To The Shock of Miss Louise (Carousel Series #1)

Chapter 12: Santa Cruz, CA | 1986

Ruby closed the door behind her, pressing her back against it with a sigh. It was easy to distinguish Kiefer, Brooke and Billy from David, Paul, and Dwayne. Each had a slight, but notable difference from the actor and vice versa. It had only taken her a few days to get their names down pat. But...there was still a problem.

Alexander. Ruby missed Marko awfully. And here was a living double, walking, breathing, riding, laughing... she shuddered.

"No, the real Marko is here." She spoke to no one. Making sure the lock was tight, she headed into the kitchen and dumped her coat on the back of the chair. Poured a glass of Coke and set it on the counter, looking out the window over the sink. The waves broke on the sand, over and over. Ruby went to sip her Coke, then shook her head. Reaching up into the cabinet, she pulled a dusty bottle of amber liquid down and dumped a liberal amount into her glass.

Wincing as the concoction burned in her stomach, she set the glass on the counter and hit the light switch. Bathed in darkness, she padded down the hall to the bedroom. Stepping over a wire trap, she hopped into the white salt circle that surrounded the surplus Army cots that bore the bodies of The Lost Boys.

Each was peaceful in his slumber; they were in perfect hibernation. Ruby had already collected pieces of their clothes and jewelry, which the actors wore while filming. Each Boy had his hand crossed over his chest. Ruby had poured the salt circle on the floor around their cots, a throw back to her occult lessons from David.

"Hello, Boys." She smiled, pained that none would wake and greet her. None would talk with her in the long hours of the day; none would carry her to bed when she finally fell asleep, exhausted. Each was blessed with a kiss on the forehead - David first, then Dwayne, Paul, and finally Marko. Kneeling beside the cot, Ruby rested her chin on the edge of the wooden frame, staring at the youngest Lost Boy.

"They're becoming you. All of you. It's frightening. If only you could see it." She laughed. "You will, when the movie's done. But now... it's amazing. The makeup, the effects. They've got flying near perfect now. All the cables, the wires, something they call the 'blue screen'.

"I'm afraid I'll slip up. That I will tell them something. I know I've missed things, said things that make no sense. Kiefer's the tricky one. I'm afraid he'll follow me. I've made up so many excuses not to go to breakfast with them after shoots. I'm running out..."

There was a knock on the front door. Ruby's heart seized in her chest. The Boys didn't move - of course they wouldn't, but Ruby wished they would. They could dispatch whoever was outside. She rose, stepping from the circle, over the wire trap. Her footsteps timid as she retraced her path up the hall, towards the door. There was another knock. Ruby reached the door, and peered out the tiny window.

"Alexander?" she hissed, undoing the bolt and pulling the door open as far as the chain would allow.

"I'm sorry... I shouldn't have followed you up here. But the others and I, we just really want to know why you won't stay longer then you do..." Alex offered a half-smile as he explained. Ruby's heart seized again. He was Marko...

"You can't be here." Ruby cut him off.

"I'm really sorry. Please... I'll make up some excuse for you, but I..."

"Alexander, go back to your hotel." Ruby stated. Alex stopped speaking, stared at her. "You cannot be here. You should never have followed me! Do you realize what you might have done!"

Alex just stared at her. He'd never seen her so upset. Slipping a hand in through the cracked door, he got lucky and knocked the chain loose. Ruby didn't fight, the door swinging open.

"Ruby... what's going on?" he asked, carefully. Ruby just shook her head.

"You're not supposed to be here."