Dark Ride (5 page)

“Look, this is stupid.”

“We need to go, the Carnahans are expecting us.” Mason sneaks over to the window and drapes his right leg over the ledge. “Come on, Jack.”

The time is come for Jack to decide between enjoying the park or dealing with the guilt. Mason is already out of sight.
Okay,
Jack says to himself,
let's do this.
The decision has been made, the plan is back on.

Jack looks down at the backpack and quickly replaces the removed items before slinging it over his shoulder.

Someone knocks on his door.

“Jack, Jack. What's going on in there?” asks Blair.

Chapter 10

Jack panics. Rushing over to the window, he unlatches the ladder.

“Umph.”

A quick glance out the window by Jack reveals Mason lying in an awkward pile upon the lawn.

“Who are you talking to in there?”

“Who's talking?” If he does not open the door soon, Blair will ruin the whole thing. He sees Chuck in the bed. After yanking the sheets over the dummy, he knows he has to position himself in front of his sister. She cannot enter the room or else he is busted.

“Jack, you're up to something.”

“You always think that.”

Opening the door, Jack tries to force any remnant of guilt from his face.

“Now what do you want?” Jack asks.

“Who were you talking to?”

Jack sees the phone in her hand. “Who are you talking to?”

“No one.”

“Then me neither.”

“I'm not an idiot.”

“Debatable.”

“Ha ha. Very funny. Perhaps I should call mom and dad and tell them you have a friend in your room?”

“Oh, now I understand. You heard me talking to Mason.”

“Mason Chick? What's that little troublemaker doing here?” Blair attempts to look behind Jack, but Jack, equally as tall, maneuvers to block her view.

“He was on the phone, Blair.”

Jack knows that he must draw her attention away from the room. Jack steps out into the hall, shutting the door behind him. He must draw her away. Jack wants more than anything to check on Mason and escape, but for now, putting Blair's suspicion at ease is top priority. He needs to turn this around.

“Talked to Colton tonight?”

“None of your business.”

“Blair, I will be listening tonight. Mom and dad told me to keep my eye on you,” says Jack, and then he thinks,
This is good.

“They what?”

“You heard me. They think you're going to try something sneaky.”

Jack lures Blair away from the doorway and walks toward the staircase.

In pursuit, Blair trails behind, agitated. “Look, you little toad, for your information, you ruined everything. Because of you, Colton is mad at me.”

“Think he will find another cheerleader to hit on at the mall?'

“You are so full of yourself. You make me so….”

Jack waits for the final words of her insult, but realizes something is wrong. Blair is giving him a suspicious look.

“Jack, what's that backpack for? Are you going somewhere?”

A lump forms in the pit of Jack's throat. He forgot about the backpack draped across his shoulder. He must think fast, but, then again, thinking fast is Jack's forte.

“Oh, this? Well, if I'm going to be stuck in my room for a week, at least I can be comfortable. I don't see why this is any of your business. I'm going downstairs to get some snacks for the prison.”

Jack walks hastily down the steps and into the kitchen, acting out his latest rouse. Blair follows, watching him. He snags a roll of powdered doughnuts and a box of granola bars and places them in the backpack.

“Sure hope things turn out okay with Colton. I would hate to think I'm the reason your latest love connection failed.”

He knows he is milking the whole Colton thing, but it's working. The more he can get Blair focused on her would-be-boyfriend, the less she would wonder what he is up to.

The two siblings walk back up the stairs. Now, Jack puts the final touches on his scheme. “Look the best thing either one of us can do is just stay out of each other's way. I'll be in my room, and you can text whoever you want in yours.”

Pausing at her door, Blair considers the deal and then replies, “That's the smartest thing I think you've ever said, loser.”

Slam
!

Back in his room, Jack pulls the sheet down again, revealing only the head of Chuck. He turns his backpack upside down emptying it of the items he had just grabbed. He slings the pack back over his shoulder and carefully hides the snacks.. He turns off the lights and makes one last survey of his room. He imagines Chuck will do a fine job and tells himself,
Looks like I'm sound asleep
.

Jack makes his way quietly back through the door. From years of sneaking into Blair's room, he knows the exact path to take to avoid any spots in the floor that might squeak beneath him. On tip toes, he walks past Blair's room and hears Coldplay blaring from the stereo.

The escape route is clear. Jack moves through the front door and shuts it with careful precision. Wasting no time, Jack circles the house to the spot beneath his window. Mason is nowhere in sight. Jack risks a hushed call. “Mason?”

“Over here.”

From behind one of the large holly bushes that surround the house Mason is sitting next to the wall ladder crumpled at his feet.

“What happened up there? Did the ladder slip?”

“Blair.”

“Blair did it? She saw—?”

“She didn't see anything. I took care of it. You okay?”

“I'm fine. My ankle twisted and my knee hit me in the chin, but I'm no worse for wear. Next time we sneak out through the window, though, you're going first.” He rubs his jaw. “The bikes are next door in the ditch. Let's go.”

Hunkered down like a hunchback, Mason creeps to the neighbor's lawn. Jack thinks,
Mason is enjoying this a little too much.

Everything is on schedule.

Chapter 11

Jack is plagued with worry from the moment he steps out of his neighbor's yard. Everything had gone smoothly up to this point, but he couldn't help but think that Blair might walk into his room at any minute. He is taking a big risk. He had decided against locking his bedroom door because that would have only heightened suspicion, but now he starts to second guess himself. He knows that the odds of Blair actually going into his room are slim, and consoles himself thinking that even if she does, she would see Chuck and probably be delighted that she could speak freely in her room without worrying about a spy being outside the door. Still, there is always a chance she could blow the whole plan to smithereens.

Wrapped up in his own thoughts, Jack takes little notice that the truck he is in is pulling into Storybook Hollow. As the vehicle stops, though, he hears the familiar sounds of the King Midas Roller Coaster. Waking from his fear, all worry and doubt are gone in an instant. The park is calling to him. The Carnahans had to use two vehicles to transport the party to the park. In addition to Jack and Mason, the Carnahans also have their four children with them: Scotty, age 14; Amy, age 13; and the twins, Abigail and Ashley, age 8. The boys were relegated to Mr. Carnahan's ‘78 Ford pickup while the four girls rode in Mrs. Carnahan's Nissan van.

Jack takes in the sights and the smells. Colored lights are flashing, and the smell of cotton candy is wafting through the air. He is at his home away from home.

Once inside the gate, the Carnahans give final instructions before the boys are allowed to set off on their own.

Mr. Carnahan instructs, “We will meet back here at 9:15, no later, boys. Mason has to get home early.” Houston Carnahan is a tall muscular man with long black hair and a rather intimidating Fu Manchu mustache. He is the polar opposite of his son, to whom he adds, “Scotty, call us if you need us. Make sure your phone is off vibrate. You never answer it unless you hear it. We are probably going to be spending most of the night over in the kiddie area.”

With the speech over, the boys know it's time to conquer the park. But as they turn to go in the opposite direction toward the roller coaster, Mr. Carnahan gives one last order, “And Scotty, Amy is going with you guys.”

Upon hearing these last words, Scotty drops his mouth in shock and Mason casts an angry look at Jack while slamming his left fist into his open right hand. Jack can only nervously brush his bangs up from his eyes as
he's made uncomfortable by Mason's obvious irritation. The news flash has the opposite effect on Amy, however, and the girl smiles.

Scotty voices the protest. “Dad, why?”

“Because Amy is old enough now and we are not going to force her to ride kiddie rides with the twins all night.”

“Oh man,” Mason confides to Jack. “Are they serious? She'll ruin everything.”

Seeing the reaction of his crew, Jack decides to act as if this bothers him as well. The truth of the matter is that Jack has no problem with Amy. He has always gotten along fine with her.

As Amy extends her arm to get a few extra dollars from her dad, the three companions have a council. Mason makes sure Amy is out of earshot and then says, “Oh man, I can't believe that tonight, our last night, we're gonna to have to deal with a tag along.” His agitated voice gives way to a sinister grin. “Okay boys, we're going to have to ditch her.”

“Ditch Amy? I can't do that. My parents will kill me.”

“No, Scotty, we have too. We can't let her screw up the plan. Remember, we are here for the props. Right, Jack?”

“Uh…yeah, right.”

“Okay, but if I get in hot water over this….”

“You'll what, Scotty?” challenges the taller Mason.

“Oh, never mind. You're right.”

“Look, the hall of mirrors will be the perfect place. We can ride the roller coaster and the Dutch Swings, then we lose her in the hall.” Mason waits for acknowledgement from the other boys.

“Okay,” Scotty says and nods in agreement.

Jack thinks,
She would be a hindrance to the plan, but it's just so mean.
“Jack?”

“Yeah, I guess.”

“Okay then.”

As Amy approaches, the boys break their huddle.

Walking next to Jack, a quiet almost apologetic voice escapes from the girl. “Jack, I know you guys would rather be alone.”

“No, it's cool,” Jack lies.

“No really, I had no idea my dad would let me go with y'all tonight.”

“Really, it's cool, Amy.”

“Thanks for saying that, Jack, but I don't think Mason and Scotty are cool with it.”

“Never mind them, they'll get over it,” he lies again.

“I really wanted to come with you guys. I mean, I don't think I could have taken another night of riding those mindless kiddie rides. They are all the same—‘round and ‘round in a circle. You can ride on the back of a dragon, ‘round and ‘round, or there is the excitement of riding in a police car, ‘round and ‘round.”

“Amy, it's all right, you're not a kid anymore.” Jack watches as the tense smile loosens on the girl's face.

Without saying one word to her, Mason and Scotty start walking to the far side of the park where the rickety old wooden roller coaster, King Midas, dwells.

“Awesome—no line. Let's you and I sit up front, Scotty,” Mason, wild with excitement, blurts as he runs ahead of them.

Mason and Scotty high-tail it through the queue.

Amy tells Jack, “I guess you're stuck riding with the tag along.”

“Amy, really, it's okay. You don't have to apologize all night. You want to sit behind the guys?”

“Sure.”

The park is nearly empty: only a hundred or so people are there. This surprises Jack, who wonders,
Don't people want to say goodbye to the park?

Jack pulls the iron bar down and anticipates the slow climb up the first incline.

“You know, I've never ridden King Midas before,” Amy confesses.

“Are you serious? All the times you've been here and….”

“Nope, never.”

“Well hold on tight.”

For years, Jack had found himself playing peacemaker between Mason, Scotty, and Amy. The two boys were merciless in their abuse of her. Jack wouldn't have been able to explain why he never felt like joining in, since it wasn't like he had any love for girls. After all, his own relationship with Blair is downright ugly. Still, he could not help but feel a little sympathy for shy Amy.

“This is the best view in all of Cassidy Falls,” Jack proclaims.

He watches with interest as Amy ducks her head, ready for the first big drop.

Jack grins. He likes this. Something about the vulnerability intrigues him.

Whoosh
,
whisp
,
zoom
!

A knot in Jack's stomach tickles him as they plummet down the hills and whizz around corners. Amy is laughing and no longer seems intimidated by the thrill ride.

“Isn't this great?” Jack yells.

After another corkscrew and a quick plummet, the voyage is over. It's only taken 30 seconds, but they have enjoyed every last twist.

“That was great! You guys wanna ride again?” asks Amy, who is excited by the thought.

“Nope, Amy. We have a tradition here. Now we go on to the Dutch Swings.” Mason points to the next destination just ahead.

“That was a blast, Jack. I can tell tonight is going to be great.”

The other two boys are up ahead. A twinge of guilt rises somewhere within Jack. He hesitates and then says, “Yep, we're going to have fun.” But, he thinks,
At least three of us are
, with a hint of disappointment in himself.

Chapter 12

Just outside of the Hall of Mirrors Mason pulls Jack towards him. “Just follow our lead.” From the corner of his eyes, Jack watches as Scotty distracts Amy.

“All right, Jack, we only have one shot at this. We all know the place pretty well. You hang back a little behind Amy with Scotty and me when we get about halfway in. When she climbs through the spinning tunnel, we all high-tail it back to the entrance and go to the Enchanted Forrest without her.”

Mason waits for confirmation from Jack.

Hesitantly, Jack nods.

“Jack, what's gotten into you? You are with us, right?”

“Sure, I'm with you.” Even as he says the words, Jack knows he does not want the plan to work. It seems a little cruel to him, and he's really not minding Amy's company.

Scotty calls to the other boys. “You guys ready?”

The companions move to the front doors. “After you, mi-lady,” Mason says with more than a little deceptiveness in his voice.

Stopping at mirror after mirror, they enjoy the various reflections the mirrors cast.

At one particular mirror, Scotty laughs at how stumpy the mirror makes Amy look.

“Gosh, Amy, you look like a hobbit.”

“Thanks, Scotty, these mirrors are supposed to do that.”

“I know, but you look ridiculous,” Scotty giggles.

“Knock it off.”

Jack wonders,
Is Amy upset? Surly she knows Scotty is only kidding? She did look kind of funny—everyone did.
Still, Jack cannot deny that in spite of whatever she looked like in the mirror, Amy Carnahan is one very cute girl. As soon as the thought pops into his head, he chastises himself, thinking,
Where did that come from? That's it, one step over the line.
I'm actually checking out Scotty's little sis.
Gross, Jack, she's practically your sister, too.
But, try as he might to force the attraction out of his mind, he is defenseless against the new line of thought. It's like he's seeing her in a whole new light. He tells himself,
This is the girl who was obsessed with Barbie dolls and tea parties not four years ago. Now she's attractive?
Stop it Jack
, but then has to reconsider,
No, Amy Carnahan has become a babe
. His attention is now focused on the girl. He can't take his eyes off her. He watches her closely and soon gathers that something is wrong. Her demeanor has changed. She's obviously avoiding the mirrors. Jack wonders if Scotty's insult bothered her that much? Although Jack will admit that he does not understand the opposite sex—by a longshot—he knows it has something to do with the way she feels about herself.

Jack's psychoanalysis comes to a halt when Mason blurts out, “Looks like were coming to the middle of the hall. We can only go through the spinning tunnel one at a time. Amy, you go first.” Looking to make sure the others are behind him, Mason holds up a hand, signaling for the two boys to stop.

This is it
, Jack realizes,
This is where we are supposed to run.

“Oh man, I can't keep my balance,” Amy says while laughing.

Jack hears Amy's words as the blurring figure of Mason runs past him with Scotty hot on his heels. Now it is his turn to run. He half-heartedly follows.

The boys clear a couple of rooms. They can hear Amy calling to them just over the piped in music. “Guys, where are you?”

“She'll be on to us soon,” Mason calls, ducking past an overweight man in a loud Hawaiian shirt.

Jack decides it's time to act. He refuses to allow this to go down. Hanging back slightly, Jack executes a dramatic trip.

“Oww!” he calls in fake pain.

Scotty immediately turns upon hearing Jack's staged yelp. Scotty doubles back to Jack.

“I'm fine. Just tripped, that's all. I might have turned an ankle or something. I was in such a rush…man, I am such a klutz.” By now Mason has rejoined the two.

“You tripped?” asks Mason, giving Jack a questioning eye.

Jack wonders,
Does Mason suspect?
He continues his charade, though, and says, “Sorry, guys. Let me get up and see if I can walk.” Using all of his acting skills perfected by playing Col. Von Trapp in his fourth grade presentation of
Sound of Music
, Jack hobbles to his feet. “Looks like I am good to go, let's get to the exit before—”

Amy, panting, has caught up to the boys. “What are you guys doing? Are you trying to ditch me or something?”

Thinking fast and not wanting to bust his friends, Jack makes quick reply. “Uh, no, we just decided to go on to the Enchanted Forrest. Mason here was getting nauseous with all the mirrors and stuff, so we decided to get out of here fast before he barfs. We were going to wait for you outside.”

“Yeah, I am feeling a little light-headed,” lies Mason.

Pacified, Amy walks out through the entrance with Scotty. Mason grabs Jack's arm, slowing him down so they can talk. “Great, Jack, just great. You just tripped, huh?”

“Yeah, I don't know why.”

“Look, I don't know what's going on with you, but you are the reason we are going to have to drag her with us into the Forrest. All I know is that she better not keep me from getting my prop. We have a deal, right?”

“Yep, no one is going to stop us.” Jack tries to sound as positive as possible. He is not completely sure, but he has to be careful with Mason, who suspects things too often.

“If she gets in the way and we get busted, I am going to tell everyone who will listen that this whole plan was your idea. You know Scotty will back me up. Try not to…trip…again.”

Now he is sure Mason is on to him. Jack knows he better come through tonight.