"I found a few things to pass the time." She said as she dropped the bag on one of the tables. Stephanie and I rushed to her side, although Stephanie was a bit slower than I was. I peeked into the bag to see a cluster of board games, a few decks of cards, some dice, and even a dart board.
I pulled out a deck of cards and shared her grin. "Go fish?"
Ali scoffed and threw a second, smaller bag at me. I snatched it out of the air, dropping the deck of cards as I did so, and felt the contents of the bag shift in my hands. Opening it, I saw a bundle of poker chips.
"It's time to teach you how to play a real game." Ali said as she sat down at one of the tables. Stephanie followed her, the faint smile on her face looked amused. That was something I didn't see often, and the mood shifted. The heavy burden that had been weighing on me was being pushed away, at least for the time being.
I reached for the fallen deck of cards, and then met Ali's eyes squarely. "5-Card Draw, then?"
Her eyebrow rose skeptically. "What do you know about playing poker?"
My smirk was the only answer she got as I slid the cards out of the container and began to shuffle.
CHAPTER 5 – ALI
It had been an hour past full dark by the time Joss had stolen most of my chips. Even though I was dreading it, I used the job as an excuse to leave the table, and pushed my remaining chips over to Stephanie. Josh surely didn't need any more with that pile he was sitting on. Where the hell did he learn to play like that?
The smell of death hit my nose as soon as I opened the door to let in the cool night air. Grimacing, I walked outside, heading for the dumpsters, but I glanced through the windows and slowed. The glow of the lantern light illuminated the two, and my lips curved into a smile. They both were laughing, probably at my expense, but I didn't mind. It was a small price to pay to be able to see a moment of authentic joy, as rare as that was now.
Continuing, I tried to hold to the happiness, but the smell of rotting flesh grew stronger and stomped it down. The stench was only going to get worse after I lit the fire, and I would hate every minute of it. At least the darkness would conceal the smoke, and maybe I could wait inside the café while the bodies burned.
Having already prepped the area, I doused the bodies with sour gasoline and hoped they were still damp with what I had poured over them earlier. I lit a fire in the bins one by one. They blazed, flames reaching up into the night, and I nervously looked around at the surrounding buildings. They had to be tall enough to shield the fires from view if there was anyone close enough to see them. If Reed was close enough to see them.
I shivered, but it had nothing to do with the cool night air.
Soon after, the smell of burning meat, and then charred meat, invaded the air, overpowering the scent of death. I hefted a long metal rod in my hands, ready to shift the bodies to make room for the ones that lay on the ground. I looked at those with disgust and grimaced. There was no way to avoid getting covered in blood and guts again. My stomach roiled at the thought.
There had been so many freaks in the attack that I couldn't even count them all. It amazed me to see them all fit in the small space, and it was a scary reminder of what they were capable of. Especially considering the precious cargo we had to protect.
I worked well into the night, throwing more bodies into the dumpsters as soon as there was room. It was harrowing work, and when I turned around to see the pavement clear, the sigh of relief that followed seemed to come from my very being. I watched the fires only a little while longer to make sure they would continue to burn safely, and then broke away to clean up again.
The café was dark when I entered, but I could see Joss on his pallet and Stephanie covered up in her booth. I heard soft snores coming from her in the corner, but nothing from Joss. I made my way through the room as silently as possible, already pulling at my soiled clothes.
The bathroom was dark and unsettling. Bad things hid in dark places and gooseflesh covered my arms until I was able to fumble my flashlight on. When I saw bottles of water set out on the countertop, along with a fresh change of clothes, I relaxed again.
"Thank you, Stephanie." I murmured, positive it was her doing. Something like this would never have crossed Joss's mind.
Feeling some of the tension fade away, I stripped down and began to wash as best I could with the stiff tablecloths and lukewarm bottles of water. It didn't feel like I accomplished much more than I had earlier. At least the hard part was done. Now if only Meg kept her promise.
Finally, there was someone else that I could talk to, someone to give me some answers, or at least give me another story to add to the growing list in my head. It would be another story of someone who was like Joss and me. Like Walter. Like Reed. Another piece of the puzzle.
Exhaustion was sinking in, replacing the strain, and I was aiming to wake Joss, but he sat up as I walked into the room. I veered past him to stretch out in one of the booths closer to the window. The last thing I wanted to do was disturb Stephanie, but by the sound of her light snores, that was unlikely.
"Didn't mean to wake you," I said quietly and smiled in satisfaction when I heard him huff.
"You going to keep watch from that booth?" I felt more than heard him walk past me, and the sound of a chair scraping the floor near the windows followed. I didn't bother to open my eyes.
"Well, since you're up..." My voice trailed away. I would have to check the fires soon so I couldn't let myself sleep for very long. I was about to tell Joss to make sure I was awake in an hour when all thought faded away.
I awoke to the sound of the door closing and sat up hurriedly, banging my shoulder on the table as I did so. I grunted, but the pain faded from my mind as I tried to focus on the blurry shadow by the door. My eyes didn't want to cooperate, and I started to stand when Joss spoke.
"It stinks out there."
I fell back into the booth with a thwump and blew out a long breath. My heart was racing wildly from the start he had given me, and I wasn't able to suppress a chuckle at myself. Rubbing the sleep from my eyes, I asked, "Did the fire draw any more freaks in?"
"Only a few. It's weird working around them, but I left them there. The fire is dying down some, but man, does it stink." He said, and I could see him rubbing his nose.
"I hope Meg doesn't hate us for that." I was finally able to get my feet under me and join Joss at the windows. Stephanie had shifted but stayed asleep. I lowered my voice. "How long was I out?"
"Couple hours, maybe." Joss responded in a whisper. His voice seemed to whine. "It's dark and there's nothing to do."
"You could try getting some more sleep."
He shook his head. "Not tired. Do we have enough oil for the lanterns?"
I wasn't positive we did, but we should be able to find more. "Sure."
Joss gathered the lantern from the table, and I followed him into the kitchen, curious as to what he intended. As soon as the lantern was lit, I saw he had brought a deck of cards with him. He grinned up at me. "Know how to play Hearts?"
I scoffed. "Is that another game you're going to kick my ass in?"
He only chuckled as he began to shuffle, and I relented. There wasn't anything else to do. Joss spent the next few hours teaching me about capturing tricks and shooting the moon, and I was able to pay attention for the most part. Cards weren't my thing, but at least it passed the time. I was antsy and waited anxiously for the dawn, hoping Meg would make good on her promise.
As dawn approached, Joss took his turn making breakfast, and I went to check the fires in the dumpsters. They had burned down, but I frowned at the tendrils of smoke that licked at the sky. There were more than a few freaks standing around watching it.
Three of the dumpsters, including the one that had saved Stephanie's life, had lids thrown back on their hinges. I closed those easily, jostling some freaks out of the way, but they didn't seem affected. The smoldering ashes in those bins would soon be smothered out.
The two remaining dumpsters had lids t
hat slid closed. Those proved a little more difficult, considering the metal was as hot as any stove. After failing to close either one with the rod, I bundled my hands in layers of old tablecloths and pushed them shut myself. I walked away with a few burns along my arms and sides because I leaned too far in, but nothing that wouldn't be healed up in a few days.
The sky was a rosy red in the east when the task was done. It smelled horrible, but one windy day would take care of that, as long as no one opened up those bins. I felt triumphant when I walked back into the café. Joss had fixed more sweet rice, and Stephanie was already awake and eating.
"She took the basket!" Stephanie said excitedly.
I froze, my eyes snapping to the table where I'd last seen the basket, and Stephanie giggled. She actually giggled, and for the first time she sounded like the young girl she actually was. I turned back to look at her, feeling relieved and annoyed at the same time.
"Joss took the basket back to the hotel while you were gone last night," Stephanie explained. "I left her a note inside. She took it!"
An eyebrow shot up as I turned a glare at Joss, who was in the middle of stuffing a huge spoonful of rice into his mouth. When he noticed the dark look on my face, he shrugged, unable to do more than that while his mouth was full. Looking back at Stephanie, I saw she had lost some of her enthusiasm.
"You saw her take it?"
"No," She answered cautiously, tilting her head to the side, confused. "But who else would have taken it?"
My heart dropped into my stomach as I realized we hadn't told her about Reed. The thought stunned me, and my answer slipped out before I knew what I was saying. "I don't know."
Joss frowned, catching the shift in my mood, but he didn't understand what caused it. He swallowed and pushed the pot of rice toward me. "Want some?"
I moved to fill a bowl, if only to satisfy him, and realized I was jumpy. If Reed had caught up to us, I'm sure stealing an old wicker basket would not be the first thing on his to-do list. I said, "I can't imagine anyone else taking the basket."
Joss dropped his spoon and leaned back in the chair, nodding. "Would a dead-brain have taken it?"
"I don't think so." I shook my mind free of Reed and went to stand at the window with my bowl. A few freaks stood about here and there, but the small gathering at the fire hadn't grown bored enough to move back to the plaza. "I've seen plenty holding their old things, purses, backpacks, briefcases, stuff like that, but I don't ever remember them picking up something that didn't belong to them after..."
My voice trailed off, and the conversation died away. I had only seen that type of behavior in Dallas, where the red mist had turned the whole city as one. Those freaks there had never been disturbed by someone normal, had never frenzied. I didn't think they cared about their old belongings, but they never had a reason to let those things go.
I figured we might run into some more of those unfrenzied freaks here in Vegas since the mist had hit here too, but so far I hadn't had time to examine them. Meg was the only one who would have taken the basket, unless she wasn't alone. That opened up a whole slew of possible problems I didn't want to think about.
Instead, I studied the face of the hotel across the plaza, my eyes constantly scanning for movement. My mind was absorbed with the strange, cookie gifting woman, and I fervently hoped she would make an appearance today.
Joss and Stephanie remained silent. The air in the room seemed to grow thick and awkward, but I didn't feel like mediating. I just wanted to talk to Meg. It didn't help that I had nothing to do to occupy my mind. Playing cards again was completely out of the question.
My impatience seemed to be folding in on itself, doubling my irritation, and the tension made me itch between my shoulder blades. I set the bowl of rice down before I was halfway done and began to pace.
Minutes passed like this before Joss finally cleared his throat and said, "Why don't you go scout around some more? I'll keep watch with Stephanie."
"What if she comes while I'm gone?" I said almost absently, my gaze darting from window to window of the hotel.
Joss came to stand close to me, grabbing both my shoulders and spun me around to face him. "If you don't get out of here, you're going to drive me nuts."
I stared at him blankly for a second before a smile tugged at my lips. I realized I had been stalking back and forth like a caged cat, and he was right. There had been nothing but stress since being captured, and I didn't know what to do with myself now that those burdens had been lifted. Sure, the threat of Reed loomed in my mind, but it was growing fainter as time continued to separate me from the memories.
"I can start looking for a car." I started, and Joss spun me toward the door.
"Excellent." He said. "We'll be right here."
He even opened the door for me and guided me through. I looked back at him to see a wide grin, causing me to purse my lips in irritation. I hadn't been that bad, had I?
Shaking my head, I decided to start my search in the parking garage. The cool morning air brushed my cheeks, and the tightness in my shoulders seemed to melt away. Dire thoughts threatened to creep in and ruin my mood, but I shut those out quickly. At least I had something new to focus on.
Starting across the plaza with a new eagerness, I was halfway to the garage when the door of the hotel opened. My heart leaped into my throat, and I stumbled.
Meg stepped out into the morning light.
~ ~ ~ ~
"Your weapons stay here." Meg said firmly as she held the door open for me. I glanced back at the café, wondering if Joss was seeing this, and decided to move forward. I walked slowly, feeling my heart pounding in my ears as I thumbed the hilt of my knife.
Meg's sparkling green eyes bore into mine as I spoke. "How far are we going?"
"Not far." She shrugged and added with a smile. "You can come back anytime you want."
With one last look over my shoulder at the café, I nodded and began to pull my weapons free. I studied her as I drew closer; surprised to see she was shorter than me. No one was shorter than me. No adult, anyway, but she was definitely my age or older. Her dark hair was cut short, almost boyish, and it curled at the tips. She had a cute round face, and her eyes were so bright they almost glowed in the dim morning light.
It was then that I noticed she was standing at an awkward angle, using her body to block the shotgun she held behind her. She was watching me close and knew the moment I noticed her weapon. One fine eyebrow arched and she shrugged again, a smirk firmly fixed on her face.
"I got us covered." She said as she shifted, aiming the gun at the ground. Quickly weighing my options, I took a deep breath and reluctantly gave her my trust. I stepped through the doorway and laid my knives and revolver on the floor. The skinning knife stayed safely hidden in my boot.
Meg motioned me through the room, and I followed nervously. The lighting was dim, and she kept me walking ahead of her, trailing a couple paces behind me. Looking around curiously as we went, I could make out a few things here and there. One hallway led to a set of stairs only five steps high and beyond that it ended in a draping of heavy, dusty curtains. I thought I stage might lay beyond.
Meg guided me around a corner, and the hallway opened into a massive ballroom. It was musty, dark and full of ghosts. My feet stopped as I stared in awe until Meg motioned me forward again. I took a few clumsy steps as I tried to look at everything at once. Just like the café, this hotel was trapped in a bubble of time. Walking across the big empty floor, our footsteps rang out eerily.
"This is creepy." I said, mostly to myself, but Meg responded.
"You get used to it."
Past the ballroom, she gestured for me to walk down another hallway. This one led to the front of the building judging by the light coming in from the windows. The wall to our right fell away, and I was suddenly staring at rows upon rows of slot machines. I stumbled as I gaped, but was able to keep walking this time. At least until I caught sight of my reflection in a mirror.
; I stared at myself, stunned. My hair. I had gotten used to the lack of weight and the feel of the air on my neck, but I hadn't gotten used to my reflection. Barely just a silhouette, the frizzy mop of hair on my head glared at me from the mirror, and I self-consciously ran my fingers through the short locks.
"New 'do?" Meg said as she walked past me, allowing me at her back for the first time. "You'll get used to that too."
I realized I had been holding my breath and let it out slowly as I trailed behind her. "Yes. I just cut it."
"It's easier to take care of, that's for damn sure." She said over her shoulder as she led me to a couple chairs. They were arranged so the occupants would be sitting face to face, and by the tracks on the dusty tile floor, Meg had recently moved them. The wall of windows and glass doors let in plenty of light. Outside, I could see a huge fountain. No water remained, although it didn't seem deep enough to have drowned any freaks, and there were plenty of those milling around. I guess the frenzy call hadn't reached this side of the building.
I was pulling on a short strand of hair when Meg flopped down on one of the chairs. A cloud of dust rolled up, despite her cleaning efforts, and Meg coughed as she waved her hand in front of her face until it dissipated. Then her eyebrow lifted, and she pointed at the other chair. "Sit."
I sat, but slower than she had. Even taking care to avoid a dust cloud, I held my breath, and didn't release it until I was settled. Meg stared at me, unblinking, and my nervousness rushed back in.
"I haven't spent much time in this building, but I did get the bottom floor cleared out. I'm telling you this so you know it's not safe to bring... Stephanie over here." There was an uncertain pause, but Meg smiled at the surprise on my face.
"How did you know her name?" I stuttered before I could stop myself. Meg gave me a considering look, the smile fixed on her lips, but then she nodded as if to herself.
"She wrote me a note. Joss delivered it in the basket." Her smile widened, and I could only stare at her blankly. She knew us, had been watching us, and I only knew her name. She laughed. "And I met Joss when he was poking around in the garage. You guys aren't very respectful of boundaries."
The Phoenix Curse (Book 3): After Page 12