The Pretend Friend – Ch. 01
My body was dripping with sweat as I ran down from Cinema 18’s low-side to high-side hallway. Outside, the storm continued to boom, and the emergency lights flickered on in the building. I weaved through the crowd of angry guests and rushed into auditorium nine. The screen was off, and the crowd of customers there were rising up from their seat. I pulled out my walkie and spoke into it. “Picture and sound are off in nine.” Then I turned to the guests. “Everyone, please remain seated!” I said loudly but firmly over the noise of dissent. “We are working to get the screens up and running again. We appreciate your patience.” “Working on nine now,” Katie, one of the three assistant managers on shift, said over the walkie. “What’s the status on seven?” Owen, …