The room erupted with sounds of disgust.
Vincent snapped at one of his employees, and the scene changed to the main street of his park. President McAdams looked around, urging his team to be quiet with a stern look.
“Not a pleasant sight, ladies and gentlemen, but a stark reminder of what we are trying to accomplish here today,” Vincent began. He had their attention now. “Monsterland was created with the help of President McAdams and his administration to prevent the spread of the virus, as well as protect the entire population of the United States.” The room quieted as the guests listened with rapt interest. “By nature, we are curious creatures. I myself used my natural interest to discover werewolves. Using my resources, I captured them all and have brought them to the various parks to prevent them from rampaging our communities.”
Carter smirked. He hadn’t heard of any rampaging werewolves. Apparently, they had been in the Everglades for eons and had lived unnoticed by the rest of society. Lie one, he began his count.
Vincent continued. “Vampires have lived among us, on the fringe of society, for a long time, but their disregard for our values has made them a menace as well as a nuisance. Their wholesale thirst to corrupt our youth had to be stopped and stopped fast. No country is safe from those vermin.”
Carter caught Jessup’s face and rolled his eyes. Vamps had lived peacefully among the population for years. They didn’t bother us, and we didn’t bother them, he thought. They were dying out now, having trouble adding to their numbers. It was against the law to make someone a vampire, the punishment swift and terrible. Only the occasional disenfranchised teenagers found themselves sucking blood, but, generally, it had been brought under control years ago. While they were known to prey on people intent to join their ranks, usually they were turned into drones and released when the blood drawing stopped. Carter shook his head. If you didn’t give them an excuse to find a disengaged person, they eventually moved on elsewhere. With the exception of Melvin’s mother, Carter couldn’t think of another person he knew who had joined them. She ended up in Antarctica anyway.
“That brings us to the zombies.”
“The vitality challenged,” President McAdams corrected. “We don’t like the other term.”
“Of course.” Vincent smiled. “The vitality challenged presented a big, expensive burden to the country as well as the world.”
“We are working on a cure,” the president said to the room at large, his hands outstretched with assurance.
“Indeed, we are.” The doctor took over. “Having them here kills two birds with one stone. You see”—he directed this to the Asian diplomats—“making them available in a safe environment is better for the entire population. Now people can see them safely. Even though their camps were high in the mountains, pesky interlopers would go there to investigate and, sadly, were infected, making more people at risk. Here.” He pointed to a monitor. “We wear protective suits. We can study them, and people can see them without running the risk of bringing the infection home.”
The room broke out with sounds of approval. Carter grudgingly admitted that Vincent trumped him there. He couldn’t find fault with his logic—except he disapproved of making a freak show from people who were ill.
The screens filled with faces of excited crowds clamoring to gain entrance.
Vincent gestured to the eager faces. “You see, ladies and gentlemen, with the help of the government, we have eliminated the danger, created a place to study and alleviated the suffering of these beasts, and, perhaps—” He paused for effect. “—we might even find that cure.”
The room burst into applause. McAdams came forward, a warm smile on his face, to shake Vincent’s hand. “The people of the United States trust both their government and Dr. Vincent Conrad.”
Carter White exchanged a glance with Jessup. He didn’t vote for this president, and he sure as hell didn’t trust Vincent Conrad. “I thought we had a measure of freedom of choice?” he said out the side of his mouth to his friend.
“Majority rules?” Jessup shrugged.
“What majority?” Carter asked.
The president continued. “The government stands behind Vincent Conrad and Monsterland as a window to the future to preserve and protect the good people of these United States and the world.”
This time the room erupted with cheers. Vincent leaned forward to whisper something into the president’s ear. They shared a private smile.
Carter turned to Jessup. “I’ll bet you a week’s salary that he’s not sharing campaign secrets.”
Jessup nodded grimly. They both watched Vincent escort the president out of the room.
CHAPTER 14
Their feet echoed in the tunnel; they ran faster, Melvin and Josh laughing nervously. It seemed to go on forever. Wyatt eyed several doors built into the wall, small lit signs above, designating them as Staff Only. There were no doorknobs, he noted, simply a small red light with a keypad next to the almost-invisible door.
The tunnel abruptly ended, opening to a platform with all of Monsterland spread out below them. An opaque glass dome loomed over one of the attractions, but Wyatt wasn’t sure which one it was. The air was controlled by huge blowers that kept it circulating. It felt like it was a steady seventy-five degrees. The noise of the mass of people below swelled up to them. Melvin took out his cell and took a video of the crowd. He saw Josh was busy taking pictures as well. Piped-in music played on an audio system, sounding like soothing white noise. There was a large town square with three paths leading to the attractions. The village was a parody of any Main Street in small-town America, but, instead of pastel buildings and red brick, it was dilapidated warehouses covered with graffiti. A mist rose off the dirty cobbles. Many of the windows sported large spider webs of cracked glass, doors hung drunkenly, and roofs looked patched. Vendors in garish costumes walked the streets with black and red balloons, masks, toy weapons, but no food. The street was filled with ubiquitous small boutique stores stocked with more products to purchase. There was a huge, dark glass wall lining one whole side. It read commissary, and Wyatt knew it opened in intervals, so people could go in to eat. It was sealed after it filled, so odors couldn’t get out. No food was permitted in the park. The “acts” were fed regulated food and were not allowed anything else. His phone pinged with several messages. He looked at them. Jade asked for them to join their group on the line at the Werewolf River Run. Howard Drucker still hadn’t told him where he was.
“The Werewolf River Run,” Melvin said reverently.
“I want to do Zombieville, right, Wy? Don’t you want to see the zombies first?”
Wyatt gripped the railing, feeling small, insignificant next to the vastness of the park. How had they built this so quickly and without anyone realizing the scope of the whole thing, he wondered. He ran to the end of the balcony. His phone buzzed again. This time Jade texted a message telling him to look straight ahead. In the distance, he could make out the small figure of Jade waving for him to come join them at the River Run. She was jumping up and down, her arms in the air like a cheerleader. They were standing in a long line that seemed to stretch all the way into the recesses of the park. He squinted, watching Nolan separate from the group. He ran toward the mezzanine. Nolan emerged from the crowd, jogging over toward the balcony. His face was red, and he was breathless.
“Come on down; we’ve been waiting for you!” he shouted. “Didn’t you get our text?” he demanded hotly.
“Where’s everybody?”
Nolan shrugged. “Who cares. Jade and I are in the queue to get onto the line for the Werewolf River Run. It’s a two-hour wait. You can use that special pass to get us in the VIP line.”
Wyatt looked at the black rubber band on his wrist.
“Where’s the escalator?” Josh searched the landing.
“I don’t see a way to get down,” Melvin called as he ran ahead.
Wyatt eyed thick stainless steel poles that were planted every thirty feet. “There’s n
o way down.” He reached out to touch the smooth metal. “Except for these.”
“Holy crap!” Josh lifted himself onto the railing. “I love this place. Incoming!” he shouted, wrapping his arms around the pole and sliding to the bottom.
Wyatt cursed and then hefted himself over the rail, his palms heating under the friction as he slid down the tall pole. He heard Melvin screeching from the next pole.
Melvin had a messy landing. He turned to Nolan and demanded, “Which way is it?”
Nolan laughed. “That way, you freak.”
Wyatt landed at the base. Josh waited until Wyatt’s feet touched the concrete before he raced off, following the painted boards indicating the way to the werewolf flume ride. He stood close to the metal pole, the crowd closing in on him. From this vantage point, he couldn’t see Jade anymore. The line had grown even longer, eager people talking excitedly about the attractions. Nolan impatiently pulled his arm.
“Come on. Jade’s waiting for us.”
They dodged crowds, running on the uneven cobbles. Melvin disappeared around a bend, and the other three boys followed. Wyatt walked alongside Nolan, who kept the pace brisk. People in Halloween-like costumes roamed the streets, laughing like it was Fat Tuesday in New Orleans. The only things missing were food and drinks.
It was a maze of rutted paths, buildings squeezed together from different centuries, as if they were plopped down by giant hands. Sagging wrought iron balconies sported women dressed like a collection of vampires and zombies in different outfits spanning the centuries, from ancient Rome, to Tudor times, to twentieth-century flappers. It was a bizarre assortment that jarred the nerves. Windows were jammed with merchandise, hawkers standing outside, their zombie makeup running from the heat of the bright lights overhead. It was a kaleidoscope of sounds and colors, as if they rode a merry-go-round at breakneck speed. Guards stood every few feet, their emotionless faces revealing nothing. While they did seem robotic, Wyatt had a sense of peace knowing they were there. Josh ran to a large glass case that displayed a four-foot-long handle with a shiny silver axe at the top.
“Look at that!” he crowed.
“They have them installed at the end of every building.” Melvin observed with awe. “He’s thought of everything. A silver axe can take out a vampire, zombie, or werewolf.”
“And a human,” Wyatt added grimly.
“Why would you even say that,” Nolan snapped.
“Take a picture of me.” Melvin mugged a pose by the axe.
“Are you twelve?” Wyatt asked, thinking of Jade waiting at the end of the line. Melvin could be such a baby.
Wyatt turned his attention to the passing scenery.
The buildings thinned, turning into a wide lane with dense brush intruding. City sounds receded, replaced by bird calls and the piped-in sound of banjos playing in the distance. Water bubbled, but Wyatt saw nothing beyond the line of eager people waiting like a giant anaconda stretching along the winding road. Soon the concrete was replaced by a dirt road. To the right he saw a giant glass dome with multifaceted windows. They slowed their progress, stopping when they saw the muted figure of a man skitter across the glass.
“Did you see that?”
“What?” Wyatt asked.
“Something was in there,” Josh said, pointing to the dome.
“It’s the werewolves; they’re isolated behind the glass.” Nolan pulled a map from his back pocket. “See that big tube?” He pointed to a thick pipe that wrapped around the side of the dome. “It’s a feeding chute. There’s a silo back there filled with blood and guts. It goes directly into the zombie town.”
“Wow,” Josh craned his neck to look at the long pipe.
They all traced the destination of the pipe to find it penetrating a huge gate at the north end of the park. They could make out the armored mesh the employees wore at that exhibit.
“Wy!” Josh jumped up, pointing. “The zombies, bro. They’re right behind that wall.”
Wyatt looked at the fortress longingly and then back to where Jade waited for them. He shook his head. “We have all night. Let’s go on the River Run.”
“You still have that invitation thing?” Nolan asked.
Wyatt nodded.
“I want to see it.”
Wyatt took the folded square, handing it to Nolan.
“I bet you it’s skin,” Nolan said with admiration.
Wyatt dropped it into Nolan’s eager hands.
“Can’t be.” He shook his head. “It’s probably synthetic.” Wyatt looked at the uneven texture.
“Skin!” Josh shouted. “Ew, look, hair.”
They all peered closer. The parchment’s uneven border ended in a delicate fray. Wyatt touched it, feeling the coarse bristle of hair. “You keep it.” He shoved it to Nolan. “It’s probably a pig skin.”
“Well, I love me some pig skins.” Nolan laughed. “Thanks, man. I owe you one.” Nolan bunched it up to put it in his pocket.
“Where’s Jade?” Wyatt asked, changing the subject. He wanted to find a place to wash his hands. They itched where they’d touched the fur. He felt disoriented. Nothing made sense in the park. He had been to loads of theme parks and county fairs. This place was set up as though the planners threw down a bunch of swerved lines and named them as streets. And tickets to those parks were made from paper, plain old paper. Wyatt looked back at the main area of the park, feeling uneasy he was being led somewhere he shouldn’t be going.
“Creepy, right?”
Wyatt jumped when Nolan came too close behind him. He moved away. He watched his brother run down the lane, screaming, “Come on, Wy!”
Nolan laughed. “Yeah, come on, Wy.”
He looked at Nolan, wondering why he was being so nice.
“Jade wasn’t happy about being left behind. She’s a real scaredy-cat.”
It was full-on night now—the moon hung low in the sky, its round face mocking them. The LED street lamps were on, dusting everything in an orange haze. Its bright light cast an odd glow on people’s features, making their eyes disappear into the shadows of their faces. He thought about Jade waiting in that line and picked up his pace.
Wyatt let Nolan propel him through the crowd knowing Jade would be at the destination.
Jade stood in the middle of a long maze held in place by metal stanchions. Nolan screamed her name while he waved his arm. She squeezed past the tightly packed people to run to them.
“How do you like it?” she asked, her face scrunched, indicating she wasn’t thrilled.
Wyatt pursed his lips, and something passed between him and Jade. He felt her small hand touch his fingers and squeeze them gently. He looked down at her, but Nolan interrupted him.
“Look, you can say Jade is Melvin’s guest, and I’ll go as yours. Otherwise we’re going to have to wait an hour and a half to get on this.” He looked around. “Where is that idiot?”
“I’m not going back there; you go be Melvin’s guest,” Jade said mutinously.
Wyatt scanned the crowd. “I don’t see him. Josh, let him walk next to you.”
Wyatt took Jade by the arm and started walking briskly toward the entrance of the ride.
Nolan moved quickly, matching their strides so they walked shoulder to shoulder down a winding path toward a short yellow fence designating the VIP section.
They saw Melvin eagerly waiting at the end where seven passenger boats pulled up, loading the awaiting patrons. The flat-bottom crafts were painted bright green with yellow canopies fringed along the top.
“That looks charming,” Jade said.
“Looks are deceiving.” Melvin turned to face them. He was chewing something.
“What are you eating?” Wyatt whispered fiercely.
“Charleston Chews.” Melvin’s teeth were covered with melting marshmallow, and his breath smelled of chocolate.
“You can’t eat here.”
“Stop being an old lady. They feed the werewolves until they’re in a stupor. They probably drug the
m too.”
“You don’t know that,” Wyatt responded
“Of course he does. He’d be stupid not to. Besides, they eat meat. They don’t care about chocolate,” Nolan told him loftily.
The attendant turned to look suspiciously at the boys, who clammed up. “Just get in the boat,” Melvin whispered.
The boat dipped in the swampy water as they entered. The attendant helped Jade to the last row of seats on the bobbing craft, directing Wyatt to follow her. Nolan cursed but entered the middle row with Josh. Jade paused, looking back at Wyatt, and then moved only halfway to the end, so that she was squeezed up against Wyatt. Melvin was at the bow. Nolan twisted to look at Wyatt and Jade, his face tight, his eyes narrowed to slits. He watched Wyatt, who gulped convulsively. It lasted for a long minute, and, when he finally turned around, Wyatt wondered who scared him more, the monsters in the park or Nolan. The quarterback swung his arm over the seat, letting his hand rest possessively on Jade’s knee. Jade’s face grew red, and she moved her legs restlessly, but Nolan’s hand stayed. The gears hitched and then groaned; the boat pulled away from the dock. A guide jumped onto the stern, standing slightly above them on a block. He held a mic in his hand and began the ride with a bored attitude. He fixed a bush hat on his head, and his khaki uniform had both a werewolf and the Monsterland logo on the pocketed chest. He advised them to belt themselves in. To Jade’s obvious relief, the tight fit of the constraints forced Nolan to reluctantly remove his hand.
“Doctor Vincent Conrad has long had a fascination with monsters. Funding the Everglade expedition with his own money, he expected to search and find Bigfoot, or, as it is known in Native American folklore, Sasquatch.”
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