roselyn laughed softly. "I'll hold you to that. But maybe nothing with chains or creepy dolls next time."
He grinned. "No promises."
As they stood outside, the city lights twinkling around them, Roselyn realized this: she was not just alive—she was living.With Rowan by her side, even the terrifying could be fun.
And for once, the world felt safe.