“Well, then,” Dave said, obviously feeling confident to start speaking again. “Are you going to show us around? Now that it’s been decided we’re staying.”
The ginger man sighed. “Fine. I’ll give you all a tour and find somewhere for your illicit companions to stay.”
Annaliese shrugged her shoulders apologetically towards Nick. “This friendly soul is Shawcross, by the way.”
Shawcross raised an eyebrow at them all. “I wish I could say the pleasure was all mine. Welcome to Ripley Heights.”
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Eve was turning on the spot and taking the whole place in. “I can’t believe I’m here again,” she said. “God, the memories…” She pointed at a nearby carousel that had dragons instead of horses. “That’s the Magic Circle. My sister and I used to go on that all the time. And look, there,” she pointed at a rollercoaster at the edge of the park. “I think that’s The Hood, if I remember correctly.”
“You do,” said Shawcross. “It’s been repainted recently, but it’s the same old ride. I take it you visited here as a child?”
“Lots of times,” Eve gushed. Nick liked her excitement. It was the first positive emotion any of them had felt for days and it was infectious.
“We need to be careful,” said Annaliese. “We’re pretty sure the zoo is safe, but we haven’t explored the amusement park yet.”
“Thank you again for helping us,” Nick said. “We were doomed otherwise.”
“I just hope you haven’t brought all those infected up the hill with you.”
“I don’t think so. They seem to lose interest when they can’t see you.”
Annaliese nodded. “You noticed that too, huh? So how did you survive the last couple days?”
“Dave picked us up in his bus. We drove around for a while and then ran out of petrol in the nearby woods. I think luck has more to do with it than anything else.”
“Dave, the guy that doesn’t know when to shut his mouth?”
Nick nodded. “That’s him. He was pretty much our saviour to begin with, but I’ve been beginning to change my mind about him since.”
Annaliese stopped and looked at him. “He’s not going to be a problem, is he?”
“No, no, of course not. At least…I don’t think so.”
She shook her head and started walking again. “Great, what have I let myself in for?”
“I promise he’ll behave,” Nick said, but wondered if he could even control such a thing.
Annaliese smiled and folded her arms like a stern, yet fair teacher. “I’ll just have to trust you then, Nick.”
He smiled at her. The group came to a stop up ahead. They were standing in a midway games area. There were several prize huts, like basketball, hook a duck, and an Arabian Derby skeet ball booth. There was also one of those laser-target shooting gallery with animated props. It was strange being at a place of fun in such dire circumstances.
“Right,” said Shawcross, clapping his hands together and getting everyone’s attention. “The Big Dog restaurant and pub is just up ahead. We need to start stockpiling supplies and looking for anything of use. I’d say that with the soft furnishings inside Big Dog, and the fact that it has cooking facilities, it would make an ideal place for us to situate ourselves while we ride this thing out. I believe there is also a cellar where we can accommodate our…less desirable guests.”
Jan shook his head and huffed. “Guess, I should be used to being in a cell by now.”
“Is that absolutely necessary?” Nick asked. “They really aren’t any danger.”
“We had a deal,” Annaliese said.
Jan cleared his throat. “Don’t sweat it, brother. I agreed to the terms. I’m not backing out.”
“It may only be temporary,” Annaliese suggested. “Just while we get used to one another.”
“Or we may keep you locked up until the police arrive,” Shawcross added.