Untouched (Denazen #1.5)(5)

I traced a line from where we were to Coaster Alley. It was a semicircle consisting of six points of interest. At the center was a large red star with the Statue Man’s face. He wore an ugly expression, baring a row of pointy teeth. “What’s this?”

“That,” Kiernan said, clasping her hands together, “is the Tower of Screams. Best ride in the place. First, though, we totally have to hit the Jipsey.” She pointed to a bright red structure with a pointed roof and a sign that read, Jeeper’s Jipsey Hut.



I looked from her to Dez, then at the building. “Dare I ask?”

“It’ll be a great way for me to get to know you guys,” she said with a mischievous smile. “I’ll even pay.”

“A fortune teller?” Dez groaned. “Really? What’s next, dancing bears?”

I looked at the building again, trying to figure out how the whole thing worked. Dez had said there were vehicles. They must be hidden inside. “Does it go fast and turn up-side-down?”

Kiernan blinked. “Does it what?”

Dez took my hand. “It’s not a ride. It’s some chick dressed in a costume who pretends to read your future.”

That seemed silly. “Pretends? What’s the point?”

Kiernan rolled her eyes and snorted. “No pretending. She’s the real deal. I promise.”

Dez and I both stayed put.

Kiernan stomped her foot and motioned us forward. “Come on. It’ll be fun.”

I still didn’t move. “Fun? How could that possibly be considered fun?”

She folded her arms and started toward the building, unwilling to wait any longer. Over her shoulder, she called, “I doubt you’d know fun if it smacked you on the ass and called you Sally.”

I turned to Dez, desperate. “Sally?”

She tugged me to follow Kiernan. “Remember how you told me it sounded like I was speaking a different language?”

I nodded. It was true. Sometimes I didn’t understand what Dez was trying to say. Slang, she called it. It was nearly as bad as all the expressions people used.

“Well, Kiernan has her own language, too.”

This didn’t make me particularly happy. I wasn’t in the mood to try and learn a new language. Especially since I still couldn’t shake the uncomfortable feeling someone was watching us.





4


The Jipsey wasn’t there. Dez didn’t seem particularly upset about this. She and Kiernan argued, then finally agreed that we would hit some rides and return in a bit.

“So tell me about these people you wanna take me to see,” Kiernan said, stuffing what looked like a handful of blue fluff into her mouth. Dez had one, too, but hers was pink. She’d tried to get me to taste it, but I refused. Forget that it looked like large tufts of cotton; it smelled bad.

“They’re all like us. Sixes.”

“And how can they keep me safe from these Denazen people?” She waved the blue fluff, frowning. “Your boy was right—I’ve heard of them, and the things I’ve heard are nas-tee with a capitol T.” She hesitated. “For all I know, this whole friendship thing could be an act. Maybe you’re with them. Trying to lure me out…”

I laughed. It was involuntary, and I couldn’t stop it. It was a nice sensation—though not as nice as having beer. “I’m not with them anymore.”



Kiernan froze. “Anymore?”

“It’s not like that,” Dez said. “Kale grew up at Denazen—but not like you’re thinking. I told you back at the house; he was held there. Captive. They used his ability to hurt people. It’s what they’ll do to you if they get the chance.”

“I’m a human chameleon. What could they possibly use me for?”

“Don’t,” I said. The word came out a bit harsher than I’d intended, but if she knew what she was asking… “Don’t ask. Don’t even entertain the thought. Trust me when I tell you, you do not want to know.”

“Oookay then,” Kiernan said. After a moment, she pointed to a large structure that looked a lot like a boat. “How about the Pirate Ship? I love that ride.”

The next thing I knew, Dez was tugging me forward, toward the back of a short line.

“Ahoy!” the man at the end of the line greeted us. “Arrg! Ye be ready to set sail?”

Kiernan stomped her foot and saluted the strangely dressed man. I hoped I wouldn’t be expected to do the same.

We were herded forward and shown to seats. There were four people per row. Kiernan was seated behind us, and since we were the last two in line, we were given the last seat alone. Finally. I had Dez to myself.

As if able to read my mind, Dez leaned close and whispered, “I know this isn’t exactly what we had in mind…”

I pulled off my right glove and took her hand. “It’s okay. This girl needs our help.” I leaned close and nuzzled the side of her neck. “And I have you to myself right now, don’t I?”

“You do. Now all we need for everything to be perfect is for someone to turn off that annoying music.” She covered her ears, grinning.

She laughed and said something else as I pulled the glove back on, but I didn’t catch it. A blur in the crowd beyond the ride had my attention. It was there and gone in the blink of an eye, and the same uneasy feeling I’d had at Kiernan’s house was back. I pulled away and surveyed the area. Kiernan was in front of us, lost in conversation with the three boys she was seated next to. In front of her was a mother and what I assumed to be her three small children. One was screaming and pulling the other’s hair, while the third simply sat there, arms folded and breath held.