Cupid's Sabotage (COMPLETED)

Chapter 7

Two o'clock had finally come.

The three of us anxiously wait outside the front gates of the Midfield Zoo—anxious for different reasons. I was anxious to see how well this crazy sabotage plan would work—if it even works at all. Reggie was anxious for the opportunity to put his secret agent skills to work—or the lack thereof. And Marcus was anxious because the zoo has a chimpanzee enclosure. When asked what was so terrifying about chimpanzees, he shook his head nervously and said, "They're evil." I decided it was best not to ask what he meant.

Since the zoo is located downtown, Reggie had asked his mom to drop us off so we wouldn't have to ride our bicycles. Judging by the shocked expression on her face, it wasn't at all difficult to realize that Reggie rarely, as she put it, "plays outside". Somehow, she thought I had something to do with it. She said she's been trying to get Reggie away from his video games for years without success, and so rewarded me with a hug, one that left my lungs devoid of oxygen. Amid not being able to breathe, I wanted to escape her death grip, but I also knew I couldn't shove her away. I mean, she acted like Reggie had this terrible addiction and that I was this angel who somehow convinced him to enter rehab and get clean. It was a rather awkward moment.

"There they are!" Marcus shouts as he lifts a finger towards the parking lot. Gwenevere and Zane are walking towards the Zoo's entrance, holding each other's hand. Just the sight of their jovial attitudes turns my stomach. This plan better work.

"Shhh!" Reggie places a fat finger over his lips. "You're gonna blow Cupid's Sabotage before it gets started. Now, everyone hide." To our left are several enormous bronze statues of an elephant herd marching in a straight line. We crouch behind them and wait for Gwen and Zane to pass by.

The two lovebirds move up to the ticket booth where Zane withdraws his wallet from his jeans pocket. Even from my distant position, I can see it's stocked full of cash. So the rumors are true. The guy really does get a healthy allowance. If Zane can afford to buy Gwen the world, or at the very least a night out on the town, then what chance do I have?

Doubt suddenly creeps in. "Guys, I don't know if this is such a good idea after all."

Reggie's snaps his head around. "What! Don't get cold feet now. Remember, you're the knight in shining armor, Zane's the dragon, and Marcus is your trusty steed. Your mission is to save the princess before she gets eaten!"

Marcus looks up in confusion. "Steed? You mean to tell me that Christian gets to ride on me? And what does that make you?"

"Fairy godmother. Duh."

"Can I at least be a stallion?" he whines.

"You're lucky I don't turn you into a pony. Be happy."

Marcus looks to me for help, but I shake my head. "Sorry, Marc, but Reggie's right. It wouldn't be nearly as heroic if I rode in to save the day on a pony." It's a deep struggle, but I manage to hide the smile that's attempting to bloom across my face.

Reggie bobs his head in my direction. "And that's exactly why he's the knight. Now, come on. Let's crash this party."

Admission into the zoo is two dollars for each guest. I figure since the guys had helped me this far in achieving my goal, the least I could do is pay for their admission. There goes my lawn cutting money.

Inside the ticket booth is a girl; she looks to be sixteen, maybe seventeen years of age. Her lack of enthusiasm tells me this wasn't a job she took on her own accord, and was likely told by her parents that she needs to learn responsibility, maybe even got stuck with this job as punishment. She's talking on her phone while chewing bubblegum with an open mouth in between words, not paying any attention to our presence. I wave at her hoping to catch her attention. She continues to talk on her phone. I clear my throat next. She still doesn't pay any mind to us. Jump up and down. Nothing. Finally, courtesy of Ernie Mills, I drop the fifty pound jar of coins onto the counter. Now that got her attention. The girl instantly stops talking and just stares at the jar in disbelief.