Dark Ride by Iain Rob Wright

Author:Iain Rob Wright [Wright, Iain Rob]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: iainrobwright.com
Published: 2019-05-11T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter Fourteen

AJ heard screaming, but it wasn’t enough to make him move. He was transfixed on the spot where he was sure – positive – that the animatronic druid had stood. They had all seen it. Ashley had touched its face.

He’s so lifelike.

But now it was gone.

The screaming in the next room continued as Greg and Ashley no doubt went at one another. Breaking up even. AJ couldn’t believe it. His friends. But Greg and Ashley’s relationship problems were not his chief concern right now.

What had happened to the druid?

Was it another of Greg’s pranks? Where had he taken it? And when?

The screaming continued. It had been going on too long now to ignore. His mind conjured images of Greg beating on Ashley, or Ashley raking Greg’s eyes. It was too much to bear.

AJ finally got moving. He stepped back into the other room and saw the others gathered around the campfire. It wasn’t Greg and Ashley screaming at one another, but everyone screaming together and at once.

AJ hurried to Samantha’s side and shook her. “What is it?”

She glanced at him but didn’t seem to see him. Her eyes were open wide and staring right past him. Eventually, she was able to nod in the direction of the fishing boats. Look.

AJ turned. The light from the lanterns only just reached the fishing boats, which was why his eyes detected only shapes and shadows at first. Nothing easily, immediately identifiable. Just movement. It took him a while to realise he was watching rats scurrying. Hundreds of them. The rodents lined up along the edge of the platform, almost like they were queuing to go on the ride. Except they were facing the wrong way. They were facing AJ and the others. The light reflected off their beady black eyes like a night full of stars.

“W-What do they want?” Ashley managed to ask. She clutched her heavy camera as though it were a shield.

It was Ben who answered. “Th-They’re rats. The only thing they care about is eating and shagging.”

“They ain’t doing either one to me,” said Greg.

The rats didn’t move. They just perched on their back feet, watching like sentries. Would they attack? If they did, there was enough of them to create a swarm. AJ’s mind whirled, trying to answer the question of whether or not people had ever been eaten alive by rats. His rational mind kept shouting no. Another part of him whispered more horrifying answers.

“Everyone, back up slowly,” said Greg. “I think we’re being told to leave. This is clearly their turf.”

They began to shuffle for the exit, but a sudden clunk made them stop.

“Guys, I’m stuck!” The small front wheel of Ben’s chair had wedged against the wine bottle Greg had kicked across the floor.

“Hold on, let me help.” Carefully, AJ knelt and removed the bottle.

“Thanks. Been a really nice weekend, man. We’ll have to do this again.”

AJ nodded, not knowing what else to do. The rats were still standing in a line. They could have been puppets if not for their beady, reflective eyes.

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