Epic Escape Read Free

describing the costumes.”
    Megan rubbed at the mild sting on her arm and grinned. “I’ll do what I can, but you know it’s all about the clothes.” She straightened her pink shirt so the hem hung lower than the heavy navy jacket, and exited the bus.

Chapter 4

USHER
     
    F illmore patted his walkie-talkie, making sure it was in place, and checked that his cell phone was secured in the utility belt.
    Good. All good.
    He used two hands on the broom’s wooden handle to sweep the auditorium clear of stale popcorn, breathing in the pleasant salt smell, and bent to get the bristles to the back of the wall. Theater management wouldn’t let him use the blowers during the day. The blowers could reach all the crumbs, even ones that hid behind the screws under the seats and in the corners. The broom sometimes broke the pieces, and he had to crawl to get all the kernels.
    They should let him use the blowers. He would defy them if he didn’t fear that the noise would drown out her call. If she called, he needed to be ready.
    He checked the utility belt at his waist.
    Phone. Check.
    Walkie-Talkie. Check.
    The theater seemed forlorn with the lights up, vulnerable to the hordes who would invade.
    He muttered his thoughts, keeping his voice low, so the manager wouldn’t complain again. “Every day they see amazing things, but they don’t learn. They never learn. Same kids, same mistakes.” He scrubbed at a spot of butter with his cuff, and rose on creaky, aching legs to hit the light switch. Lights dimmed and the muted glow from the wall sconces filled the space, transforming the theater into an inviting auditorium. “There we go. Movie magic.”
    He opened the auditorium door, locked it into position, and scanned the lobby. “No deviants yet.” He clapped his hands straight overhead.
    “September 23 rd , the Fall Equinox. It’s time. This time they’ll learn.” Behind him, the auditorium lights flickered, then kicked on with an intense, unnatural glow.
    He lifted the cell phone to his ear and dialed her number on speed dial. “It’s ready.”

Chapter 5

TICKETS
     
    T he posters advertised their movie options--horror, sports, period piece, musical, fairies, super heroes, and an office drama. Joseph and his other friends argued for the sports flick.
    Chase let them dither. “Watch what you want.” He turned to the cashier and placed his order. “One student for Cabin of Terror .”
    His friends followed his lead.
    “So where’s Lauren?” Joseph asked. “No, let me guess. She’s so over.”
    Chase ignored the question and tugged at Joseph’s bag. “Big murse.”
    Joseph unzipped his man purse. The smell of chicken wafted from a large box of fried drumsticks. Joseph closed his eyes in appreciation. “Snacks. I know they’re not allowed in some theaters.”
    “Any theater,” Chase corrected.
    “Possibly most theaters,” Joseph zipped the bag, put his back to the lobby door, and depressed the horizontal handle.
***
     
    Megan sat on a bench near the entrance, reading over Veronica’s shoulder. Veronica had printed the movie reviews and highlighted their best options.
    Veronica said, “I narrowed our choices to three: Pawns, Super Bugs, or Oppressed Office Workers .”
    “I kind of wanted to see the costume drama.”
    Veronica thumped her pen against the paper. “Didn’t you hear Coach?”
    Megan shifted and didn’t answer.
    Zoe sat nearby texting and sucking on a strand of her platinum hair. She didn’t lift her gaze from the screen. “Whichever has the hottest guy. I like my movie people smokin’.”
    “Strangely, they’re not so much ranked by that,” Veronica said.
    “I’ll start the web site. My people want the heat.”
    Megan scanned the crowd, wondering which movie Chase chose.
***
     
    Riley slouched against a pole and absently tapped his fingers. Man it was humid for this early in the morning. At least the theater would be cool.
    Trevor joined him in the queue, followed by some of his