The Winchester Code

Chapter 21 - Schlitterbahn

Schlitterbahn

Chapter 21

“Alright, so what do you want to do first?” I ask Kevin as we leave the bathroom in board shorts.
“I dunno.” He shrugs.
“How about the racing ride?” Dean asks next to me. We head to the locker bay and dump our gear inside; clothes, bags, shoes, knives. The cake is sitting in the boot of the car, double protected from demons, and protected from the final-day-of-summer sun.
“I’ll race you there!” Kevin zips off while Dean and I try to shove everything in the little locker.
“We really should’ve gotten a second one.” Dean says.
“Stop complaining, it’s not like it’ll matter if your shirt gets wrinkled.”
“But-”
“Come on!” Kevin calls from the base of a water slide. Dean sighs and shoves his shirt into the looker and slams it shut, heading towards Kevin.
“I won!” He says as we get closer. He starts up the steps, leaving us to follow.
Sometimes I forget that he’s still pretty much a kid. He can’t even legally drink yet, but there’s so much responsibility on his shoulders. I’m glad that he has put it away, even for one day of fun. I look behind me at my brother, tromping up the stairs behind me.
“Smile.” I instruct. He flashes me the toothiest, most sarcastic smile that he can manage. “Lovely. Keep it up.” He goes back to pouting as soon as I look away, but I ignore it. It’s Kevin’s birthday and I am going to have a good time. We meet Kev up the top.
“Ok,” The instructor says as he hands us some plastic boards. “Grip the handles like this and lie on your stomachs. Pick your slide and get ready to go!”
Kevin rushes to the red slide, lying on the board in front of him. He smiles over at me as I grip the handles and lie on the slide. I hear the slide instructor snicker as I try to fit my legs on the board. This is going to hurt. Dean seems to notice how my legs are still basically touching the ground, even though I’m already in position. He laughs as his legs also stick out like a tail from the slide.
“Ready?” The instructor asks. He presses a button and water starts rushing around us.
“Racers, take your positions!” A voice booms through the tunnels. I glance up as water splashes into my face. A set of lights flash above us.
“Ready,” The voice booms, “Set... GO!”
The water rushes and I see Kevin zoom away as the water struggles to push me from the starting point. I bounce a little, wiggling with the stream, trying to get myself going.
“Hold up, hold up.” The instructor says. I see Dean shoot away and my competitive streak flares up as I quickly draw my legs up, kicking off the railing and launching myself into the tunnel with more speed than needed. I hear the instructor shout something, but all sound is quickly swallowed by water crashing and echoing through the tunnels. I crash dangerously against the walls and try to steady myself as I see the mouth open up. I brace my arms against the tunnel side, burning them on the plastic, but thankfully slowing myself enough that I don’t flip over the side as I shoot out into the open.
I glance bellow me. Dean is still gaining speed as he disappears into the next set of tunnels, and Kevin is nowhere to be seen.
I put my head down and draw my legs in, forcing myself to go faster as I enter the next tunnel. The dark blue plastic lets in barely any light, and I’m plunged into darkness. I close my eyes to keep the water from splashing into them. In the dark, each turn is exaggerated and the rise and falls make my stomach flip. I slide over a massive drop and open my eyes as I plummet towards the light. I scream against my will as I fall downwards and see the pool beneath me. The slide levels out into a long run and I see Kevin ahead of my, sliding to a stop halfway down the red run. Dean has already stopped at the bottom and is sitting up, watching me. I smile and put my head down again, zipping into my lane. I watch Dean and draw my legs up again. As I past him, I flick out my legs, the board sliding sideways and water spraying all over my brother. I come to a quick stop and hear Dean shouting. I stand up quickly and grab my board, laughing as I run up to Kevin.
“I won!” Kevin shouts, picking up his board and jumping with energy.
“Ha!” I laugh, clapping him on the shoulder. He winces as the water stings him. “Good job.”
Kevin smiles and bends down, cupping his hands together, letting the foam board drop. “Thanks.”
He splashes water into my face, and I feel Dean splash me from behind. I kick water towards Kevin, and turn to wet Dean, only to be met with water splashed in my face. I laugh again as I dodge his next blow, the water splashing Kevin. Kevin laughs and kick water at Dean.
“Hey!” Someone shouts. We all turn around and see the slide instructor dude glaring at us. “Take it to the Water Ring.”