“Hey, Vics, are you doing okay?” It’s John, he’s letting the others run off to get food. It’s embarrassing that she needs to be babysat. “Is it the thing?”

  “It’s nothing. I’m just overreacting. You don’t need to worry about me.”

  “Yeah, right. You were spacing out, Vics. Your face tells me that something is on your mind.”

  “You’re going to keep digging, aren’t you?”

  “I’m not the kind of guy that gives up easily. If there’s something wrong, I want to help you. Even if you want to punch me in the face.” John stands directly across from her, ensuring that her focus is directly on him.

  “You make it very tempting.” Vukosava tries to let the tension go with a ugh. “You have a special gift.”

  “I’m talented. The others are going to be a bit – there’s a lot of stuff all over the pce. We got some time.” John takes her by the shoulder guiding her towards some churros. “Now, these are perfect for a deep discussion.”

  They sit down with their deserts in hand.

  “Well?”

  “Well, what?”

  “Do you want to spill?”

  Vukosava cannot stall forever, she bows her head in admittance. “I’ve been feeling off – even since Kingsgrove. I’m on edge, something is coming but I have no idea on what it is, or the scale of the threat.”

  “You’re right. I figured we’d have a break from all that. It’s not good for our mental health to go from one life threatening situation to another. We’re going to have a mental breakdown if we keep pushing the agenda.” John takes a bite out of his churro, waving it around like a ruler as if he’s pointing to something on a whiteboard. “I know that you want me to be silent on the whole thing. I respect that. But how long do you intend to keep this under wraps?”

  “Are you trying to pressure me, John, into making a decision?”

  “The worst thing that we can do is isote ourselves from other people, we need to face things together as a team. I may not watch a lot of horror movies, but whenever the gang splits up, the monster tends to pick them off super easy.” John offers his st churro to Vukosava with a small smile; he’s doing his best to be a gentleman. It’s hard to believe that someone she couldn’t stand could change so much. She takes hold of his hand, squeezing it gently.

  “I understand what you’re saying and I appreciate it. Every word. But, John, I’m connected to entities that paranormal investigators talk to through spirit boxes. I need to understand what I’m dealing with. If I throw this on the group now – it’ll ruin this event that you’ve pnned for us. You want to give us a break from life threatening situations; I’m all for it.”

  “I want everyone to enjoy it.” John fixes his gaze on hers. “You’re on that list too.”

  Vukosava smiles. “I appreciate being special, I really do. Let me deal with this first, then I’ll talk about it.”

  “I’m guessing you’ll stick to it.” John nods slowly. “Very well. We may as well shake on it.”

  He holds out the churro, and they break it in half. The moment passes and for a moment, Vukosava can feel a sense of calm settle over her. Harley, Nathen, Amber and James turn up with their food in hand.

  “I have to say, Johnny, you’ve outdone yourself.” James pipes up. “There’s a lot of interesting pces around. They got a new round of dancers coming through.”

  “A much more entertaining bunch than the goths at the expo.” Harley snorts. “They got voodoo dolls in prams, or some shit.”

  “We’re not poking that nest; I’ve personally had enough of the dark and macabre.” Nathen’s brow furrows. “I don’t want to run into any of them.”

  “We’ll give it a wide berth.” John concludes for everyone. “If you can sense trouble, then there’s no reason to feel it either.”

  The group turns their back on the expo. The further they move away; the tingling sensation starts to filter out. It’s like Vukosava can breathe comfortably again. She almost feels normal. The live lion dancing is quite exquisite; it’s so graceful and free flowing. A captivating dance that keeps them grinning long after its done. Vukosava wants to be normal, a completely conventional, ordinary girl with nothing wrong in the world – but her mind cannot rest. It wants answers and it’s not going to stop until it gets them.

  If there’s one thing she knows for sure, the mess at Duskenveil is far from over. There are other entities on the prowl, the Red Queen, the Lady of Mist, Charles Derhert, Sir Victor Alberius are just a small few. There are other paranormal creatures that could easily go through the portal without much difficulty. The Outer Realms expo is an opportunity for them to gather more power, Vukosava’s mind is going into overdrive. She looks back.

  John takes her by the arm. “C’mon, it’s time to go home.”

  “Yeah, of course.” Vukosava agrees, managing to give a half-hearted chuckle.

  As they make their way back to their uber, the feeling from earlier returns. She can see a dark silhouette making its way through the alleyway to their left. Whatever the future holds in store for the lot of them they’ll face it together – until Vukosava is ready to spill the beans. Shit is going to hit the fan at some point, but she feels ready for it.

  -

  “Well, it seems that the young pup is vigint.” In the alleyway, two figures, one man, one woman are both discussing the event in calm, conversational tones. “This will be interesting, that’s for sure.”

  The dy sighs. “Regardless, we’re not the only ones keeping an eye on her, or the company she keeps.”

  “Good company, they have her back. That’ll be enough for now.”

  “You’ve always been an optimistic sort, Moeris.”

  Moeris straightens. “So, I keep being told. The sort in that expo are part of something bigger.”

  “You’re suspicious of them?” The dy remarks.

  “Yes. But it’s not that simple. The one pulling strings, the one that set the Lady of Mist free. It’s active – it means to exploit this expo. The tragedies that occurred nearby.” The man remains firmly on his original point. “The dogmen would not have gotten free on their own either.”

  “Who would you accuse?”

  “It’s not safe to discuss it here – after all we were sent to keep an eye on the young wolf.”

  “What do you think he’ll say?” The dy asks.

  “The threat draws near. He’s a warrior after all.”

  Moeris turns away from her, signifying that the conversation is over.

  -

  They’re getting close to their base of operations. John is in the lead.

  “Now, do you guys have any guesses?”

  James tilts his head to the side. “I’m guessing gothic castles and keeps are out the window. I don’t want to go into any of those shithouses anytime soon.”

  Harley agrees quickly, firing off an answer quick as lightening. “So, it’ll be some dingy house with failed exorcisms and a dark history with a pentagram in the basement – going on about demon worshippers. Sacrificing goats and children to their dark patron. That’s got to be it.”

  “Man, you guys are not holding back.” John whistles. “I got something good lined up. It’ll blow your socks off literally and figuratively.”

  Nathen rubs his chin thoughtfully. “I’m guessing it’s not in the forest or some cave. With a supposed witch doing incantations or a misunderstood figure that got vilinized by the local community. My guess would be an area that’s more mainstream – like a hotel. A haunted room that’s been closed for years on end with the caretakers hearing scratches and whispers on the other end.”

  “What about you, Amber? You got anything?”

  Amber takes a moment to consider what everyone’s put forward. “Those are some really good guesses. I was thinking of an artist’s lodge – paintings, sculptures, other creative works being marked by the artistes.”

  “I guess we know what we’re hitting in the future. That leaves you, Vukosava, what’d you reckon it is?”

  Vukosava contemptes this question quietly. What could this mystery location be like? It’s not going to be in the city, but it’s not going to be so far out that they’re in the wilderness. That’s the conclusion that she can draw from John’s reaction to each query.

  “I was thinking of a ranch – there can be a lot of activity in pces like that.”

  “A ranch – not a bad guess. What I’ve got in store for you; dies and gentlemen is a theme park!”

  It takes a moment for it to click.

  “Shut up, you’re being serious?” Harley ughs. “That’s a pretty good choice, not going to lie.”

  “It’s a change of pace, that’s good enough for me.” James is giving Nathen a high five.

  Amber sighs happily. “Can we get tickets for the rides?”

  John scoffs. “I wish. I’d love to go on a giant swing. I have a thing for having my life on the line, and also nearly losing my lunch.”

  “When are we going to this wonderous theme park?” Vukosava asks neutrally.

  “After breakfast we roll out.” John is bubbling with excitement, taken up by his own hype for this event. “We get down to the carpark, set ourselves in – there’s a room down there in the main administration building where we can sleep. It’s got a lock and key, plus a security feature by the owners for our safety. Being cameras and arms – plus strong Wi-Fi.”

  “Honestly, John, people are the least of our worries. You still have your ridiculous bat, right?”

  “Yeah, yeah, I keep it strapped on me.”

  “Look, we’re not braining someone to death with a bat, that’s a bad PR move right there.” Harley flicks her hand at John. “I don’t need that on top of the stuff that’s already happened.”

  “So, what do you know about this pce, John?” Vukosava prompts him.

  “It’s from the greatest generation; it was a small ground initially. Before it started getting some grants, the original family that opened the pce started bringing in the old cssics. In the theme park game, you could call them traditionalists.” John flops down on the couch. “They got an old rollercoaster, carnival games – you know the ones with the clowns.”

  “I think I get the picture. We’ll be safe?”

  “Oh yeah, we’ll be safe. I have triple checked everything.” John swears adamantinely.

  “You’re sounding more and more like Vukosava.” Harley points out with a snort.

  “I want this to be fun. I guess you’d call it like the old days.”

  Nathen smirks. “I for one am looking forward to this.”

  The rest of the group gives their consensus.

  “Now, with that over and done with. Does anyone want to watch a movie?”

  “What kind of movie? I’m going to be pcing heavy scrutiny on you if you say one of those creepy romance movies.” Harley points a threatening finger at John.

  “A lot of those guys should get restraining orders – that’s what doesn’t make sense.” Nathen sits down on the carpet, stretching out his legs.

  As they continue to discuss their options for a movie, Vukosava retreats to her room, excusing herself.

  This is normal, nothing dramatic, nothing traumatic. Just an ordinary night with friends. The theme park will be a nice break from everything. She should be jumping for joy, over the moon for this opportunity to go out and experience something new together. Yet the anxiety is still there.

  “You want to join us, Vics, it’s getting to the good part.” Amber walks in with a kind voice.

  “I’m just really tired, I hope you enjoy it.”

  “Good night, Vukosava.”

  “You too, Amber.”

  Vukosava lies down in the dark, hearing the credits run to the end of the movie. The group is ughing at it. She wants life to be easy, to be harmless and fun. Vukosava thinks to herself, I should just rip the bandage off. That is the most straightforward thing to do – stop unnecessary pain by spilling early. But this is something that needs to figure out on her own.