Ray Dark looked up from the book he was reading in the back of the kitchen. It was a dark, cold corner, without a hint of the bright sunlight from outside reaching it. It was exactly how Ray liked it. He spent most of his time in the dark, like his last name.

"Ray, your brother's coming over today," his mother Lucy said, running a frantic hand through her straight black hair. "At least try to be welcoming."

"I will, Mom," said Ray, putting down his book. "It's just a little shocking for me."

Ray didn't even know he had a half brother until a few weeks ago. He was shocked to learn that his mother had a son with another man. And a little angry. Well, a lot angry. He had blown up at his mother about it and yelled at her. She had taken it quietly, seeming to understand his feelings. But she made it clear he was meeting his half brother, whether he liked it or not. At least he wasn't meeting his brother's father as well. He didn't think he could resist blowing up at him.

Ray hoped his brother wouldn't think he was as weird as everyone else did. He was always wandering around in the dark and sitting in the shadows, preferring it to sunlight. Sunlight was too bright, too blinding, uncomfortable over him. He was very quiet most of the time, but whenever he was angry, he was terrifying. A feral gleam would enter his dark eyes, and his face would darken dangerously. He looked strange, too. Just like his mother. He had the same pale skin, jet black hair, and intense, searing black eyes.

He watched as his mother pulled a cake out of the oven. She never baked, so he knew she must be really excited or really nervous about the visit. Or both.

Trying to look hospitable, Ray put down his book on the counter and stepped out of the shadows, smoothing down his hair and trying to smile. People said he had a creepy smile as well.

"They're here!" Lucy exclaimed, frantically lifting the cake out of the tin. She hurried to the front door, her black hair flying behind her.

"Come in, come in. It's so nice to see you, Kiran."

That was a weird name. He watched his half brother enter the room after his father left. He was a small Indian boy with glasses and a mop of dark curls. His dark eyes flashed excitedly as he looked at Ray, smiling widely.

"Ray! Hello." He had a slight accent. "It's nice to meet you."

He held out his hand, and Ray reluctantly shook it. Next to him, Ray felt even more pale. He knew it was his problem. His brother was being nice, but he was too much of a weird loner.

"It's nice to see you too," said Ray, forcing a smile. "I'm Ray."

"I know," said Kiran.

Oh, right. Of course he knew his name. Ray laughed nervously.

"I hope you like chocolate cake, Kiran," said Lucy.

"I love it," said Kiran. "But I like other foods more."

"Really? Like what?" asked Ray.

"I like meat," said Kiran. "Fresh, tender meat."

Ray stared at his brother, taken aback by his sudden words. Where had that come from?

"Oh," said Lucy, not seeming surprised by the response. "Well, next time, I'll try to make chicken or beef for you. Ray loves that as well. Don't you?"

"Yeah," said Ray.

They sat around the kitchen table as Lucy cut the cake. "It's so nice to see you, Kiran," she said.

"You too, Mrs. Dark," said Kiran.

Ray recoiled. That was odd. Why would he call their mother that? He must not be close with her.

Lucy didn't seem hurt, though. She kept smiling as she and Kiran chatted away. Ray felt awkward watching them. Kiran talked more during the time he had arrived than Ray usually did in an entire day, in his funny, quick accent and annoying, rambling voice. Kiran pushed that thought away. He was being unfair. Kiran was acting normally, like Ray should.

"Ray, why don't you show Kiran to his room?" suggested Lucy, tying her hair back with a bandana.

"That's the only time you want me to show anyone my room," muttered Ray. His room was always a mess.

But he took Ray there. When he opened it, Ray gasped, in awe instead of disgust.

"Wow," he said. "It's..."

"Terrible? Messy? A pigsty?" Ray suggested. "That's what my mom always says. She's right, I guess."

"Well, yeah," admitted Kiran, laughing. "But I like it. My room always has to be perfectly clean and neat, or my dad throws a fit."

"My mom throws a fit too," muttered Ray.

"Hey, what's that?" Kiran walked over to the foot his bed and looked at something shiny on it. "It's a ticket. Did you go to a theme park lately? Lucky."

"What? No." Ray walked over and inspected it. It definitely hadn't been there before. It was a shiny golden ticket of some sort, to an amusement park. A park called Horrorland. And he said he was a Very Special Guest.

"Wow. I've never gotten VIP tickets before," muttered Ray. "Did my mom give me this?"

"You're lucky," said Kiran. "Getting to go to a theme park. My dad wouldn't let me go on one, even though it's my birthday."

Ray looked at Kiran, who clapped his hand over his mouth. "Uh, nothing," he said.

"It's your birthday?" asked Ray.

Kiran sighed. "Yeah. I loved visiting. It was a great birthday present, but I wish my dad would do a little something more."

"I didn't know that," said Ray. Maybe that was why his mom had baked a cake. "Well, happy birthday."

"Thanks," muttered Kiran.

"I'll ask my mom about the ticket," said Ray.

Lucy was in the kitchen, rolling out pie dough. She must've been making more for Kiran's birthday.

"Oh, Ray. Hello," she said, blowing a strand of dark hair out of her flour-smeared bun. "I just thought your brother might like-"

"Mom, thanks for the ticket," said Ray.

"Huh?" Lucy's forehead crinkled. "What ticket?"

"This one." Ray held it up. "Did you give it to me? It's some kind of invitation..."

Lucy walked over, inspecting the ticket. "Horrorland?" A smile crossed her face. "Sounds like an awesome theme park."

"I know," agreed Ray. "A horror theme park? Sounds great."

Lucy's smile disappeared. "I've never seen this ticket before, though. Where did you get it from?"

"I just found it on my bed," said Ray. "Well, actually, Kiran found it..."

Lucy looked at Kiran. "Did you put it there?"

"No!" protested Kiran. "I just saw it there."

"Hmm. Then how did it get there?" mused a confused Lucy.

"Are you sure you didn't put it there, Mom?" asked Ray. "Or is this one of your jokes?"

"Completely sure," said Lucy. "It'd be a good joke, but I don't think I could fabricate a ticket like that."

Ray read it again. "It says I'm a VIP or something, and I can take a plus one. Along with my parents."

"Oh, good," said Lucy. "I'd love to go to a theme park like that. I love scary stuff. So does Ray. Do you, Kiran?"

"Uh, yeah," said Kiran, though he looked uneasy now. Ray could tell he was lying. "I guess..."

"What about my plus one?" asked Ray.

"Take your brother, of course," suggested Lucy.

"What?" Ray gaped at her.

"That's very kind of you, but I don't think-" Kiran started.

Ray smirked, detecting the fear in his brother's voice. He had inherited his mother's love of scaring people. It would be fun to scare Kiran.

"No, I have to take you along," insisted Ray. "It's your birthday, right? This is like a birthday present."

Lucy looked surprised. "Kiran, it's your birthday?" So she didn't know, thought Ray, confused. Strange.

"Uh, yeah," said Kiran.

"Why didn't you tell me?" demanded Lucy.

"I... just didn't it was important," said Kiran meekly.

"Are you kidding? Of course it's important!" insisted Lucy. "Well, at least that makes the chocolate cake I baked fitting."

"What are you making now?" asked Kiran, staring at the pie-smeared kitchen table. Ray could tell he was trying to change the subject.

"You have to come to Horrorland with me, Kiran," Ray insisted, trying to keep the glee out of his voice. "We didn't know it was your birthday, so the least we could do is offer you a present."

"I wouldn't want to intrude-" Kiran started.

"You wouldn't intrude at all," said Lucy, giving Ray a wink. She had suspected what he was trying to do. "We'd love to have you along. Your dad can come too."

Kiran tried to protest, but they wouldn't hear it. Maybe Horrorland wasn't going to be so bad, Ray thought, seeing the terrified expression on his brother's face.

Look up Kiran's name and you'll see why I named him that. This might be the last of the kids. Who were your favorite?