Haunt

Gallows Trixie Searches for Snapper - Part 2 of 2

Weekend One - Friday Night, Continued

September 16, 2022

POV: Kelsie Conrad

As soon as we changed into our rollerblades, we were off. Zeffer and I rolled downhill into the International Plaza and wove through the immense crowd. Despite the severe situation, having rollerblades was a treat. Technically, the blades were for the Wicked Witches' flying monkeys. Badlands outlaws were only allowed to use them if we won House of the Night, but this was an emergency.

Zeffer and I were experienced skaters, agile enough to dodge the patrons, grind along concrete barriers and railings, jump down staircases, and hop over obstacles such as benches or the occasional child. Sparks flew all around us. We were beautiful, soaring like fireworks. People applauded and whistled as we flew past. "Yee-haw!" we yelled to stay in character. I loved being so spry.

About fifteen years ago, coming home from Seven Wonders, Mom and I got into a bad car accident. It wasn't Mom's fault. Thankfully, she's such an attentive driver that she minimized our damage. Meanwhile, some drunk on the wrong side of the road managed to sideswipe us and crash head-on into the car behind us, which was then rear-ended by the next car in line. The speed limit was 60, so the damage was terrible. Mom came out with scratches from broken glass and a burn from her airbag. I was in the back seat in a child safety booster, so I was okay. The drunk went unscathed, of course. But the other two drivers? Shit. One guy's kneecap exploded when it hit the dash. The other driver died because her head hit her steering wheel.

Mom still kept in touch with Kneecap Guy because of the lawsuit. He limped severely and had trouble with stairs, despite the surgeries, and he suffered a lot of pain. I was only about six, but the idea of being crippled that way freaked me out. That accident started me in gymnastics, and when I loved that and showed some talent, I added jazz dance, softball, parkour, flipchucking, tai kwon do, and any physical activity I could participate in. I think I have some natural ability but, more importantly, the motivation to enjoy it. Every successful leap thrills me. One of my worst fears is impairment. When I have nightmares, they're about being unable to move or losing a limb. What the hell do you do when a part of your body is just gone? Like Jackie's thumb!

Zeffer and I zipped past the Overlord's throne in the main square, where Zeffer split away and headed left. I went right, crossing the wooden bridge to Asia, where my rollerblades went whomp-whomp-whomp across the boards.

I passed into Asia and grinded along the koi pond, which was just about the most fun ever. My sparks reflected off the water. I skidded to a halt in front of the Shuriken line.

"Hey," I asked a group around my age. "Anyone see a bald girl in all grey with black eyes?"

"Black guys?" One of them asked while giggling.

Three of them shouted at me in unison, "I want to be a cowboy, baby! I want to be a cowboy!"

Hadn't heard that one before. "Yeah, thanks, guys."

I rolled around Asia and stopped in front of Rick Rickshaw's Imported Gifts and Souvenirs, the only building in the park that was permanently closed. I observed its shuttered windows and locked door as I had dozens of times before, with that anxious feeling that I might catch something looking back at me. We don't go in Rick Rickshaw's Imported Gifts and Souvenirs. But to be thorough, I quickly checked its back lot and skated away as soon as possible.

I skated from Asia to Australia, which would make sense if you saw our park map. I completed a circle around the shops. I didn't see anyone who even remotely looked like Snapper. I hoped she couldn't change her appearance at will. Some monsters can.